Amendments

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Amendments

Shared Information

February 2023

CAPTION: February 2023

Updated Chapters
Chapter Name	Details
Child Protection Conferences	A section on the exceptional circumstances when the Chair has the power to veto, or override, the decision of the conference has been added into Section 8, Chairing the Conference. The Chair is responsible for ensuring that decisions are made which, in the opinion of the Chair, most clearly reflect the best interests and wellbeing of the child and these procedures.
Allegations Against Staff or Volunteers 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 Sexual Abuse in the Family Environment	This chapter has been amended and should be re-read. A new Section 5, Resources and Support including those from the Centre of Expertise on Child Sexual Abuse.
Criminal and Sexual Exploitation of Children	The 'Child Sexual Exploitation' and 'Children Affected by Gang Activity, Criminal Exploitation and Youth Violence' Procedures have been updated.
Children and Families Absent or Missing	This chapter has been updated to group together all procedures relating to Children and Families Absent or Missing.
Children of Parents with Learning Disabilities	This chapter has been revised throughout with additional good practice guidance.
Children of Parents who Misuse Substances	A link to 'NICE Quality Standard QS 204 Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder' has been added into Further Information.
Faith Related Harmful Practice	This chapter has been renamed to 'Faith Related Harmful Practice' from 'Abuse Linked to Faith or Belief' and a new Section 4.2, Allegations Against People in Positions of Trust in Faith Organisations has been added 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.
Online Safety	Links to Talking to Your Child About Online Sexual Harassment (Children's Commissioner) and Teaching online safety in schools (DfE) have been added into Further Information.
Self Harm and Suicidal Behaviour	This chapter has been revised throughout and should be re-read.
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 and Serious Violence Duty: statutory guidance.
New Chapters and Features
Chapter Name	Details
Transitional Safeguarding	This chapter has been added.

Next Update: September 2023

Archive - Shared

2022 Amendments

September 2022

CAPTION: September 2022

Updated Chapters
Chapter Name	Details
Criminal and Sexual Exploitation of Children	The Pan Berkshire Child Exploitation Indicator and Analysis Tool and Pan Berkshire Child Exploitation Simple Screening Tool has been updated.

July 2022

CAPTION: July 2022

Updated Chapters
Chapter Name	Details
Responding to Abuse and Neglect	This guidance has been reviewed and refreshed throughout including a new Section 15, Allegations Against Staff and Volunteers has been added and additional information on risk outside the home.
Child Protection Conferences	This chapter has been reviewed and updated and should be re-read. The section Discontinuing a current Child Protection Plan has been significantly amended. A Child In Need must remain open for a minimum of 3 months and be subject to management scrutiny and review before closure. Any exceptions to this must have senior management agreement. It also covers the types of significant change that might trigger a multi agency strategy meeting to determine whether a section 47 enquiry is necessary. Guidance has also been added into Section 1, Child Protection Conferences on Expectations to Partners Regarding their Engagement within Online Child Protection Conferences, if it is Agreed that you Attend Virtually.
Children and Families Moving Across Local Authority Boundaries or Abroad	This chapter has been updated and should be reread. A new section has been added on Children Subject to Public Law Outline (PLO) Pre-proceedings and the section on Children in Need had additional information added into it.
Bruising / Suspicious Marks on Children Not Independently Mobile	This chapter has been updated to reflect local practice in Berkshire.
Children of Parents who Misuse Substances	This chapter has been updated.
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.
Harmful Sexual Behaviour	A link has been added 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.
Safeguarding Children and Young People Against Radicalisation and Violent Extremism	A link to the Guidance on the Prevent Duty Self-assessment Tool: Further Education has been added to the Further Information section.
Resolving Professional Difference of Opinion and Escalation	The Pan Berkshire Escalation Policy has been updated and is now the called Resolving Professional Difference of Opinion and Escalation.

