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Safeguarding procedures for trainees 2024

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Safeguarding procedures for trainees 2024

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Find out more

Overview

Government guidance across the UK highlights the importance of safeguarding pupils from harmful and inappropriate online material (Department for Education, 2018; Department of Education (Northern Ireland), 2017; Scottish Government, 2017; Welsh Government, 2015). This includes material accessed through devices such as computers, laptops, tablets and mobile phones, as well as platforms such as social media and online games.

In England, the Department for Education (DfE) has published non-statutory guidance on teaching online safety in school (PDF). (DfE, 2019)

A whole school approach to e-safety helps ensure staff, governors and parents are able to teach children about staying safe when using internet technologies. It also helps make sure pupils themselves know how to behave responsibly online.

Our information and resources can help you:

make sure your staff and volunteers are confident in online safety, identifying and responding to concerns

teach children and young people the skills to stay safe online

share helpful advice and resources with parents and carers

develop robust e-safety policies and procedures, IT infrastructure and support

regularly review and improve your e-safety provision.

> See also our advice for professionals on sexting

Staff training

Staff training

Digital technology is continually changing so it's important that schools stay up-to-date with new developments.

All school staff and volunteers should complete annual training to make sure they know how to recognise and respond to online risks.

Keeping Children Safe Online elearning course

Developed in association with CEOP, the child protection unit of the National Crime Agency, our Keeping children safe online elearning course will give anyone working with children the knowledge and skills to understand how children use the internet and how to respond to risks they may face online.

The introductory course costs £30 and multiple licences are available for schools and colleges.
> Take our online training course Keeping children safe online

Resources

Resources

Teaching staff play a pivotal role in helping children and young people understand the online world, recognise risks and stay safe online.

Embedding key messages about online safety throughout the curriculum can ensure pupils of all ages know how to protect themselves and others online.

Teaching resources

We've developed a range of teaching resources to help teachers deliver online safety messages in an engaging and age appropriate way.

Our Share Aware lesson plans and teaching guidance can be used with children aged 5-11 to discuss topics such as sharing pictures and chatting to strangers online. The resources have received the PSHE Association Quality Assurance Mark.

We worked with the Anti-Bullying Alliance and Diana Award to develop a school pack about online bullying for pupils aged 11-16. The pack contains activities and resources which can be adapted for use in a lesson, assembly or with a school council. They focus on what children and young people can do if they witness cyberbullying.

Our Making sense of relationships lesson plans were developed in partnership with the PSHE Association. These focus on personal safety and healthy relationships and include topics such as online safety and online friendships.

It's Not OK is a set of lesson plans, films and accompanying activities for pupils aged 11 and over. These reinforce the importance of building and maintaining positive relationships and help young people recognise and respond to inappropriate behaviour. They cover topics such as online safety, grooming and sexting.

Safeguarding resources

> Take our online training course Keeping children safe online

Childline

If a child or young person needs confidential help and advice direct them to Childline. Calls to 0800 1111 are free and children can also contact Childline online or read about online and mobile safety on the Childline website. You can also download or order Childline posters and wallet cards.

Policies and procedures

Policies and procedures

All schools and colleges should have policies and procedures for how to safeguard against and respond to an online safety incident.

We have produced a range of guides and example documents you can use to develop policies and procedures in three key areas. These are part of our free Education Self-Assessment Tool (ESAT) which helps designated safeguarding leads in schools in England assess how well they are meeting statutory and recommended safeguarding practices.

> Go to our Education Self-Assessment Tool (ESAT)

Although these resources are based on the legislation and guidance in England, the principles of best practice may still be helpful for schools in other nations.

E-safety or online safety policy
> Download What to include in an e-safety policy for schools (PDF) > Download E-safety practice briefing for schools (PDF)
Acceptable use policy

Download our sample policy for the acceptable use of the internet, emails and computers for:

How to respond to an e-safety incident
> Download What to do if a pupil or a teacher reports an e-safety incident (PDF) > Download Sample e-safety incident report form (PDF)
> Find out more about responding to sexting

Ongoing monitoring and evaluation

The online world is always changing so make sure you keep up-to-date with developments and regularly review and update your policies, systems and procedures.

It's a good idea to involve pupils in developing and reviewing your policies and procedures. You should share updated policies with all staff, volunteers, pupils and parents, highlighting what has changed.

Our online training course, Keeping children safe online, includes resources to help you assess and improve your school's approach to online safety.

> Take our online training course Keeping children safe online

Policies and procedures need to be reviewed and updated regularly. It is a good idea to involve pupils in the development and review of policies and procedures. You should also share updated policies with all staff, pupils and parents, highlighting what has changed.

Supporting parents

Supporting parents

Schools should help parents or carers learn about online safety as part of the whole school approach. We know from our research with parents that they want to learn more about online safety and would welcome information from their child's school.

There are many ways to involve parents or carers. You could:

organise sessions where pupils teach parents or carers

share resources with parents through newsletters or handouts

show parents the learning resources you use in the classroom

circulate your e-safety policies.

Parent workshops with O2

We deliver online safety parent workshops, in partnership with O2, to primary schools across the UK.

If your primary school is part of the Speak out Stay safe programme you can book a session for us to come to your school and deliver an hour-long session to help parents and carers keep their family safe online.

You just need to provide a room and ensure 20 parents attend the session.

Email schools@nspcc.org.uk for more information.
> Find out more about the NSPCC and O2 partnership on the NSPCC website
Share our information and briefings

We've developed a range of online safety information and advice which you can share with the parents and carers at your school.
> See our online safety advice for parents on the NSPCC website
We also have a series of online safety briefings for parents which you can print off and hand out or download and send via email:

Sexting (PDF) summarises the key information from our sexting webpage on what sexting is, what the risks are and what parents can do to protect their children.

How to keep your child safe online (PDF) sets out 4 TEAM steps parents can take to keep their children safe online: Talk, Explore, Agree, Manage.

Net Aware - a guide to social networks

Net Aware reviews around 40 of the most popular social networking sites, apps and games used by children and young people. It also gives the views of parents and children.

Net Aware is a great resource to share with parents and carers who want to know about:

suitable ages

privacy settings

appropriate content

safety and support settings

and keep-up-to-date through our newsletter.

> Go to Net Aware

IT systems and data protection

IT systems and data protection

Schools should have good IT infrastructure and information management practices. Make sure your school:

uses a recognised internet service provider.

actively monitors and filters content

manages personal data in accordance with the Data Protection Act (2018)

> Visit the Information Commissioner's website for advice on data protection

References

References

Department for Education (DfE) (2018) Keeping children safe in education: statutory guidance for schools and colleges. London: Department for Education (DfE).

Department for Education (DfE) (2019) Teaching online safety in school: guidance supporting schools to teach their pupils how to stay safe online, within new and existing school subjects (PDF) [London]: Department for Education (DfE).

Department of Education (2017) Safeguarding and child protection in schools: a guide for schools. Bangor: Department of Education.

Scottish Government (2017) Internet safety for children and young people: national action plan. Edinburgh: Scottish Government

Welsh Government (2015) Keeping learners safe: the role of local authorities, governing bodies and proprietors of independent schools under the Education Act 2002. Cardiff: Welsh Government.

Elearning

We've developed a range of online and face-to-face safeguarding training for schools, covering topics including safer recruitment, managing sexualised behaviour and child protection for school staff, safeguarding leads and governors.

> Browse our training for schools

Further reading

For further reading about e- safety, search the NSPCC library catalogue using the keywords "online safety" and "schools".

If you need more specific information, please contact our Information Service.

Overview

Government guidance across the UK highlights the importance of safeguarding pupils from harmful and inappropriate online material (Department for Education, 2018; Department of Education (Northern Ireland), 2017; Scottish Government, 2017; Welsh Government, 2015). This includes material accessed through devices such as computers, laptops, tablets and mobile phones, as well as platforms such as social media and online games.

In England, the Department for Education (DfE) has published non-statutory guidance on teaching online safety in school (PDF). (DfE, 2019)

A whole school approach to e-safety helps ensure staff, governors and parents are able to teach children about staying safe when using internet technologies. It also helps make sure pupils themselves know how to behave responsibly online.

Our information and resources can help you:

make sure your staff and volunteers are confident in online safety, identifying and responding to concerns

teach children and young people the skills to stay safe online

share helpful advice and resources with parents and carers

develop robust e-safety policies and procedures, IT infrastructure and support

regularly review and improve your e-safety provision.

> See also our advice for professionals on sexting

Staff training

Staff training

Digital technology is continually changing so it's important that schools stay up-to-date with new developments.

All school staff and volunteers should complete annual training to make sure they know how to recognise and respond to online risks.

Keeping Children Safe Online elearning course

Developed in association with CEOP, the child protection unit of the National Crime Agency, our Keeping children safe online elearning course will give anyone working with children the knowledge and skills to understand how children use the internet and how to respond to risks they may face online.

The introductory course costs £30 and multiple licences are available for schools and colleges.
> Take our online training course Keeping children safe online

Resources

Resources

Teaching staff play a pivotal role in helping children and young people understand the online world, recognise risks and stay safe online.

Embedding key messages about online safety throughout the curriculum can ensure pupils of all ages know how to protect themselves and others online.

Teaching resources

We've developed a range of teaching resources to help teachers deliver online safety messages in an engaging and age appropriate way.

Our Share Aware lesson plans and teaching guidance can be used with children aged 5-11 to discuss topics such as sharing pictures and chatting to strangers online. The resources have received the PSHE Association Quality Assurance Mark.

We worked with the Anti-Bullying Alliance and Diana Award to develop a school pack about online bullying for pupils aged 11-16. The pack contains activities and resources which can be adapted for use in a lesson, assembly or with a school council. They focus on what children and young people can do if they witness cyberbullying.

Our Making sense of relationships lesson plans were developed in partnership with the PSHE Association. These focus on personal safety and healthy relationships and include topics such as online safety and online friendships.

It's Not OK is a set of lesson plans, films and accompanying activities for pupils aged 11 and over. These reinforce the importance of building and maintaining positive relationships and help young people recognise and respond to inappropriate behaviour. They cover topics such as online safety, grooming and sexting.

Safeguarding resources

> Take our online training course Keeping children safe online

Childline

If a child or young person needs confidential help and advice direct them to Childline. Calls to 0800 1111 are free and children can also contact Childline online or read about online and mobile safety on the Childline website. You can also download or order Childline posters and wallet cards.

Policies and procedures

Policies and procedures

All schools and colleges should have policies and procedures for how to safeguard against and respond to an online safety incident.

We have produced a range of guides and example documents you can use to develop policies and procedures in three key areas. These are part of our free Education Self-Assessment Tool (ESAT) which helps designated safeguarding leads in schools in England assess how well they are meeting statutory and recommended safeguarding practices.

> Go to our Education Self-Assessment Tool (ESAT)

Although these resources are based on the legislation and guidance in England, the principles of best practice may still be helpful for schools in other nations.

E-safety or online safety policy
> Download What to include in an e-safety policy for schools (PDF) > Download E-safety practice briefing for schools (PDF)
Acceptable use policy

Download our sample policy for the acceptable use of the internet, emails and computers for:

How to respond to an e-safety incident
> Download What to do if a pupil or a teacher reports an e-safety incident (PDF) > Download Sample e-safety incident report form (PDF)
> Find out more about responding to sexting

Ongoing monitoring and evaluation

The online world is always changing so make sure you keep up-to-date with developments and regularly review and update your policies, systems and procedures.

It's a good idea to involve pupils in developing and reviewing your policies and procedures. You should share updated policies with all staff, volunteers, pupils and parents, highlighting what has changed.

Our online training course, Keeping children safe online, includes resources to help you assess and improve your school's approach to online safety.

> Take our online training course Keeping children safe online

Policies and procedures need to be reviewed and updated regularly. It is a good idea to involve pupils in the development and review of policies and procedures. You should also share updated policies with all staff, pupils and parents, highlighting what has changed.

Supporting parents

Supporting parents

Schools should help parents or carers learn about online safety as part of the whole school approach. We know from our research with parents that they want to learn more about online safety and would welcome information from their child's school.

There are many ways to involve parents or carers. You could:

organise sessions where pupils teach parents or carers

share resources with parents through newsletters or handouts

show parents the learning resources you use in the classroom

circulate your e-safety policies.

Parent workshops with O2

We deliver online safety parent workshops, in partnership with O2, to primary schools across the UK.

If your primary school is part of the Speak out Stay safe programme you can book a session for us to come to your school and deliver an hour-long session to help parents and carers keep their family safe online.

You just need to provide a room and ensure 20 parents attend the session.

Email schools@nspcc.org.uk for more information.
> Find out more about the NSPCC and O2 partnership on the NSPCC website
Share our information and briefings

We've developed a range of online safety information and advice which you can share with the parents and carers at your school.
> See our online safety advice for parents on the NSPCC website
We also have a series of online safety briefings for parents which you can print off and hand out or download and send via email:

Sexting (PDF) summarises the key information from our sexting webpage on what sexting is, what the risks are and what parents can do to protect their children.

How to keep your child safe online (PDF) sets out 4 TEAM steps parents can take to keep their children safe online: Talk, Explore, Agree, Manage.

Net Aware - a guide to social networks

Net Aware reviews around 40 of the most popular social networking sites, apps and games used by children and young people. It also gives the views of parents and children.

Net Aware is a great resource to share with parents and carers who want to know about:

suitable ages

privacy settings

appropriate content

safety and support settings

and keep-up-to-date through our newsletter.

> Go to Net Aware

IT systems and data protection

IT systems and data protection

Schools should have good IT infrastructure and information management practices. Make sure your school:

uses a recognised internet service provider.

actively monitors and filters content

manages personal data in accordance with the Data Protection Act (2018)

> Visit the Information Commissioner's website for advice on data protection

References

References

Department for Education (DfE) (2018) Keeping children safe in education: statutory guidance for schools and colleges. London: Department for Education (DfE).

Department for Education (DfE) (2019) Teaching online safety in school: guidance supporting schools to teach their pupils how to stay safe online, within new and existing school subjects (PDF) [London]: Department for Education (DfE).

Department of Education (2017) Safeguarding and child protection in schools: a guide for schools. Bangor: Department of Education.

Scottish Government (2017) Internet safety for children and young people: national action plan. Edinburgh: Scottish Government

Welsh Government (2015) Keeping learners safe: the role of local authorities, governing bodies and proprietors of independent schools under the Education Act 2002. Cardiff: Welsh Government.

Elearning

We've developed a range of online and face-to-face safeguarding training for schools, covering topics including safer recruitment, managing sexualised behaviour and child protection for school staff, safeguarding leads and governors.

> Browse our training for schools

Further reading

For further reading about e- safety, search the NSPCC library catalogue using the keywords "online safety" and "schools".

If you need more specific information, please contact our Information Service.

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We use cookies to give you the best possible experience on our site. By continuing to use the site you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more Overview Government guidance across the UK highlights the importance of safeguarding pupils from harmful and inappropriate online material (Department for Education, 2018; Department of Education (Northern Ireland), 2017; Scottish Government, 2017; Welsh Government, 2015).

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Safeguarding resources for trainees | Teacher training | Edge Hill

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The Prevent duty: the role of education in safeguarding learners from radicalisation

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Safeguarding of Children, Young People and Adults at Risk
This webpage is designed to be the one place where all information relating to safeguarding at Edge Hill is linked to. Although information is held in various places on the website and the university wiki, there should be a link to it here.

If you are aware of any other information being held in other locations please contact Ellie Walsh.

'Living a life that is free from harm and abuse is a fundamental right of every person.'
'Safeguarding is a continuum of responses for both promoting welfare and protecting from harm.'
Social Care Institute for Excellence

Working in partnership across a range of organisations, Edge Hill University's aim is to promote the highest standards in relation to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults.

Edge Hill Safeguarding Policy
What is my role?
It is everyone's responsibility to safeguard and protect children and young people. Report any concerns to your Designated Safeguarding Officer

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Safeguarding of Children, Young People and Adults at Risk This webpage is designed to be the one place where all information relating to safeguarding at Edge Hill is linked to. Although information is held in various places on the website and the university wiki, there should be a link to it here.

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Detail

This policy and associated procedures covers all the information relating to Safeguarding and outlines the principles and approach accepted by the University.

Attachments

Policy on the Safeguarding of children, young people, and adults at risk.

Policy on the Safeguarding of children, young people, and adults at risk. (Accessible document).

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Safeguarding Policy - Edge Hill University

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This policy and associated procedures covers all the information relating to Safeguarding and outlines the principles and approach accepted by the University.

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Safeguarding and child protection in schools | NSPCC Learning

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Resources and support for schools - helping to make sure the school environment is safe for every child.

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safeguarding schools teaching union - Google Search

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May 11, 2023 — NEA is encouraging member advocacy at the state and local level to ensure that successful teachers have the freedom to switch jobs and retain their contract…

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Prevent duty guidance: England and Wales (2023)

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Prevent duty guidance for specified authorities in England and Wales.

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Domestic abuse is defined by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) as:

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The Prevent duty: the role of education in safeguarding learners from radicalisation

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The Prevent duty: the role of education in safeguarding learners from radicalisation

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The Prevent duty: the role of education in safeguarding learners from radicalisation

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Sexting: advice for professionals | NSPCC Learning

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Advice about the dangers of sexting and what to do to help a young person who has received or sent an explicit image, video or message.

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Meeting digital and technology standards in schools and colleges

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Meeting digital and technology standards in schools and colleges

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Cyber security standards for schools and colleges

The cyber security standards have been updated to address tasks that should be completed by both the senior leadership team (SLT) and IT support. Cyber security is not something that IT teams can carry out alone, it is a shared responsibility between multiple roles and teams.

The new cyber security standards contain the same key information that the previous cyber security standards held, but the format of this has changed to make them more accessible to staff without cyber expertise.

The previous cyber security standards have been mapped to the new ones below, so that you can see where the previous information now lies.

1. 'Conduct a cyber risk assessment annually and review every term'. This new standard addresses:

- elements of the previous standard titled 'Your business continuity and disaster recovery plan should include a regularly tested contingency plan in response to a cyber attack'
- the importance of risk assessments; helping users understand where they are now and where they need to go next to improve their cyber security

2. 'Create and implement a cyber awareness plan for students and staff'. This standard addresses:

- the previous standard titled 'Train all staff with access to school IT networks in the basics of cyber security'
- the importance of students and staff understanding the risk of cyber security as your first line of defence against cyber incidents and attacks - this includes both training students and staff, as well as developing and implementing an acceptable use policy

3. 'Secure digital technology and data with anti-malware and a firewall'. This standard addresses the previous standards titled:

- 'Protect all devices on every network with a properly configured boundary or software firewall'
- 'Network devices should be known and recorded with their security features enabled, correctly configured and kept up-to-date '
- 'You should use anti-malware software to protect all devices in the network, including cloud-based networks'
- 'An administrator should check the security of all applications downloaded onto a network'

4. 'Control and secure user accounts and access privileges'. This new standard addresses the previous standards titled:

- 'Accounts should only have the access they require to perform their role and should be authenticated to access data and service'
- 'You should protect accounts with access to personal or sensitive operational data and functions by multi-factor authentication'

This standard covers password security, multi-factor authentication and account management.

5. 'License digital technology and keep it up to date'. This new standard addresses the previous standard titled:

- 'All devices and software must be licensed for use and should be patched with the latest security updates'

6. 'Develop and implement a plan to backup your data and review this every year'. This new standard addresses:

- the previous standard titled 'You should have at least 3 backup copies of important data, on at least 2 separate devices, at least 1 must be offsite'
- the need to analyse what your current backup plan looks like
- the need to plan and action how to backup and restore your data

7. 'Report cyber attacks'. This new standard addresses:

-  the previous standard titled 'Serious cyber attacks should be reported'
- reporting a cyber attack both internally within your school or college and to external bodies

In addition to the above changes, the DfE have also removed the below standards and have explained why.

