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Statutory guidance on inter-agency working to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.

Details

This guidance is for:

local authority chief executives

directors of children's services

safeguarding partners

teachers and education staff

social workers

health service professionals

adult services

police officers

voluntary and community sector workers in contact with children and families

It applies to:

A version of the guidance for young people and a separate version suitable for younger children are also available for practitioners to share.

Statutory guidance is issued by law - you must follow it unless there's a good reason not to.

Working together to safeguard children 2018

This is a factual update to Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018 to reflect recent changes to legislation, including:

Integrated Care Boards: from 1 July 2022, integrated care boards have replaced clinical commissioning groups as a result of the Health and Care Act 2022

Public Health England: has now been replaced by the UK Health Security Agency and the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID), which is part of the Department of Health and Social Care, and by the UK Health Security Agency. The Chief Public Health Nurse role has transferred to OHID

Domestic Abuse Act 2021: references to the Domestic Abuse Bill should be read as the Domestic Abuse Act 2021

UK GDPR: references to the GDPR should be read as the UK GDPR. The UK GDPR is the retained EU law version of the GDPR. The UK GDPR sits alongside the Data Protection Act 2018

Statutory framework

The updated statutory framework sets out the legislation relevant to safeguarding and it should be read alongside the statutory guidance.

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Statutory guidance on inter-agency working to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.

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Information for providers, parents and carers on keeping children safe in community activities, after-school clubs, tuition, sports training and other out-of-school settings.

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Keeping children safe in out-of-school settings

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Information for providers, parents and carers on keeping children safe in community activities, after-school clubs, tuition, sports training and other out-of-school settings.

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Early years and childcare: Ofsted’s enforcement policy

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Ofsted’s policy on how we regulate childcare providers explains what we may do if a provider is not following the regulations.

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Cookies on GOV.UK

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We'd like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services.

We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services.

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All handbooks and frameworks for the remits that Ofsted inspects and/or regulates.

Education inspection framework (EIF)

This framework sets out Ofsted's inspection principles and the main judgements that inspectors make.

Schools handbook

Guidance on inspecting maintained schools and academies in England under the EIF.

Independent schools handbooks

Guidance on inspecting non-association independent schools in England under the EIF.

Early years handbook

Guidance on inspecting registered early years and childcare providers under the EIF.

Area SEND: framework and handbook

Ofsted's inspection principles, guidance and the main judgements that inspectors make when inspecting area SEND.

Unregistered schools handbook

Guidance for inspectors and investigators of unregistered independent schools.

Further education and skills handbooks

Guidance for inspectors on inspecting further education and skills providers under the EIF.

Social care frameworks

Guidance on the:

social care common inspection framework

joint targeted area inspection (JTAI) of the multi-agency response to children and families who need help

inspecting local authority services for children (ILACS)

inspecting Cafcass

Initial teacher education (ITE) inspection framework and handbook

Ofsted's inspection principles, guidance and the main judgements that inspectors make when inspecting ITE.

Early career framework and national professional qualification

The framework and handbook for inspecting lead providers of early career framework (ECF) and national professional qualification (NPQ) programmes in England.

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All handbooks and frameworks for the remits that Ofsted inspects and/or regulates.

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Cookies on GOV.UK

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Guidance for schools and childcare providers on preventing children and young people from being drawn into terrorism.

Applies to England

Documents

Details

Thank you for your feedback

Report a problem with this page

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Protecting children from radicalisation: the prevent duty

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Guidance for schools and childcare providers on preventing children and young people from being drawn into terrorism.

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ParentWise - A helping hand for parents and carers

As children get older and more independent, issues that affect them can be harder to spot and deal with.

Learning about potential dangers can give you the knowledge and skills to act if there is a problem. It could also help keep your child safe by preventing problems before they happen.

You know your child best, so if you've got a feeling something's up - you're right not to ignore it.

You can complete a survey to tell us what you think of this page and help us to improve.

My child is acting differently

It's not always easy to know the difference between typical 'growing up' behaviour and signs that something's wrong.

It can be worrying if you notice a change in your child. It could be nothing, but it could mean that they need support. Your child may find it hard to tell you, so go with your gut.

