Amendments

CAPTION: June 2023

Updated Chapters
Chapter Name	Details
Child Abuse Linked to Faith or Belief	This chapter has been refreshed and additional information added in to Section 3, Indicators.
Safeguarding Children and Young People from Forced Marriage	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.
Information Sharing	Information has been added into Section 5, National Guidance in Information Sharing in relation to the Serious Violence Duty.
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 was 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 was added into Section 4.6, Scrutinising and Shortlisting in relation to online searches.
Allegations Against Staff, Carers and Volunteers	This chapter has been amended in line with revised Keeping Children Safe in Education. New Section 2, The Difference Between an Allegation of Harm and a Concern has been added.
Agency Roles and Responsibilities	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 5.9, 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.
New Chapters
Chapter Name	Details
Child Sexual Abuse in the Family Environment	This chapter has been added to the manual.
Transitional Safeguarding	This chapter has been added to the manual.

CAPTION: next update

Next Update: December 2023

February 2023

CAPTION: February 2023

Updated Chapters
Chapter Name	Details
Child Sexual 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.
Gang Activity and Serious Youth Violence	A link has been added to CPS Guidance on Victims of Modern Slavery, Human Trafficking and Smuggling. This guidance aims to identify victims of modern slavery, human trafficking and smuggling at an earlier point in criminal investigations.
Safeguarding Children of Drug Misusing Parents	A link has been added in Relevant Guidance to NICE Quality Standard QS 204 Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.
Children of Parents with Learning Disabilities	This chapter has been refreshed in line with current case law.
Allegations Against Staff, Carers and 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.
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 have also been added to the HMPP Child Safeguarding Policy.

June 2022

CAPTION: June 2022

Updated Chapters
Chapter Name	Details
Referring Safeguarding Concerns about Children	This chapter has been significantly updated to remove the use of the Worried About a Child form and update the process for referral. Please re-read the entire chapter.
Action Following Referral of Safeguarding Children Concerns	This procedure has been significantly amended and should be re-read throughout.
Children's Assessment Protocol	This chapter has been given a refresh in line with local guidance.
Early Help Guidance: Integrated Working With Children, Young People and Families With Vulnerable or Complex Needs	A link to the Early Help & Childrens Social Care Co-Working Framework has been added into Relevant Guidance. This chapter has also been updated in line with local guidance.
Initial Child Protection Conferences	This chapter has been updated in line with local guidance.
Child Protection Review Conferences	This chapter has been significantly updated and should be re-read throughout.
Achieving Best Evidence in Criminal Proceedings Guidance on interviewing victims and witnesses, and guidance on using special measures (Ministry of Justice)	This link has been updated throughout the manual.
Complaints and Appeals in Relation to Child Protection Conferences	Section 7, Appraisal of Child Protection Conference Chair Veto has been added.
Child Sexual Exploitation	This chapter has been amended to add the link to the Multi-Agency Child Exploitation (MACE) Meeting for Individual Children Procedure. See also: Child Criminal Exploitation; Multi-Agency Child Exploitation (MACE) Meeting for Individual Children. Please note there are additional resources and information in Section 10, Further Information.
Child Criminal Exploitation	This chapter has been amended to add the link to the Multi-Agency Child Exploitation (MACE) Meeting for Individual Children Procedure. See also: Child Sexual Exploitation; Multi-Agency Child Exploitation (MACE) Meeting for Individual Children. Please note there are additional resources and information in Section 7, Further Information.
Bullying	The definition of sexting has been expanded to include taking and distributing nude or semi-nude images.
Online Safety	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.
Radicalisation and Violent Extremism	A link to the Prevent Duty Self-assessment Tool has been added into Relevant Guidance.
Safeguarding Children of Alcohol Misusing Parents	Links have been added in the Relevant Guidance and Further Information section to Guidance: Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and Guidance: Parents with Alcohol and Drug Problems.
Safeguarding Children of Drug Misusing Parents	Links have been added in the Relevant Guidance section to Guidance: Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and Guidance: Parents with Alcohol and Drug Problems.
Bruising or injury in Non-Independently Mobile Babies and Children	The chapter has been updated throughout in line with local practice.
Allegations Against Staff, Carers and 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 about the differences between an allegation and a concern. See Section 1, Introduction and Criteria.
Removed Chapters
Guidance on how to Complete the Worried About a Child Form.

