Contents

1.Introduction, Policy Framework, Principles and Values

1. 1.0.1Foreword and Introduction to the ManualDecember 7, 2023
2. 1.0.2Policy, Principles and ValuesDecember 7, 2023
3. 1.0.3Legal Framework for Child ProtectionMarch 11, 2024
4. 1.0.4Information Sharing and ConfidentialityNovember 6, 2024
5. 1.0.5Agency Roles and ResponsibilitiesNovember 5, 2025

2.The Hertfordshire Safeguarding Children Partnership (HSCP)

2.1The Hertfordshire Safeguarding Children Partnership

1. 2.1.1Duty to Establish a Local Safeguarding Children Partnership (LSCP)December 7, 2023
2. 2.1.2ChairingDecember 7, 2023

2.2The Hertfordshire Safeguarding Children Partnership Structure and Arrangements

1. 2.2.1The HSCP GroupsMarch 11, 2024
2. 2.2.2The HSCP Structure ChartMarch 11, 2024

3.Guidance on Keeping CYP Safe in Partner Organisations

1. 3.0.1Best Practice Guidance for Safe Recruitment, Selection and Retention for Staff and VolunteersNovember 5, 2025
2. 3.0.2Keeping Children Safe in Education: Statutory Guidance for Schools and CollegesMarch 20, 2024
3. 3.0.3Protecting Children and Young People: The Responsibilities of all Doctors (GMC)March 20, 2024
4. 3.0.4Good Practice in Supporting the Voice of the ChildNovember 5, 2025
5. 3.0.5Supervision StrategyNovember 6, 2024

4.Managing Individual Cases – Procedures and Guidance

1. 4.0.1Social Work Procedures: Children in Need and Safeguarding
2. 4.0.2Hertfordshire Multi-Agency Children in Need Protocol and Procedures

4.1Contacts, Referrals and Assessment

1. 4.1.1Contacts and ReferralsNovember 5, 2025
2. 4.1.2Families First and Early HelpNovember 6, 2024
3. 4.1.3Single AssessmentNovember 6, 2024
4. 4.1.4Pre-Birth Protocol, Procedure and Guidance for Pre-Birth AssessmentMay 21, 2025
5. 4.1.5Scheduled/Unscheduled Admissions to Acute Hospitals and Discharge ProceduresNovember 5, 2025
6. 4.1.6Hertfordshire Multi-Agency Protocol for Working with Vulnerable AdolescentsNovember 5, 2025
7. 4.1.7See the Adult - See the ChildSeptember 25, 2025
8. 4.1.8Early Intervention: Policy and Provision (House of Commons Library)

4.2Child in Need Protocol and Procedures

1. 4.2.1Hertfordshire Multi-Agency Children in Need Protocol and Procedures

4.3Strategy Meetings, Section 47 Enquiries

1. 4.3.1Strategy Discussion and MeetingsUnder Review
2. 4.3.2Section 47 EnquiryUnder Review

4.4Child Protection Conferences and Implementing the Child Protection Plan

1. 4.4.1Child Protection ConferencesMay 21, 2025
2. 4.4.2Implementing the Child Protection Plan, Core Group and Lead Social WorkerNovember 5, 2025
3. 4.4.3Child Protection Plans (CPP) when the Child is also Subject of Care ProceedingsDecember 7, 2023
4. 4.4.4Practice Guidance in Regard to Children and young People Subject to a Child Protection Plan that Travel Within and Outside the United KingdomNovember 6, 2024
5. 4.4.5Family Group ConferenceMarch 20, 2024
6. 4.4.6Children Looked AfterNovember 5, 2025
7. 4.4.7Children Living Away From HomeNovember 5, 2025

4.5Complaints and Professional Disagreements in Child Protection Processes

1. 4.5.1Complaints in Relation to Designated Officer Strategy MeetingsDecember 7, 2023
2. 4.5.2Resolution of Professional Differences including EscalationsMay 21, 2025

4.6Support During Meetings

1. 4.6.1Interpreters, Signers and Others with Special Communication SkillsDecember 7, 2023
2. 4.6.2Guidance for Parents and Carers - Recording MeetingsDecember 7, 2023

