Amendments

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Amendments

November 2023

CAPTION: November 2023

Updated Chapters
Chapter Title	Details
Recognising Abuse and Neglect	This chapter has been refreshed.
Allegations Against Staff or Volunteers	This chapter has been updated.
Information Sharing	Information has been added into Section 5, National Guidance in Information Sharing in relation to the Serious Violence Duty.
Child Exploitation (including Child Sexual Exploitation and Criminal Exploitation)	A link has been added in Further Information to Serious Violence Duty - Preventing and Reducing Serious Violence: Statutory Guidance for Responsible Authorities.
Child Sexual Abuse in the Family Environment	This chapter has been refreshed and information added on Resources and Support from the Centre of Expertise on Child Sexual Abuse.
Children from Abroad, including Victims of Modern Slavery, Trafficking and Exploitation	This chapter has been updated. Information was added in to Section 1.2.1, Age Assessments in relation to the National Age Assessment Board.
Domestic Abuse	This chapter has been amended throughout.
Online Safety: Children Exposed to Abuse through the Digital Media	Additional links have been added in the Further Information section.
Gang Activity, Youth Violence and Criminal Exploitation Affecting Children	Information has been added in to Section 4, Protection and Action to be Taken in relation to Serious Violence Reduction Orders.
Managing Individuals who Pose a Risk to Children	This chapter has been updated to reflect the extension of the duty to co-operate under the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022.
Safeguarding Children and Young People Against Radicalisation and Violent Extremism	This chapter has been refreshed and links added to additional guidance in Further Information.
Transitional Safeguarding	Additional information has been added into the Further Information section.
Agency Roles and Responsibilities	This chapter has been refreshed. Section 5.19, Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements has been updated to include information on the extension of the duty to co-operate under the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022. In Section 5.8, The Secure Estate for Children a link has been added to Matters of Concern, Safeguarding Concerns, Allegations and Complaints for Children in Custody – Youth Custody Service (Youth Justice Resource Hub). New Section 2, Serious Violence Duty has been added.
Guidance for Safe Recruitment, Selection and Retention for Staff and Volunteers	A link has been added to DBS Digital Identity Verification Guidance.

CAPTION: next update

Next Update: May 2024

Archive

2023 Amendments

May 2023

CAPTION: May 2023

Updated Chapters
Chapter Title	Details
Allegations Against Staff or Volunteers	This chapter has been amended in line with revised Keeping Children Safe in Education. A new Section 2, The Difference Between an Allegation of Harm and a Concern has also been added.
Abuse Linked to Spiritual, Cultural and Religious Beliefs	This chapter has been refreshed and additional information added into Section 3, Indicators.
Disabled Children	This chapter has been updated to include information from the UK Social Work Practice in Safeguarding Disabled Children and Young People report).
Honour Based Abuse, Forced Marriage and Female Genital Mutilation	This chapter has been amended to reflect that the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Minimum Age) Act 2022 raised the age of marriage and civil partnership to 18 in England and Wales, with effect from 26 February 2023.
Self Harm and Suicidal Behaviour	This chapter has been updated to include information from Self-harm: Assessment, Management and Preventing Recurrence NICE Guidance.
Guidance for Safe Recruitment, Selection and Retention for Staff and Volunteers	This chapter has been amended in line with revised Keeping Children Safe in Education. Section 4.5, Application Form has been updated to note that Keeping Children Safe in Education provides that schools and colleges should only accept copies of a curriculum vitae alongside an application form. A curriculum vitae on its own will not provide adequate information. Information in relation to online searches has been added into Section 4.6, Scrutinising and Shortlisting.

