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Professional responsibilities - Everyone who comes to a conference should know: why they have been invited what they need to bring with them what they will go away to do what support they can expect to do what is required of them. Reports All professionals invited to attend the conference should prepare1.10 Child protection conferences
Electronic and digital recording - Recording of child protection conferences by service users, using digital means, e.g. smart phones, can take place overtly or covertly. This may be because service users want to have a record of the conversation to refer back to, or because they have difficulties in following or recalling1.1 Sharing information
Sharing information between professionals and local agencies is essential to provide effective early help and to put in place child protection services. Often it is only when information is shared that it becomes clear a child may be at risk of significant harm. Indeed, Serious Case Review1.1 Sharing information
Disclosure of information in cases of alleged child abuse and linked criminal and care directions hearings - The 2013 Protocol and Good Practice Model: disclosure of information in cases of alleged child abuse and care directions hearings (‘2013 Protocol’) was published on 17 October 2013 and came into force on 1 January 2014. The 2013 Protocol deals with all aspects of information exchange f1.10 Child protection conferences
A child protection conference must be called when a section 47 enquiry concludes that a child has suffered or is likely to suffer significant harm and a child protection plan is required to safeguard the child’s welfare. If concerns relate to an unborn child, consideration should be give1.10 Child protection conferences
The purpose of a child protection conference - A child protection conference brings together and analyses all relevant information in an inter-agency setting and plans how best to safeguard and promote the welfare of the child. It is a way of analysing and managing risk and NOT providing services. The conference should: Consider the e1.10 Child protection conferences
Convening a conference - A child protection conference will normally be convened by local authority children’s social care. The timing of a conference will depend on: the needs of the child the nature and severity of the harm the child faces the type of conference (see below). A conference should be convened if1.10 Child protection conferences
Types of conference - Depending on the circumstances there are several different types of child protection conference. All types of child protection conferences should consider the needs of all other children in the household. Initial conferences Initial child protection conferences should be held when the sec1.10 Child protection conferences
Membership - A conference should consist of those people who have a contribution to make due to their knowledge of the child and family, their expertise relevant to the case, or their potential to support a plan. Local authority children’s social care will identify those who should be invited. This w1.10 Child protection conferences
Conduct of the meeting - Every effort should be made to enable everyone to contribute fully, including family members. Everyone present must offer their view about what the decision should be with regard to a plan (including the child and family) and everyone’s view should be recorded. In exceptional circumstanc1.10 Child protection conferences
Outcome of the conference - Initial Child Protection Conference – Decision The conference should determine whether a child has suffered or is likely to suffer significant harm and whether a child protection plan is required to safeguard the child’s welfare. The need for a child protection plan should be considere1.10 Child protection conferences
Recording and sharing the decision - The formal decision letter and outline/revised child protection plan should be sent to all those invited to the conference within one working day. The conference record, signed by the conference chair, should then be circulated within 20 working days of the conference. Any amendments shoul1.10 Child protection conferences
Managing complaints or disagreement - If an agency does not agree with a decision or recommendation made at a child protection conference, their professional dissent must be recorded in the record of the conference. An agency or individual who does not agree with the decision must feel able to, and know how to, use the local e1.11 Implementing child protection plans
When a conference decides that a child should be the subject of a child protection plan, a qualified and experienced children's social worker must be appointed as the lead social worker to co-ordinate all aspects of the inter-agency child protection plan. The conference should also identif1.11 Implementing child protection plans
The Lead Social Worker - The lead social worker acts as the lead professional for inter-agency work with the child and family, co-ordinating the contribution of both family members and professionals. It is important that the role of the lead social worker is fully explained at the initial child protection conferen1.11 Implementing child protection plans
The Core Group - Membership Membership of the core group will have been identified at the initial child protection conference and must include: The lead social worker/first line manager. (Which one of these professionals chairs the core group is dependent on the complexity of the case). The child if approp1.11 Implementing child protection plans
Difficulties implementing the child protection plan - Where any member of the core group is aware of difficulties implementing the child protection plan, they must immediately inform the lead social worker who will convene a core group meeting/discussion. This meeting may amend the child protection plan, agree to arrange an early review confe1.11 Implementing child protection plans
Children on Child Protection Plans who Move Abroad - Local agencies and professionals should bear in mind when working with children and families where there are outstanding concerns about the children's safety and welfare, that a series of missed appointments may indicate that the family has moved out of the area or overseas. Where a child1.12 Discontinuing a child protection plan
The decision to discontinue a child protection plan will normally be made by a Review conference. A child may no longer need a child protection plan if: the review conference judges that the child is no longer likely to suffer significant harm and no longer requires safeguarding by means o1.13 Managing professional disagreements
If there are disagreements between agencies or individuals over the handling of concerns about children, or associated decision-making by an individual agency, and the agencies/professionals are unable to resolve differences through discussion and/or meetings, their disagreements must be b1.14 Allegations against staff or volunteers
Outcome of allegation investigations - The evaluation or strategy meeting/discussion should take in to account the following definitions when determining the outcome of allegation investigations: Substantiated: there is sufficient identifiable evidence to prove the allegation. False: there is sufficient evidence to disprove the1.14 Allegations against staff or volunteers
Responding to an allegation or concern - An allegation against a member of staff may arise from a number of sources (for example, a report from a child, a concern raised by another adult in the organisation, or a complaint by a parent). It may also arise in the context of the member of staff and their life outside work. Initial a1.14 Allegations against staff or volunteers
Record keeping and monitoring progress - Record keeping Employers should keep a clear and comprehensive summary of the case record on a person's confidential personnel file and give a copy to the individual. The record should include details of how the allegation was followed up and resolved, the decisions reached and the action1.14 Allegations against staff or volunteers
Roles and responsibilities - Local authorities Local authorities should assign a 'Designated Officer' (often referred to as ‘Designated Officer (LADO)') to: be involved in the management and oversight of individual cases provide advice and guidance to employers and voluntary organisations liaise with the police an1.14 Allegations against staff or volunteers
Thresholds for implementation of this procedure - These procedures should be applied when there is an allegation or concern that any person who works with children has: behaved in a way that has harmed a child, or may have harmed a child possibly committed a criminal offence against or related to a child behaved towards a child or childre1.14 Allegations against staff or volunteers
All allegations of abuse of children by those who work with children (whether in a paid or unpaid capacity) must be taken seriously.1.14 Allegations against staff or volunteers
Underlying principles - When dealing with allegations against staff or volunteers the following principles should be applied: Confidentiality Every effort should be made to maintain confidentiality and guard against publicity while an allegation is being investigated. Apart from keeping the child, parents and acc1.15 Organised and complex abuse
Organised or multiple abuse is defined as abuse involving one or more abusers and a number of children. It can occur both as part of a network of abuse across a family or community and within institutions such as residential homes or schools. There will also be cases of children being abus1.16 Children and families moving across local authority boundaries
Sharing information of a planned or unplanned move - When a family is planning to move or has moved to another area and there are concerns about the welfare of a child, professionals in all agencies should: ensure that other agencies who have been working with the child and family are aware of the move seek appropriate consent to share infor1.16 Children and families moving across local authority boundaries
Children who move during section 47 enquiries - In the event that a family moves while a section 47 enquiry is being undertaken, the authority who initiated the section 47 enquiry should convene a strategy meeting/discussion within 72 hours. This must include children’s social care and other relevant professionals from the area the ch1.16 Children and families moving across local authority boundaries
It is best practice for children to receive services from agencies who are local to where they live. This particularly applies to health, education and social care services. At any stage in the process of working with a child and their family, the parents/carers and/or the child may move f1.16 Children and families moving across local authority boundaries
Other circumstances requiring cooperation across local authority boundaries - Co-parenting arrangements Where there is a co-parenting arrangement (however imbalanced) across two different local authority areas, the professionals in the two areas should jointly plan for the child's safety. This will include an assessment of the child’s needs in both locations and1.16 Children and families moving across local authority boundaries
Children in receipt of services as a ‘child in need’ - Where a child who is receiving services as a ‘child in need’ (but is not looked after or subject to a child protection plan) moves it is normally advisable that assessments, enquiries or particular pieces of work or treatment are concluded before any transfer of case responsibility tak1.16 Children and families moving across local authority boundaries
Children who move frequently - The child protection plan will also remain with the area who initiated the plan if the family moves so frequently that the child's welfare cannot be adequately monitored. The local authority holding the case responsibility should share information with each successive authority that the fa1.16 Children and families moving across local authority boundaries
Time-limited moves - There may be circumstances where the child protection plan specifies a move out of an authority for a time-limited period. For example: the child temporarily stays with friends/family in another authority there is a time-limited placement in a residential or mother and baby unit in another1.16 Children and families moving across local authority boundaries
Transfer of responsibilities - Children’s social care services are normally provided by the local authority for the area where the child is living or is found. For these purposes, 'found' means the physical location where the child suffers, or is identified to be at risk of, harm or neglect. However, where a child is1.16 Children and families moving across local authority boundaries
Responding to children and families moving into a new area - All agencies in contact with families who have moved, must establish basic information (i.e. full names, dates of birth, previous address, registration with doctor and enrolment in school etc.). The relevant agency must be notified if a child is not appropriately registered/enrolled. Facil1.17 Child Death Reviews
Child Death Review Partners - The child death review partners are defined as the local authority for the relevant area and any integrated care boards operating in the local authority area as set out in the Children Act 2004 (the Act), as amended by the Children and Social Work Act 2017. It is the responsibility of the1.17 Child Death Reviews
Responsibilities of other Organisations/Agencies - The Partners will request information from a person or organisation for the purposes of enabling or assisting the review and/or analysis process. Requests for information must be complied with and if they are not, the Partners will consider legal action to seek enforcement. All local org1.17 Child Death Reviews
Responding to the death of a child: the Child Death Review process (focus on the individual child) - The process to be followed is set out in statutory guidance: The steps that precede the independent review undertaken by the Child Death Overview Panel commence in the immediate aftermath of a child's death. These include the immediate decisions, notifications and parallel investigation1.17 Child Death Reviews
National Child Mortality Database - From 1 April 2019 the National Child Mortality Database (NCMD) is the repository for data relating to all children's deaths in England. It will enable more detailed analysis and interpretation of all data arising from the child death review process, ensure that lessons are learned followin1.17 Child Death Reviews