January 2022

CAPTION: January 2022

Updated Chapters
Chapter Name	Details
Single Assessment	This chapter has been updated throughout and should be re-read.
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 and should be re-read. 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.
Criminal and Sexual Exploitation of Children and Gangs	The Child Criminal Exploitation Procedure, Child Sexual Exploitation Procedure and Children Affected by Gang Activity, Criminal Exploitation and Youth Violence Procedure have been updated.
Children from Abroad, including Victims of Modern Slavery, Trafficking and Exploitation	This chapter has been revised and should be re-read.
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).
Children with Disabilities	This chapter has been updated throughout and should be re-read.
Domestic Abuse	This chapter has been amended. Section 1, 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. A link has also been added to Domestic Abuse Act Factsheets. A link to Domestic Abuse: Specialist Sources of Support (GOV.UK) has been added into Further Information.
Fabricated or Induced Illness	This chapter has been refreshed and a link has been added in Further Information to revised guidance from the RCPCH: Perplexing Presentations (PP)/Fabricated or Induced Illness (FII) in Children.
Forced Marriage	This chapter has been updated and a new Section 7, Forced Marriage Unit has been added.
Harmful Sexual Behaviour	This chapter has been amended to reflect the Review of Sexual Abuse in Schools and Colleges (Ofsted) and Keeping Children Safe in Education. See the Ofsted report together with Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy (GOV.UK) in Further Information. A link has also been added to Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Between Children in Schools and Colleges.
'Honour' Based Abuse	This chapter has been updated and should be re-read.
Online Safety	Links have been added in Further Information to: NSPCC Report Remove Tool and UK Council for Internet Safety (UKCIS) Digital Passport. Section 1, Definition has been updated to reflect that, 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.
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) and Keeping Children Safe in Education. See the Ofsted report in Further Information.
New Chapters and Features
Chapter Name	Details
Equality and Diversity Policy	This policy has been added to the manual.

2021 Amendments

July 2021

CAPTION: July 2021

Updated Chapters
Chapter Name	Details
Referrals	This chapter has been updated to reflect changes from the revised Working Together to Safeguard Children.
Single Assessment	This chapter has been updated to reflect changes from the revised Working Together to Safeguard Children.
Child Protection Enquiries - Section 47 Children Act 1989	This chapter has been updated and should be re-read.
Information Sharing	This chapter has been updated and should be re-read.
Children Missing from Education	This chapter has been updated and should be re-read.
Children Missing from Care, Home and Education	This chapter has been updated and should be re-read.
Children of Parents with Mental Health Problems	Links to Further Information have been updated.
Agency Roles and Responsibilities	Section 3, Infrastructure and Governance to deliver Safeguarding Responsibilities 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.
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 has been added on how employers can now check that an individual has the right to work in the UK during the recruitment process. Following EU exit, there is amended guidance on checking the past conduct of individuals who have lived or worked overseas. Links in the Further Information section have been revised. Contents

March 2021

CAPTION: March 2021

Updated Chapters
Chapter Name	Details
Child Protection Conferences	This chapter has been reviewed and updated and should be re-read.
Bruising / Suspicious Marks on Children Not Independently Mobile	This chapter has been updated to reflect local practice in Berkshire.
Bullying	This chapter has been updated throughout including 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 Section 4, Further Information.
Criminal and Sexual Exploitation of Children and Gangs	Children Affected by Gang Activity, Criminal Exploitation and Youth Violence Procedure has been updated.
Children from Abroad, including Victims of Modern Slavery, Trafficking and Exploitation	A link has been added in the Further Information section, to the statutory guidance Modern Slavery: how to identify and support victims 2020. This guidance replaces: Duty to Notify the Home Office of potential victims of modern slavery; Victims of modern slavery: frontline staff guidance; Victims of modern slavery: competent authority guidance.
Children Living Away from Home	The Children in Custody section has been updated.
Dogs and Safeguarding Children	This chapter has been reviewed and updated.
Children Visiting Prisons	This chapter has been completely re-written and should be re-read.
Children Visiting 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.
Concealed Pregnancy	This chapter has been reviewed and updated.
Female Genital Mutilation	This chapter has been reviewed and updated and should be re-read.
Pre-Birth	This chapter has been substantially updated and should be re-read.
Whistleblowing or Raising Concerns at Work	Section 5, Further Information, has been updated to include useful websites and guidance.