'Your business continuity and disaster recovery plan should include a regularly tested contingency plan in response to a cyber attack'.

- This has been removed as it is now addressed in the DfE's new digital leadership and governance standards under the title 'Include digital technology within disaster recovery and business continuity plans'. It is also referenced throughout the new standards.

'You must conduct a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) by statute for personal data you hold as required by General Data Protection Regulation'. This has been removed because:

- this is included in the existing 'servers and storage' and 'cloud solution' standards
- DPIA is now mentioned throughout the new cyber security standards

'Network devices should be known and recorded with their security enabled, correctly configured and kept up-to-date'.

- The important content from this is now within the relevant sections in the new standards.

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Updates - Meeting digital and technology standards in schools and colleges - Guidance - GOV.UK

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List of updates to 'Meeting digital and technology standards in schools and colleges - Guidance'.

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Protecting children from bullying and cyberbullying

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Protecting children from bullying and cyberbullying

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Protecting children from bullying and cyberbullying

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Describes what bullying and cyberbullying is, how it affects children and how people working with children can prevent and respond to it.

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Sharing nudes and semi-nudes: how to respond to an incident

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Sharing nudes and semi-nudes: how to respond to an incident

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This page provides a brief overview for frontline staff of how to respond to incidents where nudes and semi-nudes have been shared.

All such incidents should be immediately reported to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) or equivalent and managed in line with your setting's child protection policies.

What do we mean by sharing nudes and semi-nudes?

In the latest advice for schools and colleges ( UKCIS, 2020), this is defined as the sending or posting of nude or semi-nude images, videos or live streams online by young people under the age of 18. This could be via social media, gaming platforms, chat apps or forums. It could also involve sharing between devices via services like Apple's AirDrop which works offline. Alternative terms used by children and young people may include 'dick pics' or 'pics'.

The motivations for taking and sharing nude and semi-nude images, videos and live streams are not always sexually or criminally motivated.

This advice does not apply to adults sharing nudes or semi-nudes of under 18-year olds. This is a form of child sexual abuse and must be referred to the police as a matter of urgency.

What to do if an incident comes to your attention
Report it to your Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) or equivalent immediately. Your setting's child protection policy should outline codes of practice to be followed.

Never view, copy, print, share, store or save the imagery yourself, or ask a child to share or download - this is illegal.

If you have already viewed the imagery by accident (e.g. if a young person has showed it to you before you could ask them not to), report this to the DSL (or equivalent) and seek support.

Do not delete the imagery or ask the young person to delete it.

Do not ask the child/children or young person(s) who are involved in the incident to disclose information regarding the imagery. This is the responsibility of the DSL (or equivalent).

Do not share information about the incident with other members of staff, the young person(s) it involves or their, or other, parents and/or carers.

Do not say or do anything to blame or shame any young people involved.

Do explain to them that you need to report it and reassure them that they will receive support and help from the DSL (or equivalent).

For further information

Download the full guidance, Sharing nudes and semi-nudes: advice for education settings working with children and young people ( UKCIS, 2020)

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Sharing nudes and semi-nudes: how to respond to an incident (overview)

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Faculty of Education (FoE) Safeguarding Guidance for Trainee Teachers and Students - Edge Hill University

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If you have any questions about the courses we offer, accommodation, finance, or the University in general, please enter your details below and submit using the ‘Start chatting’ button.

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Child Vulnerable Adult Criminal Exploitation

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Child Vulnerable Adult Criminal Exploitation

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Child/Vulnerable Adult Criminal Exploitation 

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Child/Vulnerable Adult Criminal Exploitation 

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This interactive three-part course will take 90 minutes to complete and includes downloadable resources for you to use in your classroom. At the end of the course, you will be asked to complete a personal action plan outlining how you will put your learning into practice.

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This interactive three-part course will take 90 minutes to complete and includes downloadable resources for you to use in your classroom. At the end of the course, you will be asked to complete a personal action plan outlining how you will put your learning into practice.

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How schools and colleges in England should deal with low-level concerns regarding the behaviour of teachers, other staff, volunteers and contractors

The statutory Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) guidance includes a specific section on concerns that do not meet the harms threshold. These are termed 'low-level concerns'.

The guidance sets out how schools and colleges in England should deal with low-level concerns with regard to the behaviour of teachers, other staff, volunteers and contractors.

KCSIE also identifies the importance of schools and colleges having appropriate policies and processes in place to manage and record any such concerns and take appropriate action to safeguard children.

The full KCSIE guidance can be accessed on the DfE's Safeguarding Pupils web pages.

What is a low-level concern?

KCSIE sets out that a low-level concern is any concern that an adult working in or on behalf of the school or college may have acted in a way that:

is inconsistent with the staff code of conduct, including inappropriate conduct outside of work;

does not meet the harm threshold or is otherwise not serious enough to consider a referral to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO).

Examples given in KCSIE include:

being over friendly with children;

having favourites;

taking photographs of children on their mobile phone, contrary to school policy;

engaging with a child on a one-to-one basis in a secluded area or behind a closed door;

humiliating children.

The guidance states that low-level concerns can be raised in several ways and from differing sources, for example suspicion, complaint or disclosure made by a child, parent or other adult. They may also be raised as a result of vetting checks.

The importance of dealing with low-level concerns

KCSIE sets out the importance of all low-level concerns being shared responsibly with the right person, recorded and dealt with appropriately.

The Government's view, as expressed in KCSIE, is that creating a culture in which all concerns about adults are dealt with appropriately should enable schools and colleges to identify inappropriate, problematic or concerning behaviour early.

The guidance states that this minimises the risk of abuse and ensures that adults working in or on behalf of the school or college are clear about professional boundaries and act within these.

Furthermore, KCSIE states that ensuring low-level concerns are dealt with effectively should also protect those working in or on behalf of schools and colleges from becoming the subject of potential false low-level concerns or misunderstandings.

What do schools and colleges need to do?

KCSIE advises that schools should have a low-level concerns policy within their staff code of conduct, safeguarding and child protection policies. More information on these policies is contained within Part two of the KCSIE guidance.

The guidance states that policies should make clear:

What a low-level concern is.

The importance of sharing low-level concerns.

What the purpose of the policy is.

The KCSIE guidance recommends that settings should ensure their staff code of conduct, behaviour policies and safeguarding policies and procedures are implemented effectively. It states that appropriate action needs to be taken in a timely manner to safeguard children and facilitating a whole school or college approach is key to dealing with any concerns.

KCSIE also identifies that schools and colleges can achieve the purpose of their low-level concerns policy by:

ensuring staff are clear about what is, and isn't, appropriate behaviour;

supporting staff to be confident in differentiating expected and appropriate behaviour from inappropriate, problematic or concerning behaviour, in themselves and others;

empowering staff to share any low-level safeguarding concerns;

addressing unprofessional behaviour and supporting the individual to correct it as an early stage;

handling and responding to such concerns sensitively and proportionately when they are raised;

helping identify any weakness in the school or college's safeguarding system.

Key points stated in KCSIE include:

Sharing low-level concerns - schools and colleges should ensure that their low-level concerns policy contains a procedure for sharing confidentially such concerns which is clear, easy to understand and implement.

Recording low-level concerns - all low-level concerns should be recorded in writing, including details of the concern, the context in which it arose and action taken. Records should be reviewed so that potential patterns of inappropriate, problematic or concerning behaviour can be identified.

Responding to low-level concerns - the school or college low-level concerns policy should set out the procedure for responding to reports of low-level concerns.

Low-level concerns and references

Part three of KCSIE makes it clear that schools and colleges should only provide substantiated safeguarding concerns/allegations that meet the harms threshold in references. This includes a group of low-level concerns about the same individual.

It states that low-level concerns should not be included in references unless they relate to issues that would normally be included in a reference, such as misconduct or poor performance.

Further information

NASUWT members should contact the Union if they have particular concerns about the KCSIE guidance or safeguarding issues, practice or policies in their school.

Furthermore, if any safeguarding concerns are raised about members or members are concerned that they might be, however minor these may seem, members must contact the NASUWT immediately for further advice and information. You should not try to address these issues without the support of the Union.

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Safeguarding in Schools and Low-level Concerns (England)

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How schools and colleges in England should deal with low-level concerns regarding the behaviour of teachers, other staff, volunteers and contractors

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The desire to experiment and rebel is part and parcel of adolescence, and during this transitional period of our lives, we are exposed to a wide variety of temptations, including alcohol and illicit drugs. However, what many young people do not know is that abusing these substances can be very dangerous, with the potential for alcohol addiction and substance abuse remaining a very real possibility. With 24% of eleven to fifteen-year-olds reported to having tried drugs, and 22% having been drunk in the past month, drug addiction is an ever-growing problem that continues to impact the health and wellbeing of young people.

If you are a young person who is worried about your own substance abuse, or a parent or teacher with concerns, help is available. Here, we outline the causes of substance abuse in children, the signs to look out for, and advice on how to start a conversation about substance abuse.

Jump to

Why do children start abusing substances?

Signs of substance abuse in children

The dangers of substance abuse in children

Advice for young people

Advice for parents

Advice for teachers

Contact us

Frequently asked questions

Why do children start abusing substances?

The likelihood of a child abusing substances and developing an addiction depends on a number of behavioural, emotional, and environmental factors. These may include:

Experimenting at a young age

Scientific evidence suggests that the younger you are when you take a substance, the more likely you are to develop an addiction. Around 76% of adolescents needing rehab treatment reported early-onset substance use (under the age of 15).

Signs of substance abuse in children

Spotting the signs of substance abuse in your child can be complex. During our teenage years, we are already going through a lot of different changes, both physically and mentally. The same changes in mood or behaviour can also present themselves alongside substance abuse, and so it is often difficult to know the actual cause.

Some early warning signs that your child is abusing substances include:

Decrease in academic performance

Frequently absent from school or playing truant

Red, bloodshot or watery eyes

Large or small pupils

Frequent health complaints - feeling nauseous, body aches, fatigue, etc.

Social and legal issues - fighting, vandalism, stealing, etc.

Reduced cognitive function and memory problems

Loss of interest in formerly enjoyed hobbies and activities

Changes in friendship groups

Changes to eating and sleeping habits

Changes to behaviour - significant changes in mood or personality

Feelings of loneliness or depression

Poor hygiene

Self-harming behaviour

Smell of alcohol on their breath

Smell of cannabis

If you have noticed any of the above signs of substance abuse in your child, it is important to acknowledge them and act quickly. Substance abuse in children is not just a phase, and the earlier you respond to your concerns, the easier your child's recovery will be. If you are worried about your child's substance abuse, call our team today for support.

The dangers of substance abuse in children

The younger a child is when they start abusing substances, the higher the risk for serious ramifications to their health and future prospects. In fact, fatalities associated with drug and alcohol misuse represent one of the leading preventable causes of death for children and teenagers in the UK.

Children may expose themselves to harmful situations while abusing substances, putting them at a higher risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases like HIV. They are also vulnerable to accidents whilst under the influence due to slowed reaction times or hallucinations.

Studies show that substance abuse in young people also impacts brain development and can lead to abnormalities in brain functioning, including decreased neurocognitive performance, poorer white matter quality, changes in brain volume, and abnormal neuronal activation patterns. Not only will growth and brain development be hindered, but the abuse of substances can also contribute to problems later in life, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and sleep disorders.

Substance abuse in children and teenagers carries with it an increased risk of underachievement at school, delinquency, teenage pregnancy, and mental health issues, including depression.

Advice for young people

If your substance use is starting to get out of control, it is important that you do not wait to seek help. It can be really hard to start a conversation and open up about substance abuse, especially if you think your loved ones or teacher will be angry or disappointed. As a matter of fact, it is more likely that they will want to support you as you go through treatment. When you do make the decision to talk to a trusted adult, you may feel like a weight has been lifted off of your shoulders.

If speaking to someone face-to-face is still a little too nerve-wracking, thankfully there are lots of charities that can offer advice over the phone and get you the help you need.

Advice for parents

If your child is struggling with substance abuse and addiction, it is vital that you work on building a solid relationship with them. You should aim to strengthen your bond and encourage your child to confide in you, letting them know that you are always there if they need support.

Educate yourself on substance abuse and treatment options

Ask your child open-ended questions with the goal of learning more about your child's substance abuse, for example, "Why did you start using drugs?"

Actively listen to your child

Avoid being judgemental

Focus on the positives, not the mistakes

Avoid being overly emotional - if you become too upset, stop the conversation and come back to it another time

Set clear boundaries and stick to them

Don't be afraid to ask for and accept help

As a parent, it can be tough to navigate these tricky conversations, and we often feel an overwhelming sense of guilt, frustration and worry. To avoid burnout, it is crucial that your needs are also met during this time. You can achieve this by practising self-care - spend time doing activities you enjoy, look after your own mental and physical health, and join a support group. Ensuring your own wellbeing will better assist in your capacity to help your child.

Advice for teachers

Identifying drug misuse in students can be difficult, as changes in their behaviour may be caused by a range of other factors. It is therefore important not to jump to conclusions, and instead focus on providing support and an open dialogue with the student. Some things you should consider before entering a conversation include:

Report your concerns to the headteacher or relevant staff member

Consider the best person to approach the student - do they have a good rapport with a specific teacher?

Ensure the student is not under the influence of substances at the time of the conversation

Ensure the conversation is private and allow enough time for a full discussion

Respect their right to privacy and don't force the conversation

Maintain a friendly and non-judgemental manner

Offer information to the student - for example, leaflets or websites to read

Refer the student to a specialist if required

Continue to monitor the student

Many young people will be reluctant to accept help; they might feel ashamed, guilty, embarrassed, or they might not recognise that they have a problem at all. Teachers and school counsellors, however, have an opportunity to make a difference and can help to push them towards recovery. In fact, the most common route for young people to receive specialist treatment is via a referral from education services, with around 32% of youths entering treatment this way. For those that want to bring the topic to life, UKAT offers a free addiction awareness programme for schools to educate students on the realities of drug dependence and how to seek support.

Contact us

Substance abuse and addiction can be a lonely and unsettling time, not only for the individual themselves, but for the people around them too. The good news is that addiction is treatable, and with hard work and dedication, recovery is possible. If substances are taking their toll on your family, contact our team of professionals today who can guide you on the next steps.

If you are worried about a young person under sixteen, here is a list of resources and charities you can call for assistance.

Frequently asked questions

How do I explain addiction to my child?

Children are receptive to honesty, so try to ask them lots of questions about what they already know about substance use and addiction, and explain the risks involved when we misuse drugs and alcohol. UKAT has put together a student guide on addiction that you can download for your child to make the topic more accessible.

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* Click here to learn more or contact UKAT directly for rehab availability.

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Substance abuse for children | Recognising addiction in children

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The desire to experiment and rebel is part and parcel of adolescence, and during this transitional period of our lives, we are exposed to a wide variety of temptations, including alcohol and illicit drugs. However, what many young people do not know is that abusing these substances can be very dangerous, with the potential for alcohol addiction and substance abuse remaining a very real possibility.

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This toolkit provides a brief overview of issues relating to Safeguarding and Prevent. More detailed online training is provided on both topics via the HR Learning Development Portal and is mandatory that all staff complete the online training when they start in their role and as a refresher every three years. The training will provide further detailed information about how to identify and respond to issues. Some staff may also be required to attend advanced face to face training as part of their roles.

Safeguarding

The Children Act 2004 states that the welfare of children under the age of 18 is paramount and is everyone's responsibility.

Although universities predominantly provide higher education to individuals over the age of 18, there is still a responsibility for safeguarding to be aware of.

Staff have a responsibility to report any safeguarding concerns for the welfare of:

students under 18

children of students or staff

younger siblings or other children who may be known to a student or staff member

children, young people, or adults at risk that students may be in contact with while on placement

adults at risk (previously known as vulnerable adults)

staff or students at risk of radicalisation (see the section on Prevent)

Prevent

Prevent is about safeguarding and supporting individuals who may be vulnerable to radicalisation.

The Counterterrorism and Security Act 2015 imposes a duty on "specified authorities" to have a due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism and this includes universities.

Higher Education institutions are organisations that play a key role in challenging extremist views and ideologies. Younger people are disproportionately arrested in the UK for terrorist-related offences and travelling to join terrorist organisations.

There is a possibility that a student may arrive at university already committed to terrorism, or may be radicalised due to activity taking place on or off campus during their studies.

According to the Children's Society abuse is defined as:

A deliberate act of ill-treatment that can harm or is likely to harm a child or young person's safety, well-being and development. Abuse can be physical, sexual or emotional.
Children's Society abuse definition

It is important to be aware of the potential circumstances where children could be at risk of harm or neglect, this may include but is not limited to:

Prevent is also a safeguarding concern, there are different types of Prevent risks to be aware of:

It is important that when you are supporting students that you clearly communicate the limitations of confidentiality to them and make it clear that you have a duty to report any concerns about risks to children or adults at risk to a Designated Safeguarding Officer.

If you are made aware of any potential or known risk to children under 18 it is the responsibility of all staff to report these concerns to a Designated Safeguarding Officer who will liaise with the Senior Designated Safeguarding Officer to determine if relevant investigating agencies need to be informed.

It is best practice to inform the student that you will have to report your concerns and inform them of what will happen next.

In the first instance, speak to a Designated Safeguarding Officer or head of department to discuss your concerns.

If you have a concern about the potential radicalisation of a student, or member of staff, this should also be reported to a Designated Safeguarding Officer.

For a list of all the Designated Safeguarding Officers please see the Key Contacts section at the bottom of the University safeguarding webpage.
Reporting a concern out of hours
If a safeguarding issue occurs out of hours (for example when the Designated Safeguarding Officers will not be in work) then you need to consider whether anyone is currently at immediate risk of harm. If you believe anyone to be at immediate risk of harm you should:

call 999 for the police or ambulance as appropriate and report it immediately

contact Campus Support on 01695 584227 and make a report to them

Campus Support will decide whether it is necessary to contact other senior staff at the University or whether this can wait until the next working day. If you do not believe anyone is at serious risk of harm then the report should be made to your Designated Safeguarding Officer the next working day. However it is advisable to keep notes at the time so that these are up to date and available if needed.

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Safeguarding and Prevent | Student services | Edge Hill University

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This Edge Hill University toolkit provides a brief overview of issues relating to Safeguarding and Prevent.

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Protecting children from female genital mutilation (FGM)

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Protecting children from female genital mutilation (FGM)

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Last updated: 22 Dec 2021

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Find out more

Introduction

Female genital mutilation (FGM) is the partial or total removal of the external female genitalia for non-medical reasons. It's also known as female circumcision or cutting.

FGM is often performed by someone with no medical training who uses instruments such as a knife, scalpel, scissors, glass or razor blade. Children are rarely given anaesthetic or antiseptic treatment and are often forcibly restrained.

The age at which FGM is carried out varies. It may take place:

when a female baby is newborn

during childhood or adolescence

just before marriage

during pregnancy.

There are four main types of FGM:

Type 1 (clitoridectomy) - removing part or all of the clitoris.

Type 2 (excision) - removing part or all of the clitoris and cutting the inner and/or outer labia.

Type 3 (infibulation) - narrowing the vaginal opening.

Type 4 - other harmful procedures to the female genitals including pricking, piercing, cutting, scraping or burning (NHS Choices, 2016).

Labia elongation (also referred to as labia stretching or labia pulling) involves stretching the labia minora, sometimes using sticks, harnesses or weights (AFRUCA, 2016).

