In 2025, the LSCP undertook a multi-agency audit exploring how suspected physical abuse is responded to across the partnership. A key finding was that across different agencies there was inconsistent understanding of procedures in response to physical harm concerns.

Following this, a shared local protocol has been developed by a working group formed of Lambeth Children’s Social Care staff, police Child Abuse Investigations Teams and medical staff from the Mary Sheridan Centre.

The protocol sets out the local expectations for identifying, reporting and investigating physical abuse concerns and comes with a flowchart to support referring agencies to understand what action they need to take.