2020 Amendments

October 2020

CAPTION: October 2020

New Chapters and Features
Chapter Name	Details
Child Criminal Exploitation	This chapter has been added to the manual.

July 2020

CAPTION: July 2020

Updated Chapters
Chapter Name	Details
Single Assessment	This chapter has been updated in line with the new digital referral system for reporting potential victims of Modern Slavery.
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.
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).
Children Missing from Care, Home and Education	This chapter has been updated in line with new NRM digital referral form to report Modern Slavery.

April 2020

CAPTION: April 2020

Updated Chapters
Chapter Name	Details
Child Protection Plans	This chapter has been updated to reflect local practice.
Allegations Against Staff or Volunteers who Work with Children	This policy has been updated throughout and should be re-read
Faith Related Harmful Practice	This chapter has been updated throughout and should be re-read

February 2020

CAPTION: February 2020

Updated Chapters
Chapter Name	Details
Referrals	This chapter has been substantially updated and should be re-read.
Child Protection Conferences	In Section 3, Membership of Child Protection Conference the following information has been added: "Where an inquorate conference is held, the Chair will determine if an early review conference needs to be convened" and "If a key agency working with family is not present at conference the chair may make a decision that it is not possible to end a child protection plan due to non-attendance."
Child Sexual Abuse in the Family Environment	This chapter has been substantially updated and should be re-read.
Child Sexual Exploitation	This chapter has been substantially updated and should be re-read.
Children Missing from Education	This chapter has been refreshed where required and updated to add a new Section 6, Elective Home Education to reflect the DfE updated guidance on Elective Home Education for local authorities. A new Section 7, Unregistered Schools has also been added.
Domestic Violence and Abuse	This chapter has been updated throughout and should be re-read.
Neglect	Further details have been added in Section 5, Issues on Teenage Neglect.

2019 Amendments

August 2019

CAPTION: August 2019

Updated Chapters
Chapter Name	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.
Organised and Complex Abuse	This chapter has been reviewed throughout and should be re-read.
Children of Parents who Misuse Substances	This chapter has been reviewed throughout and should be re-read.
Children Visiting Prisons	This guidance has been reviewed and updated throughout to reflect the latest Prison Service publications covering the provision of visits, including visits to prisoners who are identified as posing a risk to children and additional guidance in Chapter 2, Working Together to Safeguard Children on the statutory duties which apply to the Prison Service to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.
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 Section 1, Definition.
Forced Marriage	This chapter has been updated with further detail in Section 4, Legal Position with further details on the use of Forced Marriage Protection Orders.
Honour Based Abuse	This chapter has been reviewed throughout and should be re-read.
Neglect	This chapter has been reviewed. In Section 2, Risks information has been added where there are concerns relating to obesity and in Section 5, Issues on Teenage Neglect.
Working with Interpreters and others with Special Communication Skills	This chapter has been reviewed throughout and should be re-read.

April 2019

CAPTION: April 2019

Updated Chapters
Chapter Name	Details
Child Sexual Exploitation	The CSE Indicator tool has been replaced with the Child Exploitation (CE) Indicator and Analysis Tool and the Child Exploitation Simple Screening Tool.
Resolving Professional Difference of Opinion and Escalation	The Pan Berkshire Escalation Policy has been updated and is now called Resolving Professional Disagreement and Escalation.

January 2019

CAPTION: January 2019

Updated Chapters
Chapter Name	Details
Responding to Abuse and Neglect	In Further Information the link has been updated to the NSPCC flyers for health professionals and other professionals who work with young peoples and their families – as the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health now maintains and develops the resources detailing aspects of physical child abuse.
Single Assessment	A new Section 10, Contextual Safeguarding has been added.
Children Living Away from Home	This chapter has been revised throughout and should be reread.
Children of Parents with Learning Disabilities	This chapter has been revised throughout in line with case-law and updated good practice guidance.
Fabricated or Induced Illness	The chapter has been revised throughout and the Flowchart for Management of Concerns and a Chronology Template have been added.
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.