FGM is child abuse and is illegal in the UK. It can be extremely dangerous and can cause:

severe pain

shock

bleeding

infection such as tetanus, HIV and hepatitis B and C

organ damage

blood loss and infections

death in some cases.

Sometimes religious, social and cultural reasons are given to justify FGM, however it's a dangerous practice and can cause long-lasting health problems that continue throughout a child's life, including:

incontinence or difficulties urinating

frequent or chronic vaginal, pelvic or urinary infections

menstrual problems

kidney damage and possible kidney failure

cysts and abscesses

pain during sex

infertility

complications during pregnancy and childbirth

emotional and mental health problems (NHS Choices, 2016).

Recognising

Recognising FGM

Risks and vulnerability factors

FGM can happen in the UK or abroad. The Home Office has identified children from certain communities as being more at risk:

Children are also considered to be at higher risk if FGM has already been carried out on their mother, sister or a member of their extended family (HM Government, 2016).

Signs and indicators

A child at immediate risk of FGM may ask you directly for help. But even if they don't know what's going to happen, there may be other signs. You may become aware of:

a relative or 'cutter' visiting from abroad

a special occasion or ceremony to 'become a woman' or prepare for marriage

a female relative being cut - a sister, cousin, or an older female relative such as a mother or aunt

a family arranging a long holiday or visit to family overseas during the summer holidays

unexpected, repeated or prolonged absence from school

a girl struggling to keep up in school and the quality of her academic work declining

a child running away from or planning to leave home.

A child or woman who's had female genital mutilation (FGM) may:

have difficulty walking, standing or sitting

spend longer in the bathroom or toilet

appear withdrawn, anxious or depressed

display unusual behaviour after an absence from school or college

be particularly reluctant to have routine medical examinations

ask for help, but may not be explicit about the problem due to embarrassment or fear.

Assessing risk

The National FGM Centre has produced an assessment tool to help social workers dealing with situations where there are concerns about FGM to decide on the most appropriate action to take (National FGM Centre, 2018).

The Department of Health also provides guidance to help health professionals identify and assess the risk of female genital mutilation (FGM) for patients in their care and talk to patients and family members about FGM (Department of Health, 2017).

Responding

Responding to FGM

Providing support

If a child has already undergone FGM, they should be offered medical help and counselling. You should also take action to protect any other children in the family and to investigate possible risk to others in the community.

Reporting

If you think that a child may be at risk of FGM or if you suspect that FGM has already occurred, you must seek help and advice - even if the FGM didn't happen recently.

If you think a child is in immediate danger, contact the police on 999. If you're worried about a child but they are not in immediate danger, you should share your concerns.

Follow your organisational child protection procedures. Organisations that work with children and families must have safeguarding policies and procedures in place.

Contact the FGM helpline on 0800 028 3550 or by emailing fgmhelp@nspcc.org.uk.

Apply for an FGM protection order. Anyone can apply on Gov.uk if they are concerned that someone is at risk of FGM.

Contact your local child protection services. Their contact details can be found on the website for the local authority the child lives in.

Contact the police.

Regulated health and social care professionals and teachers in England and Wales must report 'known' cases of FGM in those under age 18 to the police (Home Office, 2016).
> See our information about recognising and responding to abuse

Prevention

Preventing FGM

People who work with children can help prevent FGM by:

challenging beliefs about FGM

educating communities about FGM

reporting any concerns.

You should give families information that is sensitive to their cultural or religious beliefs but also makes it clear that FGM is an illegal and dangerous practice.

It's important for organisations to:

have written procedures that outline what to do in the event of a concern about FGM. This should be read and understood by all members of staff (whether paid or unpaid) and reviewed and updated annually

make sure all staff, whether paid or unpaid, understand what FGM is, know why it is dangerous and how to recognise the signs and indicators that a child is either at risk or has already undergone FGM

talk to children and families about FGM, to raise awareness and make sure children have the opportunity to speak out if they need to.

FGM protection orders

In England and Wales, the FGM protection order (FGMPO) is a way to protect actual or potential victims from FGM under civil law. Anyone can apply for an FGMPO (Gov.uk, 2018).

FGM protection orders are unique to each case and contain legally binding conditions, prohibitions and restrictions to protect a person at risk of FGM.

These may include:

confiscating passports or travel documents of the child at risk, family members and/or other named individuals to prevent girls from being taken abroad

ordering family members or other named individuals not to help another person to commit or attempt to commit an FGM offence, for example prohibiting them from bringing a "cutter" to the UK.

In an emergency, the court can make an order so that protection is in place immediately.

Breach of an FGM protection order is a criminal offence, carrying a sentence of up to five years in prison.

In Northern Ireland, Emergency Protection Orders (EPO) help protect children at risk of FGM (Department of Health, 2014). Anyone can apply for an EPO but in practice it is usually made by Health and Social Care (HSC) Children's Services.

An EPO authorises the applicant to remove the child and take her to safe accommodation.

EPOs will only be granted to safeguard a child's welfare.

EPOs last for up to eight days but may be extended on one occasion for up to seven days.

Legislation

Legislation, policy and guidance

It is illegal to carry out FGM in the UK. It is also a criminal offence for UK nationals or permanent UK residents to perform FGM overseas or take their child abroad to have FGM carried out. The maximum penalty for FGM is 14 years' imprisonment.

Key legislation

In England and Wales, the Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003 sets out the law surrounding FGM. In Scotland it is the Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation (Scotland) Act 2005.

Find links to the legislation in References and resources.

Mandatory reporting

In England and Wales, regulated health and social care professionals and teachers have a mandatory duty to make a report to the police if:

they are informed by a child under the age of 18 that they have undergone FGM

they observe physical signs that an act of FGM may have been carried out on a child under the age of 18 (Section 74 Serious Crime Act 2015).

The Mandatory reporting of female genital mutilation - procedural information (Home Office, 2016) sets out this duty in further detail.

In Wales, professionals who identify cases of FGM must report to the local authority as well as the police (Female Genital Mutilation Act and Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014).

Find links to the legislation in References and resources.

Guidance

Each UK nation has its own guidance which sets out:

how to identify whether a child or young woman may be at risk of female genital mutilation (FGM)

how to identify a child or woman who has undergone FGM

how to protect those at risk and support those already affected

how to prevent and end FGM.

In England and Wales, the Multi-agency statutory guidance on female genital mutilation provides advice and support to professionals with the responsibility to safeguard and support those affected by FGM (HM Government, 2016). This guidance should be considered alongside other statutory safeguarding guidance.

The Department of Social Care has provided practical guidance on safeguarding women and girls at risk of FGM (Department of Social Care, 2018).

In Northern Ireland professionals should follow the Multi-agency practice guidelines: Female genital mutilation (Department of Health, 2014). The Department of Health and Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland (SBNI) have also published guidance about safeguarding and risk assessment for FGM (PDF) (Department of Health and SBNI, 2018).

In Scotland the guidance is Responding to female genital mutilation in Scotland: multi-agency guidance (Scottish Government, 2017).

Policy

In September 2018, law enforcement agencies in the UK and USA signed an intelligence sharing agreement to help tackle FGM. Organisations including the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC), the Metropolitan Police and Border Force in the UK; and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Department of Homeland Security in the USA agreed to share intelligence about travel patterns between the UK/USA and countries where children may be taken for FGM to be carried out.

This will help agencies to build their knowledge about FGM and learn from each other to tackle FGM more effectively (NPCC, 2018).

> Find out more about the intelligence sharing agreement

References and resources

References and resources

AFRUCA (2016) Voices of the community: exploring type IV (labia elongation) female genital mutilation in the African community across Greater Manchester (PDF). London: AFRUCA.

Department of Health (2014) Multi-agency practice guidelines: female genital mutilation (PDF). Belfast: Department of Health

Department of Health (2017) FGM safeguarding and risk assessment: quick guide for health professionals (PDF). London: Department of Health.

Department of Health and Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland (SBNI) (2018) Female Genital Mutilation (FGM): safeguarding pathway and risk assessment (PDF) Belfast: SBNI

Department of Social Care (2018) Safeguarding women and girls at risk of FGM [Accessed 16/07/2018].

Gov.uk (2018) Get a female genital mutilation (FGM) protection order (PDF). [Accessed 16/07/2018].

HM Government (2016) Multi-agency statutory guidance on female genital mutilation (PDF). [London]: Home Office.

Home Office (2016) Mandatory reporting of female genital mutilation - procedural information (PDF). London: Home Office.

National FGM Centre (2018) FGM assessment tool. [Accessed 16/07/2018].

NHS choices (2016) Female genital mutilation (FGM) London: NHS.

National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) (2018) UK and US law enforcement sign an intelligence sharing agreement to tackle female genital mutilation [Accessed 12/09/18].

Scottish Government (2017) Responding to female genital mutilation in Scotland: multi-agency guidance (PDF). Edinburgh: Scottish Government.

Other resources

Watch our short film: Ending female genital mutilation.

Childline

If a child or young person needs confidential help and advice direct them to Childline. Calls to 0800 1111 are free and children can also contact Childline online or read about FGM on the Childline website. You can also download or order Childline posters and wallet cards.

Further reading

For further reading about FGM, search the NSPCC Library catalogue using the keyword "female genital mutilation".

If you need more specific information, please contact our Information Service.

Introduction

Female genital mutilation (FGM) is the partial or total removal of the external female genitalia for non-medical reasons. It's also known as female circumcision or cutting.

FGM is often performed by someone with no medical training who uses instruments such as a knife, scalpel, scissors, glass or razor blade. Children are rarely given anaesthetic or antiseptic treatment and are often forcibly restrained.

The age at which FGM is carried out varies. It may take place:

when a female baby is newborn

during childhood or adolescence

just before marriage

during pregnancy.

There are four main types of FGM:

Type 1 (clitoridectomy) - removing part or all of the clitoris.

Type 2 (excision) - removing part or all of the clitoris and cutting the inner and/or outer labia.

Type 3 (infibulation) - narrowing the vaginal opening.

Type 4 - other harmful procedures to the female genitals including pricking, piercing, cutting, scraping or burning (NHS Choices, 2016).

Labia elongation (also referred to as labia stretching or labia pulling) involves stretching the labia minora, sometimes using sticks, harnesses or weights (AFRUCA, 2016).

FGM is child abuse and is illegal in the UK. It can be extremely dangerous and can cause:

severe pain

shock

bleeding

infection such as tetanus, HIV and hepatitis B and C

organ damage

blood loss and infections

death in some cases.

Sometimes religious, social and cultural reasons are given to justify FGM, however it's a dangerous practice and can cause long-lasting health problems that continue throughout a child's life, including:

incontinence or difficulties urinating

frequent or chronic vaginal, pelvic or urinary infections

menstrual problems

kidney damage and possible kidney failure

cysts and abscesses

pain during sex

infertility

complications during pregnancy and childbirth

emotional and mental health problems (NHS Choices, 2016).

Recognising

Recognising FGM

Risks and vulnerability factors

FGM can happen in the UK or abroad. The Home Office has identified children from certain communities as being more at risk:

Children are also considered to be at higher risk if FGM has already been carried out on their mother, sister or a member of their extended family (HM Government, 2016).

Signs and indicators

A child at immediate risk of FGM may ask you directly for help. But even if they don't know what's going to happen, there may be other signs. You may become aware of:

a relative or 'cutter' visiting from abroad

a special occasion or ceremony to 'become a woman' or prepare for marriage

a female relative being cut - a sister, cousin, or an older female relative such as a mother or aunt

a family arranging a long holiday or visit to family overseas during the summer holidays

unexpected, repeated or prolonged absence from school

a girl struggling to keep up in school and the quality of her academic work declining

a child running away from or planning to leave home.

A child or woman who's had female genital mutilation (FGM) may:

have difficulty walking, standing or sitting

spend longer in the bathroom or toilet

appear withdrawn, anxious or depressed

display unusual behaviour after an absence from school or college

be particularly reluctant to have routine medical examinations

ask for help, but may not be explicit about the problem due to embarrassment or fear.

Assessing risk

The National FGM Centre has produced an assessment tool to help social workers dealing with situations where there are concerns about FGM to decide on the most appropriate action to take (National FGM Centre, 2018).

The Department of Health also provides guidance to help health professionals identify and assess the risk of female genital mutilation (FGM) for patients in their care and talk to patients and family members about FGM (Department of Health, 2017).

Responding

Responding to FGM

Providing support

If a child has already undergone FGM, they should be offered medical help and counselling. You should also take action to protect any other children in the family and to investigate possible risk to others in the community.

Reporting

If you think that a child may be at risk of FGM or if you suspect that FGM has already occurred, you must seek help and advice - even if the FGM didn't happen recently.

If you think a child is in immediate danger, contact the police on 999. If you're worried about a child but they are not in immediate danger, you should share your concerns.

Follow your organisational child protection procedures. Organisations that work with children and families must have safeguarding policies and procedures in place.

Contact the FGM helpline on 0800 028 3550 or by emailing fgmhelp@nspcc.org.uk.

Apply for an FGM protection order. Anyone can apply on Gov.uk if they are concerned that someone is at risk of FGM.

Contact your local child protection services. Their contact details can be found on the website for the local authority the child lives in.

Contact the police.

Regulated health and social care professionals and teachers in England and Wales must report 'known' cases of FGM in those under age 18 to the police (Home Office, 2016).
> See our information about recognising and responding to abuse

Prevention

Preventing FGM

People who work with children can help prevent FGM by:

challenging beliefs about FGM

educating communities about FGM

reporting any concerns.

You should give families information that is sensitive to their cultural or religious beliefs but also makes it clear that FGM is an illegal and dangerous practice.

It's important for organisations to:

have written procedures that outline what to do in the event of a concern about FGM. This should be read and understood by all members of staff (whether paid or unpaid) and reviewed and updated annually

make sure all staff, whether paid or unpaid, understand what FGM is, know why it is dangerous and how to recognise the signs and indicators that a child is either at risk or has already undergone FGM

talk to children and families about FGM, to raise awareness and make sure children have the opportunity to speak out if they need to.

FGM protection orders

In England and Wales, the FGM protection order (FGMPO) is a way to protect actual or potential victims from FGM under civil law. Anyone can apply for an FGMPO (Gov.uk, 2018).

FGM protection orders are unique to each case and contain legally binding conditions, prohibitions and restrictions to protect a person at risk of FGM.

These may include:

confiscating passports or travel documents of the child at risk, family members and/or other named individuals to prevent girls from being taken abroad

ordering family members or other named individuals not to help another person to commit or attempt to commit an FGM offence, for example prohibiting them from bringing a "cutter" to the UK.

In an emergency, the court can make an order so that protection is in place immediately.

Breach of an FGM protection order is a criminal offence, carrying a sentence of up to five years in prison.

In Northern Ireland, Emergency Protection Orders (EPO) help protect children at risk of FGM (Department of Health, 2014). Anyone can apply for an EPO but in practice it is usually made by Health and Social Care (HSC) Children's Services.

An EPO authorises the applicant to remove the child and take her to safe accommodation.

EPOs will only be granted to safeguard a child's welfare.

EPOs last for up to eight days but may be extended on one occasion for up to seven days.

Legislation

Legislation, policy and guidance

It is illegal to carry out FGM in the UK. It is also a criminal offence for UK nationals or permanent UK residents to perform FGM overseas or take their child abroad to have FGM carried out. The maximum penalty for FGM is 14 years' imprisonment.

Key legislation

In England and Wales, the Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003 sets out the law surrounding FGM. In Scotland it is the Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation (Scotland) Act 2005.

Find links to the legislation in References and resources.

Mandatory reporting

In England and Wales, regulated health and social care professionals and teachers have a mandatory duty to make a report to the police if:

they are informed by a child under the age of 18 that they have undergone FGM

they observe physical signs that an act of FGM may have been carried out on a child under the age of 18 (Section 74 Serious Crime Act 2015).

The Mandatory reporting of female genital mutilation - procedural information (Home Office, 2016) sets out this duty in further detail.

In Wales, professionals who identify cases of FGM must report to the local authority as well as the police (Female Genital Mutilation Act and Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014).

Find links to the legislation in References and resources.

Guidance

Each UK nation has its own guidance which sets out:

how to identify whether a child or young woman may be at risk of female genital mutilation (FGM)

how to identify a child or woman who has undergone FGM

how to protect those at risk and support those already affected

how to prevent and end FGM.

In England and Wales, the Multi-agency statutory guidance on female genital mutilation provides advice and support to professionals with the responsibility to safeguard and support those affected by FGM (HM Government, 2016). This guidance should be considered alongside other statutory safeguarding guidance.

The Department of Social Care has provided practical guidance on safeguarding women and girls at risk of FGM (Department of Social Care, 2018).

In Northern Ireland professionals should follow the Multi-agency practice guidelines: Female genital mutilation (Department of Health, 2014). The Department of Health and Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland (SBNI) have also published guidance about safeguarding and risk assessment for FGM (PDF) (Department of Health and SBNI, 2018).

In Scotland the guidance is Responding to female genital mutilation in Scotland: multi-agency guidance (Scottish Government, 2017).

Policy

In September 2018, law enforcement agencies in the UK and USA signed an intelligence sharing agreement to help tackle FGM. Organisations including the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC), the Metropolitan Police and Border Force in the UK; and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Department of Homeland Security in the USA agreed to share intelligence about travel patterns between the UK/USA and countries where children may be taken for FGM to be carried out.

This will help agencies to build their knowledge about FGM and learn from each other to tackle FGM more effectively (NPCC, 2018).

> Find out more about the intelligence sharing agreement

References and resources

References and resources

AFRUCA (2016) Voices of the community: exploring type IV (labia elongation) female genital mutilation in the African community across Greater Manchester (PDF). London: AFRUCA.

Department of Health (2014) Multi-agency practice guidelines: female genital mutilation (PDF). Belfast: Department of Health

Department of Health (2017) FGM safeguarding and risk assessment: quick guide for health professionals (PDF). London: Department of Health.

Department of Health and Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland (SBNI) (2018) Female Genital Mutilation (FGM): safeguarding pathway and risk assessment (PDF) Belfast: SBNI

Department of Social Care (2018) Safeguarding women and girls at risk of FGM [Accessed 16/07/2018].

Gov.uk (2018) Get a female genital mutilation (FGM) protection order (PDF). [Accessed 16/07/2018].

HM Government (2016) Multi-agency statutory guidance on female genital mutilation (PDF). [London]: Home Office.

Home Office (2016) Mandatory reporting of female genital mutilation - procedural information (PDF). London: Home Office.

National FGM Centre (2018) FGM assessment tool. [Accessed 16/07/2018].

NHS choices (2016) Female genital mutilation (FGM) London: NHS.

National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) (2018) UK and US law enforcement sign an intelligence sharing agreement to tackle female genital mutilation [Accessed 12/09/18].

Scottish Government (2017) Responding to female genital mutilation in Scotland: multi-agency guidance (PDF). Edinburgh: Scottish Government.

Other resources

Watch our short film: Ending female genital mutilation.

Childline

If a child or young person needs confidential help and advice direct them to Childline. Calls to 0800 1111 are free and children can also contact Childline online or read about FGM on the Childline website. You can also download or order Childline posters and wallet cards.

Further reading

For further reading about FGM, search the NSPCC Library catalogue using the keyword "female genital mutilation".

If you need more specific information, please contact our Information Service.

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Protecting children from female genital mutilation (FGM) | NSPCC Learning

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We use cookies to give you the best possible experience on our site. By continuing to use the site you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more Introduction Female genital mutilation (FGM) is the partial or total removal of the external female genitalia for non-medical reasons.