The independent review: Child Death Overview Panel (focus on local and national learning) - The functions of CDOP include: To collect and collate information about each child death, seeking relevant information from professionals and, where appropriate, family members; To analyse the information obtained, including the report from the Child Death Review Meeting (CDRM), in order t1.17 Child Death Reviews
Under the Children Act 2004 there is a statutory requirement that all child deaths are independently reviewed. The Child Death Review Statutory and Operational Guidance (England) (2018) sets out the key features of robust child death review and applies to all organisations involved with1.18 Additional guidance
Definitions of abuse and neglect - Child abuse occurs throughout society and affects children of all ages. Somebody may abuse or neglect a child by inflicting harm, or by failing to act to prevent harm. Physical abuse Physical abuse may involve hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning or scalding, drowning, suffocatin1.18 Additional guidance
Transfer-in conferences - Transfer-in conferences should take place when a child who is the subject of a child protection plan moves, or plans to move, permanently from one local authority area to another. (A permanently move is usually defined as a period of more than 3 months.) A Transfer-in conference has the sa1.18 Additional guidance
Inter-authority arrangements for child protection enquiries - Responsibility for section 47 enquiries rests with the local authority children’s social care for the area where the child is living or is found. For these purposes, 'found' means the physical location where the child suffers, or is identified to be at risk of, harm or neglect. Usually t1.18 Additional guidance
Involving the child, their parents and family - It is important that the principles of partnership with the child, their parents and family are maintained throughout the child protection process. Listening to and involving the child The interests of the child must always remain at the centre of the child protection process. The child sh1.18 Additional guidance
Looked after children and child protection conferences - When a child with a child protection plan becomes ‘looked after’ by the local authority, in most cases it will no longer be necessary to maintain the child protection plan. Similarly, children who are already looked after will not usually be the subject of child protection conferences.1.18 Additional guidance
Medical evidence - Where the child requires medical attention (for example, suspected fractures, bleeding, loss of consciousness), they should be taken to the nearest emergency department. In other circumstances where a medical assessment may be required, the strategy meeting/discussion will determine, in co1.18 Additional guidance
Pre-birth procedures - Referral Where agencies or individuals anticipate that prospective parents may need support services to care for their baby or that the unborn child may have suffered, or be likely to suffer, significant harm, a referral to local authority children's social care must be made as soon as con1.18 Additional guidance
Review conferences - Review conferences consider whether the child protection plan should continue or should be changed. They review whether the child is continuing to suffer, or is likely to suffer, significant harm, and review developmental progress against the child protection plan outcomes. Thorough regula1.18 Additional guidance
The assessment framework - The assessment stage involves gathering and analysing information under the three domains of the assessment framework. These are the: child’s developmental needs parents’ or caregivers’ capacity to respond appropriately impact of the wider family and environmental factors on parentin1.18 Additional guidance
The concept of significant harm - The Children Act 1989 introduced the concept of significant harm as the threshold which justifies compulsory intervention in family life in the best interests of children. Section 47 of the Act places a duty on local authorities to make enquiries, or cause enquiries to be made, where it ha1.18 Additional guidance
Visually recorded interviews - Visually recorded interviews serve two primary purposes: Evidence gathering in a criminal investigation. Evidence to be presented in court in criminal proceedings. Relevant information can also be used to inform section 47 Enquiries, subsequent civil childcare proceedings or disciplinary p1.18 Additional guidance
Complaints by children and/or parents - Parents and, on occasion, children may wish to make representations or complain in respect of one or more of the following aspects of the functioning of child protection conferences: The process of the conference. The outcome, in terms of the fact of and/or the category of primary concern1.18 Additional guidance
Children on child protection plans who go missing - Any professional/agency who becomes aware that a child who is subject to a child protection plan is missing must inform the lead social worker/manager and agency designated/lead practitioner immediately. Also see regional procedure on Children missing from care, home and education. The lea1.18 Additional guidance
Adult with care and support needs - The adult safeguarding duties under the Care Act 2014 apply to an adult, aged 18 or over, who: has needs for care and support (whether or not the local authority is meeting any of those needs) is experiencing, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect as a result of those care and support needs i1.18 Additional guidance
West Midlands Protocol - Protecting Children who Move Across Local Authority Borders - Under review West Midlands Protocol - Protecting Children who Move Across Local Authority Borders1.18 Additional guidance
West Midlands Joint Protocol - Child Protection Enquiries and Related Criminal Investigations - Under review West Midlands Joint Protocol - Child Protection Enquiries and Related Criminal Investigations1.18 Additional guidance
Local Child Safeguarding Practice Reviews: Statutory guidance, regional framework and practice guidance - The purpose of reviews of serious child safeguarding cases, at both local and national level, is to identify improvements to be made to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. Learning is relevant locally, but it has a wider importance for all practitioners working with children and1.18 Additional guidance
Assessments under The Children Act 1989 - Local authority children’s social care assess the needs of individual children to determine which services to provide and what action to take. The full set of statutory assessments available under the Children Act 1989 are described on this page. Where a child in need has moved permanent1.18 Additional guidance
Children living or being taken abroad - Where a child or young person is the subject of a Child Protection Plan, is in receipt of Child in Need services or there are existing safeguarding concerns whereby any form of assessment or enquiry is ongoing, then should the child be taken abroad agencies should share information as appr1.18 Additional guidance
After-school clubs - Guidance on what policies and procedures after-school club providers should have in place for: health and safety safeguarding and child protection staff suitability governance After-school clubs, community activities and tuition: safeguarding guidance for providers1.19 Pre-Birth Guidance
Pre-Birth Guidance Purpose of the Guidance The purpose of this guidance is for Sandwell’s Children’s Trust practitioners to understand what is expected of them, in relation to working with vulnerable pregnant women, fathers and their unborn babies. The guidance is also to set1.2 Introduction
Children are best protected when professionals are clear about what is required of them individually and understand how they need to work together. Research has also demonstrated that every day counts for children who need additional help and co-ordinated multi-agency action can be crucial1.3 Early help
Providing ‘early help’ is more effective in promoting the welfare of children than reacting when problems become more serious. This help may be needed at any point in a child’s life, from early to teenage years. All professionals, particularly those in universal services, should be a1.4 Responding to concerns about a child
Responding to concerns about a child Anyone who has concerns about a child’s welfare should make a referral to local authority children’s social care and should do so immediately if there is a concern that the child is suffering significant harm or is likely to do so. This includes pro1.5 Referrals
Professional responsibilities Professionals in all agencies have a responsibility to refer a child to local authority children's social care when it is believed or suspected that the child or unborn child: has suffered significant harm is likely to suffer significant harm has a disability,1.6 Assessment
The purpose of assessment - Whatever formal legislation the child is assessed under, the purpose of the assessment is always: to gather important information about a child and family to analyse their needs and/or the nature and level of any risk and harm being suffered by the child to decide whether the child is a1.6 Assessment
Principles of a good assessment - All local authorities and their partner agencies in the wider West Midlands have developed and published their local frameworks for assessment. These ensure that all assessments: are child-centred. Where there is a conflict of interest, decisions should be made in the child’s best intere1.6 Assessment
A frequent outcome of a referral will be a decision that further assessment is required by local authority children’s social care. The type of assessment will depend on the child: a summary of the full set of statutory assessments available under the Children Act 1989 is available Pre-b1.6 Assessment
Outcomes of an assessment - Every assessment should be focussed on outcomes, deciding which services and support to provide in order to improve the welfare of the child. The possible outcomes of the assessment are: No further action. A referral to early help services. The development of a multi-agency child in need p1.6 Assessment
The assessment process - All assessments should be planned and co-ordinated by a lead social worker. This will ensure that the child does not become lost between the different agencies involved and their different procedures. The lead social worker should ensure that the purpose of the assessment is transparent,1.7 Immediate protection
Where there is a risk to the life of a child, or the possibility of serious immediate harm, an agency with statutory child protection powers (the police, NSPCC or local authority children's social care in the area where the child is ‘found’) should act quickly to secure the immediate s1.8 Strategy meeting/discussion
Whenever there is reasonable cause to suspect that a child is suffering, or is likely to suffer, significant harm, a strategy meeting/discussion should be held. Strategy discussions should ideally be face-to-face but telephone discussions (for example, by a conference call or virtual meeti1.8 Strategy meeting/discussion
Recording - Irrespective of whether the strategy meeting/discussion takes the form of a telephone discussion or face-to-face meeting, it is the responsibility of the chair to ensure that the decisions and agreed actions are fully recorded. All agencies attending should take notes of the actions agreed1.8 Strategy meeting/discussion
Outcomes of the strategy meeting/discussion - The strategy meeting/discussion should: decide whether, or how, section 47 enquiries should be pursued and produce a plan for carrying out the enquiries agree an interim multi-agency plan to adequately safeguard the child or children during the period between the strategy meeting/discussio1.8 Strategy meeting/discussion
Frequency - Strategy meetings/discussions should be convened as soon as practicable bearing in mind the needs of the child and must take place within three working days of child protection concerns being identified, except in the following circumstances: For allegations/concerns indicating a serious r1.8 Strategy meeting/discussion
The purpose of a strategy meeting/discussion - A strategy meeting/discussion is an opportunity to share as much of the available information as possible between participants to inform the next steps. In addition to sharing information, the meeting/discussion should be used to: agree the conduct and timing of any criminal investigation1.8 Strategy meeting/discussion
Professional representation - The strategy meeting/discussion should be convened by local authority children's social care. In addition to children's social care, the police and relevant health professionals, the meeting/discussion should involve all other agencies (for example, schools and nurseries) who hold informat1.8 Strategy meeting/discussion
Initiating a strategy meeting/discussion - In deciding whether to call a strategy meeting/discussion, the local authority children's social care should consider the: seriousness of the concern(s) repetition or duration of concern(s) vulnerability of child (through age, developmental stage, disability or other pre-disposing factor)1.9 Child protection enquiries
Outcome of section 47 enquires - At the completion of a section 47 enquiry, local authority children's social care must evaluate and analyse all the information gathered and determine if the threshold for significant harm has been reached. The outcome of the section 47 enquiries may reflect that the original concerns are:1.9 Child protection enquiries
Initiating a child protection enquiry - A section 47 enquiry is normally initiated following a strategy meeting/discussion. When a section 47 enquiry is initiated, even when there has been a recent assessment, local authority children's social care will normally inform the family of the cause for concern unless to so would place1.9 Child protection enquiries
For more detailed information on child protection enquiries, see the West Midlands Joint Protocol: Child Protection Enquiries and Related Criminal Investigations or West Mercia Police and Children Services Protocol - Section 47 Enquiries and Criminal Investigations (please note that this1.9 Child protection enquiries
