Amendments

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

• Serious Case Reviews.

• Child Sexual Exploitation;
• Child Criminal Exploitation;
• Sudden and Unexpected Death in Infants, Children and Young People (SUDICYP) – Multi-Agency Guidance;
• CDOP Reports and Presentations.

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.

• Guidance for Practitioners Working with Children and Families in which Neglect is or may be a Factor.

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.