Amendments |
August 2023
Updated Chapters | |
Chapter Title | Details |
Allegations Against Staff or Volunteers | This chapter has been amended in line with revised Keeping Children Safe in Education. New Section 2, The Difference Between an Allegation of Harm and a Concern has been added. |
Information Sharing Protocol | This chapter has been updated to include information into Section 5, National Guidance on Sharing Information in relation to the Serious Violence Duty. |
Abuse Linked to Faith or Belief | This chapter has been refreshed, and additional information added into Section 3, Indicators. |
Child Sexual Abuse in the Family Environment | This chapter has been refreshed and a new Section 5, The Centre of Expertise on Child Sexual Abuse has been added including information from the Centre of Expertise on Child Sexual Abuse. |
Child Exploitation (including Child Sexual Exploitation and Child Criminal Exploitation) | This chapter has been updated to include a link to Serious Violence Duty - Preventing and Reducing Serious Violence: Statutory Guidance for Responsible Authorities to the Further Information section. |
Children from Abroad, including Victims of Modern Slavery, Trafficking and Exploitation | This chapter has been updated to include information in to Section 1.2.1, Age Assessments in relation to the National Age Assessment Board. |
Child with a Disability or Complex Health Needs | This chapter has been updated to include information from the UK Social Work Practice in Safeguarding Disabled Children and Young People report. |
Forced Marriage | This chapter has been amended to reflect that the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Minimum Age) Act 2022 raised the age of marriage and civil partnership to 18 in England and Wales, with effect from 26 February 2023. |
Gang Activity and Serious Youth Violence | This chapter has been updated to include a link to Serious Violence Duty - Preventing and Reducing Serious Violence: Statutory Guidance for Responsible Authorities to the Further Information section. Information has also been added into Section 4, Protection and Action to be Taken in relation to Serious Violence Reduction Orders. |
Agency Roles and Responsibilities | Section 5.17, Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements has been updated to include information on the extension of the duty to co-operate under the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022. In Section 5.8, The Secure Estate for Children a link has been added to Matters of Concern, Safeguarding Concerns, Allegations and Complaints for Children in Custody – Youth Custody Service (Youth Justice Resource Hub). New Section 2, Serious Violence Duty has been added and information was added in relation to Serious Violence Reduction Orders. |
Guidance for Safe Recruitment, Selection and Retention for Staff and Volunteers | This chapter has been amended in line with revised Keeping Children Safe in Education. Section 4.5, Application Form has been updated to note that Keeping Children Safe in Education provides that schools and colleges should only accept copies of a curriculum vitae alongside an application form. A curriculum vitae on its own will not provide adequate information. Information has been added into Section 4.6, Scrutinising and Shortlisting in relation to online searches. |
Next Update: February 2024 |
Archive
February 2023
Updated Chapters | |
Chapter Title | Details |
Allegations Against Staff or Volunteers | This chapter has been updated as the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 has extended the definition of Position of Trust within the Sexual Offences Act 2003 section 22A to include anyone who coaches, teaches, trains, supervises or instructs a child under 18, on a regular basis, in a sport or a religion. |
Information Sharing Protocol | This guidance has been updated. |
Child Exploitation (including Child Sexual Exploitation and Child Criminal Exploitation) | This chapter has been updated as the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 has extended the definition of Position of Trust within the Sexual Offences Act 2003 section 22A to include anyone who coaches, teaches, trains, supervises or instructs a child under 18, on a regular basis, in a sport or a religion. |
Parents with Learning Disabilities | This chapter has been refreshed in line with current case law and should be re-read. |
Parents who Misuse Substances | A link has been added into Further Information to NICE Quality Standard QS 204 Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. |
Learning and Improvement Training Strategy | This training strategy has been updated. |
Agency Roles and Responsibilities | This chapter has been updated as the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 has extended the definition of Position of Trust within the Sexual Offences Act 2003 section 22A to include anyone who coaches, teaches, trains, supervises or instructs a child under 18, on a regular basis, in a sport or a religion. Links were also added to the HMPP Child Safeguarding Policy. |
New Chapters and Features | |
Chapter Title | Details |
Professional Curiosity Guidance for Practitioners | This document has been added. |
August 2022
Updated Chapters | |
Chapter Title | Details |
Reporting Concerns - Professionals | This chapter has been amended in line with changes to documentation. |
Allegations Against Staff or Volunteers | This chapter has been updated to reflect Keeping Children Safe in Education regarding allegations that can relate to an adult’s behaviour outside work known as transferable risk, and in relation to the importance of sharing any concerns about the behaviour of a person who works with children. Information has been added on the differences between an allegation and a concern. |