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Virginity testing and hymenoplasty: multi-agency guidance

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Virginity testing and hymenoplasty: multi-agency guidance

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Purpose of the guidance

The government has made it illegal to carry out, offer or aid and abet virginity testing or hymenoplasty in any part of the UK, as part of the Health and Care Act 2022.

It is also illegal for UK nationals and residents to do these things outside the UK.

Aim and purpose

This non-statutory guidance offers advice for chief executives, directors, senior managers, frontline professionals within agencies and anyone else who may come in to contact with women and girls affected by virginity testing and hymenoplasty. It encourages agencies to cooperate and work together to protect and support those at risk of, or who have undergone, these procedures.

The main aim of this guidance is to:

provide information and background on virginity testing and hymenoplasty including details of the law in the Health and Care Act 2022

provide strategic guidance for people leading and working in organisations which come into contact with women and girls, or third parties exercising public protection functions on behalf of those persons or organisations

provide advice and support to frontline professionals who have responsibilities to safeguard and support women and girls

help identify when a girl or woman or a member of her family may be at risk of virginity testing and/or hymenoplasty and responding appropriately to safeguard them

help identify when a girl or woman may have been subjected to a virginity test and/or hymenoplasty and responding appropriately

help to prevent virginity testing and hymenoplasty, and to act as an aid to frontline professionals and managers to tackle harmful myths that surround virginity and sexuality

This guidance does not replace existing safeguarding guidance. It should be used in conjunction with and to complement existing guidance, including, but not limited to:

This guidance covers the whole of the UK, but some related areas (for example, health, violence against women and girls, safeguarding etc) are devolved. Where specifics differ between nations this is clearly highlighted.

As well as women and girls, this legislation includes and protects any other person who has female genitalia (meaning vagina or vulva) and is at risk of harm from these practices and procedures, including intersex, non-binary, trans men and women, with or without a gender recognition certificate.

As part of the government response to the expert panel on hymenoplasty recommendation report, we committed to review the legislation and guidance after a set period (to be determined), to ensure it is effectively protecting young women and girls.

Audience

This multi-agency guidance should be read and followed by all persons and organisations across the UK who have a duty and due regard to the safeguarding of children and adults in their care.

Such persons and organisations include:

local authorities, including district councils

National Health Service (NHS) bodies and independent health and care service providers

NHS England, NHS Wales, territorial and national boards in Scotland and Health and Social Care (HSC) bodies in Northern Ireland

integrated care boards (ICBs)

pharmacists

NHS trusts, including NHS ambulance trusts, NHS mental health trusts and NHS foundation trusts

social care services and social workers

doctors, GPs, nurses, registered nursing associates, midwives, health visitors and other medical professionals

police

Ofsted

teachers and school nurses

governing bodies of maintained schools, colleges and universities, including faith schools

proprietors of independent schools (including academies, free schools and alternative provision academies) and non-maintained special schools, including faith schools and academies

management committees of pupil referral units (PRUs)

charities and support organisations

religious and faith organisations and faith-based groups

community groups

This list is not exhaustive.

Professionals working in these organisations and/or who have these roles are responsible for ensuring that they fulfil their role and responsibilities in a manner consistent with the statutory duties or requirements of their employer.

The information in this guidance may also be relevant to organisations working with women and girls at risk of all forms of so called 'honour-based' abuse.

Definitions

Adult

An adult is an individual who is aged 18 years or older.

Child

For the purposes of this guidance, a child is an individual who is under the age of 18.

Coercive control

Controlling behaviour is a range of acts designed to make a person subordinate and/or dependent by isolating them from sources of support, exploiting their resources and capacities for personal gain, depriving them of the means needed for independence, resistance and escape, and regulating their everyday behaviour.

Coercive behaviour is an act or a pattern of acts of assault, threats, humiliation and intimidation or other abuse that is used to harm, punish, or frighten their victim.

As set out in the Serious Crime Act 2015, controlling or coercive behaviour in intimate or familial relationships is an offence.

So called 'honour-based' abuse

So called 'honour-based' abuse includes incidents or crimes involving violence, threats of violence, intimidation coercion or abuse (including psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional abuse) which have or may have been committed to protect or defend the honour of an individual, family and/or community for alleged or perceived breaches of the family and/or community's code of behaviour.

Domestic abuse

Domestic violence is an offence which is defined in the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 and applies in England and to reserved matters in Wales. In the act, domestic violence is defined as any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are or have been intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality. Victims are not confined to one gender or ethnic group. Domestic violence can encompass, but is not limited to, the following types of abuse:

In Scotland domestic abuse is defined in the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018. In Northern Ireland it is defined in the Domestic Abuse and Civil Proceedings Act (Northern Ireland) 2021.

Understanding virginity testing and hymenoplasty

Virginity

Virgin is a term used to denote that an individual has not had sexual intercourse. Whether an individual is a 'virgin' can often depend on what is defined as 'sexual intercourse', which is subjective and may vary between person to person. Sexual intercourse may include, for example, vaginal, anal or oral sex. In many cultures, however, the most common interpretation of the term 'virgin' is someone who has not had penetrative vaginal intercourse.

Virginity is a concept that, in some cultures, denotes purity of a woman or girl. In some communities it is considered important for a woman to be a virgin before she is married. The concept of virginity can perpetuate harmful attitudes around a women's sexuality. In some cases, the requirement for a girl to refrain from sexual intercourse before marriage can lead to pressure to undergo virginity testing and hymenoplasty.

Virginity testing

Virginity testing, also referred to as hymen, '2-finger' or vaginal examination, is an inspection of the female genitalia, intended to determine whether a woman or girl has had vaginal sexual intercourse.

For the purposes of the Health and Care Act 2022, virginity testing is any examination (with or without contact) of the female genitalia intended to establish if vaginal intercourse has taken place. This is irrespective of whether consent has been given.

The position of the World Health Organization and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists ( RCOG) is that virginity tests have no scientific merit or clinical indication as there is no known examination that can prove whether a woman has had vaginal intercourse.

The hymen

The hymen is a thin membrane that partially covers the entrance to the vagina. During puberty, oestrogen causes the hymen to change in appearance and become very elastic. Normal variations of the post-pubertal hymen range from thin and stretchy to thick and somewhat rigid. A non-intact, or stretched, hymen is not a reliable indication of past sexual activity, nor is it guaranteed that the hymen will break or bleed after first vaginal intercourse. The hymen has relatively few blood vessels, that are unlikely to cause significant bleeding.

The hymen can also stretch or tear quite easily before a woman has vaginal intercourse for the first time through activities such as horse riding and other sports, using tampons and masturbation. The World Health Organization is clear that the appearance of a hymen is not a reliable indication of a woman not having had vaginal intercourse.

Hymenoplasty

Hymenoplasty is a procedure undertaken to reconstruct a hymen. There are a number of different techniques to achieve but it generally involves stitching hymenal remnants together at the vaginal opening, or surgically reconstructing a hymen using vaginal tissue. The aim of the procedure is to ensure that a woman bleeds the next time she has intercourse to give the impression that she has no history of vaginal intercourse. There is no guarantee that this will fully reform the hymen or cause bleeding when penetration is attempted.

Hymenoplasty is not the same as other procedures that could be performed on the hymen for clinical reasons (for example, surgery to remove remnant fingers of the hymen that cause discomfort, or to treat an imperforate hymen to allow menstrual blood to escape).

Violence against women and girls

Virginity testing and hymenoplasty are forms of violence against women and girls and are part of the cycle of so called 'honour-based' abuse. Women and girls are coerced, forced and shamed into undergoing these procedures, often pressurised by family members or their intended husbands' family in the name of supposedly upholding honour and to fulfil the requirement that a woman remains 'pure' before marriage. Some practitioners issue a certificate to prove 'virginity' after a virginity test or hymenoplasty, while some will simply tell the family or community members whether a woman or girl has 'passed' a virginity test.

Both virginity testing and hymenoplasty can be precursors to child or forced marriage and other forms of family and/or community coercive behaviours, including physical and emotional control. Women who 'fail' a virginity test, are found to have undergone a hymen reconstruction, or do not bleed on their wedding night are likely to experience further so called 'honour-based' abuse including emotional and physical abuse, family or community disownment and even honour killings.

The practices are degrading and intrusive. They can lead to extreme psychological trauma in the victim, and can provoke conditions including anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. The practices have been linked to suicide. They can be physically harmful. For example, virginity testing can result in damage to the hymen, tears and damage to the vaginal wall, bleeding, and infection. The risk of infection is also high in hymenoplasty, which has the added risks of acute bleeding during the procedure, scarring and narrowing of the opening of the vagina and sexual difficulties.

Virginity testing and hymenoplasty are considered to have a similar level of seriousness to assault occasioning actual bodily harm (assault to injury in Scotland). This is in recognition of the physical and psychological harm they can cause to the individual who is subjected to them. This level of seriousness also reflects the controlling attitudes that underpin the practices.

As with other forms of so called 'honour-based' abuse, these practices often take place behind closed doors, in highly conservative communities and cultures. Because of this, the numbers of women and girls that are subjected to these practices are not known. Although prevalence is unclear, there is evidence of women and girls being under intense pressure to undergo virginity testing and hymenoplasty.

Victims may also take years to come forward. This could be due to not knowing that the abuse was abnormal or wrong at the time, feeling shame about their sexual experiences or sexual abuse, having been taught that speaking out against family and/or the community is wrong, or being scared about the repercussions of speaking out. As such, the physical signs of abuse may not be present at the time of disclosure, but psychological damage is likely to remain. This should be taken into account when interacting with victims of these practices.

As with all forms of so called 'honour-based' abuse, there are many barriers to victims disclosing information and reporting what has happened to them. It is therefore important that, if information regarding either settings or individuals involved in these practices is obtained, this intelligence is shared either with police, or anonymously through Crimestoppers.

Strategies to tackle the prevalence of violence against women and girls, reduce the inequalities in healthcare and tackle the harmful misogynistic views and attitudes towards women and their sexuality are being taken forward across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. The banning of these procedures is one part of this important work.

The law

It is illegal to carry out, offer or aid and abet virginity testing or hymenoplasty in any part of the UK. These offences carry extra territorial jurisdiction and carry a maximum sentence of 5 years imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine.

The Health and Care Act 2022

The legislation makes it an offence to carry out, offer or aid and abet virginity testing and hymenoplasty in the United Kingdom. There are separate offences for each UK jurisdiction.

The law defines 'virginity testing' as "the examination of female genitalia, with or without consent, for the purpose (or purported purpose) of determining virginity."

The law defines 'hymenoplasty' as "the reconstruction of the hymen (with or without consent)."

Carrying out

It is illegal to carry out virginity testing (with or without physical contact) and/or hymenoplasty in any setting, including medical, community and home environments.

In relation to virginity testing, the purpose, or purported purpose, of the examination must be to determine the virginity of the woman or girl being examined. Because it is not in fact possible to establish from a physical examination whether a woman has had sexual intercourse, this means that the person carrying out the examination must either believe that it is possible to determine virginity from an examination, or they must be pretending to have virginity determination as their purpose. Having this purpose, or purported purpose, for carrying out the examination is the mental element ('mens rea') of the criminal offence of carrying out virginity testing.

An examination of a woman's or girl's genitalia for the purpose of a medical or forensic examination would not be carried out for the purpose of determining virginity and would not therefore be an offence. This would be the case even where a forensic examination was looking for signs of penetrative trauma, or where a healthcare professional is asked by a teenage girl whether her genital appearance is 'normal'.

It does not matter if the examination is carried out by someone other than the person who makes the determination. The person doing the examining would be guilty of the offence of carrying out virginity testing, and the person making the determination could be guilty as a secondary participant or as an aider and abetter (see below). It also does not matter if the examination is carried out remotely.

Offering services

The offence of offering virginity testing and/or hymenoplasty has been included as a separate offence, so that people who are offering the service can be prevented from going ahead with the procedures and potential victims can be protected. This would include someone who advertises that they can carry out the procedures. It would not include a person who simply publishes an advert on behalf of another person, such as an internet platform provider. The offence occurs in the place where the offer is made.

Aiding and abetting

It is an offence to aid, abet, counsel, or procure (or incite in Scotland) the carrying out of virginity testing and/or hymenoplasty. This offence (referred to as 'aiding and abetting' in this guidance) is aimed at preventing people such as family members from arranging for women or girls to undergo the procedure, or by assisting with it, for example by making the arrangements for the procedures, or by accompanying the woman or girl to the setting where the procedure takes place.

The law already provides for a person to be liable for a criminal offence as a secondary participant, for example by encouraging or assisting a crime. However, the Health and Care Act 2022 includes this specific offence of aiding and abetting mainly to capture scenarios that the existing law would not. These include the making of arrangements (whether from the UK or outside it) for women and girls to have these procedures carried out overseas by people who are not UK nationals. There is some overlap with the existing law of secondary participation, but the new offence makes it clear that the existing law still applies.

Consent

Virginity testing and hymenoplasty are illegal and therefore women and girls are not able to consent to the procedures. Women and girls may request the procedures, but due to the harm they cause and them being precursors to other forms of so called 'honour-based' abuse, the procedures have been banned. As such, there are no circumstances under which a woman or girl should be subjected to a virginity test or hymenoplasty.

Extra-territorial jurisdiction

There is a risk that women and girls may be taken abroad and subjected to virginity testing and hymenoplasty (as is often seen with so called 'honour-based' abuse offences, such as female genital mutilation or forced marriage). The offences, therefore, carry extra-territorial jurisdiction.

This means that UK nationals and residents who carry out a virginity test or hymenoplasty outside the UK also commit an offence in the UK. Virginity testing and hymenoplasty do not need to be an offence in the country where it takes place (in other words, there is no requirement for dual criminality). UK nationals would commit the offence in each of the jurisdictions of the UK. A person who is not a UK national, but who is a habitual resident of the UK, would commit the offence in the part of the UK where they live. The individual who is subjected to a virginity test or hymenoplasty does not need to be a UK national or habitual resident.

It is an offence for any person in the UK to offer to carry out virginity testing or hymenoplasty in the UK. It is also an offence for any person to make an offer in the UK to carry out those procedures (anywhere) on a UK national or resident. Extra-territoriality means that it is also an offence in the UK for a UK national or habitual resident who is outside the UK to make an offer to carry out virginity testing or hymenoplasty anywhere. The nationality or residence status of the woman or girl who would undergo the procedure is irrelevant.

The Health and Care Act 2022 makes it an offence for anyone in the UK to aid and abet virginity testing or hymenoplasty that is carried out on a woman or girl who is in the UK.

It is also an offence for a UK national or resident to aid and abet virginity testing or hymenoplasty that is carried out on a woman or girl who is outside the UK but who is a UK national or resident. It does not matter where the aiding or abetting occurs; arrangements could be made from within the UK or overseas, for example. The nationality status of the person carrying out the test is also irrelevant.

It is also an offence for a UK national or resident who is outside the UK to aid and abet virginity testing or hymenoplasty that is carried out on a woman or girl who is in the UK. This could include a person who arranges for remote virginity testing to be carried out, or who makes arrangements from overseas for a hymenoplasty to be carried out in the UK, for example.

When we refer to a habitual resident, they can have their usual place of residence in England and Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland.

Annex A contains 3 tables which set out when offences are committed, including for extra-territorial jurisdiction.

Penalties

The offence may be tried either summarily or on indictment. In England and Wales and Northern Ireland, this means that it may be tried either in the Magistrates' Courts or the Crown Court. In Scotland, this means that it may be tried in both the summary and solemn courts.

The offences will each carry a maximum penalty of a 5-year custodial sentence and/or an unlimited fine.

Who is protected by this legislation

Women and girls and any other person who has female genitalia (meaning vagina or vulva) and is at risk of harm from these practices and procedures - intersex, non-binary, trans men and women with or without a gender recognition certificate - are included and protected by this legislation.

The offences, in particular the offence of aiding and abetting, do not apply to victims of virginity testing or hymenoplasty. The offences are aimed at protecting this group of people and they cannot therefore be liable.

Other safeguarding guidance

This document does not attempt to duplicate the content found in other guidance and should be considered alongside other relevant guidance on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. Specific organisations and individuals (for example, local authorities or healthcare professionals) may have different safeguarding responsibilities and should be familiar with the relevant guidance outlining these obligations. The following list of guidance is not extensive.

The Children Act 1989

The Children Act 1989 allocates duties to local authorities, courts, parents, and other agencies in the UK to ensure children are safeguarded and their welfare is promoted. Local authorities have a duty to make enquiries to decide whether they should take action to safeguard or promote the welfare of a child who is suffering, or likely to suffer, significant harm under section 47 of the Act. The Children Act 1989 introduced the concept of 'significant harm' as the threshold that justifies compulsory intervention in family life in the best interests of children and young people. Harm is defined in section 31(9) while section 31(10) provides limited guidance as to what will be considered significant harm.

Keeping children safe in education

Keeping children safe in education (2021) is statutory safeguarding guidance that all schools and colleges in England must have regard to as part of their legal duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. This guidance is clear that governing bodies and proprietors must ensure that policies, procedures, and training in their schools are effective and comply with the law at all times. The guidance helps schools and colleges understand what they need to do to respond quickly and effectively when an incident occurs, or they have concerns about a child.

Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995

The Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 is the legislative framework for Northern Ireland's child protection system. It affects all those who work and care for children, whether parents, paid carers or volunteers. Co-operating to Safeguard Children and Young People in Northern Ireland guidance provides the overarching policy framework for safeguarding children and young people in the statutory, private, independent, community, voluntary and faith sectors.

Working together to safeguard children

Working together to safeguard children (2018) in England and Working together to safeguard people: volume 5 handling individual cases to protect children at risk (2018) in Wales set out the requirements and expectations on individual services and professionals to provide a multi-agency response to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.

These pieces of guidance make clear that in all welfare and safeguarding enquiries, a child-centred approach should be adopted by practitioners to ensure that the best interests of the child are considered at all times.

The Care Act 2014

The Care Act 2014 places a series of duties and responsibilities on local authorities about care and support for adults in England. Section 42 of the act requires local authorities to make enquires, or ask others to make enquiries, when they think an adult with care and support needs may be at risk of abuse or neglect in their area and to find out what, if any, action may be needed.

Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007

The Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007 is designed to protect adults who are unable to safeguard their own interests and are at risk of harm. Section 4 places a duty on councils to make inquiries about an adult's well-being, property, or financial affairs in certain circumstances. These circumstances are where the person falls within the definition of an adult at risk, and the council knows or believes it may have to intervene in order to protect the adult's well-being, property, or financial affairs.

Section 3 defines:

adults at risk as adults (aged 16 or over) who are unable to safeguard their own wellbeing, property, rights or other interests, are at risk of harm, and because they are affected by disability, mental disorder, illness or physical or mental infirmity, are more vulnerable to being harmed than adults who are not so affected.

As such, this act may capture all women who may be vulnerable in respect of virginity testing and hymenoplasty.

Tackling virginity testing and hymenoplasty

Virginity testing and hymenoplasty are illegal. They should be addressed using existing structures, policies and procedures designed to safeguard children and vulnerable adults.

All organisations to which this guidance applies should work together and with other relevant organisations to address the risk of virginity testing and hymenoplasty, while bearing in mind the importance of confidentiality in protecting women and girls from harm.

Identifying those at risk

There is evidence that women and girls from the age of 13 to 30 are most at risk of undergoing a virginity test and/or hymenoplasty, but girls as young as 8 can be affected. Any woman or girl, of any age, ethnicity, race, sexual orientation, religion, disability or socioeconomic status could be subjected to a virginity test or hymenoplasty. Women and girls may take years to discuss their experiences due to the shame associated with these practices, the level of trauma that could be experienced and the fear of further so called 'honour-based' abuse.