Conducting a section 47 enquiry - Multi-agency checks The social worker must contact the other agencies involved with the child to inform them that a child protection enquiry has been initiated. The relevant agency should be informed of the reason for the enquiry, whether or not parental consent has been obtained, and aske1.9 Child protection enquiries
Duty to conduct section 47 enquiries - Where a child is suspected to be suffering, or likely to suffer, significant harm, the local authority is required by section 47 of the Children Act 1989 to make enquiries to enable it to decide whether it should take action to safeguard and promote the welfare of the child. A section 47 e2.1 Children affected by harm outside of the home (including exploitation, trafficking & gangs)
Further information - Department for Education Working Together 2023 Department for Education Child Sexual Exploitation: definition & guide for practitioners Home office Criminal exploitation of children and vulnerable adults; county lines Home office Modern Slavery; statutory guidance for England & Wal2.10 Information sharing and confidentiality
Further guidance - For further detailed guidance, see Information sharing: Advice for practitioners providing safeguarding services to children, young people, parents and carers (July 2018). Working Together to Safeguard Children. A guide to inter-agency working to safeguard and promote the welfare of childr2.1 Children affected by harm outside of the home (including exploitation, trafficking & gangs)
Key legislation - Crime and Disorder Act 1998 - listed Responsible and Co-operating Authorities have a statutory responsibility to do all that they reasonably can to prevent crime and disorder in their area and share information to protect communities from serious and organised crime. Publically commission2.1 Children affected by harm outside of the home (including exploitation, trafficking & gangs)
Cross-border issues - The nature of harm outside of the home, modern slavery & trafficking is not confined to geographical boundaries. Pathways are diverse and differ between abuse types. Offenders involved will take advantage of organisational and geographical vulnerabilities since they know there are weak2.1 Children affected by harm outside of the home (including exploitation, trafficking & gangs)
Useful tools and powers - Home Office Child Exploitation Disruption Toolkit - Disruption tactics for those working to safeguard children and young people under the age of 18 from sexual and criminal exploitation. Criminal, Civil and Partnership Disruption Options for Perpetrators of Child and Adult Victims of Expl2.10 Information sharing and confidentiality
Introduction - Effective secure information sharing is vital for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children to facilitate early identification of need, assessment and intervention to ensure that children with additional needs receive the services they require and that children are protected from2.10 Information sharing and confidentiality
Confidential information and the public interest - Confidential information is information of some sensitivity, which is not public knowledge, and which has been shared in a relationship where the person giving the information understood that it would not be shared with others. Confidence is only breached where the sharing of confidential2.10 Information sharing and confidentiality
The Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme - See also: Domestic Violence and Abuse procedure. The Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS) or Clare’s Law, gives members of the public a formal mechanism to make enquires about an individual who they are in a relationship with, or who is in a relationship with someone they know, whe2.10 Information sharing and confidentiality
Child Sex Offender Disclosure Scheme - The Child Sex Offender Disclosure Scheme (CSODS) or Sarah’s Law, is designed to provide members of the public with a formal mechanism to ask for disclosure about people they are concerned about, who have unsupervised access to children and may therefore pose a risk. This scheme builds on2.1 Children affected by harm outside of the home (including exploitation, trafficking & gangs)
Protection and action to be taken - Any agency or practitioner who has concerns that a child may be at risk of harm outside of the home should consider any local safeguarding pathways, procedures, and thresholds. These may include screening tools to help identify concerns. Professionals should contact their relevant Children2.10 Information sharing and confidentiality
Disclosure of information - Information should only be shared on a need-to-know basis, i.e. necessary for the purpose for which they are sharing it and shared only with those people who need it securely. Practitioners should ensure that the information they share is relevant, accurate, factual and up-to-date; where o2.1 Children affected by harm outside of the home (including exploitation, trafficking & gangs)
Osman warning - threat to life - Sometimes, if there is a possible ‘threat to life’, it may result in the Police issuing an Osman Warning to a person whose life is identified as being threatened. The notice covers threats to life or serious injury, often where there is not enough evidence to justify the arrest of an2.10 Information sharing and confidentiality
Where information may be shared securely without consent, if another legal basis applies under article 6 and 9 - All practitioners should be confident of the lawful basis and processing conditions under the Data Protection Act 2018 and the UK GDPR which allow them to process personal information including information which is considered sensitive, such as health data, known under the data protection2.10 Information sharing and confidentiality
Legal conditions for information sharing - The conditions for processing data concerning safeguarding may be to protect the vital interests of an individual at risk of harm, or under a legal obligation article 6 and article 9 UK GDPR to carry out safeguarding functions. When any agency considers that it will need to share informati2.1 Children affected by harm outside of the home (including exploitation, trafficking & gangs)
Other related procedures are: Safeguarding children and young people against radicalisation and violent extremism Organised and complex abuse Sexually active children and young people Children who go missing from home, care and education Online safety: Children exposed to abuse through2.1 Children affected by harm outside of the home (including exploitation, trafficking & gangs)
Definition - Some children experience abuse and exploitation outside the home. This is often referred to as ‘extra-familial harm’ as it occurs outside of the family home and can occur in a range of extra-familial contexts, including school and other educational settings, peer groups, or within comm2.1 Children affected by harm outside of the home (including exploitation, trafficking & gangs)
Risks - Traditional safeguarding processes have predominately focused on the individual and their families/ carers. However this procedure is focused on the significant harm that children and young people can experience outside of the family home. The different relationships that children and youn2.1 Children affected by harm outside of the home (including exploitation, trafficking & gangs)
Possible indicators - Because extra-familial harm takes place outside of the home, it is important to consider wider indicators than those for an individual person. Activity taking place in a peer group, education provision or neighbourhood may also provide an indication to the possibility of extra-familial har2.1 Children affected by harm outside of the home (including exploitation, trafficking & gangs)
Assessment of risk outside the home (contextual safeguarding) - Where there are concerns that more than one child may be experiencing harm in an extra-familial context, practitioners should consider the individual needs of each child as well as work with the group. The children in the group may or may not already be known to local authority children’2.1 Children affected by harm outside of the home (including exploitation, trafficking & gangs)
Building trusting relationships - “Children are clear about what they want in an effective safeguarding system…. Stability- to be able to develop an ongoing stable relationship of trust with those helping them. Effective partnership working with parents and carers, children and young people, happens when practitioners2.1 Children affected by harm outside of the home (including exploitation, trafficking & gangs)
Secondary victimisation - Children and young people are at high risk of undergoing secondary victimisation by being considered perpetrators of crime rather than victims of extra-familial harm. Equally, there is the risk of victims reliving traumatic experiences by being asked to repeat significant events to various2.11 Self-harm and suicidal behaviour
Risks and indicators - There are a number of risk factors that can lead to a child or young person being vulnerable to self-harm or suicidal behaviour, many of which are common to lots of young people but most of whom will come through them over time. However a number of risk factors may combine leading to inc2.11 Self-harm and suicidal behaviour
Establishing the appropriate level of intervention - The responses provided by the young person will inform the decision about whether the child or young person is in need of additional support as part of the local early help offer, or whether an assessment by a specialist service such as CAMHS or a social work assessment is required. Pra2.11 Self-harm and suicidal behaviour
Young person presenting at hospital - Where a child or young person presents at hospital, the healthcare professionals should undertake an assessment and can seek further advice from CAMHS emergency services. Guidance from the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) should be followed (see NICE website). For ex2.11 Self-harm and suicidal behaviour
Consent and confidentiality - Children and young people need to be made aware that it may not be possible for their support workers to offer complete confidentiality. If a child or young person is at serious risk of harming themselves or others, it would not be appropriate to maintain complete confidentiality. This sho2.11 Self-harm and suicidal behaviour
Protection and action to be taken - When an incident of self-harm/suicidal behaviour is identified, the practitioner should talk to the child or young person in a respectful, calm and non-judgemental way to establish as far as possible whether they have taken any substances or injured themselves in order to establish as a pr2.11 Self-harm and suicidal behaviour
Further information - Managing self-harm in young people. Royal College of Psychiatrists. 2014. Self-harm Quality Standard. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. 2013. Dealing with Self Harm. Services for Children and Young People. NSPCC. Truth Hurts: Report of the National Inquiry into Self-harm a2.11 Self-harm and suicidal behaviour
In the UK suicide is the leading cause of death in young people accounting for 14% of deaths in 10-19 year olds. Self-harm is a common precursor to suicide, and children and young people who deliberately harm themselves may unintentionally kill themselves by accident, but not all young p2.11 Self-harm and suicidal behaviour
Definition - Self-harm Self-harm is any behaviour where the intent is to deliberately cause self-harm. This could include: cutting swallowing hazardous material or substances burning over/under-using medication, e.g. insulin hitting/punching/head banging skin picking/scratching/hair pulling taking an o2.11 Self-harm and suicidal behaviour
Warning signs - Children or young people who are self-harming or who are contemplating suicide may display changes in behaviour, for example: suicide-related internet use (searching for information about suicide or posting messages with suicidal content) physical marks or scarring on the body expressions2.12 Children of parents with mental health problems
Definition - Mental health problems are proportionately common in the overall population, can vary in severity and impact differently on people’s day to day lives. The term does not in itself have one clear definition, and therefore the existence of mental health problems should not be taken as a r2.12 Children of parents with mental health problems
Child-related factors to consider - To determine how a parent/carer’s mental health problem may impact on their parenting ability and the child’s development the following questions need to be considered within an assessment and alongside the local threshold document: Does the child take on roles and responsibilities wit2.12 Children of parents with mental health problems
Support and response - If there are concerns, it may be the case that the child and family will find early help services supportive and an assessment of the needs of the child should take place at an early stage for example by an Early Help (EH) Assessment taking place. Where it is believed that a child of a par2.12 Children of parents with mental health problems
Further information - Talking to children about their feelings (NHS) Children's Needs - Parenting Capacity report Mental Health and Growing Up (Royal College of Psychiatrists) NSPCC: Learning from Reviews (NSPCC) MIND: Parenting with a mental health problem How to talk to kids about parental mental illness Talk2.12 Children of parents with mental health problems
Risk factors - Parental mental ill health does not necessarily impact adversely on their parenting however, a child who has suffered, or is likely to suffer significant harm or whose well-being is affected by parental mental illness could be a child: who features within parental delusions who is involved2.13 Disguised compliance, coercive control and families who are hostile or resistant to change
Protection and action to be taken - When a professional feels that a family may be resisting change that is necessary to safeguard the child’s welfare, they should: Assess the evidence; Inform a supervisor Consult other professionals and consider arranging a professionals meeting; Revisit the causes for concern; Weigh the2.13 Disguised compliance, coercive control and families who are hostile or resistant to change
Further information - British Association of Social Workers: Effective practice to protect children living in ‘highly resistant’ families Summary of risk factors and learning for improved practice around families and disguised compliance Coercive control is now a criminal offence and statutory guidance has2.13 Disguised compliance, coercive control and families who are hostile or resistant to change