January 2023

CAPTION: January 2023

Updated Chapters
Chapter Title	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 Exploitation (including Child Sexual Exploitation and Criminal 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 from Abroad, including Victims of Modern Slavery, Trafficking and Exploitation	A link has been added in the Further Information section to CPS Guidance on Victims of Modern Slavery, Human Trafficking and Smuggling.
Children of Parents with Learning Difficulties/Disabilities	This chapter has been refreshed.
Online Safety: Children Exposed to Abuse through the Digital Media	A link has been added in the Further Information section to Talking to your Child About Online Sexual Harassment (Children's Commissioner).
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 were also added to the HMPP Child Safeguarding Policy.
New Chapters and Features
Chapter Title	Details
Transitional Safeguarding	This chapter has been added to the procedures manual.

2022 Amendments

August 2022

CAPTION: August 2022

Updated Chapters
Chapter Title	Details
Assessment	This chapter has been updated throughout in line with local practice.
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.
Bullying	This chapter has been updated 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. The definition of sexting has been expanded to include taking and distributing nude or semi-nude images.
Child Exploitation (including Child Sexual Exploitation and Criminal 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 1, Key Principles.
Domestic Abuse and Parental Conflict	This chapter has been amended throughout.
Online Safety: Children Exposed to Abuse through the Digital Media	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.
Gang Activity, Youth Violence and Criminal Exploitation Affecting Children	Information has been added on Knife Crime Prevention Orders.
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).
Honour Based Abuse, Forced Marriage and Female Genital Mutilation	This chapter has been updated in line with local practice.
Pre-Birth	This chapter has been updated throughout in line with local practice.
Safeguarding Children and Young People Against Radicalisation and Violent Extremism	This chapter has been updated to add a link to the Prevent Duty Self-assessment Tool: Further Education.
Self Harm and Suicidal Behaviour	This chapter has been updated to reflect local practice.
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 Section 5, Issues.

February 2022

CAPTION: February 2022

Updated Chapters
Chapter Title	Details
Child Protection Conferences	A note has been added into Section 1, Initial Child Protection Conference 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. Section 3, Transfer in Conference has been updated in line with local practice.
Children and Families Moving Across Local Authority Boundaries	This chapter has been substantially updated and should be re-read.
Child Exploitation (including Child Sexual Exploitation and Criminal Exploitation)	Section 2, 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. Revised Operating Procedures for Children Missing from Home or Care have been included under Local Documents.
Children from Abroad, including Victims of Modern Slavery, Trafficking and Exploitation	Minor amendments have been made to this chapter in line with the UK's exit from the EEA.
Children Missing from Home and Care	In Local Documents, the link has been updated to Operating Procedures for Children and Young People who either Go Missing from Home or Go Missing from Care.
Children of Parents with Learning Difficulties/Disabilities	Section 3, Warning Signs has been updated to include information in relation to pre-birth assessments and planning.
Domestic Abuse and Parental Conflict	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.
Online safety: Children Exposed to Abuse through the Digital Media	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.
Harmful Sexual Behaviour	A link to the new chapter Sexual Harm Consultation Group has been added.
Managing Individuals who Pose a Risk to Children	Information has been updated in Section 5, Local Documents.
Pre-Birth	Section 2, Risks has been updated to include information in relation to pre-birth assessments and planning where the mother has learning disabilities.
Agency Roles and Responsibilities	Section 3, 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 children.
Whistleblowing or Raising Concerns at Work	Section 5, Further Information has been updated to include useful websites and guidance.
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.
New Chapters and Features
Chapter Title	Details
Sexual Harm Consultation Group	This chapter has been added to the manual.

