Amendments

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Amendments

These Child Protection Procedures are reviewed and updated on a 6 month rolling program and all amendments are noted here with the exception of minor text spelling errors or similar. Urgent updates may be added where the outcome of a Case Review or inspection requires and amendment. Alerts will be sent out for any changes.

February 2023

CAPTION: amendments February 2023

Updated Chapters
Chapter Name	Details
Allegations Against Staff or Volunteers	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 Exploitation	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.
Children Missing from Care, Home and Education	This chapter has been updated.
Children of Parents with Learning Disabilities	This chapter has been refreshed in line with current case law and should be re-read.
Children of Parents or Significant Others who Misuse Substances	A link has been added in Further Information to NICE Quality Standard QS 204 Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.
Online Safety	This chapter has been updated.
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.
Case / Conflict Resolution Procedure	This chapter has been refreshed.
New Chapters and Features
Chapter Name	Details
Child Criminal Exploitation	This chapter has been added to the manual.
Transitional Safeguarding	This chapter has been added to the manual.

Next Update: August 2023

Archive

2022 Amendments

September 2022

CAPTION: amendments September 2022

Updated Chapters
Chapter Name	Details
Child Protection Conferences	This chapter has been reviewed and refreshed and should be re-read in its entirety.
Children and Families Moving Across Local Authority Boundaries	This chapter has been reviewed and refreshed and should be re-read in its entirety.
Allegations Against Staff or Volunteers	This chapter has been updated to reflect Keeping Children Safe in Education regarding allegations that can relate to an adult's behaviour outside work known as transferable risk, and in relation to the importance of sharing any concerns about the behaviour of a person who works with children. Information has been added on the differences between an allegation and a concern. See Section 1, Introduction and Criteria.
Good Practice Supporting the Voice of the Child	This chapter has been updated to include information regarding Public Health England becoming the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities.
Bullying	This chapter has been slightly amended and the definition of sexting was expanded to include taking and distributing nude or semi-nude images.
Gang Activity, Youth Violence and Criminal Exploitation Affecting Children	A link has been added to 'CPS Guidance on Victims of Modern Slavery, Human Trafficking and Smuggling'. This guidance aims to identify victims of modern slavery, human trafficking and smuggling at an earlier point in criminal investigations.
Children of Parents or Significant Others who Misuse Substances	Links to 'Guidance - Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: Health Needs Assessment' and 'Guidance: Parents with Alcohol and Drug Problems - Adult Treatment and Children and Family Services' have been added in Further Information.
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.
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 'Prevent Duty Self-assessment Tool: Further Education' has been added in Further Information.
Harmful Sexual Behaviour	This chapter has been updated with a link to the 'Harmful Sexual Behaviour Support Service for the Children's Workforce (Marie Collins Foundation)' added into Further Information.
Agency Roles and Responsibilities	This chapter has been updated to include information regarding Public Health England becoming the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities.

February 2022

CAPTION: amendments February 2022

Updated Chapters
Chapter Name	Details
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.
Bullying	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.
Child Sexual Exploitation	This chapter has been amended to include information on sexual harassment and violence and to note the Review of Sexual Abuse in Schools and Colleges (Ofsted). See Section 6, Peer on Peer Abuse. This Report, together with Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy (GOV.UK), can be found in Section 10, Further Information. A link has been been added in the Further Information section to Tackling Child Exploitation: Resources Pack (Local Government Association). A link has also been added in Further Information to the 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. Section 5, Online Child Sexual Exploitation has been updated to reflect that, 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.
Gang Activity, Youth Violence and Criminal Exploitation Affecting Children	Information has been added on Knife Crime Prevention Orders, Local information has also been updated.
Children from Abroad, including Victims of Modern Slavery, Trafficking and Exploitation	This chapter has been refreshed throughout. Information has been added on piloting devolving decision making for child victims of modern slavery and on Independent Child Trafficking Guardians (ICTG). Links to Further Information have been added and updated, and a link added to the Independent Child Trafficking Guardians Referral Form. 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. Minor amendments have also been made to this chapter in line with the UK's exit from the EEA.
Children Missing from Care, Home and Education	This chapter has been updated. 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.
Children of Parents with Learning Disabilities	Section 3, Indicators of Concern has been updated to include information in relation to pre-birth assessments and planning.
Children of Parents or Significant Others who Misuse Substances	A link has been added in Further Information to Guidance: Parents with Alcohol and Drug Problems: Support Resources (GOV.UK).
Domestic Abuse	This chapter has been updated to add a link to Domestic Abuse Act Factsheets. 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. In Further Information, a link has been added to Domestic Abuse: Specialist Sources of Support (GOV.UK).
Online Safety	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. Section 1, Definition has been updated to reflect that, 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.
Fabricated or Induced Illness/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.
'Honour' Based Abuse	A link has been added to the Further Information section Tackling Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG) Strategy.
Pre-Birth Practice Guidance	Section 2, Risks has been updated to include information in relation to pre-birth assessments and planning where the mother has learning disabilities.
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 in Further Information together with Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy (GOV.UK 2021). A link has also been added to Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Between Children in Schools and Colleges in Further Information.
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.
Child Safeguarding Practice Reviews	This chapter has been updated.
Guidance for Safe Recruitment, Selection and Retention for Staff and Volunteers	This chapter has been updated to reflect legal changes following EU exit, including guidance on checking the past conduct of individuals who have lived or worked overseas.