Summary - If it has been agreed that change is necessary to safeguard the child’s welfare, the plan has not been effective unless there is progress in achieving that change. If the frequency of contact with the child is inadequate it is not possible to know whether the risk is increasing, reducing2.13 Disguised compliance, coercive control and families who are hostile or resistant to change
Risks and practice implications - The techniques by which parents/carers resist change tend to draw attention toward their needs and away from the child’s needs, and to draw the focus of work toward achieving their cooperation rather than ensuring that the child receives adequate care. The consequential effect of this is2.13 Disguised compliance, coercive control and families who are hostile or resistant to change
Indicators - Resistance may be expressed in overt refusal to cooperate with services to protect children at risk of harm. Resistance may be masked by outward compliance which is not carried through in practice, for example when parents/carers fail to carry out agreed tasks, or where there are repeated2.13 Disguised compliance, coercive control and families who are hostile or resistant to change
Definition - This guidance addresses issues that arise when professionals are working with families who they have been unable to engage with. Resistance may be expressed in aggression, in open refusal to cooperate, or in missed appointments and other forms of avoidance, or it may be masked by superfici2.14 Persons posing a risk to children
Child Sex Offender Disclosure Scheme - The Child Sex Offender Disclosure Scheme, also known as Sarah’s Law, allows parents, carers and guardians to formally ask the police to tell them if someone has a record for child sexual offences. The scheme which was started in 2008 is available across all 43 police forces in England a2.14 Persons posing a risk to children
Further information - MAPPA Guidance Sexual Offences Act 2003 MARAC2.14 Persons posing a risk to children
Offences for the Abuse of Children and Young People by Sexual Exploitation - The Sexual Offences Act 2003 introduced a number of new offences to deal with those who abuse and exploit children and young people by sexual exploitation. The offences protect children and young people up to the age of 18 and include: Sexually exploiting a child by paying them for sex; C2.14 Persons posing a risk to children
Protection and action to be taken - Non-criminal justice agencies Non-criminal justice agencies who identify that a person poses or may pose a risk to children should refer to their local Thresholds document; and follow the Referrals procedure where appropriate. And Where there is evidence that the person has committed a cri2.14 Persons posing a risk to children
Risks - Criminal Justice Agencies When a person is alleged to have committed, charged or convicted of offences against and/or involving harm to children; Criminal Justice agencies (Police, Prison and Probation Service and Youth Offending Services) must appropriately record and flag the person as a2.14 Persons posing a risk to children
Definitions - Person posing a risk to children A person posing a risk to children is defined as a person (adult or child) who is: Convicted or charged with an offence against a child Convicted or charged with an offence in which a child has been harmed or was involved (including where a child sees, hea2.14 Persons posing a risk to children
Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (‘Clare’s Law’) - The Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS; also known as ‘Clare’s Law’) commenced in England and Wales in 2014. The DVDS gives members of the public a formal mechanism to make enquires about an individual who they are in a relationship with, or who is in a relationship with so2.15 Children from abroad
Operation Innerste - In cases where a new referral is received concerning an UASC presenting, then Social Care in partnership with Police should follow the ethos of Operation Innerste as a response. Operation Innerste identifies that if the presenting asylum seeker is claiming to be a child (aged under 18 year2.15 Children from abroad
National Referral Mechanism - If there are concerns that a child is a victim of trafficking, the practitioners will need to inform the National Referral Mechanism, which is a framework for identifying victims of human trafficking or modern slavery and ensuring they receive the appropriate support. The child’s detail2.15 Children from abroad
Further information - UK Visas and Immigration (formerly the UK Border Agency) Response to Unaccompanied Asylum-seeking Children (2013) A response to the inspection report by the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration into the handling of asylum applications made by unaccompanied children. Immi2.15 Children from abroad
Basic information - Whenever any professional becomes aware of a child who they believe has recently moved into this country the following basic information should be sought: Confirmation of the child's identity and immigration status. Confirmation of the carer's relationship with the child and immigration s2.15 Children from abroad
Independent Family Returns Panel - Under s. 54A Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009 (inserted by s.3 Immigration Act 2014), the Secretary of State must consult the Independent Family Returns Panel in each family returns case, on how best to safeguard and promote the welfare of the children of the family, and in ea2.15 Children from abroad
Immigration status - Immigration legislation impacts significantly on work to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people from abroad. The immigration status of a child and his/her family has implications for the statutory responsibilities towards the family. It governs what help, if any, ca2.15 Children from abroad
Age assessments - Age is central to the assessment and affects the child’s rights to services and the response by agencies. In addition, it is important to establish age so that services are age and developmentally appropriate. When an individual does not have any definitive documentary evidence to suppor2.15 Children from abroad
Practitioners should never lose sight of the fact that children and young people from abroad are children first, which may be forgotten in the face of legal and cultural complexities. The child’s immigration status should not affect the quality of care, support and services that are prov2.15 Children from abroad
Children or young people arriving with, or to be with, an adult who is not the parent - Children who arrive in the UK with or to be with carers without parental responsibility may have leave to enter the country or visas or they may be in the UK unlawfully. When an unaccompanied child or child accompanied by someone who does not have parental responsibility comes to the atten2.15 Children from abroad
Ukraine children - The Homes for Ukraine: Guidance for councils (children and minors applying without parents or legal guardians) guidance to councils about the processing of existing Homes for Ukraine applications made by children who are not travelling with or joining their parent or legal guardian under t2.15 Children from abroad
Definition - This procedure is focussed on children arriving into the UK: In the care of adults who, whilst they may be their carers, have no parental responsibility for them In the care of adults who have no documents to demonstrate a relationship with the child alone In the care of agents. Evidence2.15 Children from abroad
The assessment - The assessment has to address not only the barriers which arise from cultural, linguistic and religious differences, but also the particular sensitivities which come from the experiences of many such children and families. The needs of the child have to be considered, based on an account g2.15 Children from abroad
Unaccompanied children and young people - Children who arrive in the UK alone or who are left at a port of entry by an agent invariably have no right of entry and are unlawfully present. They are likely to be in a position to claim asylum and this should be arranged as soon as possible if appropriate. They are the responsibility o2.16 Children living away from home
Introduction - Concerns for the safety of children living away from home have to be put in the context of attention to the overall developmental needs of such children and a concern for the best possible outcomes for their health and development. Every setting in which they live should provide safeguards2.16 Children living away from home
Definition - A child is determined as living away from home when they are in a local authority foster placement, a private fostering placement, a children’s home, in hospital, in a residential school or in a custodial setting. Everywhere children live should provide safeguards against abuse, founded2.16 Children living away from home
Risks - Children living away from home can be particularly vulnerable to being abused by adults and peers. Limited and sometimes controlled contact with family and carers may affect a child’s ability to disclose what is happening to them. Given that many young people live away from home because2.16 Children living away from home
Protection and action to be taken - The most important aspect is the need to listen to children to ensure that they have the mechanism for talking about concerns with people that they trust who are prepared to act on the child’s concerns. All settings must ensure that: Children have ready access to a trusted adult outside2.16 Children living away from home
Issues - Specific issues to consider in different settings are as follows: Foster care When the concerns relate to a child placed in a foster home outside the area of the responsible local authority. See Children and Families Moving Across Local Authority Boundaries procedure. Where there is reason2.17 Recruitment, supervision and training
Supervision - Supervision enables workers to develop their capacity to use their experiences to review practice, receive feedback on their performance, build emotional resilience and think reflectively about the effectiveness of the professional relationships they have formed with children, adults and f2.17 Recruitment, supervision and training
Further information - A guide to DBS eligibility guidance Supervision of activity with children Care Quality Commission – Disclosure and Barring Service Checks Staffing and Employment: Advice for schools Keeping Children Safe in Education (2023)2.17 Recruitment, supervision and training
Induction of newly appointed staff - For all new staff working with children, including agency staff, their induction must cover safeguarding and promoting children’s welfare as outlined in local Safeguarding Partnership training strategies. This must include: an introduction to the organisation’s child protection policy2.17 Recruitment, supervision and training
Protection and action to be taken - Safeguarding Partnership member agencies should contact their HR department for information about their own agencies safer recruitment and selection procedures. Other organisations who employ people who work with children, e.g. private or voluntary sector, who do not have access to advice2.17 Recruitment, supervision and training
Recruitment recording - All documentation relating to the recruitment of staff must be retained on file in line with each individual employer’s records retention practices and in line with the Data Protection Act 1998. Any check completed should be confirmed in writing and retained on the candidate’s personne2.17 Recruitment, supervision and training
Disclosure and Barring Checks (DBS) - Before an organisation considers asking a person to apply for a criminal record check through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), they are legally responsible for ensuring that they are entitled to submit an application for the job role. See DBS Guide to Eligibility. The Disclosure2.17 Recruitment, supervision and training
Recruitment process - Planning the whole recruitment process in advance will make sure you have a consistent approach every time you recruit a new member of staff or volunteer. Following a written procedure also means that you are less likely to miss anything out and that each time you recruit you are adhering2.17 Recruitment, supervision and training
Definition - All statutory and public organisations (including non-regulated activity) which employ staff and/or volunteers to work with or provide services for children have a duty to safeguard and promote the children’s welfare. This includes ensuring that safe recruitment and selection procedures2.18 Sexual activity in children and young people (including under-age sexual activity)
Additional information - Sexual grooming Section 15 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 has been amended by the Serious Crime Act (2015) and now makes it an offence for a person aged 18 or over to meet intentionally, or to travel with the intention of meeting a child under 16 in any part of the world, if he has met o2.18 Sexual activity in children and young people (including under-age sexual activity)
Young people between 13 and 15 - Sexual activity with a child under 16 is also a criminal offence. Where sexual activity involving a child aged 13–15 is a feature, the professional in consultation with the designated safeguarding lead must consider carefully the nature of the relationship in light of all available inf2.18 Sexual activity in children and young people (including under-age sexual activity)
Issues - Decisions to share information with parents and carers will be taken using professional judgement, consideration of Fraser guidelines and in accordance with the local Information sharing procedure. Decisions will be based on the child’s age, maturity and ability to appreciate what is2.18 Sexual activity in children and young people (including under-age sexual activity)
Protection and action to be taken - Interventions must be aimed at protection of vulnerable children and the provision of information and contraception (where appropriate) for other young people. In working with young people, it must always be made clear to them that absolute confidentiality cannot be guaranteed, and that th2.18 Sexual activity in children and young people (including under-age sexual activity)