2021 Amendments

May 2021

CAPTION: May 2021

Updated Chapters
Chapter Title	Details
Responding to Abuse and Neglect	This chapter has been updated to reflect local policies and procedures and the changes to Working Together in December 2020.
Referrals	This chapter has been updated to reflect the changes to Working Together in December 2020.
Assessment	This chapter has been updated to reflect the changes to Working Together in December 2020.
Child Protection Enquiries - Section 47 Children Act 1989	This chapter has been updated to reflect local policies and procedures and the changes to Working Together in December 2020.
Allegations Against Staff or Volunteers	This chapter has been updated to reflect the most recent version of Keeping Children Safe in Education Statutory Guidance for Schools and Colleges On Safeguarding Children And Safer Recruitment. In Section 1, Introduction, a fourth bullet point has been added to include situations where an individual in those settings 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. Amendments were also made in line with local practice, in relation to contact details for making a referral.
Information Sharing	This chapter has been refreshed throughout.
Good Practice Supporting the Voice of the Child	This chapter has been updated in line with local practice.
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 Further Information.
Child Exploitation (including Child Sexual Exploitation and Criminal Exploitation)	This chapter has been revised throughout in line with local practice.
Children Living Away from Home	Section 4, Issues has been updated in regards to Children in Custody.
Children of Parents with Learning Difficulties/Disabilities	This chapter has been updated in line with local practice.
Children of Parents with Mental Health Problems	Additional links have been added to Further Information.
Children of Parents who Misuse Drugs and/or Alcohol	This chapter has been updated to reflect local practice.
Visits to Prisons by Children	This chapter has been revised throughout in line with updated 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 into Section 3, Visiting Patients in the Special Hospitals: Ashworth, Broadmoor and Rampton, in line with the High Security Psychiatric Services (Arrangements for Safety and Security) Directions 2019 and associated Guidance.
Domestic Abuse and Parental Conflict	This chapter has been updated in line with local practice.
Online safety: Children Exposed to Abuse through the Digital Media	A link has been added to DfE Guidance: Sharing nudes and semi-nudes: advice for education settings working with children and young people.
Harmful Sexual Behaviour	This chapter has been updated in line with local practice.
Neglect	A link has been added to the Children & Families Practice Toolkit.
Self Harm and Suicidal Behaviour	This chapter has been updated to reflect local practice.
Multi-Agency Safeguarding Arrangements	This chapter has been updated to reflect the changes to Working Together in December 2020.
Agency Roles and Responsibilities	This chapter has been updated to reflect the changes to Working Together in December 2020.