4.7Children and Young People Moving Across Local Authorities

1. 4.7.1Children Moving Across Local Authority BoundariesNovember 6, 2024
2. 4.7.2East of England Region Joint Protocol on Supervision OrdersDecember 7, 2023

5.Children in Specific Circumstances – Additional Procedures and Guidance

5.1Child Abuse, Neglect & People Posing a Risk to Children

1. 5.1.1Definitions and Recognition of Abuse and NeglectMay 21, 2025
2. 5.1.2Criminal Injuries Compensation SchemeDecember 7, 2023
3. 5.1.3Children within the Diplomatic ServicesDecember 7, 2023
4. 5.1.4People Posing a Risk to ChildrenDecember 7, 2023
5. 5.1.5Managing Allegations Against People who work with Children and Young PeopleUnder Review
6. 5.1.6Management of Suspicious Bruises/Marks in Infants Under 6 Months OldNovember 6, 2024
7. 5.1.7Children who Abuse OthersDecember 7, 2023
8. 5.1.8Complex (Organised or Multiple) AbuseNovember 5, 2025
9. 5.1.9Domestic AbuseNovember 5, 2025
10. 5.1.10Fabricated or Induced Illness and Perplexing PresentationNovember 5, 2025
11. 5.1.11Historical Abuse AllegationsDecember 7, 2023
12. 5.1.12Child Abuse Linked to Spiritual or Religious BeliefMarch 11, 2024
13. 5.1.13BullyingNovember 5, 2025
14. 5.1.14Child Abuse and Information Communication TechnologyNovember 5, 2025
15. 5.1.15Faltering Growth (previously known as Failure to Thrive)November 5, 2025
16. 5.1.16Children with Disabilities / Complex NeedsNovember 5, 2025
17. 5.1.17Female Genital Mutilation Procedure and PathwayNovember 5, 2025
18. 5.1.18Male CircumcisionDecember 7, 2023
19. 5.1.19Breast IroningDecember 7, 2023
20. 5.1.20Dangerous DogsNovember 5, 2025
21. 5.1.21NeglectDecember 7, 2023
22. 5.1.22Guidelines for the Provision of Care in the Presentation of Concealed/Denied/Unknown Pregnancy or Late Booking in PregnancyDecember 7, 2023
23. 5.1.23Children who have been the Subject of Safeguarding Concerns in School and who are then Removed from School for Elective Home Education (EHE)Under Review
24. 5.1.24Parental Neglect of Medical NeedsMay 21, 2025
25. 5.1.25Guidance for Children Travelling in the UK and Abroad with Complex Medical NeedsDecember 7, 2023
26. 5.1.26Joint Housing Needs ProtocolMarch 20, 2024
27. 5.1.27Transitional SafeguardingNovember 6, 2024
28. 5.1.28Child Sexual Abuse in the Family EnvironmentNovember 5, 2025
29. 5.1.29HSCP Multi-Agency Policy Response to Suspicious Marks, Bruises and/or Injuries to children/young People Over Six Months OldMay 21, 2025
30. 5.1.30Female Genital Mutilation - GOV.UK

5.2Children and Young People Exhibiting Sexualised Behaviour

1. 5.2.1Guidance for Professionals Working with Sexually Active Young People Under Age 18 in Hertfordshire (Including Risk Assessment)December 7, 2023
2. 5.2.2Safeguarding Sexually Active Young PeopleDecember 7, 2023

5.3Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) / Contextual Safeguarding

1. 5.3.1Forced MarriageDecember 7, 2023
2. 5.3.2Safeguarding Children and Young People Who Are At Risk of Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking, Including the Safeguarding of Separated Migrant ChildrenMay 21, 2025
3. 5.3.3Multi-Agency So-Called ‘Honour’ Based Abuse and Forced Marriage Policy and ProcedureNovember 6, 2024
4. 5.3.4Hertfordshire's Strategy to Prevent Child Sexual ExploitationDecember 7, 2023
5. 5.3.5Safeguarding Children Abused Through Sexual ExploitationNovember 5, 2025
6. 5.3.6Harmful Sexual BehavioursNovember 6, 2024
7. 5.3.7Radicalisation, Terrorist and Extremist Ideology (Prevent)November 5, 2025
8. 5.3.8Online SafetyNovember 5, 2025
9. 5.3.9Children and Young People Affected by Exploitation and Serious ViolenceNovember 5, 2025
10. 5.3.10Practice Guidance Notes - HCC (hertfordshire.gov.uk) - For Children’s Services staff, please see the PGN entitled Safeguarding Children Who May Have Been Trafficked (July 2021) for more information about the need to initiate a strategy discussion for children who may have been trafficked and Operation Innerste in relation to unaccompanied minors.
11. 5.3.11Policy document for the referral of Children and Young People to Herts Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC)

