An open letter signed by 13 leading health organisations has been sent to Government demanding that the ‘reasonable’ defense of physically punishing children is abolished.

The letter urges the Government to back Baroness Finlay’s proposed amendment to the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill, ensuring the law does not enable parents to justify using physical force as a means of disciplining children.

A recent poll revealed the majority of social workers consider the Bill’s ‘reasonable punishment’ clause a threat to their safeguarding abilities.

Following the Bill’s progression into the Committee Stage in the House of Lords, the 13 health organisations are now urging MPs to provide greater legislative clarity about what constitutes child abuse, emphasising the detrimental effects of physical punishment on children’s wellbeing.

RCPCH Officer for Child Protection and Consultant Paediatrician, Professor Andrew Rowland, said: ‘There is now strong agreement from health and social care professionals that the current laws around physical punishment of children, including smacking, are unjust, vague and ultimately dangerous.’

‘A child focused piece of legislation such as this is incredibly rare and should be fully embraced to ensure it delivers meaningful, lasting change’, he added.

BMA public health medicine committee deputy chair, Dr Tamasin Knight commented: ‘Given the potential for physical punishment to damage a child’s health and wellbeing, we believe that children should have full legal protection from all forms of physical punishment.’ […]

‘If we are to truly safeguard children, arguably one of the most vulnerable groups in society, it is crucial that they are given the same legal protection from physical assault as anyone else.’