Amendments
September 2024
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Assessment | This chapter has been updated in line with the revised Working Together to Safeguard Children. |
| Information Sharing | This chapter has been revised in line with updated government guidance. |
| Good Practice Supporting the Voice of the Child | This chapter has been updated in line with the revised Working Together to Safeguard Children. |
| Child Criminal Exploitation | Minor amendments have been made to definitions in line with Working Together to Safeguard Children. |
| Leicester Child Exploitation Guidance (including Criminal Exploitation) | This Link has been updated. |
| Child Exploitation, CSE and Assessment of Risk Outside the Home (Contextual Safeguarding) | This chapter has been updated. |
| Dangerous Dogs and Safeguarding Children | This chapter has been refreshed. |
| Domestic Abuse | A new Section 7, Non-fatal Strangulation has been added. |
| Female Genital Mutilation and Other Harmful Practices | Section 7, NHS Data Sharing has been refreshed and updated. |
| Online Safety | This chapter has been updated in line with the Online Safety Act 2023. |
| Self Harm and Suicidal Behaviour | This chapter has been updated throughout. Section 3, Risks and Section 4, Protective and Supportive Action must be reread. |
| Working with Sexually Active Children and Young People Under the Age of 18 | This chapter has been reviewed and updated throughout. It has a new name (previously “Underage Sexual Activity”) and a flowchart has been added. |
| Guidance for Safe Recruitment, Selection and Retention for Staff and Volunteers | A link has been added to Education Supply Chains - A Better Hiring Toolkit. |
| New Chapters and Features | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Children from Abroad, including Victims of Modern Slavery, Trafficking and Exploitation | This new chapter has been added to the manual. |
| Elective Home Education | This chapter has been added to the manual. |
| Safeguarding Children with a Social Worker, Children in Care and Care Experienced Children at School | This chapter has been added to the manual. |
| Removed Chapters | |
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| Next update: March 2025 |
May 2024
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Sexual Abuse | The Child Sexual Abuse in the Family Environment Procedure has been updated. |
April 2024
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Recognising Abuse and Neglect | Definitions have been updated in line with the revised Working Together to Safeguard Children. |
| Early Help Assessment | Information has been added from Working Together to Safeguard Children on Identify children and families who would particularly benefit from early help - see Section 3, Identifying Children and Families who would benefit from Early Help Assessment. |
| Child Protection Enquiries - Section 47 Children Act 1989 | A new Section 13, National multi-agency practice standards for child protection has been added taken from Section 3 in Working together to safeguard children which sets out national multi-agency practice standards for child protection for all practitioners working in services and settings who come into contact with children who may be suffering or have suffered significant harm within or outside the home |
| Children of Parents who Misuse Substances | This chapter has been revised throughout and should be reread. |
| Disabled Children | This chapter has been updated. |
| Female Genital Mutilation and Other Harmful Practices | A new section has been added on Other Harmful Practices. The Health and Care Act 2022 has made it illegal to carry out, offer or aid and abet virginity testing or hymenoplasty in any part of the UK. It is also illegal for UK nationals and residents to do these things outside the UK. Information has also been added on Breast Flattening which is an offence as set out in CPS So-Called Honour-Based Abuse Legal Guidance. |
| Forced Marriage | This chapter has been updated. |
| Harmful Sexual Behaviour | This chapter has been refreshed and additional links added in Further Information. |
| So Called 'Honour' Based Abuse | This chapter has been updated. |
| Online Safety | This chapter has been updated. |
| Pre-Birth and Post Birth Planning | This chapter has been revised throughout and should be re-read. |
| Sexual Abuse | Details of making a Referral to the East Midlands Children and Young People Sexual Assault Service have been added. |
| Child Abuse linked to Faith or Belief | This chapter has been updated. |
| Organisational Responsibilities – National Guidance | This link has been updated. |
| Child Safeguarding Practice Reviews - National Guidance | This link has been updated. |
| The Leicester, Leicestershire & Rutland Child Death Overview Panel | This link has been updated. |
| Child Death Reviews - National Guidance | This link has been updated. |
| New Chapters and Features | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Bruising, Marks, or Injury of Concern in Mobile Children | This new document has been added. This guidance outlines patterns of bruising, marks or injury that could be indicative of physical abuse to any mobile and practitioner response to presentations suggestive of non-accidental injury. |
| Safeguarding Partnership Arrangements tri.x Resource | This new link has been added. |
| Multi-Agency Safeguarding Arrangements – National Guidance | This new link has been added. |
| Safeguarding Partnership Principles - National Framework | This new link has been added. |
| Removed Chapters | |
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September 2023
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Recognising Abuse and Neglect | This chapter has been refreshed. A link to the 'LLR SCP Flowchart - Sexual violence and harassment between children in schools and college' with information on Child on Child Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment has also been added in Section 4, Definitions of Child Abuse and Neglect. |
| Information Sharing | Information in relation to the Serious Violence Duty has been added into Section 5, National Guidance. |
| Disabled Children | This updated document replaces the previous version. |