December 2021

CAPTION: December 2021

Updated Chapters
Chapter Name	Details
Child Sexual 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, June 2021). See Section 6, Peer on Peer Abuse. This Report, together with Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy (Gov.UK 2021), can be found in Section 10, Further Information. A link was been added in the Further Information section to Tackling Child Exploitation: Resources Pack (Local Government Association). A link has been also added in Further Information to the NSPCC Report Remove Tool. The tool enables young people under the age of 18 to report a nude image or video of themselves which has appeared online. The Internet Watch Foundation will review these reports and work to remove any content which breaks the law.
Child Criminal Exploitation	This chapter has been amended to add a link in Section 7, Further Information to Tackling Child Exploitation: Resources Pack (Local Government Association).
Bullying	This chapter has been amended to include information on sexual harassment and violence following the Review of Sexual Abuse in Schools and Colleges (Ofsted, June 2021) and Keeping Children Safe in Education (September 2021).
Online Safety	Links have been added in Further Information to: NSPCC Report Remove Tool The tool enables young people under the age of 18 to report a nude image or video of themselves which has appeared online. The Internet Watch Foundation will review these reports and work to remove any content which breaks the law. UK Council for Internet Safety (UKCIS) Digital Passport – a communication tool to support children and young people with care experience to talk with their carers about their online lives
Gang Activity and Serious Youth Violence	Information has been added on Knife Crime Prevention Orders.
Children of Parents with Learning Disabilities	Section 3, Indicators of Concern has been updated to include information in relation to pre-birth assessments and planning.
Bruising or injury in Non-Mobile Babies and Children	This chapter has been updated. The chapter has been updated throughout in line with local practice.
Children from Abroad, including Victims of Modern Slavery, Trafficking and Exploitation	This chapter has been refreshed throughout. Information has been added on piloting devolving decision making for child victims of modern slavery and on Independent Child Trafficking Guardians (ICTG). Links to Further Information have been added and updated, and a link added to the Independent Child Trafficking Guardians Referral Form. In areas where the ICTG service has been implemented, if the first responder considers a child to be a potential victim of modern slavery, they should refer them to the ICTG service by completing the online referral form.

June 2021

CAPTION: June 2021

Updated Chapters
Chapter Name	Details
Responding to Abuse and Neglect	The definition of safeguarding has been updated to reflect the latest amendments to Working Together to Safeguard Children. A note has also been added to the Early Help Section, highlighting that children with a parent or carer in custody may be benefit from Early Help provision.
Assessment	This procedure has been updated to reflect changes from the revised Working Together to Safeguard Children.
Child Sexual Exploitation	Section 5, Online Child Sexual Exploitation 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.
Online Safety	This chapter 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.
Safeguarding Children at Risk because of Domestic Abuse	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 intent to cause distress.
Safeguarding Girls and Young Women at Risk of Abuse through Female Genital Mutilation or Breast Ironing	This procedure has been reviewed and updated throughout to reflect revised FGM Statutory Guidance.
Visits to Psychiatric Wards and Facilities by Children	This guidance has been refreshed throughout and terminology updated as required. Additional information has been added into Section 3, Visiting Patients in the High Security Psychiatric Services: Ashworth, Broadmoor and Rampton, in line with the High Security Psychiatric Services (Arrangements for Safety and Security) Directions 2019 and associated Guidance.
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.
Information Sharing	This guidance has been reviewed and updated throughout to reflect amendments in the statutory guidance Working Together to Safeguard Children (DfE).
Guidance for Safe Recruitment, Selection and Retention for Staff and Volunteers	This guidance has been updated as a result of the UK’s exit from the European Union. Information has been added on how employers can now check that an individual has the right to work in the UK during the recruitment process.
New Chapters and Features
Chapter Name	Details
Visits to Prisons by Children	This chapter contains procedures and best practice guidance for safeguarding the welfare of children and young people who are visiting or having contact with adults or other young people who are in prison, focusing particularly on contact with persons identified as posing a risk to children.

December 2020

CAPTION: December 2020

Updated Chapters
Chapter Name	Details
Strategy Discussions/Meetings	A link has been added to Section 10, Strategy Discussion Checklist and Joint Investigation Guidance. The Checklist seeks to ensure that Strategy Discussions / Meetings are recorded and managed in a systematic way. The document should be used as a template to ensure that all key requirements of a strategy discussion are completed. Appendix 1 of the document contains guidance on the circumstances which may warrant a joint investigation between Children’s Social Care and South Yorkshire Police.
Child Sexual Exploitation	Useful local documents have been added into Section 10, Further Information including the Child Exploitation Pathway, Child Exploitation Risk Assessment and details of the weekly Child Exploitation Meetings.
Bullying	This guidance has been reviewed and updated throughout.
Care Pathway for Children & Young People Bereaved by Sudden Traumatic Death	This pathway which sets out how to support children and young people who are bereaved by sudden traumatic death has been reviewed and updated as required.
Management and Safeguarding Children Where there are Perplexing Presentations (including Fabricated and Induced Illness/ FII)	Section 1, Spectrum of Harm and Perplexing Presentations has been rewritten to explain the spectrum of harm involved in these cases, which can range from perplexing presentations and situations where parents can be supported to care for their children through to Fabricated and Induced Illness (FII) which can result in Significant Harm.
Children and Families who go Missing	Section 2, Agencies to be Notified, has been updated to set out the actions which will be taken by Health following notification to the Designated Nurse for NHS Rotherham ICB. After being notified that a child or family is missing, Health will place an alert on the child’s or mother’s health records for the 0-19 service, GP and midwifery services in the event that they access health services in another area.
Contact between Parents and their Children in Hospital where there are Safeguarding Concerns	This procedure has been updated to clarify practice around situations where contact between parents and children on hospital wards needs to be supervised; including action to take if the supervisor or member of staff in the hospital have any concerns in relation to the contact or the behaviour / actions of parents and carers.
Allegations Against Staff, Carers and Volunteers	This guidance has been reviewed and updated as required to reflect the most recent version of Working Together to Safeguard Children. A fourth bullet point has been added into Section 1, Introduction and Criteria 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
New Chapters and Features
Chapter Name	Details
Child Criminal Exploitation	This new guidance provides information on Child Criminal Exploitation including county lines. It explains who it is a risk from Criminal Exploitation and how practitioners can spot signs that children are being exploited. Guidance on how to respond is set out in Section 5, where links to the Rotherham CCE Pathway and Risk Assessment can be found along with other relevant local documentation.

