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 Confidentiality
   Updated
   March 11, 2024
5. 1.0.5Agency Roles and Responsibilities
   Updated
   March 11, 2024

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 Groups
   Updated
   March 11, 2024
2. 2.2.2The HSCP Structure Chart
   Updated
   March 11, 2024

3.Guidance on Keeping Children and Young People Safe in Partner Organisations

1. 3.0.1Best Practice Guidance for Safe Recruitment, Selection and Retention for Staff and Volunteers
   Updated
   March 11, 2024
2. 3.0.2Keeping Children Safe in Education: Statutory Guidance for Schools and Colleges
   New
   March 20, 2024
3. 3.0.3Protecting Children and Young People: The Responsibilities of all Doctors (GMC)
   New
   March 20, 2024
4. 3.0.4Good Practice in Supporting the Voice of the ChildDecember 7, 2023
5. 3.0.5Supervision StrategyDecember 7, 2023

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 ReferralsDecember 7, 2023
2. 4.1.2Families First and Early HelpDecember 7, 2023
3. 4.1.3Single AssessmentDecember 7, 2023
4. 4.1.4Pre-Birth Protocol, Procedure and Guidance for Pre-Birth AssessmentUnder Review
5. 4.1.5Scheduled/Unscheduled Admissions to Acute Hospitals and Discharge ProceduresDecember 7, 2023
6. 4.1.6Hertfordshire Multi-Agency Protocol for Working with Vulnerable AdolescentsDecember 7, 2023
7. 4.1.7See the Adult - See the ChildDecember 7, 2023
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 MeetingsDecember 7, 2023
2. 4.3.2Section 47 EnquiryDecember 7, 2023

4.4Child Protection Conferences and Implementing the Child Protection Plan

1. 4.4.1Child Protection ConferencesDecember 7, 2023
2. 4.4.2Implementing the Child Protection Plan, Core Group and Lead Social WorkerUnder Review
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 KingdomDecember 7, 2023
5. 4.4.5Family Group Conference
   New
   March 20, 2024
6. 4.4.6Children Looked AfterDecember 7, 2023
7. 4.4.7Children Living Away From HomeDecember 7, 2023

4.5Complaints and Professional Disagreements in Child Protection Processes

1. 4.5.1Complaints in Relation to Designated Officer Strategy MeetingsDecember 7, 2023
2. 4.5.2Complaints in Relation to Child Protection ConferencesDecember 7, 2023
3. 4.5.3Escalation of Concerns and Professional Disagreements about Decisions, including Convening an ICPCDecember 7, 2023

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 BoundariesUnder Review
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 NeglectUnder Review
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 Adults who work with Children and Young People
   Updated
   March 11, 2024
6. 5.1.6Management of Suspicious Bruises/Marks in Infants Under 6 Months OldUnder Review
7. 5.1.7Children who Abuse OthersDecember 7, 2023
8. 5.1.8Complex (Organised or Multiple) AbuseDecember 7, 2023
9. 5.1.9Domestic AbuseUnder Review
10. 5.1.10Fabricated or Induced Illness and Perplexing PresentationDecember 7, 2023
11. 5.1.11Historical Abuse AllegationsDecember 7, 2023
12. 5.1.12Child Abuse Linked to Spiritual or Religious Belief
    Updated
    March 11, 2024
13. 5.1.13BullyingDecember 7, 2023
14. 5.1.14Child Abuse and Information Communication TechnologyDecember 7, 2023
15. 5.1.15Faltering Growth (previously known as Failure to Thrive)December 7, 2023
16. 5.1.16Children with a Disability and Child Abuse
    Updated
    March 11, 2024
17. 5.1.17Female Genital Mutilation Procedure and PathwayUnder Review
18. 5.1.18Male CircumcisionDecember 7, 2023
19. 5.1.19Breast IroningDecember 7, 2023
20. 5.1.20Dangerous DogsDecember 7, 2023
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. 5.1.24Medical Neglect PolicyDecember 7, 2023
25. 5.1.25Guidance for Children Travelling in the UK and Abroad with Complex Medical NeedsDecember 7, 2023
26. 5.1.26Joint Housing Needs Protocol
    New
    March 20, 2024
27. 5.1.27Transitional SafeguardingDecember 7, 2023
28. 5.1.28Child Sexual Abuse in the Family EnvironmentDecember 7, 2023
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. 5.3.2Modern Slavery and TraffickingUnder Review
3. 5.3.3Multi-Agency ‘Honour’ Based Abuse and Forced Marriage Policy and ProcedureUnder Review
4. 5.3.4Hertfordshire's Strategy to Prevent Child Sexual ExploitationDecember 7, 2023
5. 5.3.5Modern Slavery: Safeguarding Children Who May Have Been TraffickedDecember 7, 2023
6. 5.3.6Safeguarding Children from Abroad (including Children who are Victims of Trafficking and Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children)Under Review
7. 5.3.7Safeguarding Children Abused Through Sexual ExploitationDecember 7, 2023
8. 5.3.8Harmful Sexual BehavioursUnder Review
9. 5.3.9Prevent Guidance
   Updated
   March 11, 2024
10. 5.3.10Online SafetyUnder Review
11. 5.3.11Children and Young People Affected by Exploitation and Serious ViolenceDecember 7, 2023
12. 5.3.12Practice 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.
13. 5.3.13Policy 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 ExploitationDecember 7, 2023
2. 5.4.2Children Who Go Missing, including from SchoolDecember 7, 2023
3. 5.4.3Missing and CSE Briefing July 2018 (Please see Good Practice Bulletin Page June (2018)) This identifies practice learning in relation to Child Sexual Exploitation, including use of Hazards on LCS to identify those at risk and the importance of the use of language in describing the experiences of children and young people.
4. 5.4.4Appropriate 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 BehavioursDecember 7, 2023
2. 5.5.2Fire SettingDecember 7, 2023
3. 5.5.3Deprivation of Liberty - Under 16'sDecember 7, 2023

5.6Children of Parents / Carers with Additional Needs/Concerns

1. 5.6.1Non Compliance or Disguised Compliance by Parents or CarersUnder Review
2. 5.6.2Children and Young People of Parents with Learning DisabilitiesDecember 7, 2023
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 Procedures
   Updated
   March 11, 2024

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 PanelDecember 7, 2023
2. 7.2.2Child Death Review - A Guide for Parents and CarersDecember 7, 2023
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 Child
   New
   December 7, 2023
3. 8.0.3Local ContactsDecember 4, 2023
4. 8.0.4NICE - Quick Reference Guide: When to Suspect Child Maltreatment
   New
   March 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. 8.0.14Amendments
    New
    March 20, 2024
15. 8.0.15Hertfordshire Health ContactsDecember 7, 2023
16. 8.0.16Learning and Improvement FrameworkDecember 7, 2023