Amendments

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.

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

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.

This chapter was refreshed throughout in May 2024.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

In May 2024 Section 10, The Child Protection Plan has been updated 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.

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.

This chapter was refreshed throughout in May 2024.

In May 2024 this chapter has been 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 has been added into Section 4, Working with Fathers/Partners.

This chapter has been updated in May 2024.

In May 2024 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.

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.

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