| 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, Youth Violence and Criminal Exploitation Affecting Children | Information in relation to Serious Violence Reduction Orders has been added into Section 4, Protection and Action to be Taken. |
| Spiritual, Cultural and Religious Beliefs | This updated document replaces the previous version. |
| Agency Roles and Responsibilities | This chapter has been refreshed. Section 5.19, 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. A link to 'Matters of Concern, Safeguarding Concerns, Allegations and Complaints for Children in Custody - Youth Custody Service (Youth Justice Resource Hub)' has been added into Section 5.9, The Secure Estate for Children. A new Section 7, Serious Violence Duty has also been added. Also, information in relation to Serious Violence Reduction Orders has been added. |
| 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 in relation to online searches has been added into Section 4.6, Scrutinising and Shortlisting. |
| New Chapters and Features | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Practice Principles - Engaging Fathers, and Male Carers in Effective Practice | This document has been added. |
March 2023
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Allegations Against Persons who Work with Children | 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. |
| Child Exploitation, CSE and Assessment of Risk Outside the Home (Contextual Safeguarding) | 'Safeguarding Children and Young People from Child Sexual Exploitation' has been updated. |
| Domestic Abuse | This chapter has been refreshed and should be re-read. |
| Pre-Birth and Post Birth Planning | This chapter has been updated throughout and should be re-read. |
| Self Harm and Suicidal Behaviour | This chapter has been updated to include information from Self-harm: Assessment, Management and Preventing Recurrence NICE Guidance. |
September 2022
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Child Exploitation, CSE and Assessment of Risk Outside the Home (Contextual Safeguarding) | Child Criminal Exploitation chapter has been amended to add a link in the Further Information section to Tackling Child Exploitation: Resources Pack (Local Government Association). |
| Bullying | Section 1, Definition information has been added in line with the Review of Sexual Abuse in Schools and Colleges (Ofsted) and the definition of sexting was expanded to include taking and distributing nude or semi-nude images. |
| Children of Parents with Learning Disabilities | This chapter has been updated, in line with current case law and should be re-read. |
| Children of Parents who Misuse Substances | A links has been added in Further Information to NICE Quality Standard QS 204 Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Guidance - Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: Health Needs Assessment and Guidance: Parents with Alcohol and Drug Problems - Adult Treatment and Children and Family Services and to the publication Children's Needs – Parenting Capacity - Parental mental illness, learning disability, substance misuse, and domestic violence |
| E-Safety: Children Exposed to Abuse through the Digital Media | 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. |
| Gang Activity, Youth Violence and Criminal Exploitation Affecting Children | 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 | 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 (September 2021). See the Ofsted report in Further Information together with Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy (GOV.UK 2021). |
| Safeguarding Children Vulnerable to Violent Extremism (PREVENT) | Links have been added to Get help if you're worried about someone being radicalised and to Guidance - Prevent Duty Self-assessment Tool: Further Education. A self-assessment tool to assist colleges and providers in the further education and skills (FE) sector in England to review their Prevent responsibilities. |
| 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 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 have also been added to the HMPP Child Safeguarding Policy. |
June 2022
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Children and Families Moving Across Local Authority Boundaries | This chapter has been updated. |
| Bruising, Marks, or Injury of Concern in Pre-Mobile Babies and Non-Independently Mobile Children | This chapter has been amended throughout and should be reread. |
| Fabricated or Induced Illness | This chapter has been updated. |
April 2022
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Children and Young People go Missing from Home or Care | The 'Children and Young People who go Missing from Home or Care Joint Protocol' has been updated. |
March 2022
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Bruising, Marks, or Injury of Concern in Pre-Mobile Babies and Non-Independently Mobile Children | This chapter has been amended throughout. |
| Children Living Away from Home (including Children and Families living in Temporary Accommodation and Private Fostering) | This chapter has been updated. |
| Children of Parents with Learning Disabilities | Section 3, Indicators of Concern has been updated to include information in relation to pre-birth assessments and planning. |
| Children of Parents who Misuse Substances | A link has been added in Further Information to Guidance: Parents with Alcohol and Drug Problems: Support Resources (GOV.UK). |
| Domestic Abuse | The definition of Domestic Abuse has been updated to reflect the definition in the Domestic Abuse Act 2021. |
| Gang Activity, Youth Violence and Criminal Exploitation Affecting Children | Information has been added on Knife Crime Prevention Orders. |
| So Called 'Honour' Based Abuse | A link has been added to Tackling Violence against Women and Girls Strategy. Terminology has been changed to So Called “Honour” Based Abuse. |
| Pre-Birth and Post Birth Planning | Section 2, Risks has been updated to include information in relation to pre-birth assessments and planning where the mother has learning disabilities. |
September 2021
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | 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. |
