Safeguarding children – understanding the roles of Named and Designated Professionals

Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility. To be able to discharge these responsibilities there needs to be a robust and supportive multi-agency safeguarding system to ensure children and young people reach their optimum potential and best outcomes. Designated and Named Professionals are key parts of such a system. This paper describes the roles and responsibilities of Designated and Named Professionals, how they support the system and safeguarding as well as the key attributes they require to undertake these roles. It describes the challenges they face but also the rewarding aspects of their involvement. The readers are urged to reflect on why a career in this field is intellectually stimulating and worth considering. Both authors have enjoyed their roles as Designated Doctors in Safeguarding Children.