Children who abuse others (child-on-child abuse) - The definition of Sexual Abuse by children is the same as for sexual abuse by adults. Abusive/inappropriate behaviour is often characterised by a lack of true consent, the presence of a power imbalance and exploitation. The boundary between what is abusive and what is part of normal chil2.18 Sexual activity in children and young people (including under-age sexual activity)
Risks - In assessing the nature of any particular behaviour, practitioners must look at the facts of the actual relationship between those involved. Power imbalances are very important and can occur through differences in size, age and development and where gender, sexuality, race and levels of se2.18 Sexual activity in children and young people (including under-age sexual activity)
Factors to consider - In order to determine whether the relationship presents a risk to the young person, the following factors must be considered. This list applies to both male and female young people, regardless of their sexuality. It is not exhaustive and other factors may need to be taken into account: The2.18 Sexual activity in children and young people (including under-age sexual activity)
Young people between 16 and 18 - Although sexual activity in itself is no longer an offence over the age of 16, young people under the age of 18 are still offered protection under the Children Act 1989/2004. Consideration still needs to be given to issues of sexual exploitation and abuse of power in circumstances outlined2.18 Sexual activity in children and young people (including under-age sexual activity)
Young people under the age of 13 - Under the Sexual Offences Act 2003, children under the age of 13 are not considered able or competent to give consent to sexual activity and penetrative sex is classed as rape. If a child under 13 years discloses penetrative sex or other sexual activity the practitioner must always discuss2.18 Sexual activity in children and young people (including under-age sexual activity)
Consent and the law - Sexual consent means being able to say yes and agreeing to sexual activity or sex. Consent in relationships is about an individual being in control and saying yes to doing things because they choose to – not because they are being pressured or under coercion. An individual has the right2.18 Sexual activity in children and young people (including under-age sexual activity)
Sexual behaviours traffic lights tool - The tool uses a traffic light system (Brook Sexual Behaviours Traffic Light Tool) to categorise the sexual behaviours of young people and is designed to help professionals: understand healthy sexual development and distinguish it from harmful behaviours assess and respond appropriately to2.18 Sexual activity in children and young people (including under-age sexual activity)
Definition - Numerous young people will develop a healthy and developmentally appropriate interest in sexual relationships whilst they are still children and some will do this before they reach the age of consent. The legal age for young people to consent to have sex is 16, whether they are straight, g2.18 Sexual activity in children and young people (including under-age sexual activity)
Introduction - Many young people will develop a healthy and developmentally appropriate interest in sexual relationships whilst they are still children and some will do this before they reach the age of consent. This guidance is designed to assist professionals in identifying where children and young peo2.18 Sexual activity in children and young people (including under-age sexual activity)
Resources - Best practice guidance for doctors and health professionals on the provision of advice and treatment to young people under 16 on contraception, sexual and reproductive health (Department of Health) Brook Sexual Behaviours Traffic Light Tool Keeping Children Safe in Education - Part 5 (De2.19 Children missing from care, home and education
Roles and responsibilities - In addition to the basic requirements in ‘Protection and Action to be Taken’, there are additional considerations for specific groups and situations that include additional statutory responsibilities and powers that are relevant in responding to missing children and additional actions2.19 Children missing from care, home and education
Protection and action to be taken - In the event that a child cannot be located but the parent/carer has any concern about their whereabouts or safety or a risk the child may pose to others, there should be no delay in calling the police and reporting the child as missing. Schools have a duty of care for the child whilst in2.19 Children missing from care, home and education
Definitions - Based on the statutory guidance on Children who run away or go missing from home or care (2014), the definitions which should be used when working with children, young people and their families are set out as follows: Child: anyone who has not yet reached their 18th birthday. ‘Childre2.19 Children missing from care, home and education
Children who are foreign nationals and go missing - Also refer to the Children from abroad procedures. Unaccompanied asylum seeking children (UASC) Significant numbers of children who are categorised as UASC have also been trafficked. Some of these children go missing before they are properly identified as victims of trafficking. Such cases2.19 Children missing from care, home and education
Specific risks - Children who go missing may be at risk of harm from a number of different forms of exploitation and/or abuse; alternatively they may be going missing because they are already at risk of or experiencing such abuse or exploitation. There are also concerns about children with mental health2.19 Children missing from care, home and education
Introduction - The purpose of this procedure is to assist professionals to respond to children who go missing from home, care and education. The procedure has been devised to support the implementation of Department for Education statutory guidance Children who run away or go missing from home or care2.19 Children missing from care, home and education
Data collection - The Department for Education statutory guidance on children who run away or go missing from home or care states that: "Looked after children who go missing, or who are away from placement without authorisation, can be at increased risk of sexual or other forms of exploitation or of involv2.19 Children missing from care, home and education
Principles - The overriding principle is ‘Every missing episode is potentially serious’. Our joint aim is to reduce the incidence of all children and young people going missing, and if they do, to reduce the risk of them suffering harm and recover them to safety as soon as2.2 Safeguarding children and young people against radicalisation and violent extremism
Protection and action to be taken - Any practitioner identifying concerns about the child or young person should report them to the designated safeguarding lead in their organisation, who will discuss these concerns with the police. The Local Safeguarding Referrals Pathway Procedure should be followed. Consideration of r2.2 Safeguarding children and young people against radicalisation and violent extremism
Issues - Protecting children and young people from radicalisation and extremism requires careful assessment and working collaboratively across agencies as initially concerns may be inconclusive and protecting a child or young person against a potential risk can be dependent on a wider range of fact2.2 Safeguarding children and young people against radicalisation and violent extremism
Further information - Educate Against Hate Prevent duty guidance for England and Wales 10 April 2019 — see all updates Institutions covered by the Prevent Duty may wish to consider further training resources available within the Prevent training catalogue to support their implementation of the Prevent Duty. C2.20 Responding to children and families who are not where they are expected to be
When children are on a child protection plan and not where they are expected to be, practitioners will experience anxiety and concern. Ensuring that a child is safe is a shared responsibility by all members of the safeguarding partnership and the child’s Core Group. Tracing a child and t2.2 Safeguarding children and young people against radicalisation and violent extremism
Definition - “Radicalisation is defined as the process by which people come to support terrorism and extremism and, in some cases, to then participate in terrorist groups”. “Extremism is vocal or active opposition to fundamental British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual lib2.2 Safeguarding children and young people against radicalisation and violent extremism
Introduction - The current threat from terrorism and extremism can involve the exploitation of vulnerable people, including children and young people. This can include involving them in extremist activity in the UK or abroad. The Prevent strategy, published by the Government in 2011, is part of an over2.2 Safeguarding children and young people against radicalisation and violent extremism
Risks - Children and young people can be drawn into violence or they can be exposed to the messages of extremist groups by many means. These can include through the influence of family members or friends and/or direct contact with extremist groups and organisations or, increasingly, through the2.2 Safeguarding children and young people against radicalisation and violent extremism
Indicators - Issues that may make an individual vulnerable to radicalisation can include: Identity crisis: Distance from cultural/religious heritage and uncomfortable with their place in society. Personal crisis: Family tensions; sense of isolation; adolescence; low self-esteem; disassociating from exi2.21 Female genital mutilation
If a child has already undergone FGM - A Strategy Meeting must be convened within 2 days. The Strategy Meeting will consider how, where and when the procedure was performed and the implication of this. A police investigation will commence and this will take precedence over any other investigation. (Dependent upon the assessment2.21 Female genital mutilation
Related guidance Please also see Multi-agency statutory guidance on female genital mutilation and Female genital mutilation: resource pack2.21 Female genital mutilation
Agencies offering help and advice - NSPCC 24 hour Female Genital Mutilation Helpline - 0800 028 3550; or email: fgmhelp@nspcc.org.uk. Female Genital Mutilation - Prevent & Protect | NSPCC BCC Health Education Service - 0121 303 8200 Birmingham Against FGM – 0121 4641131 West Midlands Police - Investigative Trainin2.21 Female genital mutilation
Further information - AFRUCA (Child Protection of African Children) Forward (Foundation for Women's Health Research and Development) Statutory guidance overview: Multi-agency statutory guidance on female genital mutilation - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) Female Genital Mutilation and its Management (Royal College of Obs2.21 Female genital mutilation
Information sharing - Professionals in all agencies need to be confident and competent in sharing information appropriately, both to safeguard children from being abused through FGM to receive physical, emotional and psychological help. Regulated professionals in health and social care professions and teachers2.21 Female genital mutilation
The role of Local Safeguarding Children Partnerships - As set out in Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018), it is the role of the three safeguarding partners to agree on ways to co-ordinate their safeguarding services; act as a strategic leadership group in supporting and engaging others; and implement local and national learning inclu2.21 Female genital mutilation
Child at immediate risk of harm - If the Strategy Meeting decides that the child is in immediate danger of mutilation and parents cannot satisfactorily guarantee that they will not proceed with it, then an Emergency Protection Order should be sought. The Police also have protection powers where there is a reasonable ca2.21 Female genital mutilation
Definition - The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines female genital mutilation (FGM) as: “all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons.” (WHO, 2000). FGM is also known as female circum2.21 Female genital mutilation
Professional response - There are three circumstances related to FGM which require identification and intervention: Where a child is at risk of FGM. Where a child has been abused through FGM. Where a prospective mother has undergone FGM.2.21 Female genital mutilation
Principles supporting this procedure - The following principles should be adopted by all agencies in relation to identifying and responding to children (and unborn children) at risk of, or who have experienced female genital mutilation and their parent(s): The safety and welfare of the child is paramount. FGM is an extremely ha2.21 Female genital mutilation
Adult social care - When information is received by Adult Social Care, in relation to an adult with care and support needs the referral must be discussed with the relevant Team Manager, who will inform the appropriate team in line with Safeguarding Adults and Children’s policies and procedures. In all cas2.21 Female genital mutilation
Professionals and volunteers from all agencies responding to concerns - Overview of professional response Any information or concerns that a child is at risk of, or has undergone female genital mutilation should result in a child protection referral to LA Children’s Social Care/Police in line with the Referral procedure. This should include unborn children2.21 Female genital mutilation
Identifying a child who has been subject to FGM or who is at risk of FGM - Factors which suggest a child may be at risk of FGM Professionals in all agencies, and individuals and groups in the community, need to be alert to the possibility of a child being at risk of or having experienced female genital mutilation. There are a range of potential indicators that a2.21 Female genital mutilation
Consequences of FGM - Many women in practising communities appear to be unaware of the relationship between female genital mutilation and its harmful health and welfare consequences, in particular the implications affecting sexual intercourse and childbirth, which occur many years after the mutilation has taken2.21 Female genital mutilation
Description of FGM - Types of FGM FGM has been classified by the WHO into four types: Type 1: Cliteridectomy. Excision of the prepuce with or without excision of part or the entire clitoris Type 2: Excision. Excision of the clitoris with partial2.21 Female genital mutilation