| Information Sharing | The link to the LLR Information Sharing Agreement has been updated as the agreement has been updated. |
| Child Exploitation, CSE and Assessment of Risk Outside the Home (Contextual Safeguarding) | Safeguarding Children and Young People from Child Sexual Exploitation has been reviewed and updated throughout. A note has been added that Section 69 of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 expanded so-called 'revenge porn' to include threats to disclose private sexual photographs and films with intent to cause distress and a link has been added to the NSPCC Report Remove Tool in Further Information. 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 of Parents with Mental Health Problems | Links to Further Information have been updated. |
| Children Visiting Prisons | This chapter has been reviewed and updated throughout. |
| Children Visiting Psychiatric Wards and Facilities | This chapter has been refreshed 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. |
| E-Safety: Children Exposed to Abuse through the Digital Media | This chapter has been reviewed and updated throughout. |
| Harmful Sexual Behaviour | A link has been added to Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Between Children in Schools and Colleges. |
| Pre-Birth and Post Birth Planning | This chapter has been reviewed and updated throughout. |
| Self Harm and Suicidal Behaviour | A link has been added to LLR Practice Guidance: supporting Children and Young People who self-harm and/or have suicidal thoughts in Local Information |
| Agency Roles and Responsibilities | Section 4, People in Positions of Trust has been updated as a result of a revision to the statutory guidance Working Together to Safeguard Children. Policies for responding to allegations against a person who works with children must now cover situations where an individual 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 child. |
| Resolving Practitioner Disagreements and Escalation of Concerns | This chapter has been reviewed and updated throughout. |
| Whistleblowing | Section 13, Further Information has been updated to include useful websites and guidance. |
| Guidance for Safe Recruitment, Selection and Retention for Staff and Volunteers | This chapter has been updated to reflect legal changes following EU exit, including how employers can now check that an individual has the right to work in the UK during the recruitment process and guidance on checking the past conduct of individuals who have lived or worked overseas. |
| New Chapters and Features | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| LLR Practice Guidance: Supporting Children and Young People who Self-Harm and/or have Suicidal Thoughts | This guidance includes links to various resources to further enhance practice and a template for a specific safety plan that can be used to try to create safety for young people and encourages collaboration across agencies to provide solid joined up support. |
March 2021
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | 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. |
| Referrals | This chapter has been updated to reflect changes from the revised Working Together to Safeguard Children. |
| Assessment | This chapter has been updated to reflect changes from the revised Working Together to Safeguard Children. |
| Child Protection Conferences | This chapter has been updated. |
| Allegations Against Persons who Work with Children | This chapter has been substantially updated and should be re-read. |
| Child Exploitation, CSE and Assessment of Risk Outside the Home (Contextual Safeguarding) | A link to the Child Criminal Exploitation Procedure has been added to this chapter. |
| Children Living Away from Home (including Children and Families living in Temporary Accommodation and Private Fostering) | This chapter has been updated. When a Looked after Child or young person with complex health needs and/or disabilities is moved out of the area. Liaison about the health needs of the Child or young person needs to take place with the Looked after Health Team in Leicestershire Partnership Trust (LPT). |
| Fabricated or Induced Illness | Flowchart 1 for Non-Medical Professionals has been updated. |
| Female Genital Mutilation | This chapter has been substantially updated and should be re-read. |
| New Chapters and Features | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Child Criminal Exploitation | This procedure has been added to the manual. |
| Mental Health and Well Being CCG Website | A link to this website has been added. |
October 2020
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Referrals | In related information Multi-Agency Referral Form (MARF) Guidance has been added for each area |
| Assessment | This chapter has been updated in line with the new digital referral system for reporting potential victims of Modern Slavery. |
| Child Protection Conferences | This chapter has been updated. |
| Child Protection Plans | This chapter has been updated. |
| Children from Abroad, including Victims of Modern Slavery, Trafficking and Exploitation | This chapter has been updated with links to the Digital Referral System: Report Modern Slavery in Section 1.3, Referring a Potential Victim of Modern Slavery to the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) and in further information with a link to Modern slavery: how to identify and support victims Statutory Guidance– Home Office 2020 which describes the signs that someone may be a victim of modern slavery, the support available to victims, and the process for determining whether someone is a victim. |
| Bullying | In Section 1, Definitions information has been added in line with DfE Guidance for Schools and Colleges on Sexual Violence and Harassment and the fact that "Upskirting" is now a Criminal Offence. |
| Concealed Pregnancies | This chapter has been updated throughout and must be reread. |
| Gang Activity, Youth Violence and Criminal Exploitation Affecting Children | Further Information links have been updated. |
January 2020
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Fabricated or Induced Illness | This guidance has been rewritten and should be read. It is aimed to provide clarity around the responsibility and accountability of professionals/ practitioners (both medical and non-medical) when concerns regarding potential FII are identified. |
