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POLICY INFORMATION
| Version | 1.0 |
|---|---|
| Last Approved | May 2026 |
| Next Review Due | May 2027 |
| Last Updated | 28/05/26 |
| Policy Owner | ‣ |
| Applies To | All Staff |
| Approval Authority | Paint Pots Trustees |
| Staff Acknowledgement Required | Yes |
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The ‘Bruising Protocol’ tells staff what to do when they identify a bruise in a young baby, especially a baby who is not yet crawling or rolling. Bruising is the most common physical sign of child abuse. A bruise can be a sign of abuse in any age but bruising in non-mobile babies is unusual and can be associated with life threatening injury.
Practitioner Guide- Bruising Protocol
All non- mobile babies with a bruise should be reported to the DSL who will make a referral to the Children’s resource service (Southampton) and Children’s Services (Hampshire), even if the parent feels they are able to provide a reason for the bruise. Staff will provide parents a copy of the bruising protocol linked here:
Bruising Protocol for Parents.
The practitioner guide- Bruising Protocol file below should be displayed at all settings:
Practitioner Guide- Bruising Protocol
October 2025 - Bruising Protocol.pdf
Please complete the form below once you have read and understood this procedure.
https://forms.microsoft.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=eIRiMVTs8Ui_SN98FNNiCLwCXinV48pInJIGI3P_DINUQVFPTUREN0M0M0NQVks0REEwNVcyT1A4NCQlQCN0PWcu