June 2020

CAPTION: June 2020

Updated Chapters
Chapter Name	Details
Referring Safeguarding Concerns about Children	Amendments have been made in: Section 2, How to Make a Referral (to clarify the difference between contact and referral); Section 4, The Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) (the E-MARF has now become the Worried About a Child Form); and Section 16, What to Expect After a Referral has been Made to Children’s Social Care (feedback to referrers will now be either by telephone or in writing).
Guidance for the Worried About a Child Form	This chapter has been updated to reflect the change of terminology from MARF/E-MARF to Worried About a Child Form.
Assessment	This chapter has been updated in line with the new digital referral system for reporting potential victims of Modern Slavery.
Bullying	This chapter has been updated to reflect Keeping Children Safe in Education statutory guidance, and to 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.
Bruising in Non-Mobile Babies and Children	The chapter has been updated throughout in line with local practice. A link has been added to national guidance Child Protection Evidence: Systematic Review on Bruising (RCPCH - 2020) and to local Pathway for Identification of Suspected Birthmark.
South Yorkshire Missing from Home and Care Protocol 2020	An updated version of this local protocol has been added.
Children Missing from Education Policy	An updated version of this local guidance has been added.
Guidance for Safe Recruitment, Selection and Retention for Staff and Volunteers	This chapter has been given a general refresh.
Child Safeguarding Practice Reviews	A link has been added to a tri.x resource setting out the national arrangements. Local information to follow.
Child Death Reviews	An updated link has been added to local information.
Rotherham Multi-Agency Arrangements for Safeguarding Children	An updated link has been added to local information.
Throughout the Procedures	References to MARF/E-MARF/Multi Agency Referral Form, have been replaced with Worried About a Child Form.

December 2019

CAPTION: December 2019

Updated Chapters
Chapter Name	Details
Child Sexual Exploitation	This chapter has been significantly updated, therefore should be re-read in its entirety.
Safeguarding Children at Risk because of Domestic Abuse	A link to the refreshed HM Government Strategy for Ending Violence against Women and Girls Strategy 2016 - 2020 has been added.
Children Missing Education	This chapter has been significantly updated and should be re-read throughout.

June 2019

CAPTION: June 2019

Updated Chapters
Chapter Name	Details
Child Protection Enquiries - Section 47 Children Act 1989	This chapter has been updated to include more detail about Rotherham’s local procedures.
E-Safety: Safeguarding Children Exposed to Harm through the Digital Media	This guidance has been reviewed and refreshed as required. 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.
Information Sharing and Confidentiality	This chapter has been refreshed as required. A link has been added to the GOV.UK - Child sex offender disclosure scheme guidance.
Guidance for Safe Recruitment, Selection and Retention for Staff and Volunteers	This chapter has been amended as required. A link has also been added to the Disqualification under the Children Act 2006 in Section 9, Further Information.
Allegations Against Staff, Carers and Volunteers	This chapter has been revised to reflect updated guidance for organisations, agencies and individuals to ensure that their functions, and any services that they contract out to others, are carried out with regard to the need to safeguard and promote the welfare of children as set out in Chapter 2: Organisations Responsibilities in Working Together to Safeguard Children. It should be rewritten in its entirety.
Agency Roles and Responsibilities	This chapter has been updated.
New Chapters and Features
Chapter Name	Details
Responding to Abuse and Neglect	This chapter has been added to the manual.
Assessment	This chapter has been added to the manual.

December 2018

CAPTION: December 2018

Updated Chapters
Chapter Name	Details
Children of Parents with Learning Disabilities	This chapter has been extensively updated throughout and should be re-read.
Safeguarding Girls and Young Women at Risk of Abuse through Female Genital Mutilation	The FGM Referral Pathway Flowchart has been updated.
Children from Abroad (including Migrant Children and Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children)	This chapter has been extensively updated throughout and should be re-read.
Information Sharing and Confidentiality	This chapter has been extensively updated throughout and should be re-read.
Key and Local Contacts	These details have been updated.