November 2019
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Referrals | This chapter has been updated. In Section 7, Making a Referral the referral process for each area is set out in detail. |
| Children Living Away from Home (including Children and Families living in Temporary Accommodation and Private Fostering) | This chapter has been updated throughout and should be re-read. |
| Concealed Pregnancies | This chapter has been updated throughout and should be re-read. |
| Disabled Children | This chapter has been updated throughout and should be re-read. |
| Gang Activity, Youth Violence and Criminal Exploitation Affecting Children | The procedure has been updated and a link has been added to the LLR Children and Young People at Risk of Criminal Exploitation Risk Assessment Tool. |
| Self Harm and Suicidal Behaviour | This chapter replaces two previous chapters titled: 'Safeguarding Children and Young People who Self-Harm' and 'Safeguarding Children and Young People with Suicidal Behaviour'. |
| Appeals by Parents / Carers and Children against Child Protection Conference Decisions | This chapter has been updated throughout and should be re-read. |
June 2019
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Local Contacts | Local contacts has been updated. |
April 2019
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Principles of Assessment | This chapter has been revised to reflect updated guidance on Assessment in Working Together to Safeguard Children. |
| Responding to Abuse and Neglect | A link has been added to NSPCC Core Information Leaflets on Aspects of Physical Child Abuse This information will be of use to a wide range of professionals in different disciplines. |
| Joint Enquiries / Investigations between Children's Social Care and the Police | This chapter has been updated and should be re-read. |
| Initial Child Protection Conferences | This chapter has been reviewed and updated following the introduction of the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and Data Protection Act 2018. |
| 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). The Further Information section has been reviewed and updated. |
| 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. |
| Agency Roles and Responsibilities | This chapter has been updated and should be re-read. |
| Information Sharing and Confidentiality | This chapter has been updated and should be re-read. |
| Safer Recruitment, Selection and Supervision of Staff | This chapter has been updated. |
| New Chapters and Features | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Management of Marks of Concern in Pre-Mobile Babies and Non-Independently Mobile Children | This chapter has been added to the manual, it has replaced Bruising and Injuries in Babies and Children who are not Independently Mobile. |
| Removed Chapters | |
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September 2018
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Assessment Protocol | A new Section 8.7, Children Affected by HIV has been added to this chapter. |
| Referrals to Children's Social Care | The updated link to the Government Information Sharing Advice has been added. |
| Child in Need Assessment and Plan | This chapter has been most recently reviewed in July 2018. |
| Strategy Discussions | This chapter has been substantially updated and should be re-read in full. |
| Section 47 Enquiries | This chapter has been significantly updated. |
| Achieving Best Evidence in Criminal Proceedings | This link has been updated. |
| Bullying | Statutory Guidance and useful links have been updated. |
| E-Safety: Children Exposed to Abuse through the Digital Media | This chapter has been updated. |
| Fabricated or Induced Illness | This chapter has been updated. |
| Gangs, Group Activity, Youth Violence and Criminal Exploitation Affecting Children | A link has been added to the Leicestershire Police website, Community Partnership Intelligence. |
| Underlying Policy, Principles and Values | This chapter has been updated. |
| New Chapters and Features | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Harmful Sexual Behaviour | This chapter has been added to the manual. |
| Children from Abroad, including Victims of Modern Slavery, Trafficking and Exploitation | This chapter replaced 'Children from Abroad (including Migrant Children and Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children)'. |
| Removed Chapters | |
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July 2018
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Local Contacts | Contact details have been updated. |
March 2018
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Responding to Abuse and Neglect | A link has been added to NSPCC Core Information Leaflets on Aspects of Physical Child Abuse. This information will be of use to a wide range of professionals in different disciplines. |
| Paediatric Safeguarding Medicals | This chapter previously called Paediatric Medical Assessments has been updated and should be read throughout. |
| Initial Child Protection Conferences | Section 12.2, Other Agency Reports to Conference and the Agency Report for Child Protection Conference Template has been updated with regards to the secure electronic methods that should be used to send sensitive and personal information. |
| Multi-Agency Report to Conference: Guidance Notes | Section 3, What Needs to Happen? has been updated with regards to the secure electronic methods that should be used to send sensitive and personal information. |
| Historical (non recent) Abuse Allegations | Section 3, Action to Safeguard has been updated to reflect that Adult Social Care should also be informed if the victim has needs for care and support now and it will have met a safeguarding threshold if the victim is currently experiencing, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect, and as a result of those needs is unable to protect himself or herself against the abuse or neglect or the risk of it. All practitioners involved in an allegation should ensure that support is offered, particularly with consideration to the Sexual Assault Referral Centre based in Leicester, which can take place even if the individual does not wish to pursue a criminal investigation. |
