Amendments

July 2024

Caption: July 2024
   
Updated Chapters
Chapter Name Details
Child Protection Enquiries This procedure has been updated.
Safeguarding Girls and Young Women at Risk of Abuse through Female Genital Mutilation Section 7, NHS Data Sharing has been refreshed and updated.
Safeguarding Children from Abroad, including Victims of Modern Slavery, Trafficking and Exploitation Links to 'BASW Age Assessment Practice Guidance' and 'Guidance Operation Innerste Process: Caseworker Guidance' have been added.
Escalation Policy This procedure has been updated.
Engaging Families A link to the 'Dorset multi-agency Engaging Families toolkit for professionals working with children, young people and families' has been added.
Dangerous Dogs and Safeguarding Children XL Bully has been added to the list of banned dogs under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 (as amended).
Removed Chapters
  • Safeguarding Unborn or Newborn Babies.
Caption: date of next update
 
Next Update: January 2025

January 2024

Caption: January 2024
   
Updated Chapters
Chapter Name Details
Online Safety - Children Exposed to Abuse through the Digital Media This chapter has been refreshed and additional links have been added into Further Information.
Supporting Children and Young People Vulnerable to Violent Extremism This chapter has been refreshed and additional links have been added into Further Information.
Harmful Sexual Behaviour This chapter has been refreshed and additional links have been added into Further Information.
Safeguarding Unborn or Newborn Babies This chapter has been amended to add a new Section 3, Safe Sleeping and additional information on working with fathers/partners.
Domestic Abuse This chapter has been refreshed throughout.
Safeguarding Girls and Young Women at Risk of Abuse through Female Genital Mutilation Information has been added on other harmful practices such as breast flattening and virginity testing or hymenoplasty.
Safeguarding Children and Young People from Forced Marriage This chapter has been refreshed throughout.
Safeguarding Children and Young People from 'Honour' Based Abuse This chapter has been amended throughout.
Safeguarding Children from Abroad, including Victims of Modern Slavery, Trafficking and Exploitation This chapter has been amended to include information on Identifying Suspected Perpetrators of Modern Slavery - see Section 2.3, Indicators.
Agency Roles and Responsibilities A new subsection 'Principles' has been added into Section 2, Serious Violence Duty to include information from the Ofsted Framework Joint Targeted Area Inspections of the Multi-agency Response to Serious Youth Violence.
New Chapters and Features
Chapter Name Details
Bruising and other injuries in Babies and non-mobile Children This new chapter has been added to the manual.
Safeguarding Children with a Social Worker, Looked After Children and Previously Looked After Children at School This new chapter has been added to Safeguarding Practice Guidance.
Removed Chapters
  • MAPPA.

July 2023

NOTE: The term ‘MARAC’ (Multi Agency Risk Assessment) is used in regulation and Government Guidance and by BPC. However Dorset now use the term HRDA (high risk domestic abuse arrangements) for the same purpose.

Caption: July 2023
   
Updated Chapters
Chapter Name Details
Responding to Abuse and Neglect This chapter has been updated.
Child Sexual Abuse in the Family Environment This chapter has been refreshed and a new section on Resources and Support has been added including those from the Centre of Expertise on Child Sexual Abuse.
Safeguarding Disabled Children Amendments have been made in line with the revised Keeping Children Safe in Education Guidance.
Self Harm and Suicidal Behaviour Amendments have been made to this chapter in line with Self-harm: Assessment, Management and Preventing Recurrence NICE Guidance
Gang Activity, Youth Violence and Criminal Exploitation Affecting Children This chapter has been amended to add information on the Serious Violence Duty and the extension of the duty to co-operate for the purposes of MAPPA under the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022.
Child Criminal Exploitation This chapter has been amended to add information on the Serious Violence Duty and the extension of the duty to co-operate for the purposes of MAPPA under the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022.
Spiritual, Cultural and Religious Beliefs This chapter has been refreshed and additional information added in to section 3 Indicators.
Safeguarding Children and Young People from Forced Marriage This chapter has been amended to include that the Act will raise the age of marriage and civil partnership to 18 in England and Wales.
Safeguarding Children from Abroad, including Victims of Modern Slavery, Trafficking and Exploitation This chapter has been updated.
Information Sharing This chapter has been amended to add information on the Serious Violence Duty and the extension of the duty to co-operate for the purposes of MAPPA under the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022.
Safer Recruitment and Employment Amendments have been made in line with the revised Keeping Children Safe in Education Guidance.
Allegations Against Staff, Carers and Volunteers Amendments have been made in line with the revised Keeping Children Safe in Education Guidance.
Agency Roles and Responsibilities This chapter has been amended to add information on the Serious Violence Duty and the extension of the duty to co-operate for the purposes of MAPPA under the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022.