June 2018

CAPTION: June 2018

Updated Chapters
Chapter Name	Details
Practice Guidance: Significant Harm - The Impact of Abuse and Neglect	A link has been added to NSPCC Core Information Leaflets on Aspects of Physical Child Abuse. This series of resources details aspects of physical child abuse and will be of use to a wide range of professionals in different disciplines who work with young people and their families.
Gang Activity, Youth Violence and Criminal Exploitation Affecting Children	This chapter has been updated to describe how organised criminal groups exploit young people and use them to distribute money and illegal drugs along ‘county lines’.
Safeguarding Girls and Young Women at Risk of Abuse through Female Genital Mutilation	A link has been added to Safeguarding women and girls at risk of FGM (Practical help to support NHS organisations developing new safeguarding policies and procedures for female genital mutilation (FGM))in the National Guidance section.
Children from Abroad (including Migrant Children and Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children)	Section 6, Establishing the Child's Identity and Age 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.
Information Sharing and Confidentiality	A note has been added with regards to the CP-IS project. The Child Protection - Information Sharing project (CP-IS) is helping health and social care staff to share information securely to better protect society's most vulnerable children.

December 2017

CAPTION: December 2017

Updated Chapters
Chapter Name	Details
Early Help Guidance: Integrated Working With Children, Young People and Families With Vulnerable or Complex Needs	This chapter has been updated.
Safeguarding Children and Young People from Sexual Exploitation	The Relevant Links and Research section has been revised and updated with a link to the Centre of expertise on Child Sexual Abuse – Key messages from research on child sexual exploitation. A further link has been added to Child sexual exploitation: Practice Tool (2017) (open access) - further background information about child sexual exploitation and additional commentary around some of the complexities of practically responding to the issue.
Safeguarding Children who are at Risk because of Communication Technology and Social 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. Guidance on social media (HCPC, 2017) and Guidance: Indecent images of children: guidance for young people (Home Office, July 2017) has also added in the Related Guidance section.
Supporting Children and Young People Vulnerable to Violent Extremism	A link to a Factsheet: Radicalisation and Extremism has been added to the Related Guidance section.
Supporting Children who are Bereaved	This chapter has been updated.
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.
Safeguarding Children at Risk because of Domestic Abuse	A link has been added to Domestic Abuse: A Resource for Health Professionals (DHSC, 2017) in the Related Guidance section. This resource aims to support continuing improvement in the response from health and care services and allied healthcare partners. It replaces the DHSC Handbook for health professionals (2005). It also replaces Domestic Violence: A Resource Manual for Health Care Professionals (2006) and Improving Safety, Reducing Harm: CYP and DV – a toolkit (2010).
Safeguarding Girls and Young Women at Risk of Abuse through Female Genital Mutilation	A link has bee ne added to Information to gather for a good referral: Female Genital Mutilation, National FGM Centre.
Safeguarding Children and Young People from Forced Marriage	This chapter has been updated to reflect relevant points from the ‘Protocol on the handling of ‘so-called’ Honour Based Violence/Abuse and Forced Marriage Offences between the National Police Chief’s Council and the Crown Prosecution’ (November 2016). Links have been added to Multi-Agency practice guidelines: Handling cases of forced marriage 2014 and to Apply for a forced marriage protection order (GOV.UK).
Safeguarding Children and Young People from Honour Based Violence	This chapter has been reviewed and further detail has been added in line with the ‘Protocol on the handling of ‘so-called’ Honour Based Violence/Abuse and Forced Marriage Offences between the National Police Chiefs’ Council and the Crown Prosecution Service’ (November 2016). Links have been added to Forced Marriage Guidance (Home Office)- information and practice guidelines for professional protecting, advising and supporting victims and to SafeLives Dash risk checklist for the identification of high risk cases of domestic abuse, stalking and ‘honour’-based violence.
Safeguarding Children and Young People who go Missing from Home and Care	This chapter has been updated including the addition of an updated version of the South Yorkshire Missing from Home and Care protocol 2017.
Safeguarding Children from Modern Slavery	A link has been added to Modern Slavery – Royal College of Nursing Guide for Nurses and Midwives - Multi-agency Guidelines for Care and Investigation (Royal College of Pathologists, endorsed by The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health). This is a revision of the 2004 report and encompasses the statutory duties of individual professionals and agencies to investigate all sudden and unexpected deaths in infancy and childhood with due thoroughness, care and compassion, according to Working Together to Safeguard Children: A Guide to Inter-agency Working to Safeguard and Promote the Welfare of Children (Department for Education, 2015) and best evidence. These guidelines have been produced with input from all professional groups involved in the investigation of sudden unexpected death in infancy and childhood, and are based on the best current international research.
Allegations Against Staff, Carers and Volunteers	This chapter has been significantly updated to reflect the new referral pathway via MASH and it should be read throughout.
Child Death Overview Panel Protocol	A link has been added to Sudden unexpected death in infancy and childhood, Multi-agency guidelines for care and investigation in the Relevant Information section.
Key and Local Contacts	These contact details have been updated.
New Chapters and Features
Chapter Name	Details
Supporting the Voice of the Child	Effective safeguarding systems must be child centred. This chapter deals with relevant legislation and highlights children and young peoples views.