Here are some of the common signs that could mean your child is facing an issue:

becoming secretive or withdrawn

a change in character

repeatedly feeling 'ill' on school days

a drop in performance at school or college

having unexplained money or possessions

regularly 'losing' lunch money or prized possessions

suddenly leaving long-term friendship groups to join new ones

a decline in confidence

having nightmares or other sleeping problems

knowledge of adult issues inappropriate for their age

What could be wrong?

As children grow up, particularly when moving between primary and secondary school, they want to become more independent and experience new things. This could put them in a vulnerable position at times.

These are some of the issues you should be aware of so you can help keep your child safe or support them if they are already facing an issue:

alcohol and drugs

bullying

child criminal exploitation and 'county lines'

child sexual abuse and exploitation

exploitation by extremist or radical influences

knife harm

online safety

sex and relationships

You might have heard about some of these issues but do not think that they would affect you and your family. But it is important for all parents and carers to know about them.

You can learn more about these issues or find out how to get support in the next section.

What you can do

If you've noticed a change in your child's behaviour, there are things you can do - such as starting a conversation or getting more support.

Start a conversation

Having regular and open conversations with your child will help you keep them safe and prevent future problems.

If you're worried, it's even more important to have an honest talk with them. It's often the best first step to finding a resolution.

How you handle the conversation will depend on your child's age and what you want to talk about. But it will always be up to your judgement.

Talking about tricky topics can feel difficult, but it doesn't need to be. Often, it's the best way to understand what your child is going through and show them that you are there to support them.

Visit the NSPCC website for help with talking about difficult topics.

If you are worried about a child

If you feel that a child is in immediate danger, call 999.

You can contact the NSPCC Helpline for support and advice if you are worried about a child's safety or wellbeing. You can also report concerns to the police on their non-emergency number, 101.

Get information and support

If you are worried about specific issues, resources and support are available to help you decide what to do next.

Alcohol and drugs

For guidance on young people's consumption of drugs and alcohol:

If you are worried about a child or young person's alcohol consumption:

call Drinkline on 0300 123 1110

If you are worried about a child or young person's use of drugs:

visit Talk to FRANK - a friendly and confidential service that gives honest information and advice on drugs

Bullying

Get information and support if your child is being bullied:

Child criminal exploitation and county lines

'County lines' is a term used to describe the criminal exploitation of children for the purpose of selling drugs. For more information:

If you are worried that a child you care for is involved in child criminal exploitation:

call the Modern Slavery & Exploitation Helpline on 08000 121 700 for free, confidential guidance or advice

Child sexual abuse

Find out how to prevent and respond to child sexual abuse:

If you are worried about your child being a victim of sexual abuse or grooming online:

Child sexual exploitation

Child sexual exploitation is a form of child sexual abuse that mainly affects young people during adolescence.

For more information:

Exploitation by extremist or radical influences

For more information:

If you are concerned about your child or young person being exposed to radical influences:

Knife harm

For guidance on young people and knife harm:

Mental health

Learn how to support children and young people who may be struggling with their mental health:

If you need urgent help with a child or young person's mental health issue:

contact Parent Zone's Shout crisis messenger by texting PARENTZONE to 85258 (free on UK major phone networks)

Online safety

See guidance on keeping young people safe online:

Sex and relationships

To help you support your child and keep them safe:

Resources for children with additional needs

You can use all the guidance and support on this page if your child has additional needs, like special educational needs (SEND) or disabilities.

There are also more resources that may help you support your child or prevent them from being harmed:

The NSPCC also offer tailored PDF versions of the Talk PANTS guides for:

They also offer a video version on YouTube for deaf children and parents/carers.

Visit Internet Matters' advice hubs for guidance tailored to children and young people with additional needs:

For support for foster carers and young people in care to talk about their online lives:

Other sources of support

You can also:

contact your GP if you're worried about your child's health or wellbeing

find contact details for your local authority children's social care team

speak to your child's school if you are concerned - schools have a safeguarding responsibility for those in their care so they may be able to look at your child's wellbeing and offer support to them in and around the school day

Tell us what you think

We want to hear about your experience of using this website, so that we can continue to improve it. We've asked Ipsos, a market research company, to conduct a short survey on our behalf. Your responses will be held securely and remain strictly confidential.