2018 Amendments

July 2018

CAPTION: July 2018 Shared

Updated Chapters
Chapter Name	Details
Child Protection Conferences	The information on pre-birth conference has been updated to say 'The conference should be held as soon as the assessment has been completed and where the local authority is considering proceedings shortly after birth, the timing of the sending of the pre-proceedings letter or letter of issue should take account of the risk of early birth and help to ensure that discussions and assessments are not rushed. Ideally the letter should be sent at or before 24 weeks.'
Children and Families Moving Across Local Authority Boundaries	This chapter has been reviewed and updated. A new section has been added on Child In Need Moved Permanently to Another Local Authority Area.
Information Sharing	This chapter has been updated throughout in line with the revised versions of Working Together to Safeguard Children and Information Sharing: Advice for practitioners providing safeguarding services to children, young people, parents and carers.
Children Affected by Gang Activity, Criminal Exploitation and Youth Violence	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 revised throughout in line with updated statutory guidance, and amalgamates the previous separate chapters on Safeguarding Children from Trafficking and Modern Slavery and Safeguarding Children from Abroad.
Self Harm and Suicidal Behaviour	The Further Information section has been revised and updated.
Serious Case Reviews	From the 29th June 2018, Local authorities have a duty to notify serious incidents involving children where they know or suspect that a child has been abused or neglected.
Removed Chapters
Children Moving Across Local Authority Boundaries; Modern Slavery; Racism; Trafficked Children.

January 2018

CAPTION: January 2018

Updated Chapters
Chapter Name	Details
Responding to Abuse and Neglect	A definition of Non-recent (historical) abuse has been added to Section 12, Non-Recent (Historical) Abuse. In Further Information a link has been added to NSPCC flyers for health professionals and other professionals who work with young peoples and their families - a series of resources detailing aspects of physical child abuse.
Organised and Complex Abuse	This chapter has been reviewed and should be re-read.
Child Sexual Exploitation	Section 1, Definition has been updated to take account of the change of definition in Child Sexual Exploitation: Definition and Guide for Practitioners (DfE February 2017). The Further Information section has also 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 Affected by Gang Activity, Criminal Exploitation and Youth Violence	Further text has been added to Section 1, Definition to define the use of 'county lines' by organised criminal groups. A link has been added to the National Crime Agency report County Lines Gang Violence, Exploitation and Drug Supply (2016) and Criminal Exploitation of Children and Vulnerable Adults: County Lines (The Home Office). This guidance outlines what county lines (and associated criminal exploitation) is, signs to look for in potential victims, and what to do about it.
Children From Abroad	In Section 5, Issues the statutory guidance has been updated to link to the DfE 2017 Care of unaccompanied and migrant children and child victims of modern slavery - statutory guidance for local authorities. The Modern Slavery Act 2015 is referenced in relation to age assessments.
Children Missing from Care, Home and Education	In Section 6, Children Missing from Education (CME) clarification that a Child missing from school for more than four weeks the pupil can be removed from the admission register when the school and the local authority have failed, after jointly making reasonable enquiries, to establish the whereabouts of the child.
Dangerous Dogs and Safeguarding Children	This chapter has been reviewed and updated.
Domestic Violence and Abuse	A link has been added in further information to Domestic Abuse: A Resource for Health Professionals (DoH, 2017).
E-Safety: Children Exposed to Abuse through the Digital Media	A link has been added in Section 4, Protection and Action to be Taken to Sexting in schools and colleges: Responding to incidents and safeguarding young people.
Faith Related Harmful Practice	This chapter has been renamed to Faith Related Harmful Practice and aims to address certain kinds of child abuse linked to faith or belief. It does not include child abuse within culture or faith contexts in general. So it does not seek to address female genital mutilation, forced marriage, excessive physical punishment or abuse relating to gender, sexuality, ethnicity, nationality, disability or other differences recognised within social or cultural beliefs.
Trafficked Children	In Section 4, Protection and Action to be Taken, the statutory guidance has been updated to link to the DfE 2017 Care of unaccompanied and migrant children and child victims of modern slavery - statutory guidance for local authorities. The Modern Slavery Act 2015 is referenced in relation to age assessments.
Serious Case Reviews	In Section 1.5, Appointing Reviewers the statement Working Together to Safeguard Children 2015 says that reviews of serious cases should be led by individuals who are independent of the case under review and of the organisations whose actions are being reviewed has been added.
Child Death Overview Panels (CDOP)	In further information a link has been added to Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy and Childhood - Multi-agency Guidelines for Care and Investigation.
Agency Roles and Responsibilities	Updated links have been added to Section 4.12, Early Years and Childcare, with regard to the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework (EYFS). A link has also been added to Ofsted Guidance: Inspecting Safeguarding in Early Years, Education and Skills Settings (2016) 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.
New Chapters and Features
Chapter Name	Details
Good Practice to Listen to the Voice of the Child	This chapter has been added to the manual. Everyone working with children and families must seek the voice of the child and reflect and respond to it in all aspects of work
Child Sexual Abuse in the Family Environment	This chapter has been added to the manual. Sexual abuse which takes place within family environments often remains hidden and is the most secretive and difficult type of abuse for children and young people to disclose.