Bullying | This chapter has been slightly amended. The definition of sexting was expanded to include taking and distributing nude or semi-nude images. |
Domestic Abuse | This chapter has been updated to reflect the new definition of Domestic Abuse within the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 and to update the links within Further Information. The provisions of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 are still being introduced and the statutory guidance is still in draft so there will be a further update to the chapter once the statutory guidance is finalised. |
Gang Activity and Serious Youth Violence | A link has been added to CPS Guidance on Victims of Modern Slavery, Human Trafficking and Smuggling. This guidance aims to identify victims of modern slavery, human trafficking and smuggling at an earlier point in criminal investigations. |
Harmful Sexual Behaviour | A link has been added to the Further information section to the Harmful Sexual Behaviour Support Service for the Children’s Workforce (Marie Collins Foundation). |
Online Safety | This chapter has been amended and the definition of sexting expanded to include taking and distributing nude or semi-nude images. The Further Information section has also been revised. A link has been also added in the Further Information section to Talking to Your Child About Online Sexual Harassment (Children’s Commissioner). |
Parents who Misuse Substances | Links have been added to the Further Information Section to the Guidance - Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: Health Needs Assessment and Guidance: Parents with Alcohol and Drug Problems - Adult Treatment and Children and Family Services. |
Radicalisation and Violent Extremism | A link has been added to the further information section to Guidance - Prevent Duty Self-assessment Tool: Further Education. |
Agency Roles and Responsibilities | This chapter has been updated to include information regarding Public Health England becoming the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities. |
June 2022
New Chapters and Features | |
Chapter Title | Details |
Child Exploitation (including Child Sexual Exploitation and Child Criminal Exploitation) | This chapter has been amended to include Appendix 6: The Child - Questions and Appendix 7: Parent Carers – Questions. |
May 2022
New Chapters and Features | |
Chapter Title | Details |
Cumbria Understanding The Level of Need and Practice Response | A link to Cumbria Understanding The Level of Need and Practice Response has been added. |
April 2022
Updated Chapters | |
Chapter Title | Details |
Child Exploitation (including Child Sexual Exploitation and Child Criminal Exploitation) | This chapter has been further amended, to include information on Organised Networks in Section 2, Definitions. The links in the Appendix section have been updated. |
Children who go Missing from Care or Home | This chapter has been updated throughout and should be reread in its entirety. |
February 2022
Updated Chapters | |
Chapter Title | Details |
Child Protection Conferences | A note has been added into Section 1, Child Protection Conferences to remind all practitioners of the importance of establishing the nationality and immigration status of children and families. This will ensure they can be signposted for immigration advice and support where required. Furthermore - if as EU/EEA nationals they have been granted pre- settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme - it will ensure that they can be supported to apply for settled status when they accrue 5 years’ continuous residence in the UK. |
Children and Families Moving Across Local Authority Boundaries or Abroad | Information contained in this procedure has been reviewed and updated. A note from Working Together to Safeguard Children has been added into Section 1, Movement of Children and Families to remind all practitioners of the importance of sharing information when a child moves from one local authority into another; due to the risk that knowledge pertinent to keeping a child safe could be lost. |
Allegations Against Staff or Volunteers | A link has been added to the Scope and Further Information section of the chapter: Safeguarding Adults Framework for managing allegations against a Person in Position of Trust (PiPoT). |
Bullying | This chapter has been amended to include information on sexual harassment and violence following the Review of Sexual Abuse in Schools and Colleges (Ofsted, June 2021) and Keeping Children Safe in Education. |
Child Exploitation (including Child Sexual Exploitation and Child Criminal Exploitation) | This chapter has been amended to include information on sexual harassment and violence and to note the Review of Sexual Abuse in Schools and Colleges (Ofsted, June 2021). See Section 12, Supporting Children and Young People out of Child Exploitation. This Report, together with Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy (GOV.UK 2021), can be found in Further Information. A link has been added in the Further Information section to Tackling Child Exploitation: Resources Pack (Local Government Association). Section 4, Important Information about Child Exploitation has been updated to reflect that, with effect from 29 June 2021, section 69 Domestic Abuse Act 2021 expanded so-called ‘revenge porn’ to include threats to disclose private sexual photographs and films with intent to cause distress. A link has been added in Further Information to the NSPCC Report Remove Tool. The tool enables young people under the age of 18 to report a nude image or video of themselves which has appeared online. The Internet Watch Foundation will review these reports and work to remove any content which breaks the law. |