January 2023

Caption: January 2023
   
Updated Chapters
Chapter Name Details
Child Sexual Exploitation 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.
Gang Activity, Youth Violence and Criminal Exploitation Affecting Children CPS Guidance on Victims of Modern Slavery, Human Trafficking and Smuggling has been added.
This guidance aims to identify victims of modern slavery, human trafficking and smuggling at an earlier point in criminal investigations.
Harmful Sexual Behaviour Links have been added to The ROSA project and to STOPITNOW.
Children of Parents who Misuse Substances A link has been added in the Further Information section of Parents who Misuse Substances to NICE Quality Standard QS 204 Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.
Safeguarding Children where a Parent has a Learning Disability This chapter has been refreshed in line with current case law.
Children Missing Education This chapter has been refreshed.
Allegations Against Staff, Carers and Volunteers 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.
Agency Roles and Responsibilities 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.
New Chapters and Features
Chapter Name Details
Transitional Safeguarding Transitional Safeguarding is an 'approach to safeguarding adolescents and young adults fluidly across developmental stages'.

July 2022

Caption: July 2022
   
Updated Chapters
Chapter Name Details
Safer Recruitment and Employment The link to Guidance for safer working practice for those working with children and young people in education settings has been updated to the newer version of the guidance.

May 2022

Caption: May 2022
   
Updated Chapters
Chapter Name Details
Bullying The definition of sexting has been expanded to include taking and distributing nude or semi-nude images. The Further Information section has also been revised in this chapter.
Online Safety - Children Exposed to Abuse through the Digital Media The definition of sexting has been expanded to include taking and distributing nude or semi-nude images. The Further Information section has also been revised in this chapter.
Domestic Abuse Amendments have been made to reflect the new definition of Domestic Abuse within the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 and to update the links within Further Information.
Good Practice Supporting the Voice of the Child Public Health England has become the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (PHE has split into 2 agencies, but this is the one that will be of relevance for procedures).
Allegations Against Staff, Carers and Volunteers This chapter has been amended in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education statutory guidance, to highlight the importance of sharing and responding to any concerns about the behaviour of an adult who works with children, no matter how small, including low level concerns.
Agency Roles and Responsibilities Public Health England has become the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (PHE has split into 2 agencies, but this is the one that will be of relevance for procedures).

February 2022

Caption: February 2022
   
Updated Chapters
Chapter Name Details
Underage Sexual Activity

This chapter has been updated to reflect the following guidance:

Review of Sexual Abuse in Schools and Colleges (Ofsted, June 2021); updated Keeping Children Safe in Education; Sexual Harassment In Education - Briefing (House Of Parliament Library, June 2021); Promoting the Education of Children with a Social Worker: Virtual School Head Role Extension, June 2021; Tackling Child Exploitation: Resources Pack (Local Government Association).
Child Protection Conferences

Reunification of Probation Services - from 24 June 2021, probation services will be delivered by the National Probation Service.

AND

Brexit
It has been amended to take account of the UK's withdrawal from the EU and reflect the UK's exit from the EEA.
Child Protection Plans and Core Groups A paragraph has been added clarifying circumstances where Core groups may need to meet more frequently than the standard 6 weekly.
Child Sexual Exploitation

This chapter has been updated to reflect the following guidance:

Review of Sexual Abuse in Schools and Colleges (Ofsted, June 2021); updated Keeping Children Safe in Education; Sexual Harassment In Education - Briefing (House Of Parliament Library, June 2021); Promoting the Education of Children with a Social Worker: Virtual School Head Role Extension, June 2021; Tackling Child Exploitation: Resources Pack (Local Government Association).

ALSO

Links have been added in further information to:

NSPCC Report Remove Tool - The tool enables young people under the age of 18 to report a nude image or video of themselves which has appeared online. The Internet Watch Foundation will review these reports and work to remove any content which breaks the law. UK Council for Internet Safety (UKCIS) Digital Passport - A communication tool to support children and young people with care experience to talk with their carers about their online lives.

AND

It has been amended to reflect the Domestic Abuse Act 2021.

