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 VolunteersMay 21, 2026
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 ReferralsMay 21, 2026
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 ProceduresMay 21, 2026
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. 4.3.1Section 47 and Strategy Discussion
   Updated
   May 21, 2026

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 WorkerMay 21, 2026
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 Network and Family Group Decision Making ProcedureMarch 20, 2024
6. 4.4.6Children Looked AfterNovember 5, 2025
7. 4.4.7Children Living Away From HomeMay 21, 2026

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, 2026
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 ChildrenMay 21, 2026
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 OthersMay 21, 2026
8. 5.1.8Complex (Organised or Multiple) AbuseNovember 5, 2025
9. 5.1.9Domestic AbuseMay 21, 2026
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. 5.1.13BullyingMay 21, 2026
14. 5.1.14Child Abuse and Information Communication TechnologyMay 21, 2026
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 DogsMay 21, 2026
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 PregnancyMay 21, 2026
23. 5.1.23Parental Neglect of Medical NeedsMay 21, 2025
24. 5.1.24Guidance for Children Travelling in the UK and Abroad with Complex Medical NeedsDecember 7, 2023
25. 5.1.25Joint Housing Needs ProtocolMarch 20, 2024
26. 5.1.26Transitional SafeguardingUnder Review
27. 5.1.27Child Sexual Abuse in the Family EnvironmentMay 21, 2026
28. 5.1.28HSCP Multi-Agency Policy Response to Suspicious Marks, Bruises and/or Injuries to children/young People Over Six Months OldMay 21, 2025
29. 5.1.29Female 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 ExploitationMay 21, 2026
6. 5.3.6Harmful Sexual BehavioursNovember 6, 2024
7. 5.3.7Radicalisation, Terrorist and Extremist Ideology (Prevent)May 21, 2026
8. 5.3.8Online Safety
   Updated
   May 21, 2026
9. 5.3.9Children and Young People Affected by Exploitation and Serious Violence
   Updated
   May 21, 2026
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 out of School
   Updated
   May 21, 2026
2. 5.4.2Appropriate 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 BehavioursMay 21, 2026
2. 5.5.2Fire SettingDecember 7, 2023
3. 5.5.3Deprivation of Liberty - Under 16'sMay 21, 2026

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 AlcoholMay 21, 2026
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 Procedures
   Updated
   May 21, 2026

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 PanelMay 21, 2026
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