Children from Abroad, including Victims of Modern Slavery, Trafficking and Exploitation | This chapter has been refreshed throughout. Information was added on piloting devolving decision making for child victims of modern slavery and on Independent Child Trafficking Guardians (ICTG). Links to Further Information have been added and updated, and a link added to the Independent Child Trafficking Guardians Referral Form. In areas where the ICTG service has been implemented, if the first responder considers a child to be a potential victim of modern slavery, they should refer them to the ICTG service by completing the online referral form. Minor amendments have also been made to this chapter in line with the UK’s exit from the EEA. |
Domestic Abuse | Definition has been updated to reflect that, with effect from 29 April 2021, section 71 Domestic Abuse Act 2021 removed the so-called ‘rough sex gone wrong’ defence. Where a person inflicts serious harm (wounding, actual bodily harm or grievous bodily harm) on another person, it is not a defence that the victim consented to the infliction of the serious harm for the purposes of obtaining sexual gratification. With effect from 29 June 2021, section 69 Domestic Abuse Act 2021 expanded so-called ‘revenge porn’ to include threats to disclose private sexual photographs and films with intent to cause distress. In Further Information, a link has been added to Domestic Abuse: Specialist Sources of Support (gov.uk). |
Fabricated or Induced Illness/Perplexing Presentations | This chapter has been refreshed and a link added to revised guidance from the RCPCH Perplexing Presentations (PP)/Fabricated or Induced Illness (FII) in Children Guidance. |
Gang Activity and Serious Youth Violence | Information has been added on Knife Crime Prevention Orders. |
Harmful Sexual Behaviour | This chapter has been amended to reflect the Review of Sexual Abuse in Schools and Colleges (Ofsted, June 2021) and Keeping Children Safe in Education. See the Ofsted report in Further Information together with Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy (GOV.UK 2021). A link has also been added to Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Between Children in Schools and Colleges in Further Information. |
Honour Based Abuse | Links have been added to Forced Marriage Guidance (Home Office) - information and practice guidelines for professional protecting, advising and supporting victims and to SafeLives Dash risk checklist for the identification of high risk cases of domestic abuse, stalking and ‘honour’-based violence. |
Online Safety | Links have been added in Further Information to: NSPCC Report Remove Tool - The tool enables young people under the age of 18 to report a nude image or video of themselves which has appeared online. The Internet Watch Foundation will review these reports and work to remove any content which breaks the law. UK Council for Internet Safety (UKCIS) Digital Passport - a communication tool to support children and young people with care experience to talk with their carers about their online lives. Definition has also been updated to reflect that, with effect from 29 June 2021, section 69 Domestic Abuse Act 2021 expanded so-called ‘revenge porn’ to include threats to disclose private sexual photographs and films with intent to cause distress. |
Parents with Learning Disabilities | Indicators of Concern has been updated to include information in relation to pre-birth assessments and planning. |
Parents who Misuse Substances | A link has been added in Further Information to Guidance: Parents with Alcohol and Drug Problems: Support Resources (GOV.UK). |
Underage Sexual Activity | This chapter has been amended to include information on sexual harassment and violence following the Review of Sexual Abuse in Schools and Colleges (Ofsted, June 2021) and Keeping Children Safe in Education. See the Ofsted report in Further Information. |
Agency Roles and Responsibilities | This chapter has been updated in line with the changes made on the 24 June 2021, probation services will be delivered by the National Probation Service. |
Guidance for Safe Recruitment, Selection and Retention for Staff and Volunteers | This chapter has been updated to reflect legal changes following EU exit, including guidance on checking the past conduct of individuals who have lived or worked overseas. NOTE: In January 2021, the DfE issued a revised version of KCSIE 2020 with changes strictly limited to those related to the UK leaving the EU. |
Removed Chapters | |
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September 2021
New Chapters and Features | |
Chapter Title | Details |
Safer Sleeping Guidance for Children | This guidance has been added to the manual. |
August 2021
Updated Chapters | |
Chapter Title | Details |
Responding to Abuse and Neglect | The definition of safeguarding has been updated to reflect the latest amendments to Working Together to Safeguard Children. A note has also been added to the Early Help Section, highlighting that children with a parent or carer in custody may be benefit from Early Help provision. |
Local Protocol for Assessment | This chapter has been updated to reflect changes from the revised Working Together to Safeguard Children. |
Allegations Against Staff or Volunteers | This guidance has been reviewed and updated as required to reflect the most recent version of Working Together to Safeguard Children. In Section 1, Introduction and Criteria, a fourth bullet point has been added to include situations where an individual in those settings has behaved or may have behaved in a way that indicates they may not be suitable to work with children. This is to capture concerns around transferable risk; for example where a person who works with children is involved in a domestic abuse incident at home and this may have implications for their suitability to work with children. |
Information Sharing Protocol | This guidance has been updated. |