Bullying

This chapter has been updated to reflect the following guidance:

Review of Sexual Abuse in Schools and Colleges (Ofsted, June 2021); updated Keeping Children Safe in Education; Sexual Harassment In Education - Briefing (House Of Parliament Library, June 2021); Promoting the Education of Children with a Social Worker: Virtual School Head Role Extension, June 2021; Tackling Child Exploitation: Resources Pack (Local Government Association).
Online Safety - Children Exposed to Abuse through the Digital Media

Links have been added in further information to:

NSPCC Report Remove Tool - The tool enables young people under the age of 18 to report a nude image or video of themselves which has appeared online. The Internet Watch Foundation will review these reports and work to remove any content which breaks the law. UK Council for Internet Safety (UKCIS) Digital Passport - A communication tool to support children and young people with care experience to talk with their carers about their online lives.

AND

It has been amended to reflect the Domestic Abuse Act 2021.
Gang Activity, Youth Violence and Criminal Exploitation Affecting Children This chapter has been amended to add information on Knife Crime Prevention Orders.
Harmful Sexual Behaviour

This chapter has been updated to reflect the following guidance:

Review of Sexual Abuse in Schools and Colleges (Ofsted, June 2021); updated Keeping Children Safe in Education; Sexual Harassment In Education - Briefing (House Of Parliament Library, June 2021); Promoting the Education of Children with a Social Worker: Virtual School Head Role Extension, June 2021; Tackling Child Exploitation: Resources Pack (Local Government Association).

Child Criminal Exploitation

This chapter has been updated to reflect the following guidance:

Review of Sexual Abuse in Schools and Colleges (Ofsted, June 2021); updated Keeping Children Safe in Education; Sexual Harassment In Education - Briefing (House Of Parliament Library, June 2021); Promoting the Education of Children with a Social Worker: Virtual School Head Role Extension, June 2021; Tackling Child Exploitation: Resources Pack (Local Government Association).
Safeguarding Unborn or Newborn Babies Information has been added in relation to pre-birth assessments and planning where the mother has learning disabilities, in line with the Court of Appeal judgement in D (A Child) [2021] EWCA Civ 787.
Children of Parents who Misuse Substances

Parents with Alcohol and Drug Problems: Support Resources

A link has been added to support resources.
Safeguarding Children where a Parent has a Learning Disability Information has been added in relation to pre-birth assessments and planning where the mother has learning disabilities, in line with the Court of Appeal judgement in D (A Child) [2021] EWCA Civ 787.
Domestic Abuse

A link has been added to the Domestic Abuse Act Factsheets and The Government has updated its Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy and a link has been added as well as a A link added to the further information section: Domestic Abuse: Specialist Sources of Support (GOV.UK).

AND

It has been amended to reflect the Domestic Abuse Act 2021.
Safeguarding Children and Young People from 'Honour' Based Abuse The Government has updated its Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy and a link has been added.
Safeguarding Children in Whom Illness is Fabricated or Induced/Perplexing Presentations This chapter has been refreshed and a link added to revised guidance from the RCPCH Perplexing Presentations (PP)/Fabricated or Induced Illness (FII) in Children Guidance.
Children Missing from Care, Home and Education Links to further information have been updated in the Trafficking section.
Children and Families Moving Across Local Authority Boundaries or Abroad Information contained in this procedure has been reviewed and updated. A note from Working Together to Safeguard Children has been added into Section 1, Movement of Children and Families to remind all practitioners of the importance of sharing information when a child moves from one local authority into another; due to the risk that knowledge pertinent to keeping a child safe could be lost.
Safeguarding Children from Abroad, including Victims of Modern Slavery, Trafficking and Exploitation

In areas where the ICTG service has been implemented, if the first responder considers a child to be a potential victim of modern slavery, they should refer them to the ICTG service by completing the online referral form.

AND

Brexit - It has been amended to take account of the UK's withdrawal from the EU and reflect the UK's exit from the EEA.

Safer Recruitment and Employment

Brexit

The following chapters have been amended to take account of the UK's withdrawal from the EU and reflect the UK's exit from the EEA.

Agency Roles and Responsibilities Reunification of Probation Services - from 24 June 2021, probation services will be delivered by the National Probation Service.

August 2021

Caption: August 2021
   
Updated Chapters
Chapter Name Details
Referrals This chapter has been updated to reflect Working Together to Safeguard Children Revisions December 2020.
Responding to Abuse and Neglect This chapter has been updated to reflect Working Together to Safeguard Children Revisions December 2020.
Assessment This chapter has been updated to reflect Working Together to Safeguard Children Revisions December 2020.
Harmful Sexual Behaviour A link has been added to Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Between Children in Schools and Colleges.
Safeguarding Children where a Parent has a Mental Health Problem Links have been added to the Further Information section.
Children Visiting Psychiatric Wards and Facilities This chapter has been refreshed throughout and terminology updated, and additional information added in line with the High Security Psychiatric Services (Arrangements for Safety and Security) Directions 2019 and associated Guidance.
Information Sharing This chapter has been updated to reflect Working Together to Safeguard Children Revisions December 2020.
Safer Recruitment and Employment This chapter 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.
Whistleblowing or Raising Concerns at Work Links in the Further Information section have been updated to include useful websites and guidance.

