Health visitors play an important role in safeguarding and protecting children. In this paper
we review current research evidence and professional literature about this aspect of health
visiting and highlight some of the practice challenges in undertaking this work. Three
critical issues are discussed. The invisibility and unquestioned nature of much health visiting
safeguarding work; that health visitors with their clinical expertise and accepted home
visiting role are well placed to undertake this type of work; and the challenges of ensuring
effective safeguarding within the context of economic austerity. The paper highlights the
important contribution of contemporary health visiting to safeguarding children and child
protection. It is important that this role is made explicit to those commissioning health
visiting services for children in the early years