2020 Amendments

November 2020

CAPTION: November 2020

Updated Chapters
Chapter Title	Details
Responding to Abuse and Neglect	This chapter has been updated throughout. Changes have been made to the referral process, e.g. making a safeguarding referral or early help referral. This section has been updated to reflect the change in terminology and the Signs of Safety language that has been implemented in County Durham. Links have been updated.
Referrals	This chapter has been updated throughout.
Assessment	This chapter has been updated to reflect the change in terminology and the Signs of Safety language that has been implemented in County Durham.
Child Protection Enquiries - Section 47 Children Act 1989	This chapter has been updated throughout in line with local practice. In Section 4, Strategy Discussion / Meeting, the link has been updated to updated local guidance Protocol for Multi-Agency Engagement in Strategy Meetings and s47 Enquiries.
Child Protection Conferences	This chapter has been updated throughout in line with local practice.
Child Protection Plans	This chapter has been updated in line with local practice.
Children and Families Moving Across Local Authority Boundaries	Minor amendments have been made throughout this chapter in line with local practice and terminology.
Allegations Against Staff or Volunteers	This chapter has been updated throughout in line with local practice.
Organised and Complex Abuse	This chapter has been updated to reflect the change in terminology and the Signs of Safety language that has been implemented in County Durham.
Abuse Linked to Spiritual, Cultural and Religious Beliefs	Minor amendments have been made to this chapter and has been updated in line with local terminology.
Bullying	Minor amendments have been made in line with local terminology.
Child Exploitation	Significant updates have been made throughout to reflect the practice and terminology in County Durham.
Child Sexual Abuse in the Family Environment	In Section 3, Protection and Action to be Taken, contact details have been updated.
Children and Families that go Missing (Including Unborn Children)	This chapter has been updated throughout in line with local practice and terminology.
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. Minor amendments have been made in line with local terminology.
Children Missing Education	This chapter has been updated. Significant updates have been made throughout to reflect the practice in County Durham.
Children Missing from Home and Care	This chapter has been updated to reflect the practice in County Durham including terminology
Children of Parents with Learning Disabilities	This chapter has been updated to reflect the change in terminology and the Signs of Safety language that has been implemented in County Durham.
Children of Parents with Mental Health Problems	This chapter has been updated to reflect the change in terminology and the Signs of Safety language that has been implemented in County Durham.
Children of Parents who Misuse Drugs and/or Alcohol	This chapter has been updated. The term substance misuse has been changed to drug and/or alcohol misuse. This section has been updated to reflect the change in terminology and the Signs of Safety language that has been implemented in County Durham. Changes to Further Information and Local Documents and links updated.
Child Visits and Contact Arrangements with Prisoners	This chapter has been updated to reflect the change in terminology and the Signs of Safety language that has been implemented in County Durham.
Children Visiting Psychiatric Wards and Facilities	This chapter has been updated. Minor updates have been made and whole chapter has been updated to reflect the change in terminology and the Signs of Safety language that has been implemented in County Durham.
Concealed Pregnancies	This chapter has been updated. Significant updates have been made throughout to reflect the practice and terminology in County Durham.
Disabled Children	This chapter has been updated to reflect the change in terminology and the Signs of Safety language that has been implemented in County Durham.
Domestic Abuse	This chapter has been updated. The term Domestic Violence and Abuse has been changed to Domestic Abuse.
Online safety: Children Exposed to Abuse through the Digital Media	This chapter has been updated. The term e-safety has been changed to online safety. Minor amendments have been made to terminology to reflect the language used in County Durham.
Fabricated or Induced Illness	Minor amendments have been made regarding terminology to reflect the language used in County Durham.
Gang Activity, Youth Violence and Criminal Exploitation Affecting Children	This chapter has been updated to add/update links in the Further Information section.
Harmful Sexual Behaviour	This chapter has been reviewed and updated. Significant updates have been made throughout to reflect the practice and terminology in County Durham.
Honour Based Abuse, Forced Marriage and Female Genital Mutilation	This chapter has been updated. Section 2, Training for Professionals has been removed. Terminology has been updated to reflect the Signs of Safety language used in County Durham.
Managing Individuals who Pose a Risk to Children	Minor amendments have been made to the chapter in line with local practice.
Neglect	This chapter has been updated. In Further Information, links have been updated to Local Documents. Minor amendments have been made in line with local practice.
Pre-Birth	This chapter has been updated, significant updates have been made throughout to reflect the practice and terminology in County Durham.
Racism	This chapter has been updated. Minor updates have been made and whole chapter has been updated to reflect the change in terminology and the Signs of Safety language that has been implemented in County Durham.
Safeguarding Children and Young People Against Radicalisation and Violent Extremism	This chapter has been updated to reflect the Signs of Safety language used in County Durham.
Underage Sexual Activity	This chapter has been updated. Terminology has been updated to reflect the language used in County Durham.
Child Safeguarding Practice Reviews	This chapter has been updated. Local Documents have been added/updated.
Multi-Agency Safeguarding Arrangements	This chapter has been updated in line with local arrangements.
Agency Roles and Responsibilities	This chapter has been updated to link to updated Ofsted Guidance: Inspecting Safeguarding in Early Years, Education and Skills Settings (2016). How Effectively Leaders and Governors Create a Safeguarding Culture in the Setting.
Managing Professional Differences Policy	This chapter has been updated. The title has been changed from Challenge and Escalation. Local documents have been added: Managing Professional Differences Flowchart; Proforma for Raising Professional Differences.
Complaints in Relation to Child Protection Conference	This chapter has been updated. Terminology has been updated to reflect the arrangements in County Durham.
Guidance for Safe Recruitment, Selection and Retention for Staff and Volunteers	This chapter hs been updated in line with local practice.
Removed Chapters
Local Contacts.