Professionals may encounter at-risk women and girls in a face-to-face situation, virtually or over the phone, or via a third party such as a concerned friend or a referral from another organisation. These are forms of so called 'honour-based' abuse and as such physical signs of the woman or girl having undergone the procedure may be absent. However, the stress, anxiety and other psychological or behavioural signs may be present.

There are several indicators that a woman or girl is at risk of or has been subjected to a virginity test and/or hymenoplasty:

the woman or girl requests either procedure or asks for help

family members ask for the procedures or disclose that the woman or girl has already undergone the practices

there could be pain and discomfort after the procedures, which, for example, could result in the woman or girl having difficulty in walking or sitting for a long period of time which was not a problem previously

concern from family members that a woman or girl has a boyfriend, or plans for the woman or girl to be married

a close female relative has been threatened with either procedure or has already been subjected to one

the woman or girl has already experienced or is at risk of other forms of so called 'honour-based' abuse

the woman or girl is already known to social services in relation to other safeguarding issues

the woman or girl may disclose other concerns that could be an indication of abuse. For example, they may state that they do not feel safe at home, that family members will not let them out the house and/or that family members are controlling

the woman or girl may have suffered trauma from being coerced and having to undergo the procedures. This could result in an increase in emotional and psychological needs, for example withdrawal, anxiety or depression, or significant change in behaviour. The trauma could also have long-term implications for the woman or girl and may not manifest for many years after the event

the woman or girl may appear fearful of their family or a particular family member

unexplained absence from school, potentially to go abroad

changes in behaviour - becoming withdrawn, anxious, or depressed; a deterioration in schoolwork, attendance, or attainment

This is not an exhaustive list of indicators. If any of these indicators are identified professionals should follow their organisation's safeguarding policies.

Safeguarding

Virginity testing and hymenoplasty are forms of so called 'honour-based' abuse and violence against women and girls. Like forced marriage and female genital mutilation (FGM), the victims of these abuses are at risk of being subjected to further harm, whether that be psychological or physical. Women and girls may themselves present to agencies requesting the procedures in an attempt to protect themselves from further harm and abuse, including shaming, disownment, physical abuse and possible honour-killings. Family and/or community members who are unaware of the change in law may also try to contact agencies seeking the procedures for their daughters and female relatives.

Organisations that work with adults and children should have safeguarding procedures in place, and some individuals such as healthcare professionals will have professional codes of conduct to comply with. These procedures and/or duties should be followed immediately where there are signs that women's and girls' safety and welfare is being or may be threatened - they are at risk and assessments of that risk should be made.

It is important to find out if the woman or girl is in immediate danger. In an emergency, the police should be contacted without delay. If it is not an emergency but there is a concern that the individual is at risk, the organisation's safeguarding procedures and any professional duties should be followed. This may involve a referral to social care services and/or the police should be made.

Anyone who has concerns about a child's welfare should make a referral to local authority children's social care and should do so immediately if there is a concern that the child is suffering significant harm or is likely to do so. Safeguarding referrals may be needed for vulnerable adults (including other family members) who could also be at risk of harm. Some women and girls may be reluctant to speak with the police, and a referral to organisations listed in Annex B may be able to provide more tailored support.

Organisations should not involve families and community members in cases involving virginity testing and hymenoplasty, including trying to mediate with family or using a community member as an interpreter. Engaging with families and community members may increase risk of harm to the victim. The victim may be punished for seeking help and arrangements for procedures may be expedited. The risk of the woman or girl having undergone trauma and suffering psychological damage because of these practices is high and mental health services and support should be contacted. Annex B contains existing guidance and resources that professionals can use and/or refer individuals to for further support.

Ultimately, virginity testing and hymenoplasty are crimes and pose serious safeguarding concerns. As such it is important to involve the police as they have the powers, tactics and reach to protect the identified victim and other potentially vulnerable people within the family or broader community.

Talking about virginity testing and hymenoplasty

Good communication is essential when talking to individuals who have undergone or are at risk of virginity testing and/or hymenoplasty, or when talking to friends or family members who might be requesting these procedures for others.

The topic may arise in a variety of settings, including a GP's surgery or sexual health clinic as part of a medical consultation, or at school. It could take place face to face, virtually or over the phone. Some broad principles on how to approach these conversations are outlined below.

Respond with sensitivity

Acknowledge the disclosure, bearing in mind this is a sensitive topic. Women and girls may feel uncomfortable talking about their sexual experiences or sexual assault fearful of judgement and may be fearful of speaking out against their family and/or community and of an escalation in so called 'honour-based' abuse.

Explain to the individual:

the limits of confidentiality

what information may have to be shared, with whom and for what purpose.

If speaking with a woman or girl who has undergone or is at risk of virginity testing or hymenoplasty, ensure she is in a safe place, away from the perpetrator. If speaking over the phone, closed questions should be asked, which would allow them to give 'yes' or 'no' answers. Code words could also be used to indicate that the victim is on their own and/or able to talk.

The 5 Rs of asking about domestic abuse in a virtual setting is a useful resource which is relevant to talking to victims of these practices and other forms of so called 'honour-based' abuse.

The organisation's safeguarding procedures should be followed. Seek advice from your safeguarding lead or local authority safeguarding professionals if you suspect that a woman or girl is at risk of harm and ensure that appropriate action is taken. In an emergency, contact the police without delay.

Gathering information

It is important to sensitively gather as much information as possible to understand the situation - exactly what procedures have taken place or are being requested, and whether the woman or girl is at risk of other forms of abuse, coercion, and control.

Once it has been ascertained that the woman or girl can speak safely, ask open, non-leading questions. It is important to establish if the woman or girl is in immediate danger. Keep a record of what they said.

Next steps

It is important that the person being spoken with is given advice on the law. It may be helpful to discuss myths and misconceptions around virginity - for example, the myth that virginity can be accurately assessed by a virginity test, or the damaging belief that virginity dictates the worth of women. If the individual is in immediate danger, advise them to contact the police, and if need be, contact the police yourself. Follow the safeguarding procedures of your organisation. Signpost them to the most appropriate support (refer to Annex B for support) and if agreed, make a referral on their behalf. Always follow up on promises to contact the victim.

An accredited interpreter may be required, who should ideally have knowledge of so called 'honour-based' abuse. An interpreter should not know the individual and not be someone with influence in the individual's community. If possible, the woman or girl should be given a choice of the gender of the interpreter, as they may feel more comfortable with a female translator.

Talking about any form of abuse can be difficult and upsetting. Professionals may wish to speak with their supervisor if they are affected by what they have heard.

Multi-agency and victim-centred approach

An effective local response to virginity testing and hymenoplasty should be underpinned by the following principles.

Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility

Each professional and organisation should play their part. No professional should assume that someone else will pass on information which they think may be critical to keeping a child or vulnerable adult safe.

If a professional has concerns about an individual's welfare and believes they are suffering or likely to suffer harm, then they should follow their organisation's safeguarding procedures and professional codes of conduct, and share with the relevant agency, local authority children's or adult's social care as necessary - ensuring they meet their wider responsibilities in relation to the handling and sharing of information.

Information should not be shared with family or community members as this may put women and girls at more risk.

Victim-centred approach

A victim-centred approach should be taken that is based on a clear understanding of the needs and views of girls and women at risk of virginity testing, hymenoplasty and other forms of so called 'honour-based' abuse.

Scenarios

There are many scenarios in which a woman or girl can be at risk from or can have undergone virginity testing or hymenoplasty. Some example scenarios are included below:

a woman experiences sexual assault and is concerned that she will fail the virginity tests her family regularly forces her to have. Her family believes that rape is the woman's fault, so she is scared of them finding out. The woman attends an appointment at a sexual health clinic and requests a hymenoplasty.

a woman experiences so called 'honour-based' abuse and domestic abuse at the hands of her family. The trigger for the violence is that she has a boyfriend and is pregnant. Her family physically assaults her and tries to force her to have an abortion and a procedure to 'reclaim her virginity' at a private clinic in the UK. She contacts the police for help.

a girl travels with her family to a different city and undergoes an examination to check that she is still a virgin. She is afraid that she is going to be sent abroad for a forced marriage and runs away from home. The girl's friend is concerned and tells a teacher at school. The girl has a younger sister.

a woman who is due to be married knows that she will have to undergo a virginity test and present a certificate confirming her virginity to her fiancée's family. As such, she organises a trip abroad and secretly has a hymenoplasty to ensure she passes the virginity test upon her return. She discloses this to a charity supporting women affected by so called 'honour-based' abuse years afterwards.

a girl is made to undergo a virginity test, which she is deemed to have failed. Her father says that she must want to sleep with everyone and invites her male family members to rape her. She is thrown out of the family home and told not to return, or they will kill her. The girl calls a charity helpline to get help.

a family are concerned about their daughter's interactions with boys from school. They reach out to a private clinic to try to arrange a virginity test.

Training and education

As with any other form of abuse, training should be appropriate and complement existing safeguarding training and duties. Training on virginity testing and hymenoplasty could include:

an overview of virginity testing and hymenoplasty, including definitions of and education on the hymen and virginity

the risks and harms associated with virginity testing and hymenoplasty, including long-term health consequences

details of the UK law on virginity testing and hymenoplasty

what to do when someone makes a disclosure and/or is at risk of or has undergone a virginity test or hymenoplasty

the importance of multi-agency working and sharing information confidentially - never with family or community members

tools to support sensitive conversations and disclosures

Any training should align with current safeguarding frameworks and guidance, such as the Welsh National training Framework on violence against women, domestic abuse, and sexual violence.

Working with community organisations and those with personal experience

Community organisations play a vital role in protecting and supporting women and girls at risk of virginity testing and hymenoplasty. This may include:

supporting woman and girls who have been directly affected. This could include referring to specialist physical or psychological care, offering practical support, or signposting to other advice

supporting relatives and individuals from communities affected

disseminating information in schools and community hubs to educate about the harms of these practices and dispel myths

supporting and supplementing professional training programmes

When developing services and projects, organisations should consider working with appropriate community groups and those with personal experiences to help make sure that they meet the needs of service users and that their staff understand the issues related to virginity testing and hymenoplasty. However, organisations and professionals should also be confident in their own training and expertise to take action to protect women and girls and to uphold the law. Organisations should check that any community groups they work with have robust child protection and general safeguarding policies that cover the sharing of information with statutory agencies.

It is also important to note that some community groups or members may still be in favour of virginity testing and hymenoplasty. Organisations and professionals should never offer to mediate between a victim and family or community members or to disclose information about a specific case. Confidentiality is key to protecting women and girls who are at risk.

Hymenoplasty in the NHS

Hymenoplasty is illegal. There are no justified medical or clinical reasons why a hymenoplasty should take place and under no circumstance should it be performed. Healthcare professionals have been advised that the OPCS-4.9 classification code P15.3 'Repair of the hymen' should not be used and will be removed from the classification listing in OPCS-4.10 on 1 April 2023.

Hymenoplasty is not the same as other procedures that could be performed on the hymen for clinical reasons (for example, surgery to remove remnant fingers of the hymen that cause discomfort, or to treat an imperforate hymen to allow menstrual blood to escape).

Strategic guidance

Roles and responsibilities

Heads of relevant organisations should ensure that:

their organisation has a lead person whose role includes responsibility virginity testing and hymenoplasty. This will likely be the safeguarding lead or those responsible for FGM and so called 'honour-based' abuse

there is a member of the organisation who has undertaken additional training and can be approached to discuss and direct difficult cases (this may be the 'lead person' mentioned above)

their staff understand their role in protecting those who have undergone or are at risk of abuse

their staff know to whom they should refer cases within their organisation and when to refer cases to other agencies

their staff understand the importance of timely information sharing both internally and with other agencies

there are policies and procedures in place to protect those who have undergone or are at risk of virginity testing and hymenoplasty

Annex A: extra-territorial jurisdiction tables

Carrying out a virginity test and/or hymenoplasty

Victim undergoes virginity testing or hymenoplasty in the UK

Victim undergoes virginity testing or hymenoplasty outside the UK

Perpetrator is a UK national or habitual resident

Offence under the Health and Care Act 2022

Offence under the Health and Care Act 2022

Perpetrator is not a UK national or habitual resident

Offence under the Health and Care Act 2022

Not an offence under the Health and Care Act 2022

Offering to carry out virginity test and/or hymenoplasty

Makes an offer in the UK to carry out virginity testing/hymenoplasty in the UK

Makes an offer in the UK to carry out virginity testing or hymenoplasty outside the UK

Makes an offer outside the UK to carry out virginity testing or hymenoplasty outside the UK

Perpetrator is a UK national or habitual resident

Offence under the Health and Care Act 2022

Offence under the Health and Care Act 2022

Offence under the Health and Care Act 2022

Perpetrator is not a UK national or resident

Offence under the Health and Care Act 2022

Offence under the Health and Care Act 2022, if the person who would be undergoing the test or procedure is a UK national or resident

Not an offence under the Health and Care Act 2022

Aiding and abetting virginity testing and/or hymenoplasty

Person A is doing the aiding or abetting.

Person B is carrying out the virginity testing or hymenoplasty and is being aided or abetted by Person A (this table does not address B's offences).

Person C is the woman or girl who is being subjected to virginity testing or hymenoplasty.

Person B carries out the virginity testing or hymenoplasty in the UK

Person B carries out the virginity testing or hymenoplasty outside the UK

Person A aids/abets person B in the UK

Person A commits an offence

Person A commits an offence, but only if person C is either a UK resident or national or present in the UK (for example, remote virginity testing)

Person A is a UK resident or national and aids/abets person B from outside the UK

Person A commits an offence

Person A commits an offence, but only if person C is either a UK resident or national or present in the UK (for example, remote virginity testing)

Person A is a non-UK national or resident and aids/abets person B from outside the UK

No offence under the Health and Care Act 2022

No offence under the Health and Care Act 2022

Annex B: further support

UK wide

Police

If someone is in immediate danger contact the police by calling 999 and asking for the police.

Call 101 for non-emergencies.

Forced Marriage Unit

The Forced Marriage Unit ( FMU) is a joint Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and Home Office unit which leads on the government's forced marriage policy, outreach and casework. It operates both inside the UK (where support is provided to any individual) and overseas (where consular assistance is provided to British nationals, including dual nationals).

The FMU operates a public helpline to provide advice and support to:

victims and potential victims of forced marriage

professionals dealing with cases

The FMU public helpline can help with:

safety advice

providing assistance when an unwanted spouse is due to move to the UK ('reluctant sponsor' cases)

where possible, assistance in repatriation of victims held against their will overseas

Call: 020 7008 0151

Email: fmu@fcdo.gov.uk

Karma Nirvana

In 1993, Karma Nirvana became the first specialist charity for victims and survivors of honour-based abuse in the UK.

Since then, they have led the campaign against honour-based abuse - supporting, empowering and educating those impacted, so they can live a life free of abuse.

They run the national Honour Based Abuse Helpline, train frontline practitioners and professionals, and campaign for change, working with Parliamentarians and policymakers.

Helpline: 0800 599 9247

Middle Eastern Women and Society Organisation

MEWSo is a women's charity run by and for women from ethnic minority communities. The majority of the communities they serve are from Middle Eastern, North African and Asian backgrounds.

The aim of this charity is to defend and protect women from violence both at home and in the wider community, help them rebuild their lives through tailored advice, guidance and support, and campaign for their equality and human rights.

Call: 07958 145 666

Email: office@mewso.org

IKWRO

IKWRO supports women and girls from the Middle East, North Africa and Afghanistan living in the UK, who are at risk of or are experiencing honour-based violence, forced marriage, child marriage, female genital mutilation and domestic abuse. IKWRO provides culturally specific support, advocacy, training and counselling to women and girls. They offer a free counselling service in Farsi, Kurdish, Arabic and English. They run a specialist refuge for Middle Eastern, North African and Afghan single women at risk of honour-based violence, forced marriage, FGM and domestic abuse.

Call: 020 7920 6460

Email: info@ikwro.org.uk

Freedom Charity

Freedom Charity aims to help, rescue and support those who are victims and potential victims of dishonour abuse, forced marriage, female genital mutilation, virginity testing and hymenoplasty, and to raise awareness of all these issues through education in schools and colleges and through training of front-line professionals who may encounter victims and potential victims in their daily work.

Helpline: 0845 607 0133.

Text the words 4freedom to 88802.

SafeLives

SafeLives is a UK-wide charity dedicated to ending domestic abuse, for everyone and for good. SafeLives provides research, training and support to frontline domestic abuse services and professionals. They are not a domestic abuse service providing direct support to people experiencing abuse.

England and Wales

Victim Support

Victim Support is the independent charity dedicated to supporting victims of crime and traumatic incidents in England and Wales.

Victim Support national 24-hour support line: 0808 1689 111.

England

NHS England Safeguarding

NHS England is dedicated in ensuring that the principles and duties of safeguarding children, young people, and adults at risk are holistically, consistently and conscientiously applied with the wellbeing of all, at the heart of what they do. They are dedicated to ensuring that the principles and duties of safeguarding children and adults are applied every time a citizen accesses the NHS making every contact count.
NHS England Safeguarding
Email: england.safeguarding@nhs.net

Wales

Welsh Women's Aid

Welsh Women's Aid is an organisation supporting Welsh women affected by domestic abuse. Welsh Women's Aid runs the Live Fear Free helpline below.

Live Fear Free helpline

Live Fear Free helpline is a free, 24/7 service for all victims and survivors of domestic abuse and sexual violence and those close to them, including family, friends and colleagues and concerned others.

Call: 0808 80 10 800

Text: 0786 007 7333

Email: info@livefearfreehelpline.wales

Live chat: gov.wales/livefearfree

Bawso

Bawso is the lead organisation in Wales providing practical and emotional support to black minority ethnic and migrant victims of domestic abuse, sexual violence, human trafficking, FGM and forced marriage. They believe in a future when all people in Wales are free from abuse, violence and exploitation. To achieve this vision, they have been working tirelessly to end all forms of violence against women. They have supported more than a quarter of a million people.

Call the helpline: 0800 731817

Email: helpline@bawso.org.uk

Meic

MEIC is a free, confidential, anonymous and bilingual helpline service for children and young people up to the age of 25 in Wales providing information, useful advice and support.

Meic are open 8am to midnight, 7 days a week, by telephone, SMS text and instant messaging.

Freephone: 0808 80 23456

Text: 84001

Live chat: www.meiccymru.org

Sexual violence support services

In North Wales (Anglesey, Conwy, Gwynedd, Flintshire, Denbighshire and Wrexham), there are 2 main sexual violence support services:

Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre (RASASC) provides information, specialist support and therapy to anyone who has experienced any kind of sexual abuse and violence. They can be contacted on 01248 670 628 or info@rasacymru.org.uk

Stepping Stones provides therapeutic services to adults who have been sexually abused as children. They can be contacted on 01978 352 717 or info@steppingstonesnorthwales.co.uk

In Mid, West, East and South Wales, the main sexual violence support service provider is New Pathways. They can be contacted on 01685 379 310 or enquiries@newpathways.org.uk.

Scotland

Shakti Women's Aid

Shakti Women's Aid helps Black and minority ethnic women, children, and young people experiencing, or who have experienced, domestic abuse from a partner, ex-partner and/or other members of the household.

Edinburgh: 0131 475 2399

Fife: 01383 732 289

Dundee: 01382 207 095

Forth Valley: 07757 035 794

Amina - The Muslim Women's Resource Centre

Amina offers a range of tailored support services to enable Muslim women to fully participate in society without fear of discrimination or inequality. This includes a range of one-to-one support (for example, a national 'listening ear' helpline which also offers Islamic advice through a scholar, employability guidance and befriending) as well as peer group support (for example, violence against women 'self-healing' workshops and refugee work to support the integration of people new to Scotland).

