Amendments

This chapter was revised in May 2025 to add links to additional sources of further information.

In May 2025, information in relation to sexually coerced extortion was added into Section 1, Definition.

This chapter was refreshed in May 2025 to add links to additional sources of further information.

In May 2025, this chapter was revised throughout and additional information about support for parents added.

This chapter was refreshed in May 2025 to add links to additional sources of further information.

This chapter was updated in May 2025 to include information on Stalking Protection Orders.

This chapter was updated in May 2025 to bring it into line with Children Missing Education (August 2024). The changes are technical updates only to bring the guidance in line with the Working together to improve attendance statutory guidance and the School Attendance (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2024. It also highlights pending legislation: The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill and brings to the attention of readers Ofsted and Care Quality Commission (CQC) Thematic Reviews of Children Not in School in Local Areas which will be undertaken in 2025.

This chapter was extensively revised in May 2025 to reflect updated Prevent Duty statutory guidance.

This chapter was updated in May 2025 to include a link to the Disclosure and Barring Service Guidance Leaflets (GOV.UK).

This chapter was updated in May 2025 to include a link to Disclosure and Barring Service Guidance Leaflets (GOV.UK).

In May 2025, amendments were made to the definition of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children in line with further revisions to Working Together to Safeguard Children.

Section 7, NHS Data Sharing was refreshed and updated in November 2024.

This chapter was updated in November 2024.

In November 2024, this chapter was revised throughout in line with revised Working Together to Safeguard Children.

In November 2024, this chapter was revised in line with updated government guidance.

In November 2024, a link was added in Section 1.2.1, Age Assessment to BASW Age Assessment Practice Guidance. In Further Information, a link was added to Operation Innerste Process: Caseworker Guidance.

In November 2024, this chapter was revised throughout in line with revised Working Together to Safeguard Children.

This chapter was added in November 2024.

In November 2024, a link was added to Education Supply Chains – A Better Hiring Toolkit.

This chapter was updated in November 2024.

In November 2024, this chapter was updated in line with the Online Safety Act 2023.

This chapter was updated in June 2024.

This chapter was updated in June 2024 to note that the Pathway of Care Regarding a Birth Mark including Congenital Dermal Melanocytosis or Medically Induced Injury is a regionally agreed document.

In May 2024, this chapter was amended to include information on Identifying Suspected Perpetrators of Modern Slavery to Section 2.3, Indicators.

This chapter was updated in May 2024 and should be re-read.

This chapter was updated in May 2024.

In May 2024, this chapter was updated in line with revised Working Together to Safeguard Children.

In May 2024, new section Principles was 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.

In May 2024, minor amendments have been made to definitions in line with Working Together to Safeguard Children.

In May 2024, definitions were updated in line with revised Working Together to Safeguard Children.

In May 2024, a new Section was added to the chapter around Safe Sleeping. Additional information was added into Section 4, Working with Fathers/Partners.

In May 2024, a new Section 8, Other Harmful Practices was added. 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 was also added on Breast Flattening which is an offence as set out in CPS So-Called Honour-Based Abuse Legal Guidance.

Section 8, Medical/Paediatric Assessments was updated in May 2024 in line with local practice.

Section 10, The Child Protection Plan was updated in May 2024 in line with local practice. The chapter was updated throughout in line with revised Working Together to Safeguard Children.

This chapter was refreshed throughout in May 2024.

This chapter was refreshed in May 2024 and links added to additional guidance in Further Information. In Local Information, a link was added to Newcastle Prevent Referral Form.

In May 2024, this chapter was refreshed throughout and updated in line with revised Working Together to Safeguard Children.

This chapter was refreshed throughout in May 2024.

This chapter was refreshed throughout in May 2024.

This chapter was added to the procedures manual in May 2024.

This chapter was refreshed in May 2024 and additional links added in Further Information.