Physical Abuse

Physical abuse is any action that causes physical harm and or injury to a child. It is often used to control and create fear. The fear of further physical harm can often prevent children from sharing their experiences of physical abuse. 

As part of growing up, children will get bruises and other injuries accidentally. These are more likely to be in certain areas of the body more than others, for example, most accidental injuries are seen on bony parts of the body (e.g., shins, knees and elbows). Some physical abuse might present as an accident. It is important to remember that accidents occurring very often, in a pattern, or in a way that seems unusual for the child’s abilities and known activities could be an indication of physical abuse. 

Some physical abuse will not present as accidental, with marks or injuries being seen to parts of the child’s body where it would be unlikely for an accident to have occurred. The age and stage of development of the child must also be considered, for example, it is very unusual for a baby to get an accidental bruise during everyday activities such as nappy changes, bathing or feeding.

Some physical abuse might not result in any visible injury. Poisoning and head injuries might not cause broken skin and bruises - instead the child might present as nauseous, sleepy or confused. 

We should not rely on children and young people to identify their own abuse – they may not know or consider that they are being abused or may be unable to tell us verbally for various reasons. Always look out for potential signs of physical abuse.

If you work with children, you are well-positioned to identify physical or any other form of abuse or neglect, including child-on-child abuse, online threats, and the encouragement and/or facilitation of physical abuse.

Female genital mutilation and fabricated or induced illness are forms of physical abuse and can seriously damage a child’s long-term physical and mental health. In England and Wales, certain professionals, including teachers, have a mandatory duty to report ‘discovered’ cases of FGM to the police. 

Remember

• Physical abuse may be inflicted by adults or children. It may take place in or outside the family home.
• Bruising/tenderness/swelling and other injuries in pre-mobile babies or children with very limited mobility is always a cause for immediate concern.
• It can be harder to detect bruising on darker skin, so staff should also look out for tenderness or minor swelling over the injured area. 
• Some head injuries (including potentially fatal ones) and fractures may be present without any apparent bruising or other injuries.
• Contrary to popular belief, according to research by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health it’s impossible to age bruises accurately based on a naked eye assessment. 

Promote Safeguarding

When working with parents and carers, practitioners should prioritise a child-centred approach, fostering partnerships to ensure understanding, support and safety. 

Remember: 

• Collaborative efforts are crucial, especially in cases of suspected harm. 
• Practitioners must engage effectively with diverse families, demonstrating empathy, respect and cultural awareness. 
• Communication should be clear, inclusive and accessible. Encouraging parental/carer involvement in decision-making and valuing their input is essential. 
• Involving families and communities in designing processes fosters a holistic approach to safeguarding children. 
• Continuous reflection and adaptation based on feedback from parents and carers enhance practice effectiveness. 
• Have you considered if: 
  
  * the setting’s safeguarding policy and any strategies related to physical abuse are easy to understand and accessible to all parents and carers, with consideration given to things like literacy, language and disability? 
  
  * the setting has ensured that all parents and carers know where to access up to date and evidence-based information about how to positively support their child’s development and the negative impact of physical abuse?
  
  * you are always proactive in your communication to those parents/carers who you have identified as vulnerable or who are experiencing a difficult time?