Bullying | This chapter has been updated with new links added to resources for addressing bullying linked to race/faith, and resources to help make schools, colleges or other settings LGBT inclusive. See Further Information. |
Children from Abroad, including Victims of Modern Slavery, Trafficking and Exploitation | This guidance has been updated. |
Concealed Pregnancies | This guidance has been updated and should be reread in its entirety. |
Parents with Mental Health Problems | Links to Further Information have been updated. |
Visits to Psychiatric Wards and Facilities | This chapter has been refreshed throughout and terminology updated, and additional information has been added in to Section 3, Visiting Patients in the High Security Psychiatric Services: Ashworth, Broadmoor and Rampton, in line with the High Security Psychiatric Services (Arrangements for Safety and Security) Directions 2019 and associated Guidance. |
Guidance for Safe Recruitment, Selection and Retention for Staff and Volunteers | This guidance has been updated as a result of the UK’s exit from the European Union. Information was added on how employers can now check that an individual has the right to work in the UK during the recruitment process. Links in Further Information have also been revised. |
Whistleblowing or Raising Concerns at Work | Further Information has been updated to include useful websites and guidance. |
New Chapters and Features | |
Chapter Title | Details |
Child Exploitation (including Child Sexual Exploitation and Child Criminal Exploitation) | This procedure has been added to the manual. |
Modern Slavery Pathway and Guidance | A link to this pathway and guidance has been added to the manual. |
Visits to Prison by Children | This chapter contains procedures and best practice guidance for safeguarding the welfare of children and young people who are visiting or having contact with adults or other young people who are in prison, focusing particularly on contact with persons identified as posing a risk to children. |
Protocol for Improving Standards of Care and Safeguarding in Private Residential Provision in Cumbria | This protocol has been added to the manual. |
Cumbria Intervention Protocol Following a Suspected Child Suicide | This protocol and its appendices have been added to the manual. |
Removed Chapters | |
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February 2021
Updated Chapters | |
Chapter Title | Details |
Children from Abroad, including Victims of Modern Slavery, Trafficking and Exploitation | Links in Further Information have been updated. |
Children Living Away from Home with Other Families | The Children in Custody section has been updated. |
Children who go Missing from Care or Home | This chapter has been reviewed locally in order to clarify local guidance. |
Female Genital Mutilation | This chapter has been updated throughout. |
Multi-Agency Pre-Birth Protocol | This chapter has been updated throughout. |
New Chapters and Features | |
Chapter Title | Details |
Child Criminal Exploitation | This chapter has been added to the manual. |
September 2020
Updated Chapters | |
Chapter Title | Details |
Children who go Missing from Care or Home | This chapter has been updated to clarify local guidance. |
August 2020
Updated Chapters | |
Chapter Title | Details |
Local Protocol for Assessment | This chapter has been updated in line with the new digital referral system for reporting potential victims of Modern Slavery. |
Allegations Against Staff or Volunteers | This chapter has been significantly updated and should be re-read in its entirety. |
Organised and Complex Abuse | This chapter has been significantly updated locally. Therefore it should be re-read in its entirety. |
Bullying | This chapter has been updated to reflect Keeping Children Safe in Education statutory guidance (updated September 2019) and reference to Upskirting which is a specific example of abusive behaviour which has been linked to on-line bullying and grooming. Upskirting is a criminal offence and, as such, should be reported to the Police. |
Gang Activity, Youth Violence and Criminal Exploitation Affecting Children | Further Information links have been updated. |
Children from Abroad, including Victims of Modern Slavery, Trafficking and Exploitation | This chapter has been updated to take account of the new NRM digital referral form and the change to a Single Competent Authority (SCA). A link to Statutory Guidance Modern Slavery: How to Identify and Support Victims has also been added to the chapter. |
Underage Sexual Activity | Local processes have been updated within the chapter and a link has been added to the Brook Sexual Behaviours Traffic Light tool. |
Agency Roles and Responsibilities | The link to the Ofsted Guidance: Inspecting Safeguarding in Early Years, Education and Skills Settings has been updated. |
Multi-Agency Pre-Birth Protocol | This chapter has been updated in order to update local process guidance. |
February 2020
Updated Chapters | |
Chapter Title | Details |
Domestic Violence and Abuse | A link to the refreshed HM Government Strategy for Ending Violence against Women and Girls Strategy 2016 – 2020 has been added into Definition. |
August 2019
Updated Chapters | |
Chapter Title | Details |
Responding to Abuse and Neglect | This guidance has been reviewed and refreshed throughout as required to ensure consistency with terminology used in current DfE publications, including Working Together to Safeguard Children and Keeping Children Safe in Education. Information has also been added regarding schools’ responsibility to safeguard children in accordance with the latest DfE guidance Working Together to Safeguard Children and Keeping Children Safe in Education. |
Child Protection Enquiries | This chapter has been updated in order to incorporate Working Together to Safeguard Children legislation. |