| Safeguarding Children and Young People from Child Sexual Exploitation | 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 Moving Across Boundaries | Section 8, A Child (not Looked After or Subject of a Child Protection Plan) in Receipt of Services from Originating Authority has been updated particularly in relation to children in need, early help and private fostering. The notification form has also been updated. |
| Dangerous Dogs and Safeguarding Children | This chapter has been reviewed and updated. |
| People Posing a Risk to Children - Guidance and Procedure | This chapter has been extensively updated and includes the addition of new Section 5, Disclosure of Information by Local Authority and Section 6, Disclosure Process. |
| New Chapters and Features | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Sexual Abuse | This chapter deals with the definition, risk and indicators. It also covers action to be taken and learning from Serious Case Reviews. |
| Gangs, Group Activity, Youth Violence and Criminal Exploitation Affecting Children | This chapter deals with the definition, risk and indicators. It also covers action to be taken and links to related guidance. |
January 2018
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Initial Child Protection Conferences | Updated versions of Information for Professionals and Agency Report for Child Protection Conference Template have been added in Section 12.2, Other Agency Reports to Conference. |
| New Chapters and Features | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Safeguarding Procedures on Pre-Birth | This chapter has been added to the manual. |
| Multi-Agency Report to Conference: Guidance Notes | These guidance notes have been added to the manual. |
September 2017
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Historical (non recent) Abuse Allegations | This chapter has been updated including the addition of Appendix 1: Flowchart for responding to disclosure of historical abuse. |
| Initial Child Protection Conferences | In Section, 12.2, Other Agency Reports to Conference, an updated version of Agency Report for Child Protection has been added. |
| Spiritual, Cultural and Religious Beliefs | This chapter, previously called Abuse Linked to Spiritual and Religious Beliefs has been extensively amended and should be read throughout. |
| Safeguarding Children and Young People from Child Sexual Exploitation | Section 3, Definitions has been updated in line with the Child Sexual Exploitation: Definition and Guide for Practitioners (DfE 2017). |
| E-Safety: Children Exposed to Abuse through the Digital Media | This chapter has been updated and now 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 was 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. |
| Domestic Abuse/Violence | A link has been added to Domestic Abuse: A Resource for Health Professionals (DoH, 2017) in Related National Information. |
| Forced Marriage | This chapter has been updated with new Sections 3, Risks and Section 4, Indicators which 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 Related Guidance, 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). |
| Safeguarding Children at Risk of Abuse through Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) | This chapter has been updated with information about the four types of FGM as defined by WHO. Links have been added to both the new Home Office FGM protection orders factsheet and to the guidance to the 'Statement opposing female genital mutilation' (often referred to as a health passport). |
| People Posing a Risk to Children - Guidance and Procedure | This chapter previously called Managing Individuals who Pose a Risk to Children has been extensively updated and should be read throughout. |
| Children's Visits to Special Hospitals/Psychiatric Units | This chapter has been updated to make it more child focussed. |
| Children and Young People who go Missing from Home or Care | An updated version of Children and Young People who go Missing from Home or Care: Joint Protocol 2017 has been added. |
| Whistleblowing | Section 13, Further Information has been added to guidance, legislation and information. |
| Learning and Improvement Framework | An updated version of the Learning and Improvement Framework – Leicester City, Leicestershire and Rutland Safeguarding Children Board has been added. |
| Child Death Overview Panel Procedures | A link has been added to Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy and Childhood - Multi-agency Guidelines for Care and Investigation (Royal College of Pathologists, endorsed by The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health) in the Related Guidance section. |
| Local Contacts | Contact details have been updated. |
| New Chapters and Features | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Good Practice Supporting the Voice of the Child | This chapter states the related legislation and previous views states by children and young people. |
| Dangerous Dogs and Safeguarding Children | This chapter deals with the definition, legislation and associated protection and action 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. |
May 2017
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Agency Roles and Responsibilities to Safeguard and Promote the Welfare of Children | Updated links have been added to Section 4.12, Early Years and Childcare with regards to the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework (EYFS) and a link to Ofsted Guidance: Inspecting Safeguarding in Early Years, Education and Skills Settings (2016) has been added which states 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. |
March 2017
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Initial Child Protection Conferences | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout. |
| E-Safety: Children Exposed to Abuse through the Digital Media | Protection and Action to be taken has been updated to reflect that suspected online terrorist material can be reported through Report online material promoting terrorism or extremism (GOV.UK) although reports can be made anonymously, a reminder that practitioners should not do so as they must follow the procedures for professionals. |