April 2020

CAPTION: April 2020

Updated Chapters
Chapter Title	Details
Organised and Complex Abuse	The Further Information section has been updated.
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 Missing Education	The Further Information section has been updated.
Children of Parents who Misuse Substances	In the Further Information section, a link has been added to the National Association for Children of Alcoholics.
Agency Roles and Responsibilities	This chapter has been given a general refresh.
Guidance for Safe Recruitment, Selection and Retention for Staff and Volunteers	This chapter has been given a general refresh.

2019 Amendments

November 2019

CAPTION: November 2019

Updated Chapters
Chapter Title	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.
Children Missing Education	New sections have been added on Elective Home Education and Unregistered Schools. Minor amendments have been made throughout the chapter, and it should be re-read.
Domestic Abuse	The link has been updated to Ending Violence against Women and Girls Strategy 2016 – 2020 (refreshed 2019).

April 2019

CAPTION: April 2019

Updated Chapters
Chapter Title	Details
Responding to Abuse and Neglect	Information has 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	In Local Documents, the link to the Threshold Document 0 – 19 Level of Need (including pre-birth) has been updated.
Child Protection Enquiries - Section 47 Children Act 1989	Section 4, Strategy Discussion / Meeting has been updated throughout in line with local practice. Protocol for Multi-Agency Engagement in Strategy Meetings has been added in Local Documents.
Child Protection Conferences	Changes have been made to the following sections, in line with revised local practice/terminology/organisational structure: Section 3, Transfer in Conference; Section 11, Process for Rearranging Child Protection Conferences; Section 16, Challenge Professional Non-Compliance of the Child Protection Conference Process - Stage 2.
Allegations Against Staff or Volunteers	Section 2.4, Lead Officer (Employer) has been refreshed. In the flowchart Process for Referrals to Local Authority Designated Officer, the LADO email address has been updated. In the Further Information section, a link has been added to the updated Allegations Notification Form.
Information Sharing	A link has been added to the GOV.UK - Child sex offender disclosure scheme 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. In Local Information, a link has been added to the Meadowfield Sexual Assault Referral Centre.
Children Missing from Home and Care	In Local Documents new documents have been added: Philomena Protocol Flowchart; Philomena Protocol Missing Person Incident Form; Philomena Protocol Risk Assessed Locations Form.
Online safety: Children Exposed to Abuse through the Digital Media	This chapter has been given a general refresh throughout. 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.
Harmful Sexual Behaviour	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 added. This provides links to additional national sources of information.
Honour Based Abuse, Forced Marriage and Female Genital Mutilation	A link has been added into the Further Information section, to the FGM Assessment Tool (National FGM Centre), which provides best practice guidance and an online tool to help guide the assessment of cases where FGM is a concern. In Section 7.4, Female Genital Mutilation – Awareness-Raising and Preventative Strategies - information has been added on the Angelou centre.
Surrogacy	Section 1, Legislation, has been updated in line with the Human Fertilisation & Embryology Act 2008 (Remedial) Order 2018. This enables a sole applicant to apply for a parental order which transfers legal parenthood after a surrogacy arrangement. Previously, only couples were eligible to apply.
Child Safeguarding Practice Reviews	This chapter has been updated throughout in line with Working Together to Safeguard Children and local practice.
Child Death Reviews	This resource outlines the framework set out in the Child Death Review: Statutory and Operational Guidance in England and the statutory guidance in Working Together to Safeguard Children. The guidance sets out the key features of what a good child death review process should look like in order to standardise practice nationally and enable thematic learning to prevent future deaths.
Agency Roles and Responsibilities	This chapter has been updated throughout in line with Working Together to Safeguard Children.
Challenge & Escalation Policy	Local documents have been added: Challenge & Escalation Flowchart; Proforma for Raising Challenges.
Guidance for Safe Recruitment, Selection and Retention for Staff and Volunteers	Additional information has been added in to Section 4.17, Checks on Overseas Staff. In the Further Information section, a link has been added to Statutory Guidance: Disqualification under the Childcare Act 2006.
Local Contacts	A link has been added to the updated LADO Allegations Notification Form. E-mail addresses have been updated for: Emergency Duty Team (EDT); First Contact; LADO; Durham Safeguarding Children Partnership.