Local authority children’s social care - Children’s social care will investigate (initially) under Section 47 of the Children’s Act (1989). If a referral is received concerning one child, consideration must be given to whether siblings are at similar risk. Once concerns are raised about FGM, there should also be considerati2.21 Female genital mutilation
Strategy Meeting - On receipt of a referral, a Strategy Meeting must be convened as soon as practicable and within 2 days to agree any immediate steps for protection of a child, and will involve representatives from the police, children’s social care, education, health and other bodies as appropriate, incl2.21 Female genital mutilation
Context in which FGM occurs - Prevalence FGM is a deeply rooted tradition, widely practiced mainly among specific ethnic populations in Africa parts of Asia and the middle east. As a result of migration and refugee movements FGM is now being practised by ethnic minority populations in other parts of the world such as U2.21 Female genital mutilation
Legislation, policy and mandatory reporting of FGM - National legislation In England, Wales and Northern Ireland all forms of FGM are illegal under the Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003, and in Scotland it is illegal under the Prohibition of FGM (Scotland) Act 2005. (FGM has been a criminal offence in the UK since the Prohibition of Female2.21 Female genital mutilation
Guidance - Professionals, volunteers and individuals coming across FGM for the first time can feel shocked, upset, helpless and unsure of how to respond appropriately to ensure that children are protected from harm. They may be afraid of tackling the issue due to perceived cultural sensitivities. Thi2.21 Female genital mutilation
Summary profile - It is illegal in the UK to subject a child to FGM or to take a child abroad to undergo FGM. It is also illegal to assist or encourage a child to perform FGM on themselves, or to aid, abet, counsel or procure a girl to have it done in the UK or abroad. FGM is a form of violence against fema2.22 Forced marriage
Also see Honour-based violence.2.22 Forced marriage
Definitions - Forced marriage In a forced marriage, one or both spouses do not consent to the arrangement of the marriage and some elements of duress are involved. Duress can include both physical and psychological pressure. Forced marriage is an abuse of human rights, and where one or both of the victi2.22 Forced marriage
Appendix 1: Information required for all cases - Obtain details of the individual making the report, their contact details, and their relationship with the young person. Obtain details of the young person under threat including:Date of report Name of individual under threat (correct spellings on papers are essential) Nationality/ethnicit2.22 Forced marriage
Appendix 2: Role and responsibility of key agencies - Role of Children’s Social Care Children’s social care has a duty under s.47 Children Act 1989 to make enquiries when they have reasonable cause to suspect that a child is suffering, or is likely to suffer, significant harm. This includes allegations of abuse or neglect against a chi2.22 Forced marriage
Appendix 3: Guidance on safety planning - Appendix 3: Guidance on safety planning2.22 Forced marriage
Appendix 4: Flowchart for referral of a child/young person - Appendix 4: Flowchart for referral of a child/young person2.22 Forced marriage
Further information - The Right to Choose - Multi Agency Guidance in Relation to Forced Marriage (HM Government, February 2023). Multi-Agency Practice Guidance: Handling Cases of Forced Marriage (April 2023) Guidance for Local Authorities on Applying for Forced Marriage Protection Orders, (HM Government). For2.22 Forced marriage
Issues - Initially agencies must: see the young person/ immediately in a secure and private place where the conversation cannot be overheard see the young person on their own – even if they attend with others explain all the options to them recognise and respect their wishes perform a risk asses2.22 Forced marriage
Possible indicators that a child/young person or adult is at risk of/subject to forced marriage - People facing forced marriage may appear anxious, depressed and emotionally withdrawn with low self-esteem. They may come to the attention of practitioners for a variety of reasons. Children known to be at risk of forced marriage are likely to be the victims of Domestic Abuse, Violence and2.22 Forced marriage
Legal position - Anyone threatened with forced marriage or forced to marry against their will can apply for Forced Marriage Protection Order. Third parties, such as relatives, friends, voluntary workers and police officers, can also apply for a protection order with the leave of the court. Fifteen county c2.22 Forced marriage
Protection and action to be taken - Where the concerns about the welfare and safety of the child or young person are such that a referral to Children’s social care is required, the Referrals Procedure must be followed. You must always consider associated risk i.e. other siblings and cousins in the family being at risk2.22 Forced marriage
Initial steps - Remembering the ‘one chance rule’ the agency should carefully question the person concerned as cases are complex and highly sensitive to the individual. The reason behind the forced marriage may be due to sexuality or disability as well as cultural belief. The majority of victims will2.22 Forced marriage
The ‘one chance’ rule - All practitioners working with victims of forced marriage need to be aware of the ‘one chance’ rule. That is, they may only have one chance to speak to a potential victim and may only have one chance to save a life. This means that all practitioners working within statutory agencies ne2.23 Honour-based abuse
Further information - Below are some examples of national support agencies. For a more extensive list please see page 67 of the HM Multi Agency Practice guidelines. Child Line: 0800 1111 A service for any child or young person with a problem. Citizens Advice Bureau Offering free, confidential and impartial i2.23 Honour-based abuse
Issues - A child who is at risk of ‘Honour’-based abuse is at significant risk of physical harm (including being murdered) and/or neglect, and may also suffer significant emotional harm. When receiving a disclosure from a child, professionals should recognise the seriousness/immediacy of the2.23 Honour-based abuse
Protection and action to be taken - When receiving a disclosure from a child, professionals should recognise the seriousness/immediacy of the risk of harm. For a child to report to any agency that they have fears of ‘Honour’ based abuse in respect of themselves or a family member requires a lot of courage, and trus2.23 Honour-based abuse
Definition - ‘Honour’-based abuse is the term used to describe incidents or crimes which have been committed to protect or defend the honour of the family and/or the community. The abuse could include forced marriage, domestic and/or sexual violence, rape, physical assaults, harassment, kidna2.23 Honour-based abuse
Also see Forced marriage.2.24 Domestic abuse
To be read in conjunction with Chapter 2.22 Forced Marriage procedure2.24 Domestic abuse
Definitions - In 2021 the Domestic Abuse Act came into force, the Act defines Domestic abuse as: Behaviour of person (A) towards another person (B) if – A and B are each aged 16 or over and are personally connected to each other, and The behaviour is abusive Behaviour is “abusive” if it consists2.24 Domestic abuse
Risks - Risks to the child Where there is domestic abuse the implications for the children and young people in the household must be considered because research indicates a strong link between domestic abuse and all types of child abuse and neglect. Prolonged or regular exposure to domestic2.24 Domestic abuse
Indicators - Possible indicators of domestic abuse in an adult may include: evidence of single or repeated injuries with unlikely explanations frequent use of prescribed tranquillisers or pain medication injuries to the breast, chest and abdomen, especially during pregnancy evidence of sexual or fre2.24 Domestic abuse
Protection and action to be taken - Practitioners should be aware that many victims will find it difficult to disclose domestic abuse and seek support. Some victims potentially face additional difficulty in disclosing abuse, for instance: Older or disabled victims, including those with learning disabilities, may be depen2.24 Domestic abuse
Further Information - Domestic Abuse Act 2021 National Institute for Health and Care Excellence: Domestic violence and abuse quality standard Safelives DASH Risk Checklist SafeLives (2015) Toolkit for MARAC, Children and Young People’s Services Domestic Abuse Bill 2020 factsheets Child Safeguarding Review2.25 Children who abuse others including child-on-child abuse / harmful sexual behaviour
Further Information - CEOP (2013) Threat assessment of child sexual exploitation and abuse Department for Education (September 2023) Keeping Children Safe in Education Hackett, S. (2014) Children and young people with harmful sexual behaviours IICSA Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (2017) Fisher,2.25 Children who abuse others including child-on-child abuse / harmful sexual behaviour
Children may commit abuse against children and/or adults, this abuse may be a single incident, multiple incidents and may involve more than one abusive child. Victims and those who carry out the harm may be male or female. Child-on-child abuse can manifest harmful behaviour itself in ma2.25 Children who abuse others including child-on-child abuse / harmful sexual behaviour
Protection and action to be taken - Response to referrals When considering what action and protection to put in place when a child is being abused by another child, practitioners should refer to specific guidance relevant to the type of abuse, for example, 2.8 the Bullying Guidance in cases of child-on-child bullying. Practi2.25 Children who abuse others including child-on-child abuse / harmful sexual behaviour
Risks and indicators - When considering the risks and indicators when a child is abusing another child, practitioners should refer to specific guidance relevant to the type of abuse, for example, 2.8 the Bullying Guidance in cases of child-on-child bullying. Practitioners should also refer to local risk assessm2.25 Children who abuse others including child-on-child abuse / harmful sexual behaviour
Support for Victims - Local specialist services may be available to support both the victim and the abuser. “The simple fact is that when victims receive the support they need, when they need it, they are much more likely to take positive steps to recovery… this should be our goal” (Govt. Response to Ster2.25 Children who abuse others including child-on-child abuse / harmful sexual behaviour
Definition - Abuse is defined as a form of maltreatment of a child. Somebody may abuse or neglect a child by inflicting harm or by failing to act to prevent harm. Children may be abused in the family or in an institution or community setting by those known to them or, more rarely, by others (e.g. via2.26 Injuries in Babies and Children under 2 years of age
Introduction - Children under the age of 2 years are at an increased risk of serious physical abuse and are rarely able to communicate the history themselves. Non-inflicted injuries in non-mobile infants are unusual. Children with a disability who are not able to move independently are also at risk of2.26 Injuries in Babies and Children under 2 years of age
What to do if any type of injury (including bruises) are seen on a non-mobile child/baby or there are concerns about non-accidental injury in a child under 2 years - Children’s Health Care Practitioners – including General Practitioners, school nurses, health visitors, midwives Should discuss the bruise / injury with the parent /carer and enquire into its explanation, origin, characteristics and Detailed documentation of this should be made in the2.26 Injuries in Babies and Children under 2 years of age
Responsibility of Children’s Services - When a referral is made under this guideline, Children’s Services should, as a minimum: Take and record full details of the case Check whether the child is known to Children’s Services. Decide, with the paediatrician, whether further action is needed and make arrangements for the me2.26 Injuries in Babies and Children under 2 years of age
Responsibility of On call Paediatrician - The assessment of the child should be carried out by a paediatrician with Level 3 competencies as per Safeguarding Children and Young People: Roles and Responsibilities for Healthcare Staff. Where a trainee carries out the assessment, they should be supervised by a consultant or senior p2.26 Injuries in Babies and Children under 2 years of age
References/Resources - Chapter 9 Recognition of Physical Abuse. Child Protection Companion. RCPCH online document accessed June 2019 (hyperlink not available) CG 89 When to Suspect Child Maltreatment. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence July 2009, updated September 2017 Bruises on Children: Cor2.26 Injuries in Babies and Children under 2 years of age
Practice Guidance for Assessment, Management and Referral - The aim of this guidance is to support practitioners by providing guidance about the management and referral of babies and children under the age of 2 years, particularly those who are not yet independently mobile, who have presented with an injury. It does not replace the process to be fo2.26 Injuries in Babies and Children under 2 years of age
Definitions/Scope of Guidance - Not Independently Mobile: A child of any age who is not yet crawling, bottom shuffling, pulling to stand, cruising or walking independently. It should be noted that this guidance applies to all babies under the age of six months. The guidance also applies to older immobile children, for ex2.27 Children Missing Education (CME)
Further information - Children Missing Education: Statutory Guidance for Local Authorities, September 2016 Keeping Children Safe in Education: Statutory Guidance for Schools and Colleges, September 2023 Elective Home Education: Guidelines for Local Authorities 2019 Department for Education: Mental health issu2.27 Children Missing Education (CME)
Contacts - Contact details for the Children Missing Education Officer for each area will be located on the local authority's website.2.27 Children Missing Education (CME)