2021 Amendments

August 2021

CAPTION: amendments August 2021

Updated Chapters
Chapter Name	Details
Responding to Abuse and Neglect	The definition of safeguarding has been updated to reflect the latest amendments to Working Together to Safeguard Children. A note has also been added to the Early Help Section, highlighting that children with a parent or carer in custody may be benefit from Early Help provision.
Referrals	This chapter has been updated to reflect changes from the revised Working Together to Safeguard Children.
Assessment	This chapter has been updated to reflect changes from the revised Working Together to Safeguard Children.
Allegations Against Staff or Volunteers	This guidance has been reviewed and updated as required to reflect the most recent version of Working Together to Safeguard Children. In Section 1, Introduction and Criteria, a fourth bullet point has been added 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.
Information Sharing	This procedure has been revised and refreshed and should be re-read in its entirety.
Children of Parents with Mental Health Problems	Links to Further Information have been updated.
Visits to Prisons by Children	This chapter has been updated in line with the National Offender Management Service (NOMS) guidance on 'Providing Visits and Services to Visitors'.
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.
Agency Roles and Responsibilities	Section 4, People in Positions of Trust 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.
Whistleblowing or Raising Concerns at Work	Section 5, Further Information has been updated to include useful websites and guidance.
Local Contacts	These local contacts have been updated.

February 2021

CAPTION: amendments 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	Links in Further Information have 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.
Female Genital Mutilation	This chapter has been substantially updated and should be re-read.

2020 Amendments

December 2020

CAPTION: amendments December 2020

Updated Chapters
Chapter Name	Details
Assessment	This chapter has been updated in regard to the Think Family when undertaking assessments.

August 2020

CAPTION: amendments August 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.
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.
Agency Roles and Responsibilities	This procedure has been significantly updated and should be re-read.

February 2020

CAPTION: amendments February 2020

Updated Chapters
Chapter Name	Details
Child Sexual Exploitation	This procedure has been extensively reviewed and should be re-read in its entirety.
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	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.

2019 Amendments

October 2019

CAPTION: amendments October 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. Information has also been added regarding schools' responsibility to safeguard children in accordance with the latest DfE guidance Working Together to Safeguard Children and Keeping Children Safe in Education.
Assessment	This chapter has been revised to reflect updated guidance on Assessment in Working Together to Safeguard Children.
Child Protection Enquiries - Section 47 Children Act 1989	This procedure 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.
Child Protection Conferences	This procedure has been updated to reflect local practice. See Section 7, Information for the Conference.
Allegations Against Staff or Volunteers	This procedure has been updated 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.
Organised and Complex Abuse	This procedure has been slightly updated to reflect local guidance.
Child Sexual Abuse in the Family Environment	A definition has been added for Child Sexual Abuse within the family environment (also known as Intra-familial Child Sexual Abuse) see Section 1, Definition. In Section 2, Risk and Indicators, a model suggested by the Centre of Expertise on Child Sexual Abuse outlining some of the likely impacts of Child Sexual Abuse has been included.
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.
E-Safety: Children Exposed to Abuse through the Digital Media	This guidance has been reviewed and refreshed as required. In the Further Information section a link has been added to the Catch 22 publication Social Media as a Catalyst and Trigger for Youth Violence.
Female Genital Mutilation	This procedure has been updated to reflect local practice and should be re-read. See Section 5, Protection and Action to be Taken.
Forced Marriage	This procedure has been updated, Section 5, Protection and Action to be Taken has been updated to reflect local practice.
Agency Roles and Responsibilities	This procedure has been significantly updated and should be re-read.
Guidance for Safe Recruitment, Selection and Retention for Staff and Volunteers	This chapter has been updated. In the Further Information section, a link has been added to Statutory Guidance: Disqualification under the Childcare Act 2006.
Case / Conflict Resolution Procedure	This procedure has been significantly updated and should be re-read.
Complaints in Relation to Child Protection Conference	This procedure has been updated to reflect local practice.
Removed Chapters
Learning and Improvement Framework.

