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Amendments

2025

March 2025

Parents who Misuse Substances

In March 2025, this chapter was refreshed and should be re-read.

Neglect

In March 2025, this chapter was refreshed and should be re-read.

Domestic Abuse

In March 2025, this chapter was refreshed and should be re-read.

Child Sexual Abuse in the Family Environment

In March 2025, this chapter was refreshed and links were added to additional sources of information.

Visits to Psychiatric Wards and Facilities by Children

In March 2025, this chapter was refreshed and should be re-read.

Children and Families that go Missing (Including Unborn Children)

In March 2025, this procedure was revised and should be re-read. Timescales were added into Section 4, Strategy Discussion.

Child Sexual Exploitation

In March 2025, this chapter was refreshed and should be re-read.

Guidance for Safe Recruitment, Selection and Retention for Staff and Volunteers

In March 2025, this chapter was updated to include a link to Disclosure and Barring Service Guidance Leaflets (GOV.UK) in Further Information.

Child Criminal Exploitation

In March 2025, minor amendments were made to definitions in line with Working Together to Safeguard Children.

Listening to the Voice of the Child

In March 2025, this chapter was refreshed and should be re-read.

Safeguarding Children from Abuse Linked to Faith or Belief

In March 2025, this chapter was refreshed and should be re-read.

Children and Families Moving Across Local Authority Boundaries or Abroad

In March 2025, this chapter was revised and a new Section 7, Best Practice for Children moving between local authorities was added.

Child Protection Conferences

This chapter was updated in March 2025 with guidance from Working Together to Safeguard Children around purpose and function of Child Protection Conferences and the role of the Lead Practitioner.

Child Protection Plans

In March 2025, this chapter was updated to reflect local practice and revision of Working Together to Safeguard Children.

Allegations Against Staff or Volunteers who Work with Children

In March 2025, this chapter was updated to include a link to Disclosure and Barring Service Guidance Leaflets (GOV.UK) in Section 9.1, Substantiated Allegations.

Information Sharing

In March 2025, this chapter was revised in line with updated government guidance.

Recognising Abuse and Neglect

In March 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.

2024

September 2024

Dogs and Safeguarding Children

In September 2024, information was added to Section 2, Legislation Relating to Dangerous Dogs on dogs that are currently banned/prohibited in the UK, by Section 1 of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991

Safeguarding Children with a Social Worker, Looked After Children and Previously Looked After Children at School

This chapter has been added to the manual.

Recognising Abuse and Neglect

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

Online Safety

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

Organised and Complex Abuse

In September 2024 this chapter was refreshed and should be reread.

Female Genital Mutilation and Other Harmful Practices

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

Children Living Away from Home

In September 2024, Information was added in Section 3, Protection and Action to be Taken on where there is a risk that a child (who is unable to return home and for whom there are no suitable placements available:) will:

  • Have to attend the hospital Emergency Department; or
  • If after receiving all required medical or mental health assessment/treatment remain in hospital.

Underage Sexual Activity

In September 2024, this chapter was refreshed and should be reread.

Safeguarding Children and Young People from Radicalisation

In September 2024 this chapter was updated throughout and should be reread.

Information Sharing

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

Children from Abroad, including Victims of Modern Slavery, Trafficking and Exploitation

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

Guidance for Safe Recruitment, Selection and Retention for Staff and Volunteers

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

Pre-Birth

In September 2024, Section 3, Safe Sleeping was added. Additional information was added into Section 4, Working with Fathers, Non-resident Parent and Partners.