Partner organisations

The Home Office has created this website in collaboration with the following partner organisations.

You can find more support and advice on their websites.

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ParentWise - A helping hand for parents and carers As children get older and more independent, issues that affect them can be harder to spot and deal with. Learning about potential dangers can give you the knowledge and skills to act if there is a problem.

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1. Statutory Child Protection Procedures

Within the West Midlands, there are nine local areas that collaborate with regards to child safeguarding procedures. With the introduction of Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018, each local area's multi-agency safeguarding arrangements are led by the statutory safeguarding partners/organisations: local authorities, clinical commissioning groups and the police.

2. Regional Safeguarding Guidance

3. Local Area Specific Safeguarding Information and Procedures
Please select a partnership to see additional information:

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West Midlands Safeguarding Children Group

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Within the West Midlands, there are nine local areas that collaborate with regards to child safeguarding procedures. With the introduction of Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018, each local area's multi-agency safeguarding arrangements are led by the statutory safeguarding partners/organisations: local authorities, clinical commissioning groups and the police.

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This site uses Wordpress with the open-source Govintranet theme from Govintranetters [link].

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The NSPCC is the UK’s leading children’s charity, preventing abuse and helping those affected to recover. Help us be here for children. Please donate now.

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If you have any concerns at all about a child's safety or wellbeing, don't hesitate to contact the NSPCC Helpline on

0808 800 5000

or email help@nspcc.org.uk

The dedicated NSPCC child protection specialist you talk to will know what to do next and will take any necessary action. It's never too soon to speak out when a child needs help. Even if you're unsure, if you're worried, the best thing to do is to talk to a trained professional. Your call could protect a child from experiencing sexual abuse.

If you think a child is in immediate danger, call the police on 999.

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Could you spot the signs of child sexual abuse? Get confidential advice and support to help keep your child safe.

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Babies cry, you can cope When babies cry it can be stressful and overwhelming. Help is out there and all you need to do is ask. Latest news Testimonials

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Interactive Map

This map contains information about the prevalence rates and research in various countries across the world. Click on a country with a circle to see more and remember you can scroll on the box when it opens.

UPDATE: We have added in the school holidays and term times in various countries. The school holidays within the country may be the time girls are at higher risk, and may be different to UK holidays.

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This map contains information about the prevalence rates and research in various countries across the world. Click on a country with a circle to see more and remember you can scroll on the box when it opens. UPDATE: We have added in the school holidays and term times in various countries.

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Cookies on GOV.UK

We use some essential cookies to make this website work.

We'd like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services.

We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services.

You have accepted additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

You have rejected additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

Accept additional cookies Reject additional cookies View cookies

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Definition of child sexual exploitation, potential vulnerabilities and indicators of abuse and appropriate action to take in response.

Applies to England

Documents

Details

This guidance is for:

local authority chief executives

directors of children's services

people leading local safeguarding arrangements

people who work with children, including in social care, health, early years, education and the police

It replaces the 2009 guidance 'Safeguarding children and young people from sexual exploitation'.

See also:

Thank you for your feedback

Report a problem with this page

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Child sexual exploitation: definition and guide for practitioners

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Definition of child sexual exploitation, potential vulnerabilities and indicators of abuse and appropriate action to take in response.

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Safeguarding children and protecting professionals in early years settings: online safety considerations

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Guidance to help those who work in early years settings consider their practice and to take steps to safeguard both children and adults online.

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Jessie & Friends is a three-episode animated series which aims to equip 4-7 year olds with the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to help them stay safe from sexual abuse and other risks they may encounter online.

Jessie & Friends follows the adventures of Jessie, Tia and Mo as they begin to navigate the online world. They learn that while the internet can be an exciting place where they can learn and have fun, sometimes they may encounter things online which make them feel worried, scared or sad.

The films are accompanied by a comprehensive resource pack for professionals, with session plans for each episode and guidance on safe and effective delivery. Also available are subtitled versions of the animations, storybooks, and posters for parents/carers and children.