5.4Missing Children and Young People

1. 5.4.1Children and Young People Who Go Missing form Home or Care, or Who are Vulnerable to ExploitationMay 21, 2025
2. 5.4.2Children Who Go Missing from Home or Care, or who are Vulnerable to ExploitationMay 21, 2025
3. 5.4.3Appropriate Language: Child Sexual and/or Criminal Exploitation Guidance for Professionals - Communicating with Children and young people who are at risk.

5.5Safeguarding the Mental Health of Children and Young People / Harmful Behaviours

1. 5.5.1Suicidal Thoughts and BehavioursNovember 6, 2024
2. 5.5.2Fire SettingDecember 7, 2023
3. 5.5.3Deprivation of Liberty - Under 16'sUnder Review

5.6Children of Parents / Carers with Additional Needs/Concerns

1. 5.6.1Engaging Families When There Are Challenges for Agencies or ProfessionalsNovember 5, 2025
2. 5.6.2Children and Young People of Parents with Learning DisabilitiesNovember 5, 2025
3. 5.6.3Children of Parents who Misuse Drugs or AlcoholDecember 7, 2023
4. 5.6.4Children of Parents with a Mental Health ProblemDecember 7, 2023
5. 5.6.5Children Visiting PrisonsDecember 7, 2023
6. 5.6.6Children Visiting Psychiatric Wards and FacilitiesDecember 7, 2023

6.Local Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel

1. 6.0.1Policy and ProceduresNovember 5, 2025

7.Child Death Reviews

7.1Unexpected Child Death

1. 7.1.1HSCP Joint Agency Response to Unexpected Child Deaths

7.2Hertfordshire Child Death Overview Panel

1. 7.2.1Child Death Overview PanelNovember 5, 2025
2. 7.2.2Child Death Review - A Guide for Parents and CarersNovember 6, 2024
3. 7.2.3Hertfordshire Joint Agency Response Leaflet

7.3General Information

1. 7.3.1Form A DSCF Information Leaflet for Parent and Carers on Child Death Review ProcessesDecember 7, 2023

8.Appendices

1. 8.0.1Age Assessment Joint Working GuidanceDecember 7, 2023
2. 8.0.2Processing an Asylum Application from a ChildDecember 7, 2023
3. 8.0.3Local ContactsMay 21, 2025
4. 8.0.4NICE - Quick Reference Guide: When to Suspect Child MaltreatmentMarch 20, 2024
5. 8.0.5NSPCC Leaflet "Bruises on Children"December 7, 2023
6. 8.0.6NSPCC Leaflet "Fractures in Children"December 7, 2023
7. 8.0.7NSPCC Leaflet "Oral Injuries and Bites on Children"December 7, 2023
8. 8.0.8NSPCC Leaflet "Thermal Injuries on Children"December 7, 2023
9. 8.0.9Practice Standards for Family Group ConferencesDecember 7, 2023
10. 8.0.10Recognition of Child Abuse 6th EditionDecember 7, 2023
11. 8.0.11Body Chart TemplateDecember 7, 2023
12. 8.0.12NSPCC (England) Concerns Resolution Procedures including use of Authorised Person Status - Summary Document for Partner AgenciesDecember 7, 2023
13. 8.0.13Child Protection Model Policy for Voluntary, Community and Faith GroupsDecember 7, 2023
14. 8.0.14AmendmentsMarch 20, 2024
15. 8.0.15Hertfordshire Health ContactsDecember 7, 2023
16. 8.0.16Learning and Improvement FrameworkDecember 7, 2023