2018 Amendments

October 2018

CAPTION: October 2018

Updated Chapters
Chapter Title	Details
Responding to Abuse and Neglect	This chapter has been updated. A link has been added to Child Protection Evidence Resource (RCPCH).
Assessment	This chapter has been updated in line with Working Together to Safeguard Children.
Child Protection Enquiries - Section 47 Children Act 1989	This chapter has been updated in line with the revised Working to Safeguard Children.
Child Protection Conferences	This chapter has been reviewed and updated following the introduction of the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and Data Protection Act 2018.
Allegations Against Staff or Volunteers	The link has been updated to the Allegations Notification Form
Information Sharing	This chapter has been revised throughout in line with the revised versions of Working Together to Safeguard Children and Information Sharing: Advice for Practitioners Providing Safeguarding Services to Children, Young People, Parents and Carers.
Children from Abroad, including Victims of Modern Slavery, Trafficking and Exploitation	This chapter has been revised throughout to incorporate additional information relating to trafficking and modern slavery.
Children of Parents with Learning Disabilities	This chapter has been revised throughout in line with case-law and updated good practice guidance.
Pre-Birth	An updated Pre-Birth Flowchart has been added.
Self Harm and Suicidal Behaviour	Links in Section 6, Further Information have been added/updated.
Sexually Harmful Behaviour	This chapter has been updated. In Section 4, Further Information, a link has been added to statutory guidance: Keeping Children Safe in Education.
Surrogacy	A new Section 4, Further Information has been added.
Improving Child Protection and Safeguarding Practice	This chapter has been updated in line with the revised Working Together to Safeguard Children.
Multi-agency Safeguarding Arrangements	This chapter has been updated in line with the revised Working Together to Safeguard Children.
Local Contacts	A link has been added to the LADO Allegations Notification Form.
Removed Chapters
Modern Slavery; Trafficked Children; Learning and Improvement Framework; Serious Case Reviews; Local Safeguarding Children Board - Role and Function.

April 2018

CAPTION: April 2018

Updated Chapters
Chapter Title	Details
Responding to Abuse and Neglect	A link has been added to NSPCC Core Information leaflets.
Child Exploitation	The Further Information section has been updated. In Section 7, Supporting Children and Young People out of Child Exploitation, contact details have been updated to ERASE support workers who are part of the Edge of Care Service.
Children from Abroad	In Section 5, Issues, the statutory guidance has been updated to link to the DfE 2017 Care of Unaccompanied and Migrant Children and Child Victims of Modern Slavery Statutory Guidance For Local Authorities. The Modern Slavery Act 2015 is referenced in relation to age assessments.
Dangerous Dogs and Safeguarding Children	This chapter has been given a general refresh throughout.
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.
Honour Based Abuse, Forced Marriage and Female Genital Mutilation	In Section 9, Further Information, link has been added to the to DoH page on 'Safeguarding Women and Girls at Risk of FGM', which includes links to the guidance plus additional resources including a safeguarding pathway and risk assessment tools.
Modern Slavery	Links to statutory guidance have been updated.
Pre-Birth	A link has been added to local document Pre-Birth Flowchart.
Trafficked Children	In Section 2, Definition, the statutory guidance has been updated to link to the DfE 2017 Care of Unaccompanied and Migrant Children and Child Victims of Modern Slavery Statutory Guidance for Local Authorities. The Modern Slavery Act 2015 is referenced in relation to age assessments.
Agency Roles and Responsibilities	Additional information has been added in relation to the requirement for childcare settings to have a 'Deputy' Safeguarding Lead.
New Chapters and Features
Chapter Title	Details
Child Sexual Abuse in the Family Environment	This new chapter provides information on Risks and indicators, Protection and Action to be Taken, Learning from Serious Case Reviews and Points of Good Practice and sources of Further Information.
Managing Individuals who Pose a Risk to Children	The purpose of this chapter is to provide an overview of the processes/systems for dealing with adults/young people who are believed to constitute a risk to children.
Local Contacts	Local contact information has been added.