Actions to be taken - Local authorities Local authorities have a duty under section 436A of the Education Act 1996 to make arrangements to establish (so far as it is possible to do so) the identities of children in their area who are not registered pupils at a school and are not receiving suitable education oth2.27 Children Missing Education (CME)
Every local authority will have its own policy for children missing education which sets out the local arrangements for responding to this group of children and young people. Practitioners should consult their local policy for further guidance which should be available on their local aut2.27 Children Missing Education (CME)
Risks and indicators - Children missing education can be particularly vulnerable; it is essential that all services work together to identify them and re-engage them back into appropriate education provision as quickly as possible. It is important to establish the reasons for the child missing education at the e2.27 Children Missing Education (CME)
Definition - The definition of a child missing education is:“Children missing education are children of compulsory school age who are not registered pupils at a school and are not receiving suitable education otherwise than at a school.” (Children missing education - Statutory guidance for local au2.28 Physical abuse
Risks of physical abuse - Physical abuse can happen in any family, but some parents/ carers might find it hard to give their children a safe and loving home if they are facing: Poverty Poor housing Issues with substance abuse (drugs or alcohol) Mental health issues Relationship problems Domestic abuse Isolation or2.28 Physical abuse
These procedures should be read in conjunction with Responding to concerns about a child.2.28 Physical abuse
Signs and indicators of physical abuse - The diagram below illustrates typical features of accidental injuries to be considered within the context of a child’s developmental stage: Typical features of accidental injuries Bruising which might be indicative of non-accidental injury: bruises on the head - but also on the ear or n2.28 Physical abuse
Definition - Physical abuse is: “A form of abuse which may involve hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning, or scalding, drowning, suffocating or otherwise causing physical harm to a child. Physical harm may also be caused when a parent or carer fabricates the symptoms of, or delibe2.28 Physical abuse
Further information - Childline information for children on Physical Abuse # The following website provides evidence based resources to help inform child protection procedures and professionals: https://childprotection.rcpch.ac.uk/child-protection-evidence/ ICON https://iconcope.org/2.28 Physical abuse
Longer term effects of Physical Abuse - Physical abuse can have long lasting effects on children and young people. It can lead to poor physical or mental health in life, including; Anxiety Behaviour issues Criminal behaviour Depression Substance misuse Eating disorders Issues in education Obesity Unsafe sexual behaviour Suicida2.28 Physical abuse
Initial Child Protection Conference - If it is determined following a S47 child protection enquiry that a child is at risk of or has experienced significant harm then an Initial Child Protection Conference (ICPC) will be convened. Care should be taken to consider how the child / young person can be enabled to participate in2.28 Physical abuse
Talking to the child - Children do not always verbally tell people when they are being physically abused, but they may try to express what is happening to them, through the way they behave, present or respond or don’t, but for various reasons they are not heard or understood. Practitioners should be mindful of2.28 Physical abuse
Child protection medical assessment - The child protection medical assessment must be planned, timely and conducted by an appropriately qualified medical professional. Child protection medical assessments can be stressful for all concerned, particularly for the children and families, but also for police officers, social worker2.28 Physical abuse
Photography - Photographic images may have been taken by carers or others using mobile phones or other devices and given to statutory agencies some time later when the injuries may have healed. These images may be of poor quality and their validity may be in question. Moreover, images can be digitally a2.28 Physical abuse
Protection and Action to be taken - This section should be read alongside the specific procedures for referrals, immediate protection, strategy meetings and child protection enquiries Physical Abuse Pathway The pathway below sets out the multi-agency response to concerns about physical abuse: Physical abuse pathway Making a2.28 Physical abuse
Challenges parents or carers may face - Adults who physically abuse children may have: emotional or behavioural problems – such as difficulty controlling their anger health issues, including mental health needs, which make it difficult for them to cope family or relationship problems experienced abuse as a child (Miller-Perri2.29 Sexual abuse
The need for good record keeping, information sharing & professional challenge - Good record keeping is a vital component of professional practice that supports continuity of care, risk assessment & management, documents thinking, decision making, and actions taken, it is a professional aid to planning & analysis. It is therefore important that all records in a2.29 Sexual abuse
Further Information - The Centre of Expertise on Child Sexual Abuse HM Government Child Sexual Abuse Strategy The Home Office has published guidance for local partnerships on the Child House multi agency service model of support for children and young people affected by sexual abuse Research and analysis of Mul2.29 Sexual abuse
Contacts - West Midlands Children and Young Person’s Service (SARC) 0808 196 2340 Sexual abuse referral centre (SARC) Webinar Power point presentation Access to children & young people’s SARC services Easy read guide to SARC Parent & carers SARC leaflet Visiting a SARC- Children’2.29 Sexual abuse
Avoid delay - The importance of detailed and timely information-sharing between agencies is a major factor in the protection of children. This requires attendance by all relevant agencies at multi-agency decision-making forums, so that all relevant information can be shared. The absence of safeguardin2.29 Sexual abuse
Safety planning - If the sexual abuse has happened in the familial environment consideration should be given to the development of a safety plan that should include; The minimum requirements for risk management, in terms of house rules and supervision. A clear identification of actions that are “risky”2.29 Sexual abuse
Non-offending carers - How others respond to disclosures is central, particularly non-offending carer’s, especially if the sexual abuse has taken place in the familial environment, in relation to mediating the psychological impact of the abuse and long-term mental health outcomes (Lovett, 2004). Retraction of2.29 Sexual abuse
Definition - Sexual abuse Involves forcing or enticing a child or young person to take part in sexual activities, not necessarily involving a high level of violence, whether or not the child is aware of what is happening. The activities may involve physical contact, including assault by penetration (fo2.29 Sexual abuse
Risks and Indicators - Knowing the signs of sexual abuse can help give a voice to children. Sometimes children won’t understand what is happening is wrong, or they may be scared to speak out. Some of the signs professionals may notice in children include: Avoiding being alone or frightened of people or a perso2.29 Sexual abuse
Support for the child - Assistance for children recovering from both contact and non-contact sexual abuse should include: Being safe- feeling safe- keeping safe Telling- time and security Placing responsibility with the abuser The “family” relationships Help with the legal process; police- court- compensation2.29 Sexual abuse
Disclosure - The term ‘disclosure’ is open to different interpretations across professional contexts. Here, disclosure is broadly defined as ‘one person conveying what they have been subjected to, to another’. Children convey these experiences in many different ways. Most children who have been2.29 Sexual abuse
Protection and action to be taken - When a child discloses that he or she has been subjected to sexual abuse it is an opportunity for an adult to provide immediate support and comfort and to assist in protecting the child from the abuse. It is also a chance to help the child connect to professional services that can keep the2.3 Children of parents who misuse substances
Definition - Drug and/or alcohol misuse refers to: illegal drugs, alcohol, solvents and the misuse of prescription and over the counter medications, the consumption of which is either dependent use, or use associated with having harmful effects on the individual, other members of their family or the c2.3 Children of parents who misuse substances
Risk and impact - Drug and/or alcohol misuse can consume a great deal of time, money and emotional energy, which will unavoidably impact on an adult’scapacity to parent a child. This behaviour also puts the child at an increased risk of neglect and emotional, physical or sexual abuse, either by the pa2.3 Children of parents who misuse substances
Indicators - Because drug and/or alcohol misuse affects an individual’s cognitive functioning and behaviour; the impact on their capacity to parent and meet the child’s needs are compromised. Practical skills, perceptions, control of emotions, judgement, attention to basic physical needs, attachm2.3 Children of parents who misuse substances
Protection and action to be taken - Identification and assessment Where there are concerns by practitioners involved with any members of a family about a child living in an environment in which drug and /or alcohol misuse is taking place this will always override legal, professional or agency requirements to keep information2.3 Children of parents who misuse substances
Issues - Addressing and supporting Parent/carers’ own needs. Assistance with the misuse or addiction to drugs and or alcohol can be achieved through appropriate treatment accessed through the local drug and alcohol treatment service, it should however be recognised that the misuse may also be2.3 Children of parents who misuse substances
Further information - Public Health Practitioner Guidance: Parents with alcohol and drug problems Hidden Harm: Responding to the Needs of Children of Problem Drug Users Safeguarding Children affected by Parent alcohol and drug use A guide for local authorities and drug and/or alcohol misuse services Adfam (su2.4 Children with disabilities
Issues - Carers are relied upon (whether family or paid carers) as a source of information about children with disabilities and to interpret and explain behaviour or symptoms. Professional staff can potentially feel out of their depth in terms of knowledge of a child’s impairment, where the famil2.4 Children with disabilities
Further information - Safeguarding Disabled Children: Practice Guidance Protecting Disabled Children: thematic inspection report (Ofsted) Reducing the need for restraint and restrictive intervention Someone on our side: Advocacy for disabled children and young people: Anita Franklin and Abigail Knight, Senior2.4 Children with disabilities
Special circumstances and additional issues to consider - In a pregnancy where a disability has been identified such as Down’s Syndrome or Spina Bifida, for example, and there are concerns around the unborn baby, the local Pre-birth Assessment process should be followed. Care Act 2014 c. 23 Transition for children to adult care and support Con2.4 Children with disabilities
Protection and action to be taken - It should be remembered that children with disabilities are children first and foremost, they have the same rights to protection as any other child. People caring for and working with children with disabilities need to be alert to the signs and symptoms of abuse. See responding to abuse an2.4 Children with disabilities
Indicators - It is unacceptable for poor standards of care to be tolerated for children with disabilities, which would not be tolerated for children without a disability. In addition to the universal indicators of abuse/neglect, the following behaviours should be considered as abusive: Force feeding;2.4 Children with disabilities
Risks - Many factors can make a child with a disability more vulnerable to abuse than a child without a disability of the same age. Safeguarding children with disabilities demands a greater awareness of their vulnerability, individuality and particular needs. Children with disabilities are more2.4 Children with disabilities
Law - The Children Act 1989 s17(1) creates a general duty on children’s services authorities to safeguard and promote the welfare of children within their area who are ‘in need’. So far as is consistent with this duty, children’s services authorities must promote the upbringing of such2.4 Children with disabilities
Definition - Children with a disability are children first and foremost, and deserving of the same rights and protection as other children. By definition, any child with a disability may be eligible for assistance as a ‘child in need’. A child can be considered as having a disability if he/she2.5 Online safety: Children exposed to abuse through digital media
Issues - When communicating via the internet, children and young people tend to become less inhibited and talk about things far more openly than they might when communicating face to face. Children and young people should be supported to understand that when they use digital technology they should2.5 Online safety: Children exposed to abuse through digital media
Further information - Behaviour that is illegal if committed offline is also illegal if committed online. If cases involve the criminal use of communication systems (i.e. through the use of mobile phones or the internet) the police will deal with them accordingly. Various criminal and civil laws can apply to an2.5 Online safety: Children exposed to abuse through digital media
Protection and action to be taken - If a child is at immediate risk of harm contact the police. Where there is suspected or actual evidence of anyone accessing or creating indecent images of children and young people, concerns about a child being groomed for any form of exploitation or radicalisation purposes, exposed to por2.5 Online safety: Children exposed to abuse through digital media