Helpline: 0808 801 0301

Amina web chat: Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm.

Scottish Women's Rights Centre

The Scottish Women's Rights Centre is a unique collaborative project providing free legal information, advice, representation and advocacy support to self-identifying women in Scotland affected by violence and abuse.

Helpline: 08088 010 789

The helpline is open Monday 1pm to 4pm, Tuesday 10am to 1pm, Wednesday 1pm to 4pm and Friday 10am to 1pm.

Victim Support

Victim Support Scotland is the leading charity dedicated to helping people affected by crime across Scotland.

Helpline: 0800 160 1985 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm).

Just Right Scotland

JustRight Scotland use the law to defend and extend people's rights. JustRight work with Rape Crisis Scotland and the University of Strathclyde Law Clinic as part of the Scottish Women's Rights Centre (SWRC), which works with women who have been affected by abuse and violence in Scotland with the aim of improving their access to justice and experience of the justice system.

Northern Ireland

NI Direct 24-hour Domestic and Sexual Abuse Helpline

The Domestic and Sexual Abuse helpline is open to women and men affected by domestic abuse or violence. This free telephone service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Freephone: 0808 802 1414

Email: help@dsahelpline.org

Victim Support NI

Victim Support NI is an independent charity which helps people affected by crime. It offers a free and confidential service, whether or not a crime has been reported and regardless of how long ago the event took place.

Helpline: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm

Belfast Hub Office: 028 9024 3133, belfast@victimsupportni.org.uk

Foyle Hub Office: 028 7137 0086, foyle@victimsupportni.org.uk

Children's Law Centre

The Children's Law Centre works to protect the rights of all children living in Northern Ireland, particularly those who are the most disadvantaged - for example, children with disabilities, special educational needs, mental ill health, homeless young people.

Phone: 028 9024 5704

Email: info@childrenslawcentre.org

Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People (NICCY)

The job of the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People is to safeguard and promote the rights and best interests of children and young people. Part of NICCY 's role is to advise government and all its agencies on the policies, legislation, and services it provides for children, young people and their families.

Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland

The Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland ensures that there are no barriers to protecting children and young people up to the age of 18 in Northern Ireland. The board provides education on safeguarding, advises the Department of Health and engages with children and young people on the issues that matter to them.

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Virginity testing and hymenoplasty: multi-agency guidance

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The government has made it illegal to carry out, offer or aid and abet virginity testing or hymenoplasty in any part of the UK, as part of the Health and Care Act 2022. It is also illegal for UK nationals and residents to do these things outside the UK.

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Find out more

Introduction

'Parental substance misuse' is the long-term misuse of drugs and/or alcohol by a parent or carer.

This includes parents and carers who:

consume harmful amounts of alcohol (for example if their drinking is leading to alcohol-related health problems or accidents)

are dependent on alcohol

use drugs regularly and excessively

are dependent on drugs.

It also includes parents who aren't able to supervise their children appropriately because of their substance use (NSPCC, 2018).

Most parents and carers who drink alcohol or use drugs do so in moderation, which doesn't present an increased risk of harm to their children (Cleaver, Unell and Aldgate, 2011).

However, parents and carers who misuse substances can have chaotic, unpredictable lifestyles and may struggle to recognise and meet their children's needs. This may result in their children being at risk of harm.

Alcohol misuse

Alcohol misuse includes:

excessive and harmful drinking

alcohol dependence.

Harmful drinking is a pattern of alcohol use. It can cause alcohol-related problems including:

When someone is dependent on alcohol, they are likely to crave alcohol and continue drinking in spite of the harmful consequences. Alcohol dependence is associated with:

Drug misuse

Drug misuse is a dependence on, or regular excessive consumption of, psychoactive substances. It can lead to:

social problems

mental and psychological illness

physical illness

legal problems.

Drug misuse is more prevalent in socially deprived areas (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, 2012).

In England and Wales the most commonly used psychoactive substances include:

Opioids such as heroin may be less common but can lead to the most significant health problems (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, 2012).

Impact of parental substance misuse

Abuse and neglect

Living in a household where a parent or carer misuses substances doesn't mean a child will experience abuse, but it does make it more difficult for parents to provide safe and loving care and this can lead to abuse or neglect.

Neglect

Parents who misuse substances may have difficulty:

staying organised and giving their children effective and consistent support

keeping their home and family clean

recognising and responding appropriately to their own and their children's physical needs

paying for food, clothing and essential bills (for example if their income is being spent on drugs and alcohol)

keeping harmful substances and equipment such as needles and syringes safely away from their children.

Some parents who use drugs or drink excessively may lose consciousness, leaving no other responsible adult present to care for their child and ensure their safety (Cleaver, Unell and Aldgate, 2011).

Emotional abuse

Parents who drink excessively or misuse drugs can become emotionally unavailable to their children (Cleaver, Unell and Aldgate, 2011). Mothers with drug problems can be:

Parents who misuse substances can behave in a way that's irrational, unpredictable or withdrawn, which may frighten their children (Cleaver, Unell and Aldgate, 2011).

Physical abuse

Parents who misuse substances may have difficulty controlling their own emotions. Harmful and excessive drinking can contribute to child physical abuse (Cleaver, Unell and Aldgate, 2011; Velleman, 2001).

Criminal activity

Parents and carers who misuse drugs or alcohol may turn to crime to fund their dependency. This may mean exposing their children to unsafe adults or involving them in criminal activity (Brophy, 2006).

One girl told Childline:

"My dad has a drug and alcohol problem. He makes me sleep with other men so he can get drugs. He's also raped me before by putting drugs in my drink."
Girl, 15 (NSPCC, 2018)
Other effects

The impact of parental substance abuse varies according to each child's health, stage of development, personality and relationship with their family.

Children whose parents misuse drugs or alcohol may be separated from their parents and/or family for short- or long periods of time due to:

They may have to take on the role of carer for their family. This could include doing the housework, preparing food and looking after younger siblings (NSPCC, 2018).

Psychological effects

Many young people talk to Childline about the psychological effects of parental substance misuse. One girl said:

"My mum is up and down - sometimes she's fine and sober - but it can quickly change and she becomes worse again...[she] gets abusive when she's drunk and gets angry at me and my sisters. I don't like being at home."
Girl, 15 (NSPCC, 2018)
Other psychological effects include:

preoccupation with their parents' substance misuse

blaming themselves for their parents' behaviour

not being able to attend school regularly and/or having poor educational attainment

difficulty establishing and maintaining healthy relationships

developing behavioural, emotional or cognitive problems (Altobelli and Payne, 2014; Cleaver, Unell and Aldgate, 2011; Cornwallis, 2013; Home Office, 2003; Templeton, 2014).

Children who have experienced parental substance misuse may display risk taking behaviour themselves. They are at increased risk of developing drug or alcohol problems or offending behaviour.

Risk and vulnerability factors

All families experience challenges from time to time. This doesn't necessarily mean children are at greater risk of abuse. But when problems mount up, it can be more difficult for parents to cope - particularly if they are isolated or lack support.

Children who live in families experiencing multiple adversities can be more vulnerable. These include children whose parents:

are involved in domestic abuse

misuse substances

have mental health problems

have learning difficulties.

Responding

Responding

Reporting

If you think a child is in immediate danger, contact the police on 999. If you have concerns that a child may not be receiving the care they need, but they are not in immediate danger, you should share your concerns.

Follow your organisational child protection procedures. Organisations that work with children and families must have safeguarding policies and procedures in place.

Contact the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000 or by emailing help@nspcc.org.uk. Our trained professionals will talk through your concerns with you and give you expert advice.

Contact your local child protection services. Their contact details can be found on the website for the local authority the child lives in.

Contact the police.

Services will risk assess the situation and take action to protect the child as appropriate either through statutory involvement or other support. This may include making a referral to the local authority.
> See our information about recognising and responding to abuse
Assessment

Practitioners must work with children and families to identify and assess concerns and intervene appropriately so that the impact of parental substance misuse is minimised.

This involves carrying out a holistic assessment of the child's development, the parents' ability to meet the child's needs and the impact of broader family and environmental factors.

Practitioners need to identify each family's strengths. It's important to distinguish between immediate concerns for the child's safety and risks which can be mitigated with appropriate support (Bogg, 2013; Cleaver, Unell and Aldgate, 2011).

Effective assessments should:

focus on the child and their needs

give children the opportunity to discuss their experiences

listen to and record the child's views on the situation

identify any children who are acting as carers for their parents and siblings

treat children, parents and carers as individuals

make sure parents know they are being listened to

ask questions about the parent's drug or alcohol use

consider the wider environment such as support networks, housing and family finances

talk to any extended family members or friends who offer support to the family

collaborate with and seek the views of colleagues from other agencies who are involved with the family, such as health professionals, teachers, substance misuse services and criminal justice agencies (Bogg, 2013; Cleaver, Unell and Aldgate, 2011; Cornwallis, 2013; Home Office, 2003).

Protective factors

Factors which help reduce the impact of parental substance misuse on children are:

the child being able to ask for help

parents being willing to acknowledge their difficulties and seek help and support

the parent and child having a positive relationship

social support being available to the family (for example relatives or friends who can provide the children with care and stability, offer financial support and make sure the home is clean and safe)

the parent and child having good general physical and mental health

having one parent who does not misuse substances

being able to maintain daily routines (Bogg, 2013; Cleaver, Unell and Aldgate, 2011; Cornwallis, 2013).

Giving children a voice

It's vital to build safe and trusting relationships with children so they can speak out about any problems they are experiencing. This involves teaching children what neglect is and how they can get help.

Our Speak out. Stay safe service for schools helps children understand abuse in all its forms and know how to protect themselves.

Supporting children and families

Supporting children and families

Intervention

Successful interventions to support families affected by parental substance misuse should use a holistic approach to look at and improve a family's:

day-to-day functioning

psychological functioning

parent-child relationships

social factors (such as the family's network, housing and financial situation) (Altobelli and Payne, 2014; Bogg, 2013; Cleaver, Unell and Aldgate, 2011).

The child's perspective should always be prioritised.

It takes time for parents to change their behaviour so time-frames for interventions need to be flexible. There should be a balance between long-term support and more focused time-limited services (Cleaver, Unell and Aldgate, 2011; Cornwallis, 2013).

Short-term support

Immediate support for families where there is parental substance misuse should involve setting pragmatic, realistic and timely goals which focus on solutions rather than problems.

For example, practitioners need to make sure:

younger children are taken to nursery/school

older children are not missing school

all children receive the appropriate support with their school work

children are taken to all necessary medical appointments/check-ups (including dental appointments).

Practical support for parents might include helping with:

In the short-term practitioners should focus on building a good working relationship with parents rather than putting them under pressure to change entrenched, problematic behaviours immediately. However, it's important to make sure that parents are addressing their substance misuse and are engaged with a drug or alcohol service (Cleaver, Unell and Aldgate, 2011; Cornwallis, 2013; Home Office, 2003).

Medium- to long-term support

In the medium-to-long-term the family may need intensive support and therapy focussing on recognising and changing unhelpful, repetitive patterns of behaviour.

Children should be given opportunities to express their ideas and feelings. They also need help to understand more about their parent's substance misuse. They need to know that it's not their fault and that they can't control or cure their parent's addiction.

It's important for practitioners working with the family to receive reflective and challenging supervision so they can maintain an unbiased viewpoint throughout their journey with the family. It's also essential to work with colleagues in other agencies to gain different perspectives on the situation (Altobelli and Payne, 2014).

A reduction in parents' use of substances doesn't always automatically result in improved parenting (Cleaver, Unell and Aldgate, 2011; Cornwallis, 2013). Parents may need support to learn:

parenting skills

how to cope with other challenges the family is facing.

Friend and family support

The family may suffer setbacks along the way, so it's important for members of their support network to be able to step in and help where possible.

Educating extended family members, friends and communities on the impact of substance misuse on children and families can enable them to provide more effective support (Cleaver, Unell and Aldgate, 2011; Cornwallis, 2013).

Monitoring progress

Practitioners must maintain a focus on the wellbeing of the child. They should monitor and review children's progress throughout the period of intervention and respond appropriately.

Services to support families affected by parental substance misuse

Parents Under Pressure™ is a service to support families where parents have drug and alcohol problems. It teaches parenting skills and helps parents improve their relationship with their children. Our evaluation of Parents Under Pressure suggested that the programme helped parents make positive changes.
> Find out more about Parents Under Pressure

Strategy and guidance

Strategy and guidance

Statutory guidance across the UK highlights the responsibility of those in the education, community and care sectors to promote children's welfare. This includes providing support to children and families experiencing substance misuse.

In each nation of the UK the government has also set out how agencies should work together to tackle substance misuse.

In England, the 2017 drug strategy highlights the impact of parental drug misuse on children as well as the key role that families can play in supporting recovery (HM Government, 2017).

Public Health England has produced guidance for local authorities on Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children affected by parental alcohol and drug use (Public Health England, 2018).

In Northern Ireland, the strategic direction for alcohol and drugs includes provision for family support services (Department of Health, 2018).

Scotland's strategy to improve health by preventing and reducing alcohol and drug use, harm and related deaths has a section on getting it right for children, young people and families (Scottish Government, 2018).

The Scottish Government has also produced good practice guidance for agencies and practitioners working with children, young people and families affected by problematic alcohol and/or drug use (Scottish Government, 2013).

In Wales, Action area 3 of the Substance misuse strategy is about supporting and protecting families (Welsh Assembly Government, [2008]).

References and resources

References and resources

Altobelli, C. and Payne, C. (2014) Noticing the hidden harm. BACP children and young people, March: 4-8.

Bogg, D. (2013) Parental substance use: the challenge for social work. Families upfront, 9: 18-19.

Brophy, J. (2006) Research review: child care proceedings under the Children Act 1989 (PDF). London: Department for Constitutional Affairs.

Cleaver, H., Unell, I. and Aldgate, J. (2011) Children's needs: parenting capacity: child abuse: parental mental illness, learning disability, substance misuse, and domestic violence (PDF). London: The Stationery Office (TSO).

Cornwallis, T. (2013) A practical approach to tackling parental alcohol abuse. Community practitioner, 86 (2): 34-35.

Department of Health (2018) New strategic direction for alcohol and drugs. [Belfast]: Department of Health.

Home Office (2003) Hidden harm: responding to the needs of children of problem drug users: the report of an Inquiry by the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (PDF). London: Home Office.

HM Government (2017) 2017 drug strategy (PDF). London: HM Government.

Kroll, B. and Taylor, A. (2003) Parental substance misuse and child welfare. London: Jessica Kingsley.

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) (2011) Alcohol-use disorders: diagnosis, assessment and management of harmful drinking and alcohol dependence. London: NICE.

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) (2012) Drug use disorders in adults. London: NICE.

NSPCC (2018) Children living in families facing adversity: NSPCC helplines report. London: NSPCC.

Public Health England (2018) Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children affected by parental alcohol and drug use: a guide for local authorities. [Accessed 04/02/2019].

Scottish Government (2013) Getting our priorities right: good practice guidance for agencies and practitioners working with children, young people and families affected by problematic alcohol and/or drug use. [Accessed 04/02/19].

Scottish Government (2018) Rights, respect and recovery: strategy to improve health by preventing and reducing alcohol and drug use, harm and related deaths (PDF). Edinburgh: Scottish Government.

Templeton, L. (2014) Supporting families living with parental substance misuse: the M-PACT Moving Parents and Children Together programme. Child and family social work, 19 (1): 76-88.

Velleman, R. (2001) Working with substance misusing parents as part of court proceedings. Representing Children 14: 36-48.

Welsh Assembly Government [2008] Substance misuse strategy (PDF). [Cardiff]: Welsh Assembly Government.

Childline

If a child or young person needs confidential help and advice direct them to Childline. Calls to 0800 1111 are free and children can also contact Childline online or read advice on parents and alcohol and drugs on the Childline website. You can also download or order Childline posters and wallet cards.

Related NSPCC resources
> See our research and resources on substance misuse
Further reading

For further reading about parental substance misuse, search the NSPCC Library using the keywords "substance misuse"; "addicted parents"; "alcoholic parents"; "children of addicted parents"; "drug and alcohol services".

If you need more specific information, please contact our Information Service.

Introduction

'Parental substance misuse' is the long-term misuse of drugs and/or alcohol by a parent or carer.

This includes parents and carers who:

consume harmful amounts of alcohol (for example if their drinking is leading to alcohol-related health problems or accidents)

are dependent on alcohol

use drugs regularly and excessively

are dependent on drugs.

It also includes parents who aren't able to supervise their children appropriately because of their substance use (NSPCC, 2018).

Most parents and carers who drink alcohol or use drugs do so in moderation, which doesn't present an increased risk of harm to their children (Cleaver, Unell and Aldgate, 2011).

However, parents and carers who misuse substances can have chaotic, unpredictable lifestyles and may struggle to recognise and meet their children's needs. This may result in their children being at risk of harm.

Alcohol misuse

Alcohol misuse includes:

excessive and harmful drinking

alcohol dependence.

Harmful drinking is a pattern of alcohol use. It can cause alcohol-related problems including:

When someone is dependent on alcohol, they are likely to crave alcohol and continue drinking in spite of the harmful consequences. Alcohol dependence is associated with:

Drug misuse

Drug misuse is a dependence on, or regular excessive consumption of, psychoactive substances. It can lead to:

social problems

mental and psychological illness

physical illness

legal problems.

Drug misuse is more prevalent in socially deprived areas (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, 2012).

In England and Wales the most commonly used psychoactive substances include:

Opioids such as heroin may be less common but can lead to the most significant health problems (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, 2012).

Impact of parental substance misuse

Abuse and neglect

Living in a household where a parent or carer misuses substances doesn't mean a child will experience abuse, but it does make it more difficult for parents to provide safe and loving care and this can lead to abuse or neglect.

Neglect

Parents who misuse substances may have difficulty:

staying organised and giving their children effective and consistent support

keeping their home and family clean

recognising and responding appropriately to their own and their children's physical needs

paying for food, clothing and essential bills (for example if their income is being spent on drugs and alcohol)

keeping harmful substances and equipment such as needles and syringes safely away from their children.

Some parents who use drugs or drink excessively may lose consciousness, leaving no other responsible adult present to care for their child and ensure their safety (Cleaver, Unell and Aldgate, 2011).

Emotional abuse

Parents who drink excessively or misuse drugs can become emotionally unavailable to their children (Cleaver, Unell and Aldgate, 2011). Mothers with drug problems can be:

Parents who misuse substances can behave in a way that's irrational, unpredictable or withdrawn, which may frighten their children (Cleaver, Unell and Aldgate, 2011).

Physical abuse

Parents who misuse substances may have difficulty controlling their own emotions. Harmful and excessive drinking can contribute to child physical abuse (Cleaver, Unell and Aldgate, 2011; Velleman, 2001).

Criminal activity

Parents and carers who misuse drugs or alcohol may turn to crime to fund their dependency. This may mean exposing their children to unsafe adults or involving them in criminal activity (Brophy, 2006).

One girl told Childline:

"My dad has a drug and alcohol problem. He makes me sleep with other men so he can get drugs. He's also raped me before by putting drugs in my drink."
Girl, 15 (NSPCC, 2018)
Other effects

The impact of parental substance abuse varies according to each child's health, stage of development, personality and relationship with their family.

Children whose parents misuse drugs or alcohol may be separated from their parents and/or family for short- or long periods of time due to:

They may have to take on the role of carer for their family. This could include doing the housework, preparing food and looking after younger siblings (NSPCC, 2018).