Jessie and Friends has been awarded the PSHE Association Quality Mark, demonstrating that Jessie & Friends supports safe and effective teaching practice and meets the PSHE Association's 'Ten principles of effective PSHE education'. All learning sessions are mapped against the PSHE Association Programme of Study and each relevant UK curriculum, including Relationships & Health Education (England) and Computing curriculums.
What children will learn
The key message for children throughout Jessie and Friends is that if a child ever feels worried about anything that happens online, they should seek help from an adult they trust.

Further learning outcomes include identifying and responding safely to manipulative, pressurising and unhealthy behaviour online, and considering the safety and rights of themselves and other children when sharing content online.
How to use the resource with children
Jessie & Friends can be delivered to classroom-sized groups of children, smaller groups and on a one-to-one basis. The animations should be used in a preventative context, not following an incident online.

Each animation has been created for a different age group:

Episode 1 - Watching Videos (4-5 years)

Episode 2 - Sharing Pictures (5-6 years)

Episode 3 - Playing Games (6-7 years)

The theme and learning outcomes of each film and accompanying resources are informed by the latest research, intelligence from NCA child protection and investigative specialists, input from an expert advisory group and extensive engagement with children, their families, and professionals.

If you intend to use them with other age groups, we ask that professional discretion is used to determine the suitability of the resource for the children you work with. Consider the child's ability, understanding, online experience and use of technology.
How to use the resource with parents/carers
Children learn best when their experience at school is echoed and reinforced at home, and vice versa. Parents and carers play an essential role in the safety of their children online, particularly for this age group. Jessie & Friends provides information and advice to parents and carers to support ongoing conversations with their child about the internet and online safety, as well as practical information on how they can ensure the online spaces they are accessing are as safe as possible.

The storybook for each Jessie & Friends episode can be used both within the classroom and at home.

Additional information for parents and carers about the Jessie & Friends resources can be found at www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents/jessie-and-friends.
Asset list

Comprehensive Jessie & Friends resource pack, including lesson plans and information for parents/carers - PSHE Association Quality Mark awarded

3 x Jessie & Friends animations (Watching videos; Sharing pictures; Playing games)

3 x Jessie & Friends animations with subtitles

3 x Jessie & Friends storybook (one per episode)

4 x Jessie & Friends posts (audience: parents/carers; 4-5 years, 5-6 years; 6-7 years)

3 x song 'music videos' (one per episode)

Song instrumental file

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Jessie & Friends: online safety education for 4-7s

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Jessie & Friends is a three-episode animated series which aims to equip 4-7 year olds with the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to help them stay safe from sexual abuse and other risks they may encounter online. Jessie & Friends follows the adventures of Jessie, Tia and Mo as they begin to navigate the online world.

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The NSPCC is the UK’s leading children’s charity, preventing abuse and helping those affected to recover. Help us be here for children. Please donate now.

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The Sexual Behaviours Traffic Light Tool complements organisational safeguarding procedures by supporting professionals working with children and young people to identify, understand and respond appropriately to sexual behaviours.

Using the Tool supports you to:

Identify behaviour and establish if sexual behaviour is typical or developmentally appropriate, problematic or harmful.

Understand what that behaviour is communicating and why the child or young person may be exhibiting the behaviour.

Respond appropriately, considering how the type of response will depend on what's motivating the behaviour, what the behaviour is communicating and the severity of the behaviour.

The Tool provides characteristics and examples of green, orange and red light behaviours, broken down by five age groups within 0-18 years. When using the tool, it is important to take into account the developmental age and ability level of the child or young person (and others involved) as well as the location, frequency and nature of the behaviour.

The original Traffic Light Tool is owned by the Australian organisation True Relationships & Reproductive Health and has been licensed and adapted for use in the UK by Brook.

To access the Traffic Light Tool, professionals must complete Traffic Light Tool training. This is to ensure safe use of the Tool. The Tool cannot be shared with people who have not completed the training.

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Sexual Behaviours Traffic Light Tool - Brook

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The Sexual Behaviours Traffic Light Tool complements organisational safeguarding procedures by supporting professionals working with children and young people to identify, understand and respond appropriately to sexual behaviours. Using the Tool supports you to: Identify behaviour and establish if sexual behaviour is typical or developmentally appropriate, problematic or harmful.

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Home - Solihull Safeguarding Children Partnership

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What is the Safeguarding Children Partnership?