February 2019

CAPTION: amendments February 2019

Updated Chapters
Chapter Name	Details
Information Sharing	This procedure has been revised and refreshed and should be re-read in its entirety.
Children from Abroad, including Victims of Modern Slavery, Trafficking and Exploitation	This procedure has been revised and refreshed and should be re-read in its entirety.
Children of Parents with Learning Disabilities	This chapter has been revised throughout in line with case-law and updated good practice guidance.
Female Genital Mutilation	Section 7, Law has been updated to reflect local practice.
Safeguarding Children and Young People Against Radicalisation and Violent Extremism	A link in Further Information section has been added to Lets Talk About It.
Self Harm and Suicidal Behaviour	The Further Information section has been revised and updated.
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) 2018. The Further Information section has been reviewed and updated.

2018 Amendments

August 2018

CAPTION: amendments August 2018

Updated Chapters
Chapter Name	Details
Responding to Abuse and Neglect	A link has been added to the Child Protection Evidence Resource.
Child Protection Conferences	This chapter has been updated in regard to the General Data Protection Regulations 2018.
Child Protection Plans	More information has been added in regard to police and local authority checks.
Information Sharing	A link has been added to the NHS CPIS - this is helping health and social care staff to share information securely to better protect society's most vulnerable children.
Gang Activity, Youth Violence and Criminal Exploitation Affecting Children	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	The statutory guidance in Section 5, Issues has been updated to link to the Care of Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Child Victims of Modern Slavery: Statutory Guidance for Local Authorities (DfE 2017). The Modern Slavery Act 2015 is referenced in relation to age assessments.
Children Living Away from Home	Section 4, Section 85 Referral Process has been updated.
Trafficked Children	The statutory guidance in Section 4, Protection and Action to be taken has been updated to link to the Care of Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Child Victims of Modern Slavery: Statutory Guidance for Local Authorities (DfE 2017). The Modern Slavery Act 2015 is referenced in relation to age assessments.

February 2018

CAPTION: amendments February 2018

Updated Chapters
Chapter Name	Details
Responding to Abuse and Neglect	The term historical abuse has been updated to Non-recent (historical) abuse.
Child Protection Conferences	Section 7, Information for the Conference has been slightly updated and Section 10, Child Does Not Require a Protection Plan has been extensively updated and should be read.
Child Protection Plans	This chapter has been substantially updated and should be re-read in its entirety.
Child Sexual Exploitation	The Further Information section has 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 Living Away from Home	This chapter has been substantially updated and should be re-read.
Children Missing from Care, Home and Education	In Section 4, Children Missing from Care and Care Leavers in the guidance on Independent Return Reviews a small amendment has been added clarifying the importance that a Return Interview should be offered and provided within 72 hours of the child being located or returning from absence. This is in line with the Statutory Guidance on Children Who Run Away or Go Missing from Home or Care (2014) and is important to reduce the risk of the loss of important information or evidence. 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.
Children of Parents or Significant Others who Misuse Substances	This chapter has been substantially updated and should be re-read in its entirety.
Fabricated or Induced Illness	Section 4, Protection and Action to be Taken has been substantially updated.
Child Death Reviews	A link has been made to the 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 regards to the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework (EYFS) and a link to Ofsted Guidance: Inspecting Safeguarding in Early Years, Education and Skills Settings (2016) has been added 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.
Conflict Resolution Policy	This chapter has been updated to replace Head of Service with Strategic Manager.
New Chapters and Features
Chapter Name	Details
Good Practice Supporting the Voice of the Child	This chapter has been added so that the views of children and young people are sought.
Adolescent Risk Management	This link has been added to the manual.

