Safeguarding vulnerable children.

Some of the following children and young people are particularly vulnerable and require additional safeguarding: those in local authority care ('looked after' children), those who have disabilities, those who are in custody, and those who are affected by domestic violence. Recent reviews of the nursing contribution to safeguarding vulnerable children in all four countries of the UK were intended to improve the capacity and capability of the nursing workforce to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. Extensive statutory and non-statutory guidance exists to help ensure that staff in all healthcare settings understand their role in safeguarding and have the skills and competence to protect and promote the welfare of children and young people. Despite these developments, strong strategic and inspirational clinical leadership is still required to bring about the significant cultural change required to ensure that safeguarding children becomes part of everyday nursing practice.