Agency Roles and Responsibilities

This chapter 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.
New Chapters and Features
Chapter Name Details
Child Criminal Exploitation This new chapter has been added to the Safeguarding Practice Guidance section.

February 2021

Caption: February 2021
   
Updated Chapters
Chapter Name Details
Bullying

This chapter has been updated with new links added to resources for addressing bullying linked to race/faith, and resources to help make schools, colleges or other settings LGBT inclusive. See Section 6, Further Information.

Gang Activity, Youth Violence and Criminal Exploitation Affecting Children Further Information links have been updated.
Safeguarding Girls and Young Women at Risk of Abuse through Female Genital Mutilation This chapter has been substantially refreshed and updated.
Children Living Away from Home (such as in Foster Care, being Privately Fostered, in a Residential Setting, Hospital, Custody or Living in Temporary Accommodation with Family) The Children in Custody section has been updated.
Safeguarding 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.

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.
Allegations Against Staff, Carers and Volunteers This guidance has been reviewed and updated as required to reflect the most recent version of the statutory guidance Keeping Children Safe in Education. In Section1, Introduction and Criteria, a fourth bullet point has been added to the behaviours covered by this guidance to include 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 children.

October 2020

Caption: October 2020
   
Updated Chapters
Chapter Name Details
Assessment This chapter has been updated in line with the new digital referral system for reporting potential victims of Modern Slavery.
Child Sexual Exploitation A link to The Child Exploitation toolkit has been added.
Gang Activity, Youth Violence and Criminal Exploitation Affecting Children Further Information links have been updated.
Safeguarding Unborn or Newborn Babies This chapter has been reviewed and updated. It should be read in its entirety.
Children of Parents who Misuse Substances A link has been added to Pan-Dorset Needle Exchange Services for Young People who Inject Substances.
Children Missing from Care, Home and Education This chapter has been updated in line with new NRM digital referral form to report Modern Slavery.
Safeguarding 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).
Managing Individuals who Pose a Risk to Children This chapter has been reviewed and updated. Previously a single chapter, it has now been set out in four parts to help professionals more easily identify what they need. It should be re-read in its entirety.
Allegations Against Staff, Carers and Volunteers This chapter has been updated to include the outcome of 'unfounded' and to clarify timeframes of initial evaluation meeting/discussion.
Agency Roles and Responsibilities The link to the Ofsted Guidance: Inspecting Safeguarding in Early Years, Education and Skills Settings. How effectively leaders and governors create a safeguarding culture in the setting, has been updated.
Key and Local Contacts This chapter has been updated.

March 2020

Caption: March 2020
   
Updated Chapters
Chapter Name Details
Pan Dorset Continuum of Need This link has been updated.
Sexually Harmful Behaviour Levels of Need This link has been updated.
Neglect A link to the Neglect Toolkit has been added.
Child Protection Plans and Core Groups Section 4, The Core Group has been updated in regards to timing.
Child Sexual Exploitation This chapter has been substantially updated and should be re-read.
Bullying This chapter has been updated to reflect Keeping Children Safe in Education statutory guidance (updated September 2019) and reference to Upskirting which is a specific example of abusive behaviour which has been linked to on-line bullying and grooming. Upskirting is a criminal offence and, as such, should be reported to the Police.
Gang Activity, Youth Violence and Criminal Exploitation Affecting Children A link to the Child Exploitation Toolkit has been added.
Domestic 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.
Children Missing Education This chapter has been substantially updated and should be re-read.
Engaging Families This chapter has been substantially updated and should be re-read
Child Safeguarding Practice Reviews This chapter has been completely rewritten and should be read in its entirety.
Pan-Dorset Safeguarding Children Partnership - Role and Function This chapter has been reviewed and updated throughout and should be read in its entirety.