2017 Amendments

July 2017

CAPTION: July 2017 Shared

Updated Chapters
Chapter Name	Details
Responding to Abuse and Neglect	This chapter has been updated with a new Section 12, Non-Recent Abuse. Information has been added with reference to 'peer on peer' abuse. The definition of Abuse has been expanded in line with that as identified in Working Together to Safeguard Children 2015 and Keeping Children Safe in Education.
Child Protection Enquiries - Section 47 Children Act 1989	This chapter has been updated to reflect local practice in Berkshire.
Child Protection Conferences	This chapter has been slightly updated to reflect local practice in Berkshire.
Child Protection Plans	This chapter has been updated to reflect local practice. With regards to the Lead Social Worker role, it is required to observe the child (infants and babies ideally awake on every visit) as agreed in the Child Protection Plan but usually by 10 working days.
Bruising / Suspicious Marks on Children Not Independently Mobile	This chapter has been updated to reflect local practice in Berkshire.
Children Missing from Education	This chapter has been amended to encompass the updated statutory guidance 'Children Missing Education' (DfE, September 2016). Section 1, Definition and Overview has been expanded to include an overview as well as the definition. Section 2, Risks has been updated to include some specific groups of children who are vulnerable. Section 3, Indicators - Schools has been expanded to reflect the duties and requirements of schools and LAs. Links have been updated in the whole chapter.
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 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	This chapter has been updated with information about the four types of Female Genital Mutilation as defined by WHO. Links have been added to both the new Home Office Female Genital Mutilation protection orders factsheet and to the guidance to the 'Statement opposing female genital mutilation' (often referred to as a health passport).
Forced Marriage	This chapter has been updated with further detail in Section 2, Risks, Section 3, Indicators and Section 6, Issues 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 Abuse	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.
Agency Roles and Responsibilities	This chapter has been updated to reflect 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. The Agency Roles and Responsibilities chapter has been updated to reflect the new guidance. See Section 4.12, Early Years and Childcare.
New Chapters and Features
Chapter Name	Details
Dangerous Dogs and Safeguarding Children	This chapter has been added to the manual.
Modern Slavery	This chapter has been added to the manual.