June 2017

CAPTION: June 2017

Updated Chapters
Chapter Name	Details
Multi-Agency Threshold Descriptors	This document has been updated.
Referring Safeguarding Concerns about Children	This chapter has been updated including the addition of a new Section 15, Non-Recent / Historical Abuse.
Action Following Referral of Safeguarding Children Concerns	This procedure has been significantly amended and should be read throughout.
Early Help Guidance: Integrated Working With Children, Young People and Families With Vulnerable or Complex Needs	This chapter has been updated.
Safeguarding Children and Young People from Sexual Exploitation	This procedure has been significantly amended and should be read throughout.
Abuse by Children and Young People	This chapter has been extensively updated including the addition of a new section Related Guidance and Research.
Safeguarding Children who are at Risk because of Communication Technology and Social Media	A link has been added to 'A review of the research on children and young people who display harmful sexual behaviour online (HSB)' in the Related Guidance section.
Safeguarding Children at Risk because of Domestic Abuse	A link has been added to Royal College of Nursing – Domestic Abuse: Professional Resources in the Related Guidance section.
Safeguarding Children in Whom Illness is Fabricated or Induced	This procedure has been significantly amended and should be read throughout.
Children Missing from Education	A link has been added to the Education (Pupil Registration) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2016 in the Relevant Guidance and Legislation section.
Safeguarding Children Subject to Private Fostering Arrangements	This chapter has been significantly updated and should be re-read throughout. Private Fostering leaflets have also been added.
Safeguarding Children who may have been Trafficked from Abroad	A link has been added to the Modern Slavery: Duty to Notify (Home Office 2016) in the Additional Guidance section.
Persons who Pose a Risk to Children	An updated link has been added to Multi-agency public protection arrangements (MAPPA) (GOV.UK) Statutory Guidance in the Related Guidance section.
Allegations Against Staff, Carers and Volunteers	This procedure has been significantly amended and should be read throughout.
Key and Local Contacts	These contact details have been updated.
New Chapters and Features
Chapter Name	Details
Rotherham Multi-Agency Continuum of Need Guidance	This guidance has been added to the manual.
Bruising in Non-Mobile Babies and Children	This chapter deals with the definition, process including the medical examination.
Notification by Other Local Authorities of Looked After Children Placed in Rotherham	This chapter deals with the notification, process including change in circumstances or end of a placement.
Safeguarding Children from 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.
Safe Sleeping for Infants Guidance	This guidance is applicable to the multi-disciplinary workforce who have contact with the parents, carers and relatives of babies. It is to assist practitioners to discuss safe baby sleeping arrangements in order to support parents to make informed choices regarding safer sleep and raise awareness to factors associated with Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