| Children Missing from Education or with Issues Regarding School Attendance/Poor School Attendance | This chapter has been amended to encompass the updated statutory guidance 'Children Missing Education' (DfE, September 2016):
|
| Domestic Abuse/Violence | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout. |
| Safeguarding Trafficked Children | A link has been added to Modern slavery victims: referral and assessment forms (GOV.UK) in the Related Documents and Guidance section. Text has also been added at Section 5.3, Referrals, with regards to in cases where a child displays indicators that they may have been trafficked, whether from overseas or within the UK, social workers or other front line professionals should refer the case to the relevant competent authority by submitting a National Referral Mechanism Referral Form. |
| Children and Young People who Runaway or go Missing from Home or Care | A link to Missing Children: Who Cares? The Police response to missing and absent children (HMIC, March 2016) has been added to the Relevant Guidance section. |
| Safeguarding Children Vulnerable to Violent Extremism (PREVENT) | Appendix 1: Flowchart for Safeguarding Children Vulnerable to Violent Extremism has been added. |
| Agency Roles and Responsibilities to Safeguard and Promote the Welfare of Children | This chapter has been updated in particular with regards to the Ofsted Guidance 2016 - requirement for childcare settings to have a 'Deputy' Safeguarding Lead. The new guidance will mean early years settings will be required to have an alternative member of staff to take on the responsibility if the safeguarding lead is not present, to ensure appropriate cover at all times of day. |
| Local Contacts | Contact details have been updated. |
September 2016
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
Thresholds for Access to Services for Children and Families in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Children's Social Care |
This chapter has been updated. |
| Principles of Assessment | Amendments have been made to this chapter including the addition of links to Modern Slavery Act 2015 and Working with foreign authorities: child protection cases and care orders, Departmental advice for local authorities, social workers, service managers and children's services lawyers July 2014. |
| Responding to Abuse and Neglect | This chapter replaced Recognition of Significant Harm chapter. |
| Early Help Assessment | The title of this chapter changed from Common Assessment Framework and Early Help Assessment to Early Help Assessment. |
| Referrals to Children's Social Care | Amendments have been made to this chapter including Appendix 1: Flowchart for Leicester City Referral Process which has been updated. |
| Uncooperative and Hostile Families | This chapter has been updated, in particular information has been added that although it is important to remain open with the family as far as possible, this should not be at the expense of being able to share real concerns about intimidation and threat of violence. This should always be discussed with a manager in the first instance who should advise on recording and reporting of the incident. |
| E-Safety: Children Exposed to Abuse through the Digital Media | This chapter replaced the previous chapter entitled E-Safety and should be read throughout. |
| Children Moving Across Boundaries | Section 11, Moving Abroad has been added. This details the circumstances and possible actions required if it is believed when working with children and families where there are outstanding concerns about the children's safety and welfare, including where the concerns are about an unborn child who may be likely to suffer Significant Harm, that they may have moved aboard. |
| Domestic Abuse/Violence | Section 5.2, Assessing the Needs of Children and Young People in contact with Perpetrators of Domestic Violence and Assessing Risk has been updated to reflect that the Serious Crime Act 2015 created a new offence of controlling or coercive behaviour in intimate or familial relationships. Controlling or coercive behaviour does not relate to a single incident, it is a purposeful pattern of behaviour which takes place over time in order for one individual to exert power, control or coercion over another. Other amendments have been made throughout the chapter including the addition of links in the Related Information section. |
| Safeguarding Trafficked Children | A link has been added to Related Documents and Guidance to the Modern Slavery Act 2015 – Home Office Circular. |
| Safeguarding Children at Risk of Abuse through Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) | Section 6, Mandatory Reporting Of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) has been added. |
| Children and Young People who Runaway or go Missing from Home or Care | The link to the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland (LLR) LSCBs Child Sexual Exploitation, Trafficking and Missing Strategy has been updated. |
| Safeguarding Children Vulnerable to Violent Extremism (PREVENT) | The contact e-mail address for the Police's Prevent Team has been updated to prevent.team@leicestershire.pnn.Police.uk. |
| Local Safeguarding Children Board - Role and Function | This chapter has been amended, links to Appendices 1-3 have been updated from documents to links to the related LSCB website. |
| Safer Recruitment, Selection and Supervision of Staff | A link has been added to Guidance for safer working practice for those working with children and young people in education settings in the Related Guidance section. |
| Local Contacts | Contact details have been updated. |
| New Chapters and Features | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Children Visiting Prisons | This chapter sets out the procedures in line with the document 'Providing visits and services to visitors June 2014' and best practice for managing risks and safeguarding the wellbeing, in line with the Children Act 1989, of children and young people, who may be visiting or having contact with adults or other young people, who are in a custodial setting. |