Psychological effects

Many young people talk to Childline about the psychological effects of parental substance misuse. One girl said:

"My mum is up and down - sometimes she's fine and sober - but it can quickly change and she becomes worse again...[she] gets abusive when she's drunk and gets angry at me and my sisters. I don't like being at home."
Girl, 15 (NSPCC, 2018)
Other psychological effects include:

preoccupation with their parents' substance misuse

blaming themselves for their parents' behaviour

not being able to attend school regularly and/or having poor educational attainment

difficulty establishing and maintaining healthy relationships

developing behavioural, emotional or cognitive problems (Altobelli and Payne, 2014; Cleaver, Unell and Aldgate, 2011; Cornwallis, 2013; Home Office, 2003; Templeton, 2014).

Children who have experienced parental substance misuse may display risk taking behaviour themselves. They are at increased risk of developing drug or alcohol problems or offending behaviour.

Risk and vulnerability factors

All families experience challenges from time to time. This doesn't necessarily mean children are at greater risk of abuse. But when problems mount up, it can be more difficult for parents to cope - particularly if they are isolated or lack support.

Children who live in families experiencing multiple adversities can be more vulnerable. These include children whose parents:

are involved in domestic abuse

misuse substances

have mental health problems

have learning difficulties.

Responding

Responding

Reporting

If you think a child is in immediate danger, contact the police on 999. If you have concerns that a child may not be receiving the care they need, but they are not in immediate danger, you should share your concerns.

Follow your organisational child protection procedures. Organisations that work with children and families must have safeguarding policies and procedures in place.

Contact the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000 or by emailing help@nspcc.org.uk. Our trained professionals will talk through your concerns with you and give you expert advice.

Contact your local child protection services. Their contact details can be found on the website for the local authority the child lives in.

Contact the police.

Services will risk assess the situation and take action to protect the child as appropriate either through statutory involvement or other support. This may include making a referral to the local authority.
> See our information about recognising and responding to abuse
Assessment

Practitioners must work with children and families to identify and assess concerns and intervene appropriately so that the impact of parental substance misuse is minimised.

This involves carrying out a holistic assessment of the child's development, the parents' ability to meet the child's needs and the impact of broader family and environmental factors.

Practitioners need to identify each family's strengths. It's important to distinguish between immediate concerns for the child's safety and risks which can be mitigated with appropriate support (Bogg, 2013; Cleaver, Unell and Aldgate, 2011).

Effective assessments should:

focus on the child and their needs

give children the opportunity to discuss their experiences

listen to and record the child's views on the situation

identify any children who are acting as carers for their parents and siblings

treat children, parents and carers as individuals

make sure parents know they are being listened to

ask questions about the parent's drug or alcohol use

consider the wider environment such as support networks, housing and family finances

talk to any extended family members or friends who offer support to the family

collaborate with and seek the views of colleagues from other agencies who are involved with the family, such as health professionals, teachers, substance misuse services and criminal justice agencies (Bogg, 2013; Cleaver, Unell and Aldgate, 2011; Cornwallis, 2013; Home Office, 2003).

Protective factors

Factors which help reduce the impact of parental substance misuse on children are:

the child being able to ask for help

parents being willing to acknowledge their difficulties and seek help and support

the parent and child having a positive relationship

social support being available to the family (for example relatives or friends who can provide the children with care and stability, offer financial support and make sure the home is clean and safe)

the parent and child having good general physical and mental health

having one parent who does not misuse substances

being able to maintain daily routines (Bogg, 2013; Cleaver, Unell and Aldgate, 2011; Cornwallis, 2013).

Giving children a voice

It's vital to build safe and trusting relationships with children so they can speak out about any problems they are experiencing. This involves teaching children what neglect is and how they can get help.

Our Speak out. Stay safe service for schools helps children understand abuse in all its forms and know how to protect themselves.

Supporting children and families

Supporting children and families

Intervention

Successful interventions to support families affected by parental substance misuse should use a holistic approach to look at and improve a family's:

day-to-day functioning

psychological functioning

parent-child relationships

social factors (such as the family's network, housing and financial situation) (Altobelli and Payne, 2014; Bogg, 2013; Cleaver, Unell and Aldgate, 2011).

The child's perspective should always be prioritised.

It takes time for parents to change their behaviour so time-frames for interventions need to be flexible. There should be a balance between long-term support and more focused time-limited services (Cleaver, Unell and Aldgate, 2011; Cornwallis, 2013).

Short-term support

Immediate support for families where there is parental substance misuse should involve setting pragmatic, realistic and timely goals which focus on solutions rather than problems.

For example, practitioners need to make sure:

younger children are taken to nursery/school

older children are not missing school

all children receive the appropriate support with their school work

children are taken to all necessary medical appointments/check-ups (including dental appointments).

Practical support for parents might include helping with:

In the short-term practitioners should focus on building a good working relationship with parents rather than putting them under pressure to change entrenched, problematic behaviours immediately. However, it's important to make sure that parents are addressing their substance misuse and are engaged with a drug or alcohol service (Cleaver, Unell and Aldgate, 2011; Cornwallis, 2013; Home Office, 2003).

Medium- to long-term support

In the medium-to-long-term the family may need intensive support and therapy focussing on recognising and changing unhelpful, repetitive patterns of behaviour.

Children should be given opportunities to express their ideas and feelings. They also need help to understand more about their parent's substance misuse. They need to know that it's not their fault and that they can't control or cure their parent's addiction.

It's important for practitioners working with the family to receive reflective and challenging supervision so they can maintain an unbiased viewpoint throughout their journey with the family. It's also essential to work with colleagues in other agencies to gain different perspectives on the situation (Altobelli and Payne, 2014).

A reduction in parents' use of substances doesn't always automatically result in improved parenting (Cleaver, Unell and Aldgate, 2011; Cornwallis, 2013). Parents may need support to learn:

parenting skills

how to cope with other challenges the family is facing.

Friend and family support

The family may suffer setbacks along the way, so it's important for members of their support network to be able to step in and help where possible.

Educating extended family members, friends and communities on the impact of substance misuse on children and families can enable them to provide more effective support (Cleaver, Unell and Aldgate, 2011; Cornwallis, 2013).

Monitoring progress

Practitioners must maintain a focus on the wellbeing of the child. They should monitor and review children's progress throughout the period of intervention and respond appropriately.

Services to support families affected by parental substance misuse

Parents Under Pressure™ is a service to support families where parents have drug and alcohol problems. It teaches parenting skills and helps parents improve their relationship with their children. Our evaluation of Parents Under Pressure suggested that the programme helped parents make positive changes.
> Find out more about Parents Under Pressure

Strategy and guidance

Strategy and guidance

Statutory guidance across the UK highlights the responsibility of those in the education, community and care sectors to promote children's welfare. This includes providing support to children and families experiencing substance misuse.

In each nation of the UK the government has also set out how agencies should work together to tackle substance misuse.

In England, the 2017 drug strategy highlights the impact of parental drug misuse on children as well as the key role that families can play in supporting recovery (HM Government, 2017).

Public Health England has produced guidance for local authorities on Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children affected by parental alcohol and drug use (Public Health England, 2018).

In Northern Ireland, the strategic direction for alcohol and drugs includes provision for family support services (Department of Health, 2018).

Scotland's strategy to improve health by preventing and reducing alcohol and drug use, harm and related deaths has a section on getting it right for children, young people and families (Scottish Government, 2018).

The Scottish Government has also produced good practice guidance for agencies and practitioners working with children, young people and families affected by problematic alcohol and/or drug use (Scottish Government, 2013).

In Wales, Action area 3 of the Substance misuse strategy is about supporting and protecting families (Welsh Assembly Government, [2008]).

References and resources

References and resources

Altobelli, C. and Payne, C. (2014) Noticing the hidden harm. BACP children and young people, March: 4-8.

Bogg, D. (2013) Parental substance use: the challenge for social work. Families upfront, 9: 18-19.

Brophy, J. (2006) Research review: child care proceedings under the Children Act 1989 (PDF). London: Department for Constitutional Affairs.

Cleaver, H., Unell, I. and Aldgate, J. (2011) Children's needs: parenting capacity: child abuse: parental mental illness, learning disability, substance misuse, and domestic violence (PDF). London: The Stationery Office (TSO).

Cornwallis, T. (2013) A practical approach to tackling parental alcohol abuse. Community practitioner, 86 (2): 34-35.

Department of Health (2018) New strategic direction for alcohol and drugs. [Belfast]: Department of Health.

Home Office (2003) Hidden harm: responding to the needs of children of problem drug users: the report of an Inquiry by the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (PDF). London: Home Office.

HM Government (2017) 2017 drug strategy (PDF). London: HM Government.

Kroll, B. and Taylor, A. (2003) Parental substance misuse and child welfare. London: Jessica Kingsley.

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) (2011) Alcohol-use disorders: diagnosis, assessment and management of harmful drinking and alcohol dependence. London: NICE.

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) (2012) Drug use disorders in adults. London: NICE.

NSPCC (2018) Children living in families facing adversity: NSPCC helplines report. London: NSPCC.

Public Health England (2018) Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children affected by parental alcohol and drug use: a guide for local authorities. [Accessed 04/02/2019].

Scottish Government (2013) Getting our priorities right: good practice guidance for agencies and practitioners working with children, young people and families affected by problematic alcohol and/or drug use. [Accessed 04/02/19].

Scottish Government (2018) Rights, respect and recovery: strategy to improve health by preventing and reducing alcohol and drug use, harm and related deaths (PDF). Edinburgh: Scottish Government.

Templeton, L. (2014) Supporting families living with parental substance misuse: the M-PACT Moving Parents and Children Together programme. Child and family social work, 19 (1): 76-88.

Velleman, R. (2001) Working with substance misusing parents as part of court proceedings. Representing Children 14: 36-48.

Welsh Assembly Government [2008] Substance misuse strategy (PDF). [Cardiff]: Welsh Assembly Government.

Childline

If a child or young person needs confidential help and advice direct them to Childline. Calls to 0800 1111 are free and children can also contact Childline online or read advice on parents and alcohol and drugs on the Childline website. You can also download or order Childline posters and wallet cards.

Related NSPCC resources
> See our research and resources on substance misuse
Further reading

For further reading about parental substance misuse, search the NSPCC Library using the keywords "substance misuse"; "addicted parents"; "alcoholic parents"; "children of addicted parents"; "drug and alcohol services".

If you need more specific information, please contact our Information Service.

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Parental substance misuse | NSPCC Learning

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We use cookies to give you the best possible experience on our site. By continuing to use the site you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more Introduction 'Parental substance misuse' is the long-term misuse of drugs and/or alcohol by a parent or carer.

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Protecting children from sexual exploitation

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Protecting children from sexual exploitation

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Protecting children from sexual exploitation | NSPCC Learning

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Explains what child sexual exploitation is, how to recognise it and how people who work with children can respond to it.

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Introduction

What is county lines?

County lines is a form of criminal exploitation where urban gangs persuade, coerce or force children and young people to store drugs and money and/or transport them to suburban areas, market towns and coastal towns (Home Office, 2018). It can happen in any part of the UK and is against the law and a form of child abuse.

Children and young people may be criminally exploited in multiple ways. Other forms of criminal exploitation include child sexual exploitation, trafficking, gang and knife crime.

County lines gangs are highly organised criminal networks that use sophisticated, frequently evolving techniques to groom young people and evade capture by the police.

Perpetrators use children and young people to maximise profits and distance themselves from the criminal act of physically dealing drugs (National Crime agency, 2019). Young people do the majority of the work and take the most risk.

Dedicated mobile phone lines or "deal lines" are used to help facilitate county lines drug deals. Phones are usually cheap, disposable and old fashioned, because they are changed frequently to avoid detection by the police.

Gangs use the phones to receive orders and contact young people to instruct them where to deliver drugs. This may be to a local dealer or drug user, or a dealer or drug user in another county.

Phrases that young people may use to refer to county lines include:

'running a line',

'going OT/out there'

'going country'

'going cunch'.

These all refer to going out of town to deliver drugs or money (Thurrock Council, 2020).

We've put together some information to help anyone who works or volunteers with children and young people to recognise the signs that a child might be being exploited by a county lines gang and understand what action to take to help keep children safe.

This includes:

the risks associated with county lines

recognising and responding to concerns about county lines

how professionals can work to prevent county lines

a summary of the relevant legislation and guidance.

Risks

County lines is a cross-cutting issue that often overlaps with other forms of abuse and criminal exploitation. It can lead to serious physical and emotional harm to young people (Home Office, 2020a).

Criminalisation

If adults who work with children don't understand that county lines is a form of abuse, they may see children involved in county lines activity as criminals rather than as victims of criminal exploitation (Children's Society, 2019).

This can lead to children not getting the safeguarding support and protection they need.

Drugs

Perpetrators may use drugs and alcohol to entice young people into the gang lifestyle.

In some cases gangs trick young people into incurring drug debts that they then have to pay off through county lines activity. This is often referred to as 'debt bondage'.

Physical violence

There is a strong link between county lines activity and:

serious violence such as knife and gun crime

the use of substances such as acid as a weapon

homicide

(Home Office, 2018).

Conflict between rival gangs that are in dispute over who controls an area can lead to serious injury or death for young people who get caught in the wrong place.

The fear of serious physical violence as revenge for disrespecting, 'snitching' or 'grassing' is one of the things that prevents young people from leaving gangs or seeking help from the police and other agencies.

Sexual abuse and exploitation

As well as being used to transport drugs, county lines gangs may sexually abuse and exploit children of any gender (National Crime Agency, 2019).

This can happen through:

young people being forced into sexual activity with gang members or for the gang's financial gain

vulnerable children being made to work off drug debts through sexual exploitation as 'payment' (this might happen after the child has been coerced into becoming dependent on drugs by the gang)

children being groomed into what they believe is a romantic relationship with a gang member which then leads to exploitation

(National Crime Agency, 2019).

Some children are forced to transport drugs in ways that are invasive and harmful to their bodies. Young people may be forced to swallow bags of drugs to transport them, which could potentially be life threatening.

The practice of 'plugging' is also common, whereby drugs are inserted into a child's rectum or vagina. This is a form of sexual abuse and in some cases it can cause a child's death (Ofsted et al, 2018).

Trafficking and missing children

Young people can be trafficked to locations far away from where they live for long periods of time by a county lines gang. They may end up staying in unsuitable accommodation in an area that is unknown to them. This might include short term holiday lets or budget hotels.

Cuckooing

Cuckooing happens when a county lines gang takes over the home of a vulnerable adult by coercion or force, and use it as a base to deal drugs from. The vulnerable adult may have issues with substance misuse or mental health problems, be elderly or disabled or be in debt to the gang. These factors can make it easier for the gang to exploit and control them.

Children can be forced or coerced to stay at cuckooed addresses for long periods of time to deal drugs.

A cuckooed address is sometimes referred to as a 'bando' or a 'spot' by county lines gangs (Thurrock Council, 2020).

Financial exploitation and abuse

Gangs are known to launder money from drug sales through children's bank accounts, either by using an existing account or forcing or persuading the child to open a new one (Children's Society, 2019).
> Find out more about protecting children from trafficking and modern slavery

Recognising

Recognising

Grooming

The grooming process involves the gang:

seeking out a child to exploit

observing the child for vulnerabilities

finding out what the child's needs and wants are

manipulating the child into believing that being in the gang can fulfil these needs.

Once they have identified a child, the gang will make some form of contact and the grooming process will begin. This could be in person or via mobile phone. Social media profiles may also be used to glamourise gang life and entice young people.

Some children are groomed through family members, for instance if they have a sibling or relative who is already involved with a county lines gang.

County lines gangs offer money and status to attract young people. Children may also be attracted to joining a gang by the prospect of belonging to a 'family' that will protect them if their own family feels unstable or unsafe.

The following have been identified as key places where county lines gangs target and approach vulnerable young people:

schools and further and higher educational institutions

special educational needs schools

places for alternative provision outside of mainstream education

foster homes

homeless shelters.

Once a child is part of a county lines gang their loyalty and commitment will be tested. The gang will begin to trap the child by making them feel powerless to leave. This might include threats of violence if they leave, making the child feel like they are betraying their new 'family', or telling the child they will get in trouble if they seek help because they have committed a criminal offence (Children's Society, 2019).
> Find out more about grooming
Who is vulnerable to county lines exploitation?

Any child could potentially be at risk of criminal exploitation by a county lines gang.

Factors that make a county lines gang more likely to target, groom and exploit a child include:

the child having experienced neglect, physical and/or sexual abuse in the past

social isolation or social difficulties

poverty

homelessness or insecure accommodation status

connections with other people involved in gangs

having a learning disability

having mental health problems

having substance misuse issues

being in care or having a history of being in care

being excluded from mainstream education

(Home Office, 2020a).

Permanent exclusion from mainstream education has been identified as a critical event that can lead to young people becoming vulnerable to criminal exploitation (Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel, 2020).

County lines gangs can take advantage of the lack of structure, loss of a sense of belonging and feeling of rejection that exclusion can elicit in a young person.

The average age of young people who are exploited through county lines activity is 15-16 years old, but children as young as 12 have also been reported to have been involved (Home Office, 2020a).

Signs that a young person may be involved in criminal exploitation

The following signs may indicate that a child is being exploited by a county lines gang:

frequently going missing from school, home or care

travelling to locations, or being found in areas they have no obvious connections with, including seaside or market towns

unwillingness to explain their whereabouts

acquiring money, clothes, accessories or mobile phones which they seem unable to account for

receiving excessive texts or phone calls at all hours of the day

having multiple mobile phone handsets or sim cards

withdrawing or having sudden changes in personality, behaviour or the language they use

having relationships with controlling or older individuals and groups

unexplained injuries

carrying weapons

significant decline in school results or performance

being isolated from peers or social networks

associating with or being interested in gang culture

self-harming or having significant changes in mental health

(Ministry of Justice, 2019).

Responding

Responding to concerns about county lines exploitation

If you're worried that a child or young person might be or is at risk of being exploited by a county lines gang, you must share your concerns.

Reporting

If you think a child is in immediate danger, contact the police on 999. If you're worried about a child but they are not in immediate danger, you should share your concerns.

Follow your organisational child protection procedures. Organisations that work with children and families must have safeguarding policies and procedures in place.

Contact the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000 or by emailing help@nspcc.org.uk. Our trained professionals will talk through your concerns with you and give you expert advice.

Contact the local child protection services. Their contact details can be found on the website for the relevant local authority. The local authority the child comes from is responsible for the child's welfare. But it is also good practice to contact the local authority in the area the child is found, as they may need to be a part of the multi-agency response and there may be other children or vulnerable adults at risk.

Contact the police.

National referral mechanism (NRM)

As part of county lines, young people are trafficked to different locations.

You should refer children who have been trafficked to the National Referral Mechanism (NRM). Evidence of a referral can be used in a young person's defence in criminal and legal proceedings (Youth Justice Legal Centre, 2018).
> Find out more about what action to take if a child has been exploited through trafficking and modern slavery
Multi-agency working

A multi-agency response is needed to tackle county lines and protect any children involved from further exploitation. This should include participation from local authority children's social care, the local authority community safety team, schools, police and youth offending teams.

The local authority the child comes from (if known) is responsible for the child's welfare (Ministry of Justice, 2019). They may need to liaise with child protection agencies in the area the child was found, in order to keep the child safe.

Collaborative working and information sharing is essential in protecting the welfare of the child.

Across the UK, Independent Child Trafficking Guardians (ICTGs) can act as sources of advice for children without a figure of parental responsibility in the UK who have been victims of trafficking and modern slavery (Home Office, 2020b).

