Using this Manual

1. Introduction

This manual is devised to provide you with a set of chapters which comply with Co-operating to Safeguard Children and Young People (August 2017). The content has been written in a succinct style which is intended to be accessible to a wide range of users from all the agencies that are partners with the SBNI and the third sector.

The manual has been organised with the Core Procedures in the most prominent place. These chapters explain the actions that must be taken when there are concerns about the welfare of a child/young person and follows a natural sequence from responding to abuse through to Child Protection Case Conference processes.

This manual replaces the ACPC Regional Child Protection Policy and Procedures that were issued in 2005. The ACPC Regional Policy and Procedures 2005 should therefore be stood down.

It is acknowledged that a number of the linked guidance documents make reference to the 2005 ACPC Regional Policies and Procedures. It is recognised that these need to be amended in light of these Regional Core Policy and Procedures and that organisations will need to review their own internal guidance documents to ensure that these align with the Regional Core Child Protection Policy and Procedures.

Please see Co-operating to Safeguard Children and Young People (August 2017), which is an important reference document.

Work will continue to take place between the SBNI and tri.x to edit and amend the content of this manual to ensure that it reflects local practices and arrangements (see Section 2, About this Manual).

2. About this Manual

Work has been undertaken to produce the Regional Core Policy and Procedures and further work is planned.

For further details, please contact SBNI.Info@hscni.net.

3. Amendments and the Next Update

This manual will be updated on a regular basis and a summary of the changes can be accessed via the 'Amendments' button on the Home page.

If you would like to suggest a change to the procedures manual discuss your suggestion with your line manager in the first instance.

Click here to view details of updates made to this manual.

4. Local Resources

This manual contains a Local Resources section which can be accessed via the navigation bar. This library is populated and maintained locally.

If there is a resource that you think should be added talk in the first instance to your manager.

5. Regulatory Compliance

Every effort has been taken to ensure regulatory compliance. If you discover any errors or omissions, please alert your manager.

6. Register for Updates

We recommend that you register with us to automatically receive notification when this manual is updated, and to receive a monthly newsletter containing articles which may be of interest. Click on the 'Register for Updates' button on the home screen, to complete and send your details to us.

We will manage your data respectfully and in accordance with your preferences and we will never share your data with other organisations for marketing or other purposes.

8. Copyright

The content of this website can be accessed, printed and downloaded in an unaltered form, on a temporary basis, for personal study or reference purposes. Content printed or downloaded may not be sold, licensed, transferred, copied or reproduced in whole or in part in any manner or in or on any media to any person without the prior written consent of tri.x and Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland (SBNI).

9. Accessibility

This website aims to achieve Double-A conformance to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines in accordance with government guidelines. In order to change font size or manual colour use the highlighted 'Accessibility' button at the top right hand corner of any page.

10. Printing and Retaining Copies

The manual is intended to be viewed on line to ensure only the most up-to-date version of procedures are being used. It will be updated regularly so, in the unlikely event there is a requirement for hard copies they should be destroyed after 72 hours.

11. Browser Recommendations

It is recommended that this manual is viewed with the latest browsers, with Java Script and cookies enabled for maximum compatibility and functionality.

Recommended browsers are:

• Internet Explorer 11 (Windows 7, 8 and 8.1);
• Microsoft Edge (Windows 10);
• Google Chrome;
• Mozilla Firefox;
• Apple Safari.

12. Mobile/Tablet Compatibility

This manual has been tested on a variety of mobile devices to ensure that it displays correctly. If you are using an older mobile device it is possible that the manual will not display correctly.

If you would like the text to be larger, resize the text under the accessibility options, alternatively if you would also like the buttons and the rest of the layout to be enlarged you can use the zoom function within your browser.