| Removed Chapters | |
|
|
June 2016
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Thresholds for Access to Services for Children and Families in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Children's Social Care | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout. |
| Neglect Practice Guidance | This chapter has been extensively updated following learning from a Serious Case Review. |
| New Chapters and Features | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Bruising and Injuries in Babies and Children who are not Independently Mobile | This new chapter has been added. |
March 2016
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Thresholds for Access to Services for Children and Families in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Children's Social Care | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout. |
| Bullying | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout. |
| Allegations of Harm Arising from Under Age Sexual Activity | This chapter has been updated including information about the Serious Crime Bill which 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, where the communication is sexual or if it is intended to elicit from the child a communication which is sexual. |
| Children and Families who go Missing | Links have been added in the chapter to Safeguarding Children and Young People from Child Sexual Exploitation and Working with Foreign Authorities: Child Protection Cases and Care Orders Departmental advice for local authorities, social workers, service managers and children's services lawyers, July 2014. |
| Children from Abroad (including Migrant Children and Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children) | Section 6, Establishing the Child's Identity and Age has been updated with links to good practice guidance with regards to age assessment and information sharing. These have been produced by the ADCS and the Home Office. |
| Children Living Away from Home (including Children and Families living in Temporary Accommodation and Private Fostering) | References to the Children's Homes National Minimum Standards have been replaced with the Quality Standards. |
| Fabricated or Induced Illness | An updated version of the Guidance for Health Professionals who work with children where Fabricated or Induced Illness (FII) is suspected, within Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland has been added. |
| Local Safeguarding Children Board - Role and Function | An updated version of Appendix 1: Leicester City LSCB Structure Diagram has been added. |
| Agency Roles and Responsibilities to Safeguard and Promote the Welfare of Children | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout. |
| Information Sharing and Confidentiality | Section 3, Confidentiality, Consent and the Public Interest has been updated with links to good practice guidance with regards to age assessment and information sharing. These have been produced by the ADCS and the Home Office. Appendix 1: Information Sharing Agreement for the Purposes of Safeguarding Children has also been added. |
| Local Contacts | Contact details have been updated. |
September 2015
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Thresholds for Access to Services for Children and Families in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Children's Social Care | An updated version of this document has been added. |
| Referrals to Children's Social Care | Appendix 1: Flowchart for Leicester City Referral Process has been updated. |
| Initial Child Protection Conferences | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout. |
| Implementation of the Child Protection Plan - Lead Social Worker and Core Group Responsibilities | Minor amendments have been made to this chapter. |
| Child Protection Review Conferences | Minor amendments have been made to this chapter. |
| Children's Participation in Child Protection Conferences and Core Groups | The social worker or appropriate adult should complete the child's 'Have Your Say' booklet for conference (Leicester City) has been added to Section 1, Introduction. |
| Children Missing from Education or with Issues Regarding School Attendance/Poor School Attendance | An updated link has been added to Children Missing Education - Statutory Guidance for local authorities. |
| Safeguarding Trafficked Children | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout. |
| Safeguarding Children at Risk of Abuse through Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout. |
| Information Sharing and Confidentiality | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout. |
| Resolving Practitioner Disagreements and Escalation of Concerns | This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout. |
| Allegations Against Persons who Work with Children | The Handling Allegations of Abuse made Against Adults who Work or Volunteer with Children and Young People Flowchart has been updated. |
| Local Contacts | Contact details have been updated. |
March 2015
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Thresholds for Access to Services for Children and Families in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Children's Social Care | This chapter has been amended and should be read throughout. |
| Assessment Protocol | Section 8.6, Young People aged 16 years or 17 years who are homeless has been added. |
| Referrals to Children's Social Care | Section 12, Cross Boundary Referrals has been updated. |
| Initial Child Protection Conferences | In Section 12.2, Other Agencies Reports to Conference, an updated version of the Agency Report for Child Protection Conference Template has been added. |
| Safeguarding Children and Young People from Child Sexual Exploitation | An updated version of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Safeguarding Children and Young People from Sexual Exploitation Practice Guidance has been added to the chapter but currently remains under review. Appendix 1A Risk Assessment Tool and Appendix 1B Guidance – CSE Risk Assessment Tool have also been updated. |
| Children from Abroad (including Migrant Children and Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children) | 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) and should be read throughout. |