Allegations Against Staff or Volunteers | This chapter has been amended in order to incorporate Working Together to Safeguard Children legislation. |
Child Sexual Abuse in the Family Environment | A definition has been added for Child Sexual Abuse within the family environment (also known as Intra-familial Child Sexual Abuse) see Section 1, Definition. Also, a model suggested by the Centre of Expertise on Child Sexual Abuse outlining some of the likely impacts of Child Sexual Abuse has been included in Section 2, Risk and Indicators. |
Children who go Missing from Care or Home | This chapter has been reviewed. |
E-Safety: Children Exposed to Abuse through the Digital Media | This guidance has been reviewed and refreshed as required. In the further information section, a link has been added to the Catch 22 publication Social Media as a Catalyst and Trigger for Youth Violence. |
Serious Case Reviews | This chapter has been updated to reflect the introduction of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the updated Data Protection Act 2018. |
Guidance for Safe Recruitment, Selection and Retention for Staff and Volunteers | This chapter has been updated. A link has been added to Statutory Guidance: Disqualification under the Childcare Act 2006 in the Further Information section. |
Local Protocol for Assessment | This chapter has been revised to reflect updated guidance on Assessment in Working Together to Safeguard Children. |
New Chapters and Features | |
Chapter Title | Details |
EDT Protocol | This chapter has been added to the manual and has been written locally. |
February 2019
Updated Chapters | |
Chapter Title | Details |
Children of Parents with Learning Disabilities | This chapter has been revised throughout in line with case-law and updated good practice guidance. |
Harmful Sexual Behaviour | This chapter has been reviewed and updated. Information has been added with regard to Technology-assisted harmful sexual behaviour (TA-HSB) and Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) 2018. The Further Information section has been reviewed and updated. |
August 2018
Updated Chapters | |
Chapter Title | Details |
Responding to Abuse and Neglect | A link to Child Protection Evidence Resource has been added. |
Child Protection Conferences | This chapter has been reviewed and updated following the introduction of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Data Protection Act 2018. |
Bruising in Babies and Children who are Not Independently Mobile | This chapter has been updated including to reflect that following referral to Children’s Social care the social worker must make a referral to the Paediatric Consultant on call at their local hospital and arrange a paediatric assessment at a time appropriate to the urgency of the concerns. |
Gang Activity, Youth Violence and Criminal Exploitation Affecting Children | This chapter has been updated to include a link to the Home Office publication Criminal Exploitation of Children and Vulnerable Adults: County Lines. Information has also been added throughout to describe how organised criminal groups exploit young people and use them to distribute money and illegal drugs along ‘county lines’. |
Children from Abroad, including Victims of Modern Slavery, Trafficking and Exploitation | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be re-read throughout. |
Dangerous Dogs and Safeguarding Children | This chapter has been reviewed and extensively updated. |
February 2018
Updated Chapters | |
Chapter Title | Details |
Local Protocol for Assessment | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be re-read throughout. |
Child Sexual Exploitation | The Further Information section has been revised and updated with a link to the Centre of expertise on Child Sexual Abuse – Key messages from research on child sexual exploitation. A further link has been added to Child sexual exploitation: Practice Tool (2017) (open access) - further background information about child sexual exploitation and additional commentary around some of the complexities of practically responding to the issue. |
Children who go Missing from Care or Home | A new sub section: Children who are Unaccompanied has been added. |
New Chapters and Features | |
Chapter Title | Details |
Child Sexual Abuse in the Family Environment | This chapter has been added to the manual. |
November 2017
Updated Chapters | |
Chapter Title | Details |
Joint Protocol for Homeless 16-17 Young People in Cumbria and Local Area Commitment | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be re-read throughout. |
August 2017
Updated Chapters | |
Chapter Title | Details |
Responding to Abuse and Neglect | A new Section 12, Non-recent (Historical) Abuse has been added. Information has also been added with reference to 'child-on-child' abuse. The definition of Abuse has been expanded in line with that as identified in Working Together to Safeguard Children and Keeping Children Safe in Education. |
Child Sexual Exploitation | Appendix 1.4: CSE Flowchart Child not on an EHA, CiN, CP or CLA plan and is open to Youth Offending Service has been added. Appendix 1.1: CSE Flowchart Child not on EHA CiN CP or CLA Plan and Appendix 1.2: CSE Flowchart Child has EHA in Place have been updated. |
Children who go Missing from Care or Home | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be re-read throughout. |