December 2016

CAPTION: December 2016

Updated Chapters
Chapter Name	Details
Referring Safeguarding Concerns about Children	Section 6, When to Make a Referral, has been amended to reflect that a referral to MASH should be made when a non-mobile infant sustains any injury - the presence of any bruising, of any size, in any site should initiate a detailed examination and inquiry into its explanation, origin, characteristics and history or when a baby or child or young person is not meeting appropriate developmental milestones or they appear to have faltering growth.
Guidance for the Multi-Agency Referral Form (MARF)	This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read throughout.
Neglect	A link has been added to Rotherham’s Graded Care Profile in the Related Guidance section.
Early Help Guidance: Integrated Working With Children, Young People and Families With Vulnerable or Complex Needs	Section 4, Undertaking Assessments, has been updated to clarify when workers identify a child who is at risk of Significant Harm, this includes 16/17 year olds.
Safeguarding Children and Young People from Sexual Exploitation	A link has been added to It’s not on the Radar: The Hidden Diversity of Children and Young People at Risk of Sexual Exploitation in England - Barnardo’s Report 2016 (tri.x briefing).
Bullying	Section 1, Definition, has been updated with further information regarding cyberbullying. Links have also been added to Preventing and Tackling Bullying - Advice for Headteachers, Staff and Governing Bodies (Department for Education, 2014),Cyberbullying: Advice for Headteachers and School Staff (Department for Education, 2015) and Advice for parents and carers on cyberbullying (Department for Education, 2015).
Safeguarding Children who are at Risk because of Communication Technology and Social Media	A new Section 6, Legal Issues, has been added.
Supporting Children and Young People Vulnerable to Violent Extremism	A link to Educate Against Hate website and Appendix 1: PREVENT: Referral Pathway for Children and Young People (Rotherham) have been added.
Safeguarding Unborn and Newborn Babies	This chapter has been updated. In particular Section 12, Legal Gateway Planning Meeting (LGPM) and Public Law Outline Proceedings Panel (PLOPP), previously called Multi-Agency Support and Legal Gateway Panel (MASP). Appendix 2: Pathway for Discharge Planning for a Child in Hospital where there are Safeguarding Concerns has also been added.
Safeguarding Children at Risk because of Domestic Abuse	A link has been added to Ending Violence against Women and Girls Strategy 2016 – 2020 March 2016 in the Related Guidance section.
Spiritual, Cultural and Religious Beliefs	This chapter has been extensively updated and replaced the former chapter entitled Abuse Linked to Spiritual and Religious Beliefs.
Safeguarding Children and Young People who go Missing from Home and Care	A link has been added in the Related Information section to Missing Children: Who Cares? The police response to missing and absent children (HMIC, March 2016).
Safeguarding Children who may have been Trafficked from Abroad	A link has been added to the Modern Slavery Act 2015 – Home Office Circular in the Additional Guidance section.
Contact between Parents and their Children in Hospital where there are Safeguarding Concerns	A new Section 7, Discharge Planning Meetings, has been added.
Learning and Improvement Framework	Links have been added to Serious Case Review Quality Markers and Notification to the RSCP of Serious Safeguarding Incidents in the Related Guidance section.
Child Death Overview Panel Protocol	A link has been added to MBRRACE-UK (Mothers and babies: reducing risk through audits and confidential enquiries across the UK) website in the Relevant Information section.
Key and Local Contacts	These contact details have been updated.
New Chapters and Features
Chapter Name	Details
Supporting Children who are Bereaved	The Care Pathway has been added.
Children Affected by Gang Activity and Youth Violence	This chapter deals with the definition of gangs, possible indicators and action to be taken.
Safeguarding Children at Risk Due to Faltering Growth	This chapter deals with the recognition and assessment and when this becomes a safeguarding issue.
Discharge Planning from Hospital when there are Safeguarding Concerns about a Child	This chapter deals with when and when not to convene a meeting, membership and recording.
Whistleblowing or Raising Concerns at Work	This chapter deals with the legal requirements and what to do when it is reasonably believed by an employee that there is a wrongdoing or a cover-up by there organisation.
Notification to the RSCP of Serious Safeguarding Incidents	This protocol sets out the circumstances and process for notifying the Rotherham Safeguarding Children Partnership (RSCP) of a serious safeguarding incident relating to a child.

June 2016

CAPTION: June 2016

Updated Chapters
Chapter Name	Details
Referring Safeguarding Concerns about Children	Slight amendments have been made to this chapter including the addition of a new sub section Children Missing From Home or Care in Section 4, The Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub.
Action Following Referral of Safeguarding Children Concerns	Section 4, Immediate Action by MASH Social Worker has been updated with regards to all contacts and referrals received in relation to reports of children and young people missing from care or home will be reviewed by the CSE/Missing Coordinator. It also details the ensuing process.
Early Help Guidance: Integrated Working With Children, Young People and Families With Vulnerable or Complex Needs	This chapter has been significantly updated and should be re-read throughout.
Bullying	This chapter has been significantly updated and should be re-read throughout.
Supporting Children and Young People Vulnerable to Violent Extremism	This chapter has been significantly updated and should be re-read throughout.
Safeguarding Children at Risk because of Domestic Abuse	This chapter has been amended to include updated local contact information and legislative changes.
Safeguarding Girls and Young Women at Risk of Abuse through Female Genital Mutilation	This chapter has been extensively updated and should be read in full, especially the duty of mandatory reporting for health, education and social care professionals.
Safeguarding Children and Young People who go Missing from Home and Care - under review	There have been slight amendments to this chapter to clarify the Referral Pathway and Return Home Interview process.
Children and Families who go Missing	This chapter has been slightly updated to add a link to national guidance.
Children from Abroad (including Migrant Children and Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children)	This chapter has been slightly updated to add a link to national guidance.
Safer Recruitment and Employment	A link has been added to 'Guidance for Safer Working Practice for those who Working with Children and Young People in Education Settings' in the Related Guidance section.
Allegations Against Staff, Carers and Volunteers - under review	This chapter has been significantly updated to reflect the new referral pathway via MASH. It should be read throughout.
Child Death Overview Panel Protocol	Appendix 4: Child death reviews: forms for reporting child deaths (GOV.UK) has been added.
Key and Local Contacts	These contact details have been updated.
New Chapters and Features
Chapter Name	Details
Supporting Children and Young People who Self-Harm	These guidelines are a framework for use by all agencies in Rotherham who work with children and young people, in order to promote a safe, timely and effective response to children and young people who harm themselves or are at risk of harming themselves. The guidelines are intended for use with children and young people up to the age of 25 years and do not supersede safeguarding procedures.
Safeguarding Children and Young People with Suicidal Behaviour	These guidelines for universal workers on suicide prevention have been added.
Whistleblowing to Ofsted about children’s social care services: Policy and guidance for whistleblowers (January 2016)	This document outlines what Ofsted will do when it receives certain concerns about children’s social care services from a whistleblower.