| Children Living Away from Home (including Children and Families living in Temporary Accommodation and Private Fostering) | "What is Private Fostering? Information for professionals" leaflet has been updated. |
| Children Moving Across Boundaries | Section 11, Children and Young People in Care who are Transferred Into and Out of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Local Authorities Boundaries has been extensively updated and should be read throughout. |
| Domestic Abuse/Violence | Section 9, Domestic Violence Protection Orders and Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme ('Clare's Law') have been added. |
| Complex (Organised or Multiple) Abuse | Section 3, Investigation has been updated with regards to Potential Criminal Investigations. |
| Fabricated or Induced Illness | Section 15, Covert Video Surveillance has been updated with regards to the contact details for the National Crime Agency when planning surveillance in cases of suspected fabricated or induced illness. |
| Forced Marriage | Information has been added to Section 3, Legal Position with regards to the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 making it a criminal offence with effect from 16 June 2014, to force someone to marry. |
| Safeguarding Trafficked Children | 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) and should be read throughout. |
| People Posing a Risk to Children - Guidance and Procedure | This chapter has been amended in relation to the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. |
| Statutory Framework | This chapter has been amended in relation to the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. |
| Information Sharing and Confidentiality | Section 5, Domestic Violence Protection Orders and Section 6, Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme ('Clare's Law') have been added to the chapter. |
| Safer Recruitment, Selection and Supervision of Staff | Information has been added to Section 3, Disclosure and Barring Service Checks with regards to Overseas Criminal Record Disclosure. |
| Allegations Against Persons who Work with Children | This chapter has been amended in March 2015 and should be read throughout. |
| Whistleblowing | A link has been added to Raising concerns at work: Whistleblowing guidance for workers and employers in health and social care (2014). |
| Learning and Improvement Framework | A Referral Form of Serious Incidents for Consideration by the Leicester City or Leicestershire & Rutland Serious Case Review Subgroups has been added. |
| Removed Chapters | |
|
|
September 2014
| Updated Chapters | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Assessment Protocol | Section 8.2, Young Carers has been updated. |
| Referrals to Children's Social Care | The Leicester City Multi-Agency Referral Form has been updated. |
| Child Protection Review Conferences | Section 8, Step Down to Support Services has been added. |
| Children At Risk Where A Parent/Carer Has A Mental Health Problem/Disorder | Mental Health (parents/children) Children in the Youth Justice System: Mental Health Crisis Care - Concordat - Improving Outcomes for People Experiencing Mental Health Crisis has been added to the Related Guidance section. |
| Adult Mental Health and Child Protection Guidance | Mental Health (parents/children) Children in the Youth Justice System: Mental Health Crisis Care - Concordat - Improving Outcomes for People Experiencing Mental Health Crisis has been added to the Related Guidance section. |
| Safeguarding Children and Young People from Child Sexual Exploitation | Sex and Relationships Education (SRE) For the 21st Century and Sex and Relationships Education Guidance (July 2000) have been added to the Related Guidance section. |
| Children Living Away from Home (including Children and Families living in Temporary Accommodation and Private Fostering) | Section 6, Private Fostering has been amended, further leaflets have been added and an updated Flow Chart of Notification Process for a Privately Fostered Child has been added. |
| Domestic Abuse/Violence | NICE Guidance - Domestic Violence and Abuse: How Health Services, Social Care and the Organisations They Work With Can Respond Effectively has been added to Related Information. |
| Female Genital Mutilation | Section 4, NHS Hospital Recording has been added. |
| Children and Young People who Runaway or go Missing from Home or Care | This chapter has been updated and should be re-read throughout. Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland (LLR) LSCBs Child Sexual Exploitation, Trafficking and Missing Strategy has been also added. |
| Learning and Improvement Framework | Section 3, Non-Statutory Review Processes has been updated to include that non-statutory reviews will not be published unless it is required by criminal or other legal processes. |
| Child Death Overview Panel Procedures | Section 4, Duty and Powers of Coroners to Share Information has been updated in line with the Coroners and Justice Act 2009, Coroners (Inquests) Rules 2013 and Coroners (Investigations) Regulations 2013. |
| Local Contacts | Contact details have been updated. |
| New Chapters and Features | |
| Chapter Name | Details |
| Concealment and Denial of Pregnancy | This chapter is based on the procedure Concealed and Denial of Pregnancy and Birth, published by Northumberland LSCB. |
| Safeguarding Children and Young People who Self-Harm | This chapter covers, headings including what is self harm and responding to children and young people who self harm. |
| Safeguarding Children and Young People with Suicidal Behaviour | Safeguarding and promoting the safety and welfare of children and young people where there are particular concerns about suicidality is a shared responsibility, and is dependent upon effective joint working between agencies and professionals that have different roles and expertise. This chapter covers headings including Risk Indicators that a child or young person may be thinking about suicide. |
| Safeguarding Children Vulnerable to Violent Extremism (PREVENT) | This chapter is based on and summarises the document Channel: Protecting vulnerable people from being drawn into terrorism: A guide for local partnerships. |