Domestic Violence and Abuse | This chapter has been updated to include when responding to incidents of domestic abuse, what the practitioner must find out and the Police or other agencies must ensure that children present are seen and if awake, must ask they child if they feel safe. The Police Officer or other professional must identify all other children living in that home and all children connected to the parties involved that live elsewhere or who come to visit and record their details. The Police Officer or other professional must put safeguarding measures in place before leaving the situation if harm is happening or is likely to happen once they leave. They must record what they have put in place and refer all parties accurately and appropriately. This information is included in the Protection and Action to be Taken section. A link has also been added to the Royal College of Nursing – Domestic Abuse: Professional Resources in the Further Information section. |
E-Safety: Children Exposed to Abuse through the Digital Media | This chapter has been updated and also includes information on the recently introduced ‘outcome 21’. Where young people are voluntarily sending/sharing sexual images or content with one another the Police may use this new recording code to record that a crime has been committed but that it is not considered to be in the public interest to take criminal action against the people involved. This chapter also links to LawStuff which is run by Coram Children’s Legal Centre and gives free legal information to young people on a range of different issues. |
Female Genital Mutilation | Links have been added to Home Office FGM Protection Orders Factsheet (GOV.UK) and the 'Statement opposing female genital mutilation' (often referred to as a health passport) (GOV.UK) in the Further Information section. |
Forced Marriage | This chapter has been updated with further detail in the Risks, Indicators and Issues sections, to reflect relevant points from the ‘Protocol on the handling of ‘so-called’ Honour Based Violence/Abuse and Forced Marriage Offences between the National Police Chief’s Council and the Crown Prosecution’ (November 2016). In Further Information, links have been added to Multi-Agency practice guidelines: Handling cases of forced marriage 2014 and to Apply for a forced marriage protection order (GOV.UK). |
Harmful Sexual Behaviour | This chapter has been updated with a revised definition of Harmful Sexual Behaviour and information regarding a continuum of sexual development as an aid to understanding sexual behaviour in children. Additional links to external guidance have also been added. |
Honour Based Violence | This chapter has been reviewed and further detail has been added in line with the ‘Protocol on the handling of ‘so-called’ Honour Based Violence/Abuse and Forced Marriage Offences between the National Police Chiefs’ Council and the Crown Prosecution Service’ (November 2016). Links have been added to Forced Marriage Guidance (Home Office) - information and practice guidelines for professional protecting, advising and supporting victims and to SafeLives Dash risk checklist for the identification of high risk cases of domestic abuse, stalking and ‘honour’-based violence. |
Trafficked Children | In Protection and Action to be Taken information has been added about the National Referral Mechanism and the Police should be contacted immediately if there is any indication that at child has been trafficked. This will ensure that the safeguarding of all is considered and any available evidence preserved. |
Agency Roles and Responsibilities | Section 4.12, Early Years and Childcare has been updated to reflect that during term time, or when the setting is in operation, the designated safeguarding lead or an appropriately trained deputy should be available during opening hours for staff to discuss safeguarding concerns. |
New Chapters and Features | |
Chapter Title | Details |
Dangerous Dogs and Safeguarding Children | This chapter deals with the legislation relating to dangerous dogs, assessing risks and action where required to be taken. |
Modern Slavery | This chapter sets out guidance on how to identify and respond to a child or young person where there are concerns that they are a victim or a potential victim of modern slavery. |
Young People who use Substances | This guidance is for use by specialist substance misuse professionals, and for professionals from all safeguarding agencies. It is intended to help promote young people’s health & wellbeing within the context of substance misuse. |
Removed Chapters | |
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February 2017
Updated Chapters | |
Chapter Title | Details |
Child Protection Conferences | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be re-read throughout. |
Bullying | This chapter has been updated, links have been added to DfE advice on Cyberbullying for Parents and Carers, Headteachers and School Staff. Further information has also been added with regards to cyberbullying. |
Child Sexual Exploitation | This chapter has been extensively and should be re-read throughout. |
Children who go Missing from Care or Home | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be re-read throughout. |
Children Missing from Education | An updated version of the Children Missing Education (CME) Guidance and Procedures has been added. |
Children Visiting Psychiatric Wards and Facilities | This chapter has been updated to make it more child focussed. |
Domestic Violence and Abuse | This chapter has been updated to include the 'Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy 2016 to 2020 (Home Office, 2016), and the 'Information Guide: Adolescent to Parent Violence and Abuse (APVA)'. Text has been added in Issues, in the paragraph about 'risk assessment tools and their use'. |
E-Safety: Children Exposed to Abuse through the Digital Media | This chapter has been updated, in Protection and Action to be Taken a link to the GOV.UK website to report online material promoting terrorism or extremism has been added. Reports can be made anonymously, although practitioners should not do so as they must follow the procedures for professionals. |