2017 Amendments

November 2017

CAPTION: November 2017

Updated Chapters
Chapter Title	Details
Child Protection Plans	Additional information has been added in to Section 3, The Lead Social Worker Role and Section 4, The Core Group, in line with local practice.
Organised and Complex Abuse	Additional information has been added in to Section 4, Protection and Action to be Taken: 'At the conclusion of the enquiry/investigation, the Strategic Management Group must evaluate the investigation, agree the flagging of agency records pertaining to those involved in the enquiry/investigation...'.
Child Exploitation	Section 1, Definition has been updated to take account of the change of definition in: Child Exploitation: Definition and Guide for Practitioners (DfE February 2017). In Further Information, a link has been added to Europol CSE page.
Children Affected by Gang Activity and Youth Violence	This chapter has been updated to include a link to the National Crime Agency report County Lines Gang Violence, Exploitation and Drug Supply (2016). Further text has been added to Section 1, Definition to define the use of 'county lines' by organised criminal groups.
Disabled Children	In Further Information, a link has been added to National Deaf Children's Society Social Care Advisory Service.
Domestic Abuse	In Further Information, a link has been added to Domestic Abuse: A Resource for Health Professionals (DoH, 2017).
Online safety: Children Exposed to Abuse through the Digital Media	This chapter has been updated and now includes information on the recently introduced 'outcome 21'. 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.
Honour Based Abuse, Forced Marriage and Female Genital Mutilation	This chapter has been updated with further detail to reflect relevant points from the 'Protocol on the handling of 'so-called' Honour Based 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 relevant guidance.
Neglect	In Further Information, a link has been added to Tackling Neglect Multi-Agency Neglect Strategy.
Safeguarding Children and Young People Against Radicalisation and Violent Extremism	In Further Information, a link has been added to NSPCC Supporting Young People worried about Terrorism.
Sexually Harmful Behaviour	In Further Information, a link has been added to Child Advocacy Centre Pilot Involvement of Child Psychologist.
Child Death Reviews	In Further Information, a link has been added to Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy and Childhood - Multi-agency Guidelines for Care and Investigation (Royal College of Pathologists, endorsed by The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health).
Agency Roles and Responsibilities	In Further Information, a link has been added to NHS Safeguarding app for Healthcare Professionals.
Conflict Resolution Policy	This chapter has been updated throughout in line with local practice.
New Chapters and Features
Chapter Title	Details
Dangerous Dogs and Safeguarding Children	The aim of this chapter is to assist practitioners to assess risk and take action to protect children from serious injuries which can be inflicted by dogs that are prohibited, dangerous or badly looked after by their owners.
Modern Slavery	This chapter sets out guidance on how to identify and respond to a child or young person where there are concerns that they are a victim or a potential victim of modern slavery.
Good Practice Supporting the Voice of the Child	This chapter sets out guidance on enabling children to feel respected, to have their views heard, to have stable relationships with practitioners built on trust and to have consistent support provided for their individual needs.
Surrogacy	This includes information on Legislation, Adoption and Private Fostering in Surrogacy Cases and Safeguarding Considerations.