Indicators - The initial indicators of child abuse are likely to be changes in behaviour and mood of the child victim including a change in their use of the internet enabled devices (e.g. increase or decrease). Clearly such changes can also be attributed to many innocent events in a child’s life and2.5 Online safety: Children exposed to abuse through digital media
Risks - The internet can be used for many positive purposes, however social networking, gaming sites and apps are often used by perpetrators as an easy, quick way to engage with children and young people with the intention of grooming or exploiting them. They may be exposed to new influences an2.5 Online safety: Children exposed to abuse through digital media
Victim Blaming Language - The UK Council for Internet Safety has published guidance to support professionals and to inform policies and procedures related to responding to incidents of online abuse and safeguarding children and young people. What is victim blaming? Victim blaming is any language or action that impl2.5 Online safety: Children exposed to abuse through digital media
Definition - Online Safety or ‘E’-Safety are generic terms that refer to raising awareness about how children, young people and adults can protect themselves when using digital technology and in the online environment. ‘Online Abuse’ relates to the following areas of abuse to children: Abusive2.6 Fabricated or Induced Illness
Police - This section should be read in conjunction with paragraphs 2.97 – 2.105 of Working Together which set out the principles applying to the police role in child protection investigations. Safeguarding children in whom illness is fabricated or induced Any suspected case of fabricated or ind2.6 Fabricated or Induced Illness
Harm to the child - Harm to the child takes several forms. Some of these are caused directly by the parent/ carer, intentionally or unintentionally, but may be supported by the doctor; others are brought about by the doctor’s actions, the harm being caused inadvertently. The following three aspects need to2.6 Fabricated or Induced Illness
Risks and indicators - The following signs and indicators may raise concerns, but they are not evidence of FII. However, they are indicators of possible FII (not amounting to likely or actual significant harm) and, if associated with possible harm to the child, they amount to general safeguarding concerns. Some2.6 Fabricated or Induced Illness
Action to be taken - Severity Severity of FII can be considered in two ways: a) severity of the parent’s actions, b) severity of the harm to the child. a) Severity of the parent’s actions This can be placed on a continuum of increasing severity which ranges from anxiety and belief-related erroneous reports2.6 Fabricated or Induced Illness
Definitions of key terms - Term Definition Synonyms (other terms sometimes used) Medically Unexplained Symptoms (MUS) The child’s symptoms, of which the child complains and which are genuinely experienced, are not fully explained by any known pathology but with likely underlying factors in the child (u2.6 Fabricated or Induced Illness
Further information - RCPCH 2021, Perplexing Presentations (PP) / Fabricated or Induced Illness (FII) in Children. RCPCH guidance. Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health2.7 Abuse linked to Faith, Cultural and Religious Beliefs
Belief in spirit possession - Definition of 'belief in spirit possession' For the purposes of this policy, the term 'belief in spirit possession' is the belief that an evil force has entered a child and is controlling him or her. Sometimes the term 'witch' is used and is the belief that a child is able to use an evil f2.7 Abuse linked to Faith, Cultural and Religious Beliefs
Belief in spirit possession - Concerns A number of faith groups have beliefs, which affect how they use health services and specifically treatment and immunisations for children. A number of churches and faith groups believe in the power of prayers and faith in God and as a result may refuse medical interventions and t2.7 Abuse linked to Faith, Cultural and Religious Beliefs
Belief in spirit possession - Risks The number of known cases of child abuse linked to accusations of 'possession' or 'witchcraft' is small, but children involved can suffer damage to their physical and mental health, their capacity to learn, their ability to form relationships and to their self-esteem. It is likely th2.7 Abuse linked to Faith, Cultural and Religious Beliefs
Belief in spirit possession - Indicators Research and reports from cases of abuse linked to faith and belief have involved children aged 2 to 14, both boys and girls, and have generally been reported through schools or non-governmental organisations. Referrals usually take place at a point when the situation has esca2.7 Abuse linked to Faith, Cultural and Religious Beliefs
Belief in spirit possession - Protection and action to be taken Any practitioner who comes in to contact with children should be able to recognise that a child is being abused or neglected and know what to do to safeguard and promote the welfare of a child. This may be the crucial intervention that protects the child2.7 Abuse linked to Faith, Cultural and Religious Beliefs
Belief in spirit possession - Issues Whilst specific beliefs, practices, terms or forms of abuse may exist, the underlying reasons for the abuse are often similar to other contexts in which children become at risk. These reasons can include family stress, deprivation, domestic violence and abuse, substance abuse and me2.7 Abuse linked to Faith, Cultural and Religious Beliefs
Belief in spirit possession - Law There are a number of laws in the UK that allow the prosecution of those responsible for abuse linked to faith or belief. One of the biggest challenges is raising awareness and encouraging victims and witnesses to come forward. Children Act 1989 Section 47 of the Children Act 1989 empo2.7 Abuse linked to Faith, Cultural and Religious Beliefs
Breast ironing - Introduction Breast Ironing also known as ' Breast Flattening' is the process whereby young pubescent girls' breasts are ironed, massaged, massaged, pounded down through the use of hard or heated objects, or by other methods in order for the breasts to disappear or delay the development of2.7 Abuse linked to Faith, Cultural and Religious Beliefs
Belief in spirit possession2.7 Abuse linked to Faith, Cultural and Religious Beliefs
Breast ironing - Referral Suspicions may arise in a number of ways that a child is being prepared for Breast Ironing or is subjected to Breast Ironing. If any agency becomes aware of a child who may have been subjected to or is at risk of Breast Ironing they must make a referral to Children's Social Care S2.7 Abuse linked to Faith, Cultural and Religious Beliefs
Breast ironing - Risks The girl generally believes that the practice is being carried out for her own good and she will often remain silent. Young pubescent girls usually aged between 9 - 15 years old and from practicing communities are most at risk of breast ironing.2.7 Abuse linked to Faith, Cultural and Religious Beliefs
Breast ironing - Legal position There is no specific law within the UK around Breast Ironing, however it is a form of physical abuse and if professionals are concerned a child may be at risk of or suffering significant harm they must follow the local procedures for responding to abuse Responding to concern2.7 Abuse linked to Faith, Cultural and Religious Beliefs
Breast ironing - Indicators Breast Ironing is a well-kept secret between the young girl and her mother. Often the father remains completely unaware. Some indicators that a girl has undergone breast ironing are as follows: Unusual behaviour after an absence from school or college including depression, anxie2.7 Abuse linked to Faith, Cultural and Religious Beliefs
Breast ironing - Justifications The practice is carried out under the misguided intention to 'protect' women and girls from men's sexual harassment. These violent acts are not only perpetrated by men on women, but by older generations of women on young girls. In practicing communities, it is believed many2.7 Abuse linked to Faith, Cultural and Religious Beliefs
Breast ironing - Assessment Children's Social Care Services in consultation with the Police will undertake a Section 47 Enquiry if it has reason to believe that a child is likely to suffer or has suffered Breast ironing. Where a child has been identified as at risk of significant harm, it may not always be2.7 Abuse linked to Faith, Cultural and Religious Beliefs
Belief in spirit possession - Further infomation Further contacts for advice can be found from the local representatives for some faiths, from organisations such as: Churches' Child Protection Advisory Service (CCPAS) - provide information about exorcism African Caribbean Evangelical Alliance (ACEA) Churches Together i2.7 Abuse linked to Faith, Cultural and Religious Beliefs
Breast ironing - Health consequences Due to the instruments which are used during the process of breast Ironing, for example, spoon/broom, stones, breast band, leaves etc. combined with insufficient aftercare, young girls are exposed to significant health risks. Breast Ironing is painful and violates a you2.8 Bullying
Types of bullying - The three main types of bullying are: Physical – for example, hitting, kicking, shoving, theft. Verbal – for example, threats, name calling, racist or homophobic remarks. Emotional – for example, isolating an individual from activities/games and the social acceptance of their peer gr2.8 Bullying
Schools and Education Settings - Ofsted expects schools and other educational settings to record incidents of bullying and show how they have responded to these. Ofsted gathers views from parents and children and young people as part of their inspections and if weaknesses are identified these will be flagged up in the O2.8 Bullying
Definition - Bullying is defined as ‘behaviour by an individual or group, usually repeated over time, which intentionally hurts another individual or group either physically or emotionally’. A child who bullies is defined as 'a person who habitually seeks to harm or intimidate those whom they perce2.8 Bullying
Further information - Behaviour and Discipline in Schools 2016 The Department for Education has produced guidance for schools on preventing and responding to bullying (2017). Materials include advice on supporting children and young people who are bullied, and advice for both teachers and parents on cyber-bul2.8 Bullying
Legal Responsibility - It is important to recognise that in some instances bullying will raise safeguarding concerns and/or involve a criminal offence. Bullying behaviour may result in a criminal investigation where there is physical assault, damage, threats, or harassment. Schools have a duty of care to protect2.8 Bullying
Risks - The Target Using the phrase ‘target’ of bullying rather than ‘victim’ shows that a child is not helpless or powerless to change their situation. Any child may be a target of bullying, but it often occurs if a child has been identified in some way as vulnerable or different. Childre2.8 Bullying
Indicators - Any change in behaviour which indicates fear or anxiety is a potential indicator of bullying. Children may also choose to avoid locations and events which they had previously enjoyed – changes in attitude towards schools or organised activities are particularly significant. Any of the fo2.8 Bullying
Protection and action to be taken - All settings in which children are provided with services or are living away from home should have in place anti-bullying strategies and procedures on how to refer to children’s social care if safeguarding children concerns are identified. See Referrals procedure and Assessment proced2.9 Neglect
Definition - Neglect of children is one of the most difficult areas in child care and child protection to identify, communicate effectively to professionals, assess and intervene in. It is now emerging as the most common type of harm children experience and is the most common reason that children are2.9 Neglect
The Rights and Needs of Children - Children's need for, and rights to, healthy development can be identified within The United Nations Convention on The Rights of the Child (1989). There is an international consensus on the basic needs of children. The Children Act (1989) does not specify needs or rights. It does, however,2.9 Neglect
Undertaking Assessment - Assessment tools can help practitioners get a clear picture of how well parents are able to look after their children. This helps professionals make timely evidence-based decisions to improve the child’s quality of life. Having a clear framework to assess neglect and its impact on a ch2.9 Neglect
Types of neglect - One of the main reasons why neglect is difficult to define is that the term itself is an umbrella for numerous forms of child maltreatment, this will include pre-birth neglect and babies. In an attempt to overcome the problem, we have broken down the definition into the following:2.9 Neglect
Indicators - Neglect differs from other forms of abuse in that there is rarely a single incident or crisis that draws attention to the family. It is repeated, persistent neglectful behaviour that causes incremental damage over a period of time. There is no set pattern of signs that indicate neglect2.9 Neglect
Further information - Children with disabilities Children with disabilities are more vulnerable to neglect. Sullivan and Knutson (2000) suggest they are 3.8 times more likely to be neglected for various reasons, including the demands placed on the family’s capacity to care and children and young people not b2.9 Neglect
Impact - The focus of attention in relation to neglect has been on younger children, however all children can experience neglect at any age – from birth to adolescence. Neglect can cause a range of short- and long-term effects which may vary depending on the age of the child affected. Brain devel2.9 Neglect
Support and Protective Action to be Taken - A whole system approach is vital in dealing with cases of neglect, in order that children and their families receive the right type of services when they need them. Children and their families may need to ‘step up and step down’ through the tiers of support. Practitioners need to cons2.9 Neglect
Risks and Vulnerability - Any child can suffer neglect, but research shows that some children are more vulnerable including those who: have a disability are born prematurely or with a low birth weight have complex health needs are in care are seeking asylum. Most families come under pressure from time to time. Al3.8 National Alerts
P7 - BCWBAlertprocess
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