Safeguarding Children in whom Illness is Fabricated or Induced (FII) | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be re-read throughout. |
Female Genital Mutilation | This chapter has been amended including the addition of a link to the DHSC Female Genital Mutilation Risk and Safeguarding Guidance for Professionals has been added. |
Supporting Children and Young People Vulnerable to Violent Extremism and Radicalisation | A link has been added to Educate Against Hate in the Further Information section. This website gives parents, teachers and governors practical advice on protecting children from extremism and radicalisation. |
Serious Case Reviews | A link has been added to Serious Case Review Quality Markers - Supporting dialogue about the principles of good practice and how to achieve them. |
Whistleblowing or Raising Concerns at Work | A link has been added to Whistleblowing for Employees (GOV.UK) in the Further Information section. |
New Chapters and Features | |
Chapter Title | Details |
Concealed Pregnancies | This chapter deals with the definition, risk and action to be taken in these circumstances. |
August 2016
Updated Chapters | |
Chapter Title | Details |
Responding to Abuse and Neglect | This chapter has been updated including the addition of a new Section 13, Schools, Settings and other Educational Providers. |
Child Sexual Exploitation | Appendix 8: Joint CSE High Level Case Concern Toolkit has been added. |
Children who go Missing from Care or Home | Protection and Action to be Taken has been updated with regards to the contracted agency who undertakes the return interview. |
E-Safety: Children Exposed to Abuse through the Digital Media | A link has been added in the Further Information section to the Child Online Safety website. |
Trafficked Children | A link has been added in the Further Information section to the Modern Slavery Act 2015 – Home Office Circular. |
Guidance for Safe Recruitment, Selection and Retention for Staff and Volunteers | A link has been added to Guidance for safer working practice for those working with children and young people in education settings October 2015 in the Further Information section. |
New Chapters and Features | |
Chapter Title | Details |
Whistleblowing or Raising Concerns at Work | This chapter has been added to the manual. |
Multi-Agency Pre-Birth Protocol | The purpose of this protocol is to ensure that a clear system is in place to develop robust plans which address the need for early support and services and identify any risks to unborn children. This joint protocol applies particularly to staff working within Children’s Social Care, Health and the Police, but is of relevance to all agencies that work with parents, children and their families. |
Procedure for Schools - Children who go Missing Throughout the School Day | This protocol refers to pupils who register at school in the morning and then go missing during the school day without a satisfactory explanation. |
March 2016
Updated Chapters | |
Chapter Title | Details |
Learning and Improvement Training Strategy | An updated version has been added. |
New Chapters and Features | |
Chapter Title | Details |
Learning and Improvement Framework | This chapter has been added to the manual. |
February 2016
Updated Chapters | |
Chapter Title | Details |
Responding to Abuse and Neglect | The Appendices section has been added. |
Child Protection Enquiries | This chapter has been updated. Section 1, Duty to Conduct Section 47 Enquiries has been updated with regards to the way to conduct multi-agency information checks with regards to Section 47 as well as the potential outcomes of a S 47 discussion/ meeting. Section 8. Medical Assessments now includes information on the purpose of a S 47 Medical Assessment. |
Information Sharing Protocol | An updated version has been added. |
Bullying | This chapter has been amended to include ways professionals working with children and young people can create an anti-bullying climate both in the offline and online world. |
Child Sexual Exploitation | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be re-read throughout. |
Children and Families that go Missing (Including Unborn Children) | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be re-read throughout. |
Children from Abroad | This chapter has been updated to reflect two new jointly agreed documents produced by the ADCS (Association of Directors of Children’s Services) Asylum Task Force with the Home Office. As well as how the Independent Family Returns Panel go about safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children in the family. This chapter also highlights the importance of the National Referral Mechanism, If practitioners are concerned that a child is a victim of trafficking they will need to inform the National Referral Mechanism, which is a framework for identifying victims of human trafficking or modern slavery. |
Children Living Away from Home with Other Families | This chapter has been amended. Issues now includes if the child is known to Children’s Social Care then the child’s social worker should be informed of their admission and discharge. |
Children who go Missing from Care or Home | Protection and Action to be Taken has been updated with regards to the return interview. |
Domestic Abuse | This chapter has been extensively updated and replaces the former chapter entitled Working Together to Safeguard Children from Domestic Abuse Multi-Agency Procedures. |
E-Safety: Children Exposed to Abuse through the Digital Media | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be re-read throughout. |