March 2016

CAPTION: March 2016

Updated Chapters
Chapter Name	Details
Safeguarding Children and Young People who go Missing from Home and Care	The Referral Pathway and Return Home Interview process has been amended.

December 2015

CAPTION: December 2015

Updated Chapters
Chapter Name	Details
Referring Safeguarding Concerns about Children	This chapter has been significantly updated and should be re-read throughout.
Action Following Referral of Safeguarding Children Concerns	This chapter has bee extensively updated and replaced the previous chapter Children's Social Care or Police Action Following Referral.
Practice Guidance: Significant Harm - The Impact of Abuse and Neglect	This chapter has been significantly updated and should be re-read throughout.
Children's Assessment Protocol	This chapter has been slightly amended.
Child Protection Review Conferences	This chapter has been significantly updated and should be re-read throughout.
Safeguarding Children and Young People from Sexual Exploitation	This chapter has been slightly amended.
Safeguarding Disabled Children	This chapter has been slightly amended.
Safeguarding Unborn and Newborn Babies	This chapter has been significantly updated and should be re-read throughout.
Safeguarding Children at Risk because of Domestic Abuse	This chapter has been slightly amended.
Safeguarding Girls and Young Women at Risk of Abuse through Female Genital Mutilation	This chapter has been significantly updated and should be re-read throughout.
Runaway and Missing from Home and Care Protocol	Missing from Home or Care and Runaways – Multi-Agency Protocol has been added.
Children Living Away from Home (including Children and Families Living in Temporary Accommodation)	This chapter has been significantly updated and should be re-read throughout.
Safeguarding Children Subject to Private Fostering Arrangements	This chapter has been significantly updated and should be re-read throughout.
Safeguarding Children who may have been Trafficked from Abroad	This chapter has been significantly updated and should be re-read throughout.
Underlying Policy, Principles and Values	This chapter has been significantly updated and should be re-read throughout.
Information Sharing and Confidentiality	This chapter has been significantly updated and should be re-read throughout.
Practice Resolution Protocol: Resolving Professional Differences of Opinion in Multi-Agency Working with Children and their Families	Section 4, Challenging Practice Issues that Arise in Child Protection Conferences has been added.
Safer Recruitment and Employment	This chapter has been slightly amended.
Rotherham Safeguarding Children Partnership - Role and Function	This chapter has been updated with regards to Working Together to Safeguard Children.
Agency Roles and Responsibilities	This chapter has been significantly updated and should be re-read throughout.
Key and Local Contacts	These contact details have been updated.
NICE Guidance	This link has been updated.
New Chapters and Features
Chapter Name	Details
Guidance for the Multi-Agency Referral Form (MARF)	This guidance supports practitioners who are making a referral to Rotherham Children’s Social Care in relation to a child who requires additional support or who is at risk of significant harm.
Strategy Discussions/Meetings	This chapter has been added to the manual and should be read alongside: Practice Guidance: Achieving Best Evidence in Criminal Proceedings Guidance on interviewing victims and witnesses, and guidance on using special measures (March 2011) Section 47 Enquiries Procedure; Referring Safeguarding Concerns about Children Procedure; Action Following Referral of Safeguarding Concerns Procedure.
Section 47 Enquiries	Children Social Care social workers have a statutory duty to lead assessments under section 47 of the Children Act 1989. The police, health practitioners, teachers and other relevant practitioners should help the local authority in undertaking its enquiries.
Paediatric Assessment for Section 47 Enquiry (Child Protection Medical)	This chapter has been added to the manual and details when a paediatric assessment is necessary, consents and the process in general.
Initial Child Protection Conferences	This chapter has been added to the manual.
Implementation of a Child Protection Plan - Lead Social Worker and the Core Group Responsibilities	This chapter has been added to the manual.
Practice Guidance: 2013 Protocol and Good Practice Model Disclosure of information in cases of alleged child abuse and linked criminal and care directions hearings (October 2013)	This document describes good practice in interviewing victims and witnesses, and in preparing them to give their best evidence in court. While it is advisory and does not constitute a legally enforceable code of conduct, practitioners should bear in mind that significant departures from the good practice advocated in it may have to be justified in the courts.
Practice Guidance: Achieving Best Evidence in Criminal Proceedings Guidance on interviewing victims and witnesses, and guidance on using special measures (March 2011)	This guidance has been added to the manual.
Supporting Children and Young People Vulnerable to Violent Extremism	This procedure is consistent with current national legislation and statutory guidance. Multi-agency work is currently underway to agree the local Rotherham pathway in relation to referral, assessment, planning and intervention to safeguard children and young people at risk of radicalisation and violent extremism. This will include safeguarding processes and referral and intervention by CHANNEL. In the meantime, anyone who has a concern should contact the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub.
Concealment and Denial of Pregnancy	This chapter has been added to the manual.
Contact between Parents and their Children in Hospital where there are Safeguarding Concerns	This protocol provides outline guidance to all professionals on the need for effective communication, assessment and planning when it is identified that a parent or other adult may present a risk of harm whilst a child is admitted to hospital.
RSCP Learning and Development Prospectus	This prospectus has been added to the manual.
Multi-Agency Practice Review Group Terms of Reference	This guidance has been added to the manual.
Removed Chapters
Children's Social Care or Police Action Following Referral; Protocol for Joint Child Protection Enquiries / Investigations; The Child Protection Conference System; Children Who Require a Child Protection Plan; Implementation of the Child Protection Plan - Lead Social Worker and Core Group Responsibilities; Allegations of Harm Arising from Under Age Sexual Activity; Domestic Abuse/Violence; Runaway and Missing from Home and Care Protocol; Supporting Children and Young People Vulnerable to Violent Extremism; Multi-Agency Referral Form; Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) Framework for Professionals; Child Sexual Exploitation Screening Tool; Introduction to Rotherham Safeguarding Children Procedures Manual; Indicators of Abuse; Significant Harm: The Impact of Abuse and Neglect.

