All health staff have a duty to protect chldren from abuse or neglect. Western Isles NHS Board places this as a high priority throughout the organisation.

This service aims to provide support, specialist advice and training for all staff of NHS Western Isles who may come into contact with children or their families who are in need of protection from abuse or neglect.

The team includes a Lead Clinician Child Protection, a full time GP with additional training and experience in child protection and forensic medicine and a Senior Nurse Child Protection in a full time post dedicated to child protection, she is a trained nurse and health visitor with additional experience in child and family welfare, as well as holding postgraduate qualifications in child protection.

Both are members of the Western Isles Child Protection Committee and available to support staff in a number of ways including:

• Development of guidelines
  
• Provision of support and advice - whether on specific cases or general issues including case conference attendance, preparation of reports or appearing as a witness in court
  
• Liaison with and specialist advice to the other agencies
  
• Provision of inter agency training
  
• Involvement in research and audit