January 2017

CAPTION: January 2017

Updated Chapters
Chapter Name	Details
Child Protection Enquiries - Section 47 Children Act 1989	This chapter has been updated, it now includes a link to the Child Protection Examinations Document (Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust).
Child Protection Conferences	This chapter has been updated to include information on Looked After Children who may be subject to child protection plans and child protection conferences. This chapter has also been updated to note Law Society guidance 'Attendance of Solicitors at Local Authority Children Act Meetings' and the 'Related Code of Conduct (2011)' where the child or family who attend reviews are supported by a legal representative.
Management of Allegations Against Staff and Volunteers Who Work with Children and Young People	This chapter has been significantly updated and should be read in its entirety.
Child Sexual Exploitation	A link to the Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) Indicator Tool has been added.
Children Missing from Care, Home and Education	This chapter has been reviewed and updated. The chapter now includes new information regarding the Independent Return Review whereby the interview should be carried out within 72 hours of the child returning to their home or care setting. This should be an in-depth interview and is normally best carried out by an independent person (i.e. someone not involved in caring for the child) who is trained to carry out these interviews and is able to follow-up any actions that emerge. Also a link to the Missing Children: Who Cares? The police response to missing and absent children (HMIC, March 2016) guidance has been added to the statutory guidance section of this chapter.
Children Visiting Prisons	This chapter has been updated in line with the 'Staying in touch with someone in prison' Guidance. See Section 3, Contact Requests for more information.
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 Section 6, Issues, in the paragraph about 'risk assessment tools and their use'.
Female Genital Mutilation	A link to the DoH Female Genital Mutilation Risk and Safeguarding Guidance for Professionals has been added.
New Chapters and Features
Chapter Name	Details
Pre-Birth	This chapter has been added to the manual.

2016 Amendments

July 2016

CAPTION: July 2016

Updated Chapters
Chapter Name	Details
Responding to Abuse and Neglect	A new Section 13, Schools and Educational Establishments has been added. The new section makes clear that one of the main sources of referrals about children is schools, which means all schools whether maintained, non-maintained or independent schools, including academies and free schools, alternative provision academies and pupil referral units. 'School' includes maintained nursery schools. The section makes clear that all schools and colleges must have regard to the statutory guidance Keeping Children Safe in Education; statutory guidance for schools and colleges (July 2015) when carrying out their duties to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.
Single Assessment	Links to the Modern Slavery Act 2015 have been added and the implications for Assessment have been added to Section 2, Planning.
Children and Families Moving Across Local Authority Boundaries	The chapter has been significantly amended and expanded and should be read in its entirety.
Children Affected by Gang Activity or Serious Youth Violence	Section 4, Protection and Action to be Taken, has been amended to include: Sometimes if there is a possible "threat to life", it may result in the Police issuing an Osman Warning (Police issue an "Osman warning" letter when there is intelligence of a threat to someone's life, but not enough evidence to justify the police arresting the possible offender). In these circumstances this should trigger an automatic referral by the Police to Children's Social Care, the initiation of a Strategy Discussion and consideration of the need for immediate safeguarding action, unless to do so would place the child at greater risk.
Children Missing from Care, Home and Education	There has been an amendment to Section 2, Agency Roles and Responsibilities in the section on clarifying whether children are missing or absent. Essentially this is a matter for the Police to determine.
E-Safety: Children Exposed to Abuse through the Digital Media	A link to: Child Safety Online: A practical guide for parents and carers whose children are using social media, has been added to the Further Information section.
Female Genital Mutilation	There have been a number of amendments reflecting the New Duty for Health and Social Care Professionals and Teachers to Report Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and a link to this guidance has been added to Section 4, Mandatory Reporting of Female Genital Mutilation.
Safeguarding Children and Young people against Radicalisation and Violent Extremism	A link to Educate Against Hate has been added to the Further Information section.
Trafficked Children	A link to the Modern Slavery Act 2015 has been added to the Further Information Section.
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. Clear and timely communications are essential to ensure that inter agency co-operation takes place and all regulations are implemented in the best interests of the child.
Whistleblowing or Raising Concerns at Work	Whistleblowing is when someone who works in or for an organisation passes on information, which they reasonably believe shows wrongdoing or a cover-up by that organisation. For example, the information may be about activity that is illegal or that creates risks to the health and safety of others. The concern may relate to something that has happened, is happening or that a person may fear will happen in the future. The importance of raising concerns at work in the public interest or 'Whistleblowing' is recognised by employers, workers, trade unions and the general public. It is important for individuals to feel safe and listened to when raising concerns. An open approach to Whistleblowing promotes the values of openness and transparency and encourages employees to treat service users with dignity, respect and compassion. In that way, the wellbeing and safety of service users and the provision of good care become part of the culture, and are seen as "the way we do things around here".

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2018 Amendments

CAPTION: July 2018

Updated Chapters
Chapter Name	Details
Female Genital Mutilation	The FGM Care Pathway for Adults has been updated.

2017 Amendments