August 2019

Caption: August 2019
   
Updated Chapters
Chapter Name Details
Responding to Abuse and Neglect This chapter has been refreshed to ensure consistency with terminology used in current DfE publications, including 'Working together to Safeguard Children' and 'Keeping Children Safe in Education'.
Safeguarding Children where a Parent has a Learning Disability A revised Multi-agency Protocol for Working with Parents with Learning Disabilities Living in Dorset has been added to Local Resources.
Safeguarding Girls and Young Women at Risk of Abuse through Female Genital Mutilation A link has been added to the Further Information section to the FGM Assessment Tool (National FGM Centre), which provides best practice guidance and an online tool to help guide the assessment of cases where FGM is a concern.
Children Missing Education

This chapter has been updated with a new Section 6, Elective Home Education to reflect the updated DfE guidance on Elective Home Education for local authorities.

A new Section 7, Unregistered Schools has also been added.
Escalation Policy

This chapter has been placed in Local Resources but can still be accessed via a link on the contents list.

It is planned that a specifically Pan Dorset chapter will be placed in Local resources in due course.
Safer Recruitment and Employment This chapter has been updated as required. A link has also been added to the Further Information section to the Disqualification under the Children Act 2006.

February 2019

Caption: February 2019
   
Updated Chapters
Chapter Name Details
Referrals

Links have been added to:

  • Where's your head at - CAHMS in Dorset;
  • Dorset MASH - Guide to making a contact to Children's Services via Dorset MASH;
  • Dorset MASH - Quick Guide - What makes a good referral?
  • NHS - CPIS (Child Protection Information Sharing).
Responding to Abuse and Neglect This chapter has been updated to reflect the updated Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) Statutory Guidance.
Child Sexual Abuse in the Family Environment This chapter has been updated to acknowledge that Child Sexual Abuse within the family environment is known also as Intra-familial CSA. Information has been added from the model on CSA used by the Centre of Expertise, describing the impacts of CSA. The Further Information section has also been updated.
Assessment This chapter has been updated to reflect Working Together to Safeguard Children and includes a new Section 10, Contextual Safeguarding.
Child Protection Enquiries This chapter has been updated to reflect Working Together to Safeguard Children.
Child Protection Conferences A new Section 3.4, Multi Agency Attendance at Conference which clarifies issues relating to Quoracy and Chair Person decision making replaced the previous heading 'Conference Quorum'.
Online Safety - Children Exposed to Abuse through the Digital Media This chapter has been refreshed. In Further Information, a link has been added to the Catch 22 publication 'Social Media as a Catalyst and Trigger for Youth Violence'.
Supporting Children and Young People Vulnerable to Violent Extremism A link to 'Prevent Notification to the Safeguarding Referral Unit (SRU)' has been added into the Local Guidance section.
Sexually Harmful Behaviour This chapter has been reviewed and updated to add information with regard to Technology-assisted harmful sexual behaviour (TA-HSB) and Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE). The Further Information section has also been reviewed and updated.
Safeguarding Unborn or Newborn Babies A link to Dorset Health Care - Safe Sleeping has been added.
Safeguarding Children where a Parent has a Learning Disability

Links to the Local Resources have been added for the following documents:

  • Dorset - Multi Agency Protocol Working with Parents with Learning Disabilities;
  • Dorset - Multi Agency ALD Protocol Appendix A: Adult Flowchart;
  • Dorset- Multi Agency ALD Protocol Appendix B: Children's Flowchart;
  • Dorset - Multi Agency ALD Protocol Appendix C: Screening Tool.
Children Visiting Prisons This chapter has been reviewed and updated 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.
Safeguarding Children from Abroad, including Victims of Modern Slavery, Trafficking and Exploitation This chapter has been updated to reflect Care of Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Child Victims of Modern Slavery: statutory guidance for Local Authorities (2017). It replaces 3 previous procedures called: 'Children from Abroad', 'Modern Slavery' and 'Trafficked Children'.
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.
Hard to Engage Families A link has been added to 'Survival Guide to Child Protection for Roma Parents' guidance in Local resources
Managing Individuals who Pose a Risk to Children Previously a single chapter, this chapter has now been set out in four parts to help professionals more easily identify what they need. It should be re-read in its entirety.
Allegations Against Staff, Carers and Volunteers Section 3, General Considerations Relating to Allegations Against Staff has been updated to make it clear that in situations where there are either resignations or 'compromise agreements' the duty to refer remains and failure so to do without good reason is an offence.
Safeguarding Practice Reviews This chapter has been updated to reflect the EU General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and Data Protection Act 2018.
Agency Roles and Responsibilities This chapter has been revised to reflect updated guidance for organisations, agencies and individuals to ensure that their functions, and any services that they contract out to others, are carried out with regard to the need to safeguard and promote the welfare of children as set out in Chapter 2: Organisations Responsibilities in Working Together to Safeguard Children.
Removed Chapters
  • Pan Dorset Child Death Protocol.