April 2017

CAPTION: April 2017

Updated Chapters
Chapter Title	Details
Responding to Abuse and Neglect	Information has been added in relation to peer on peer abuse and historical abuse.
Child Protection Enquiries - Section 47 Children Act 1989	A link has been added to information on electronic and digital recording of meetings in the Child Protection Conferences procedure.
Child Protection Conferences	In Section 2, Looked After Children and Child Protection Conferences, the section on Dual Process Looked After Child Subject to a Child Protection Plan has been updated throughout. A new Section 3, Transfer in Conference and Section 12, Electronic and Digital Recording have been added.
Abuse Linked to Spiritual, Cultural and Religious Beliefs	Section 1, Definitions and Concerns and Section 4, Protection to be Taken have been amended to include information in relation to concerns relating to beliefs about the use of medical interventions or health treatment.
Bullying	Links have been added to DfE advice on Cyberbullying for Parents and Carers, Headteachers and School Staff.
Children Affected by Gang Activity and Youth Violence	Links have been updated to: Injunctions to Prevent Gang-Related Violence and Drug Dealing (Home Office) May 2016 Injunctions to Prevent Gang-Related Violence and Gang-Related Drug Dealing A Practitioners' Guide Revised Guidance May 2016.
Children Missing Education	Additional/updated links have been added into Further Information.
Child Visits and Contact Arrangements with Prisoners	This chapter has been given a general refresh throughout.
Domestic 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 7, Issues, in the paragraph about 'risk assessment tools and their use'.
Neglect	This chapter has been updated throughout in line with local practice.
Safeguarding Children and Young People Against Radicalisation and Violent Extremism	Section 5, Issues has been updated to include a link to the GOV.UK website to report online material promoting terrorism or extremism.
Sexually Harmful Behaviour	Additional information has been added regarding a continuum of sexual development as an aid to understanding sexual behaviour in children. Additional links to external guidance have also been added.
Trafficked Children	A link has been added to Modern Slavery: Duty to Notify (Home Office 2016) - factsheets and posters that explain what you need to do if you think someone has been a victim of modern slavery.
Underage Sexual Activity	A link has been added to Practice Guidance: Supporting Young People with HIV Testing and Prevention. This practice guidance is for professionals who do not provide HIV testing, treatment or advice as part of their day-to-day work. It is primarily intended for those working outside health settings, such as social workers or voluntary sector practitioners.
Serious Case Reviews	In Further Information, a link has been added to Serious Case Review Quality Markers - Supporting dialogue about the principles of good practice and how to achieve them.
Child Death Reviews	A link has been added to MBBRACE- UK: Mothers and Babies: Reducing Risk through Audits and Confidential Enquiries across the UK - the new national system which replaces the former CEMACH (Confidential Enquiry into Maternal and Child Health).
Agency Roles and Responsibilities	Information has been added in to Section 4, Specific Roles and Responsibilities of Agencies, in relation to designated safeguarding leads in early years settings, and dental care.
Whistleblowing or Raising Concerns at Work	In Further Information, links have been added to Whistleblowing for Employees (GOV.UK) and NSPCC Whistleblowing Advice Line.
New Chapters and Features
Chapter Title	Details
Concealed Pregnancies	This sets out guidance for a coordinated multi-agency approach.
Pre-Birth	This procedure sets out how to respond to concerns for unborn babies.
Throughout the Manual
Child Exploitation: Definition and Guide for Practitioners (DfE, February 2017)	Links have been updated to this revised statutory guidance.
Statutory Guidance on Children Who Run Away or Go Missing from Home or Care	The link has been updated.
NICE Guidelines - Postnatal Care up to 8 weeks After Birth	The link has been updated.
The International Child Abduction and Contact Unit (ICACU)	The link to the International Child Abduction and Contact Unit (ICACU) now includes information with regards to the ICACU request for co-operation form and guidance (GOV.UK). This form is to be used by local authority staff to ask the authorities in another country for information or assistance in a child protection case. The guidance should be read prior to completing the form.
DfE Change to E-mail Addresses	As part of updating its IT infrastructure the DfE are moving away from Government Secure Intranet (GSI) to cloud computing. Email address formats have been updated.