ICTG regional practice co-ordinators take on a more strategic role supporting children who do have a figure of parental responsibility, working with professionals to encourage them to take a co-ordinated and multi-agency approach to child trafficking, modern slavery and county lines (Home Office, 2020b).
> Find out more about multi-agency working in child protection and safeguarding
Supporting the young person who has been exploited

Adults who work or volunteer with children and young people are in a good position to build trusting relationships with them. This will help young people feel able to discuss issues that are affecting their lives and speak out if they need support about any issue, including county lines (Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel, 2020).

Those who work with children need to be clear that county lines is not a lifestyle choice and that the young person is not to blame for being exploited by a gang.

Young people who are involved with a county lines gang may push back when help is offered. They may not see themselves as being exploited or they may be scared of recriminations if they 'snitch' or' grass' on gang leaders.

Gangs convince young people that there is no way out for them, in order to trap and control them. This means it's important for adults to reassure young people that there is a way out of gang life and that help is available when they are ready to leave.

Young people may finally reach out for help in the event of a major incident or emergency. This might include a serious injury or the threat of serious injury to themselves or someone they know, or if someone they know was killed. If professionals do not act quickly and effectively to intervene at this point, the child may be 're-groomed' or pressured back into the gang (Canterbury Community Safety Partnership, 2020).

Childline

If a child or young person needs confidential help and advice about gangs or anything else that's worrying them, you can always direct them to Childline. Calls to 0800 1111 are free and children can also contact Childline online.

Childline provides information and advice for young people affected by gang activity, drugs or any other form of abuse.

You can also download or order Childline posters and wallet cards.

Training

To help identify and support children who have experienced county lines, professionals need training which covers:

signs and indicators of county lines exploitation

the legislative framework around criminal exploitation

the NRM referral process

understanding the trauma experienced by young people

(Children's Society, 2019).

Prevention

Prevention

Schools and education

Schools and colleges can help raise awareness of county lines. This can be done through whole-school assemblies, class discussions or smaller group work.

As well as discussing what county lines is and how children might be targeted by gangs, schools should ensure children know who they can talk to if they have any concerns.

Schools are also well-placed to identify any children who may be at risk of county lines and form part of the multi-agency response.
> Find out more about having difficult conversations with children

> Find out more about promoting healthy relationships
Exclusion from school

If a child is at risk of being excluded from education, schools should always consider what immediate wrap around support can be put in place to protect them from county lines.

This should include exploring what support is available from children's social care, and voluntary and community organisations.

having their other children 'taken away' from them

their child being excluded from school

criminalising their child

recriminations from the county lines gang

Working with parents and carers

Engaging with parents and carers can help protect children and young people who are at risk of criminal exploitation. Parents and carers need support to manage any risk to their child.

It's important for services working with children at risk of county lines to understand what barriers might be in place for parents and carers. These might include fears around:

(Canterbury Community Safety Partnership, 2020; Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel, 2020).

Legislation and guidance

Legislation and guidance

Statutory guidance across the UK highlights the responsibility of those in the education, community and care sectors to safeguard children from all forms of abuse including county lines and other criminal exploitation.

County lines may involve child trafficking and modern slavery.
> Find out more about the legislation relating to child trafficking and modern slavery across the UK
Guidance

The Home Office has provided key guidance for all four UK nations on how to recognise and respond to concerns about county lines (Home Office, 2020a).

In England and Wales, the Ministry of Justice has provided guidance for frontline practitioners on referral pathways for responding to and safeguarding children involved in county lines (Ministry of Justice, 2019).

Public Health England (PHE) has published guidance on county lines exploitation to help health professionals prevent child exploitation and protect vulnerable children that have been manipulated and coerced into crime (PHE, 2021).

Practice principles, commissioned by the Department for Education (DfE), have been published by The Tackling Child Exploitation (TCE) Support Programme. The principles are for all professionals working with children around effective partnership working when responding to child exploitation and extra-familial harm (TCE Support Programme, 2023).

Further reading

For further reading about county lines, search the NSPCC Library catalogue using the keywords "county lines" or "criminal exploitation of children".

If you need more specific information, please contact our Information Service.

References

References

Canterbury Community Safety Partnership (2020) Protect your child: county lines and drug and alcohol abuse. (YouTube video). [Accessed 16/03/2021].

Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel (2020) It was hard to escape: safeguarding children at risk from criminal exploitation (PDF). [London]: Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel.

Children's Society (2019) Counting lives report: responding to children who are criminally exploited (PDF). London: Children's Society.

Home Office (2020a) Criminal exploitation of children and vulnerable adults: county lines. [Accessed 16/03/2021].

Home Office (2020b) 2020 UK annual report on modern slavery. [Accessed 16/03/2021].

Home Office (2018) County lines: criminal exploitation of children and vulnerable adults. [Accessed 16/03/2021].

Ministry of Justice (2019) County lines exploitation: practice guidance for youth offending teams and frontline practitioners. [Accessed 16/03/2021].

National Crime Agency (2019) County lines: drug supply, vulnerability and harm 2018 (PDF). London: National Crime Agency.

Ofsted et al (2018) Protecting children from criminal exploitation, human trafficking and modern slavery: an addendum. Manchester: Ofsted.

Public Health England (2021) County Lines exploitation: applying All Our Health. [Accessed 19/03/2021].

Thurrock Council (2020) Gangs and gang crime: county lines (drug trafficking). [Accessed 16/03/2021].

Youth Justice Legal Centre (2018) Child criminal exploitation: county lines gangs, child trafficking and modern slavery defences for children. London: Youth Justice Legal Centre.

Introduction

What is county lines?

County lines is a form of criminal exploitation where urban gangs persuade, coerce or force children and young people to store drugs and money and/or transport them to suburban areas, market towns and coastal towns (Home Office, 2018). It can happen in any part of the UK and is against the law and a form of child abuse.

Children and young people may be criminally exploited in multiple ways. Other forms of criminal exploitation include child sexual exploitation, trafficking, gang and knife crime.

County lines gangs are highly organised criminal networks that use sophisticated, frequently evolving techniques to groom young people and evade capture by the police.

Perpetrators use children and young people to maximise profits and distance themselves from the criminal act of physically dealing drugs (National Crime agency, 2019). Young people do the majority of the work and take the most risk.

Dedicated mobile phone lines or "deal lines" are used to help facilitate county lines drug deals. Phones are usually cheap, disposable and old fashioned, because they are changed frequently to avoid detection by the police.

Gangs use the phones to receive orders and contact young people to instruct them where to deliver drugs. This may be to a local dealer or drug user, or a dealer or drug user in another county.

Phrases that young people may use to refer to county lines include:

'running a line',

'going OT/out there'

'going country'

'going cunch'.

These all refer to going out of town to deliver drugs or money (Thurrock Council, 2020).

We've put together some information to help anyone who works or volunteers with children and young people to recognise the signs that a child might be being exploited by a county lines gang and understand what action to take to help keep children safe.

This includes:

the risks associated with county lines

recognising and responding to concerns about county lines

how professionals can work to prevent county lines

a summary of the relevant legislation and guidance.

Risks

County lines is a cross-cutting issue that often overlaps with other forms of abuse and criminal exploitation. It can lead to serious physical and emotional harm to young people (Home Office, 2020a).

Criminalisation

If adults who work with children don't understand that county lines is a form of abuse, they may see children involved in county lines activity as criminals rather than as victims of criminal exploitation (Children's Society, 2019).

This can lead to children not getting the safeguarding support and protection they need.

Drugs

Perpetrators may use drugs and alcohol to entice young people into the gang lifestyle.

In some cases gangs trick young people into incurring drug debts that they then have to pay off through county lines activity. This is often referred to as 'debt bondage'.

Physical violence

There is a strong link between county lines activity and:

serious violence such as knife and gun crime

the use of substances such as acid as a weapon

homicide

(Home Office, 2018).

Conflict between rival gangs that are in dispute over who controls an area can lead to serious injury or death for young people who get caught in the wrong place.

The fear of serious physical violence as revenge for disrespecting, 'snitching' or 'grassing' is one of the things that prevents young people from leaving gangs or seeking help from the police and other agencies.

Sexual abuse and exploitation

As well as being used to transport drugs, county lines gangs may sexually abuse and exploit children of any gender (National Crime Agency, 2019).

This can happen through:

young people being forced into sexual activity with gang members or for the gang's financial gain

vulnerable children being made to work off drug debts through sexual exploitation as 'payment' (this might happen after the child has been coerced into becoming dependent on drugs by the gang)

children being groomed into what they believe is a romantic relationship with a gang member which then leads to exploitation

(National Crime Agency, 2019).

Some children are forced to transport drugs in ways that are invasive and harmful to their bodies. Young people may be forced to swallow bags of drugs to transport them, which could potentially be life threatening.

The practice of 'plugging' is also common, whereby drugs are inserted into a child's rectum or vagina. This is a form of sexual abuse and in some cases it can cause a child's death (Ofsted et al, 2018).

Trafficking and missing children

Young people can be trafficked to locations far away from where they live for long periods of time by a county lines gang. They may end up staying in unsuitable accommodation in an area that is unknown to them. This might include short term holiday lets or budget hotels.

Cuckooing

Cuckooing happens when a county lines gang takes over the home of a vulnerable adult by coercion or force, and use it as a base to deal drugs from. The vulnerable adult may have issues with substance misuse or mental health problems, be elderly or disabled or be in debt to the gang. These factors can make it easier for the gang to exploit and control them.

Children can be forced or coerced to stay at cuckooed addresses for long periods of time to deal drugs.

A cuckooed address is sometimes referred to as a 'bando' or a 'spot' by county lines gangs (Thurrock Council, 2020).

Financial exploitation and abuse

Gangs are known to launder money from drug sales through children's bank accounts, either by using an existing account or forcing or persuading the child to open a new one (Children's Society, 2019).
> Find out more about protecting children from trafficking and modern slavery

Recognising

Recognising

Grooming

The grooming process involves the gang:

seeking out a child to exploit

observing the child for vulnerabilities

finding out what the child's needs and wants are

manipulating the child into believing that being in the gang can fulfil these needs.

Once they have identified a child, the gang will make some form of contact and the grooming process will begin. This could be in person or via mobile phone. Social media profiles may also be used to glamourise gang life and entice young people.

Some children are groomed through family members, for instance if they have a sibling or relative who is already involved with a county lines gang.

County lines gangs offer money and status to attract young people. Children may also be attracted to joining a gang by the prospect of belonging to a 'family' that will protect them if their own family feels unstable or unsafe.

The following have been identified as key places where county lines gangs target and approach vulnerable young people:

schools and further and higher educational institutions

special educational needs schools

places for alternative provision outside of mainstream education

foster homes

homeless shelters.

Once a child is part of a county lines gang their loyalty and commitment will be tested. The gang will begin to trap the child by making them feel powerless to leave. This might include threats of violence if they leave, making the child feel like they are betraying their new 'family', or telling the child they will get in trouble if they seek help because they have committed a criminal offence (Children's Society, 2019).
> Find out more about grooming
Who is vulnerable to county lines exploitation?

Any child could potentially be at risk of criminal exploitation by a county lines gang.

Factors that make a county lines gang more likely to target, groom and exploit a child include:

the child having experienced neglect, physical and/or sexual abuse in the past

social isolation or social difficulties

poverty

homelessness or insecure accommodation status

connections with other people involved in gangs

having a learning disability

having mental health problems

having substance misuse issues

being in care or having a history of being in care

being excluded from mainstream education

(Home Office, 2020a).

Permanent exclusion from mainstream education has been identified as a critical event that can lead to young people becoming vulnerable to criminal exploitation (Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel, 2020).

County lines gangs can take advantage of the lack of structure, loss of a sense of belonging and feeling of rejection that exclusion can elicit in a young person.

The average age of young people who are exploited through county lines activity is 15-16 years old, but children as young as 12 have also been reported to have been involved (Home Office, 2020a).

Signs that a young person may be involved in criminal exploitation

The following signs may indicate that a child is being exploited by a county lines gang:

frequently going missing from school, home or care

travelling to locations, or being found in areas they have no obvious connections with, including seaside or market towns

unwillingness to explain their whereabouts

acquiring money, clothes, accessories or mobile phones which they seem unable to account for

receiving excessive texts or phone calls at all hours of the day

having multiple mobile phone handsets or sim cards

withdrawing or having sudden changes in personality, behaviour or the language they use

having relationships with controlling or older individuals and groups

unexplained injuries

carrying weapons

significant decline in school results or performance

being isolated from peers or social networks

associating with or being interested in gang culture

self-harming or having significant changes in mental health

(Ministry of Justice, 2019).

Responding

Responding to concerns about county lines exploitation

If you're worried that a child or young person might be or is at risk of being exploited by a county lines gang, you must share your concerns.

Reporting

If you think a child is in immediate danger, contact the police on 999. If you're worried about a child but they are not in immediate danger, you should share your concerns.

Follow your organisational child protection procedures. Organisations that work with children and families must have safeguarding policies and procedures in place.

Contact the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000 or by emailing help@nspcc.org.uk. Our trained professionals will talk through your concerns with you and give you expert advice.

Contact the local child protection services. Their contact details can be found on the website for the relevant local authority. The local authority the child comes from is responsible for the child's welfare. But it is also good practice to contact the local authority in the area the child is found, as they may need to be a part of the multi-agency response and there may be other children or vulnerable adults at risk.

Contact the police.

National referral mechanism (NRM)

As part of county lines, young people are trafficked to different locations.

You should refer children who have been trafficked to the National Referral Mechanism (NRM). Evidence of a referral can be used in a young person's defence in criminal and legal proceedings (Youth Justice Legal Centre, 2018).
> Find out more about what action to take if a child has been exploited through trafficking and modern slavery
Multi-agency working

A multi-agency response is needed to tackle county lines and protect any children involved from further exploitation. This should include participation from local authority children's social care, the local authority community safety team, schools, police and youth offending teams.

The local authority the child comes from (if known) is responsible for the child's welfare (Ministry of Justice, 2019). They may need to liaise with child protection agencies in the area the child was found, in order to keep the child safe.

Collaborative working and information sharing is essential in protecting the welfare of the child.

Across the UK, Independent Child Trafficking Guardians (ICTGs) can act as sources of advice for children without a figure of parental responsibility in the UK who have been victims of trafficking and modern slavery (Home Office, 2020b).

ICTG regional practice co-ordinators take on a more strategic role supporting children who do have a figure of parental responsibility, working with professionals to encourage them to take a co-ordinated and multi-agency approach to child trafficking, modern slavery and county lines (Home Office, 2020b).
> Find out more about multi-agency working in child protection and safeguarding
Supporting the young person who has been exploited

Adults who work or volunteer with children and young people are in a good position to build trusting relationships with them. This will help young people feel able to discuss issues that are affecting their lives and speak out if they need support about any issue, including county lines (Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel, 2020).

Those who work with children need to be clear that county lines is not a lifestyle choice and that the young person is not to blame for being exploited by a gang.

Young people who are involved with a county lines gang may push back when help is offered. They may not see themselves as being exploited or they may be scared of recriminations if they 'snitch' or' grass' on gang leaders.

Gangs convince young people that there is no way out for them, in order to trap and control them. This means it's important for adults to reassure young people that there is a way out of gang life and that help is available when they are ready to leave.

Young people may finally reach out for help in the event of a major incident or emergency. This might include a serious injury or the threat of serious injury to themselves or someone they know, or if someone they know was killed. If professionals do not act quickly and effectively to intervene at this point, the child may be 're-groomed' or pressured back into the gang (Canterbury Community Safety Partnership, 2020).

Childline

If a child or young person needs confidential help and advice about gangs or anything else that's worrying them, you can always direct them to Childline. Calls to 0800 1111 are free and children can also contact Childline online.

Childline provides information and advice for young people affected by gang activity, drugs or any other form of abuse.

You can also download or order Childline posters and wallet cards.

Training

To help identify and support children who have experienced county lines, professionals need training which covers:

signs and indicators of county lines exploitation

the legislative framework around criminal exploitation

the NRM referral process

understanding the trauma experienced by young people

(Children's Society, 2019).

Prevention

Prevention

Schools and education

Schools and colleges can help raise awareness of county lines. This can be done through whole-school assemblies, class discussions or smaller group work.

As well as discussing what county lines is and how children might be targeted by gangs, schools should ensure children know who they can talk to if they have any concerns.

Schools are also well-placed to identify any children who may be at risk of county lines and form part of the multi-agency response.
> Find out more about having difficult conversations with children

> Find out more about promoting healthy relationships
Exclusion from school

If a child is at risk of being excluded from education, schools should always consider what immediate wrap around support can be put in place to protect them from county lines.

This should include exploring what support is available from children's social care, and voluntary and community organisations.

having their other children 'taken away' from them

their child being excluded from school

criminalising their child

recriminations from the county lines gang

Working with parents and carers

Engaging with parents and carers can help protect children and young people who are at risk of criminal exploitation. Parents and carers need support to manage any risk to their child.

It's important for services working with children at risk of county lines to understand what barriers might be in place for parents and carers. These might include fears around:

(Canterbury Community Safety Partnership, 2020; Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel, 2020).

Legislation and guidance

Legislation and guidance

Statutory guidance across the UK highlights the responsibility of those in the education, community and care sectors to safeguard children from all forms of abuse including county lines and other criminal exploitation.

County lines may involve child trafficking and modern slavery.
> Find out more about the legislation relating to child trafficking and modern slavery across the UK
Guidance

The Home Office has provided key guidance for all four UK nations on how to recognise and respond to concerns about county lines (Home Office, 2020a).

In England and Wales, the Ministry of Justice has provided guidance for frontline practitioners on referral pathways for responding to and safeguarding children involved in county lines (Ministry of Justice, 2019).

Public Health England (PHE) has published guidance on county lines exploitation to help health professionals prevent child exploitation and protect vulnerable children that have been manipulated and coerced into crime (PHE, 2021).

Practice principles, commissioned by the Department for Education (DfE), have been published by The Tackling Child Exploitation (TCE) Support Programme. The principles are for all professionals working with children around effective partnership working when responding to child exploitation and extra-familial harm (TCE Support Programme, 2023).

Further reading

For further reading about county lines, search the NSPCC Library catalogue using the keywords "county lines" or "criminal exploitation of children".

If you need more specific information, please contact our Information Service.

References

References

Canterbury Community Safety Partnership (2020) Protect your child: county lines and drug and alcohol abuse. (YouTube video). [Accessed 16/03/2021].

Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel (2020) It was hard to escape: safeguarding children at risk from criminal exploitation (PDF). [London]: Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel.

Children's Society (2019) Counting lives report: responding to children who are criminally exploited (PDF). London: Children's Society.

Home Office (2020a) Criminal exploitation of children and vulnerable adults: county lines. [Accessed 16/03/2021].

Home Office (2020b) 2020 UK annual report on modern slavery. [Accessed 16/03/2021].

Home Office (2018) County lines: criminal exploitation of children and vulnerable adults. [Accessed 16/03/2021].

Ministry of Justice (2019) County lines exploitation: practice guidance for youth offending teams and frontline practitioners. [Accessed 16/03/2021].

National Crime Agency (2019) County lines: drug supply, vulnerability and harm 2018 (PDF). London: National Crime Agency.

Ofsted et al (2018) Protecting children from criminal exploitation, human trafficking and modern slavery: an addendum. Manchester: Ofsted.

Public Health England (2021) County Lines exploitation: applying All Our Health. [Accessed 19/03/2021].

Thurrock Council (2020) Gangs and gang crime: county lines (drug trafficking). [Accessed 16/03/2021].

Youth Justice Legal Centre (2018) Child criminal exploitation: county lines gangs, child trafficking and modern slavery defences for children. London: Youth Justice Legal Centre.

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Protecting children from county lines | NSPCC Learning

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Provides information on how adults working or volunteering with children can recognise, respond to and protect children from county lines.