2017 Amendments

August 2017

CAPTION: amendments August 2017

Updated Chapters
Chapter Name	Details
Child Sexual Exploitation	The definition has been updated in Section 1, What is Child Sexual Exploitation? and a number of amendments have been made in Section 3, Indicators and environmental factors and in other areas to consider. Section 4, Children and Young People who go Missing and Section 5, Protection and Action to be Taken have been updated. As well as Section 7, Supporting Children and Young People out of Child Sexual Exploitation, it is therefore advisable to read the whole chapter again to refresh and update the user's knowledge.
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, 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' in Section 5, Issues. 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 FGM as defined by WHO. Links have been added to both the new Home Office FGM protection orders factsheet; and to the guidance to the 'Statement opposing female genital mutilation' (often referred to as a health passport).
Forced Marriage	This update includes further detail in the following sections; 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).
Honour Based Violence	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 the 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.
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.
Underage Sexual Activity	Minor amendments have been made to the text and a flowchart for Sexually active young people has been added.
Serious Case Reviews	The text has been updated in the last paragraph in Section 1.5, Appointing Reviewers.
Agency Roles and Responsibilities	In Section 4.12, Early years and Childcare text has been added in the second bullet point to clarify the guidance to include a 'deputy safeguarding lead' and a designated safeguarding person on the premises at all timers.
New Chapters and Features
Chapter Name	Details
Concealed Pregnancies	This chapter is new and replaces the previous chapter.
Modern Slavery	This chapter is new and should be read in full.
Pre-Birth Practice Guidance	This chapter has been revised and replaces the previous version. The chapter should therefore be read again.

February 2017

CAPTION: amendments February 2017

Updated Chapters
Chapter Name	Details
Responding to Abuse and Neglect	New Sections 12, Historical Abuse and 14, Schools and Educational Establishments have been added.
Assessment	The information regarding the International Child Abduction and Contact Unit, which is linked to from this chapter, has been revised.
Child Protection Enquiries - Section 47 Children Act 1989	A new paragraph has been added into Section 4, Strategy Discussion / Meeting and the text has been updated.
Child Protection Conferences	Section 2, Looked After Children and Child Protection Conferences has been substantially revised and updated. Additional information has been added regarding the electronic and digital recording of meetings as has been a link to the Law Society publication 'Attendance of solicitors at local authority Children Act Meetings'. Other minor changes have been made throughout the chapter.
Bullying	Minor revisions have been made to this chapter as part of an ongoing refreshment process.
Children Visiting Prisons	A link to Staying in Touch with Someone in Prison: the Internet and Social Media on the GOV.UK website has been added.
Children Visiting Psychiatric Wards and Facilities	Minor revisions have been made to this chapter as part of an ongoing refreshment process.
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'.
E-Safety: Children Exposed to Abuse through the Digital Media	Minor revisions have been made to this chapter as part of an ongoing refreshment process.
Female Genital Mutilation	This chapter has been refreshed and a link to the DHSC, Female Genital Mutilation Risk and Safeguarding Guidance for Professionals has been added.
Safeguarding Children and Young People Against Radicalisation and Violent Extremism	Minor revisions have been made to this chapter as part of an ongoing refreshment process.
Spiritual, Cultural and Religious Beliefs	This chapter has been re-titled (from Abuse Linked to Faith and Belief) and minor revisions have been made as part of an ongoing refreshment process.
Serious Case Reviews	A link to 'Serious Case Review Quality Markers - Supporting dialogue about the principles of good practice and how to achieve them' has been added to this chapter.
New Chapters and Features
Chapter Name	Details
Pre-Birth Practice Guidance	This is a new chapter which has been added to the manual and linked to the Pre-Birth Assessments in the Local Protocols section - Part 5 of the manual.
Whistleblowing or Raising Concerns at Work	This chapter has been added to the manual.
Concealed Pregnancies	This is a new chapter which has been added to the manual.