The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has issued a call to all healthcare leaders to do more in identifying and listening to children who may be at risk of harm, as a result of a recent report.

The ‘Not seen, not heard’ report examines looks at how effective health services are in providing early help to children in need, the health and wellbeing of looked-after children and how these services identify and protect children at risk of harm.

Chief executive of the CQC, David Behan, commented: “Listening to and engaging children is often what identifies a good service and while most staff demonstrate passion and determination to keep children safe, the systems and the support they need are not always there and many areas are still not getting it right for children. Children must be at the heart of how services are delivered, their needs must be seen and their voices heard. No child should be left behind.”

Find out more about ‘Not seen, not heard’ here