Female Genital Mutilation | This chapter has been amended to include information and guidance on Mandatory Reporting of FGM. From the 31st October 2015, regulated professionals in health and social care professionals and teachers in England and Wales have a duty to report ‘known’ cases of FGM in under 18s which they identify in the course of their professional work to the Police. The Serious Crime Act 2015 makes it an offence of failing to protect a girl from FGM, creating a civil law measure Female Genital Mutilation Protection Order (“FGMPO”) and offering lifelong anonymity to victims’ where an alleged offence may have been committed. The Female Genital Mutilation and its Management: Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists guidelines have been updated. |
Guidance for Professionals Working with Children and Young People who Self-Harm | This chapter has been extensively updated and replaces the former chapter entitled Self Harm and Suicidal Behaviour. |
Supporting Children and Young People Vulnerable to Violent Extremism and Radicalisation | This chapter has been amended. Issues now includes if the child is known to Children’s Social Care then the child’s social worker should be informed of their admission and discharge. |
Underage Sexual Activity | This chapter has been updated, information has been added to the Issues section to reflect the Serious Crime Act introduced an offence of sexual communication with a child. This makes it an offence for an adult to communicate with a child for the purpose of obtaining sexual gratification. |
CDOP Reports and Presentations | 2013/2014 Annual Report on Child Death has been added. |
Agency Roles and Responsibilities | This chapter has been extensively amended and should be re-read throughout. |
Guidance for Safe Recruitment, Selection and Retention for Staff and Volunteers | This chapter has been slightly amended. Section 4.12, Safeguarding Interviews has been updated to reflect Children’s Homes Regulations and Quality Standards state the Registered Person must ensure that recruitment of staff safeguards children and minimises potential risk to them. |
Local Keywords | Information has been added with regards to SEND Team. |
New Chapters and Features | |
Chapter Title | Details |
Children Visiting Psychiatric Wards and Facilities | This chapter deals with visits by children to psychiatric wards or hospitals to maintain a positive relationship for the child with the patient and the arrangements required. |
Joint Protocol For Homeless 16-17 Young People In Cumbria And Local Area Commitment | This chapter details the protocols and local commitments in place for homeless 16-17 year olds. |
August 2015
Updated Chapters | |
Chapter Title | Details |
Allegations Against Staff or Volunteers | This chapter has been updated to reflect Working Together to Safeguard Children, in particularly Section 2, Roles and Responsibilities. |
Information Sharing Protocol | An updated version has been added. |
Abuse Linked to Faith or Belief | A link has been added to the The Safe Network website which contains information on Abuse in Faith Settings in the Further Information section. |
Child Sexual Exploitation | An updated version of Cumbria SCP Child Sexual Exploitation Policy and Procedure and Appendix 6: Multi-Agency Safety Plan have been added. |
Children from Abroad | This chapter has been updated to reflect Care of unaccompanied and trafficked children: Statutory guidance for local authorities on the care of unaccompanied asylum seeking and trafficked children (2014). Where the age of a person is uncertain and there are reasons to believe that they are a child, they are presumed to be a child in order to receive immediate access to assistance, support and protection. Age assessments should not be a routine part of a local authority's assessment of unaccompanied or trafficked children. Where age assessments are conducted, they must be Merton Compliant. |
Children Missing from Education | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be re-read throughout. |
Children of Parents who Misuse Substances | A link has been added to Postnatal Care – NICE Clinical Guideline 37 in the Further Information section. |
E-Safety: Children Exposed to Abuse through the Digital Media | This chapter has been updated to reflect the issue of social media and radicalisation. Information has also been added with regards to The Serious Crime Act (2015) which introduced an offence of sexual communication with a child. |
Female Genital Mutilation | A link has been added to the Female Genital Mutilation: Resource Pack (GOV.UK) in the Further Information section. |
Forced Marriage | A link has been added to the HM Courts and Tribunal Service - Forced Marriage Protection Orders - How can they protect me? in the Further Information section. |
Trafficked Children | A link has been added in the Further Information section to Care of unaccompanied and trafficked children: Statutory guidance for local authorities on the care of unaccompanied asylum seeking and trafficked children (2014). |
Serious Case Reviews | A link has been added in the Further Information section to Care of unaccompanied and trafficked children: Statutory guidance for local authorities on the care of unaccompanied asylum seeking and trafficked children (2014). |
New Chapters and Features | |
Chapter Title | Details |
Guidance to Ensure The Voice of The Child is Heard | The views of children and their families are essential to good practice in social care. Everyone working with children and families in Cumbria must seek the voice of the child and reflect and respond to it in all aspects of the work. This is rooted in legislation and good practice. All Safeguarding Practice Guidance should be read in conjunction with this chapter. |
Supporting Children and Young People Vulnerable to Violent Extremism and Radicalisation | This document is intended to provide summary information to all partners on the procedures for identifying and dealing with children and young people vulnerable to violent extremism and radicalisation. |
End.