October 2015

CAPTION: October 2015

New Chapters and Features
Chapter Name	Details
Safeguarding Unborn and Newborn Babies	This chapter has been added to the Children in Specific Circumstances section of this manual.

September 2015

CAPTION: September 2015

New Chapters and Features
Chapter Name	Details
Key and Local Contacts	This contact details have been updated.

May 2015

CAPTION: May 2015

Updated Chapters
Chapter Name	Details
Children and Families who go Missing	A link has been added to information regarding the International Child Abduction and Contact Unit.
Children from Abroad (including Migrant Children and Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children)	This chapter has been updated in line with Care of Unaccompanied and Trafficked Children: Statutory Guidance for Local Authorities on the Care of Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking and Trafficked Children (2014).
Children of Alcohol Misusing Parents	A link has been added to NICE Postnatal Care Guidance in the Related Guidance section.
Children of Drug Misusing Parents	A link has been added to NICE Postnatal Care Guidance in the Related Guidance section.
Safeguarding Girls and Young Women at Risk of Abuse through Female Genital Mutilation	A link has been added to the Female Genital Mutilation Resource Pack to the Related Guidance section.
Safeguarding Children who may have been Trafficked from Abroad	A link has been added to the Care of Unaccompanied and Trafficked Children: Statutory Guidance for Local Authorities on the Care of Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking and Trafficked Children (2014).
Safer Recruitment and Employment	Section 1.2, Regulated Activity and Work with Children has been updated.
Procedure in Respect of Allegations Against Staff, Carers and Volunteers	This chapter has been updated in line with Working Together to Safeguard Children.
Managing People who Pose a Risk (PPR) to Children and Young People	This chapter has been updated with regards to the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.
Rotherham Child Death Review Process Including Dealing With Unexpected Child Deaths (Rapid Response)	A link has been added to ACPO – A Guide to Investigating Child Deaths in the Related Guidance section.
Learning and Improvement Framework	This chapter has been updated in line with Working Together to Safeguard Children and a link has been added to ACPO – A Guide to Investigating Child Deaths in the Related Guidance section.
Information Sharing and Confidentiality	This chapter has been significantly updated with regards to Working Together to Safeguard Children.
Statutory Framework	This chapter has been updated with regards to Working Together to Safeguard Children.
Agency Roles and Responsibilities	This chapter has been updated with regards to Working Together to Safeguard Children
New Chapters and Features
Chapter Name	Details
Neglect	This chapter looks at the risks and indicators including the action that may need to be taken.
Runaway and Missing from Home and Care Protocol	The guidance provides the agreed protocol between Rotherham, the local police and other partners when dealing with children who run away or go missing.
Contact between Parents and their Children in Hospital where there are Safeguarding Concerns	This protocol provides outline guidance to all professionals on the need for effective communication, assessment and planning when it is identified that a parent or other adult may present a risk of harm whilst a child is admitted to hospital.
Working with Interpreters and Others with Special Communication Skills	This chapters deals establishing the communications needs of children and young people and the resources including interpreters needed when there are concerns that the child has suffered or is likely to suffer abuse and neglect.
Raising Concerns at Work: Whistleblowing Guidance for Workers and Employers in Health and Social Care (2014)	This guidance aims to support employers and employees to improve the process of raising concerns.
Appeals in Relation to Child Protection Conferences	This procedure relates to the rights of parents/carers and children (if of sufficient age and understanding) to appeal the decision of a Child Protection Conference (CPC).
Removed Chapters
Multi-Agency Threshold Descriptors - Short Version; Child Sexual Exploitation: Supplementary Multi-Agency Threshold Descriptors; Comments and Complaints about the Operation of these Procedures.

Amendments

June 2023

Archive

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November 2014