Residential Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy & Procedure PDF

Residential Safeguarding & Safeguarding Child Protection Incorporating Child Policy & Protection Policy & FIVE FIVERIVERS RIVERS Procedure Procedure CHILDCARELTD CHILDCARE LTD 'Five Rivers is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all adults and volunteers to share this commitment.' 'Five Rivers is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all adults Policy Owner and volunteers to share thisStefano Sarah commitment.' Authoriser Will Crosby Policy Owner Head of Service Date of Original Issue 31 March 2017 Authoriser Head of Service Date of Next Review 31 December 2018 Date of Original Issue 31/03/2017 Version V2 Date of this Issue 14/03/2024 Date of next review 14/03/2025 Version © Five Rivers Child Care Limited V8[March 2017], All Rights Reserved. The content of this policy is protected by the copyright laws of England and Wales and by international laws and conventions. No content from this policy © Five mayChildcare Rivers be copied, reproduced, Limited or revised [31/03/2017], All without the prior written consent of Five Rights Reserved. Rivers Child Care Limited. Copies of content may be saved and/or printed for use in relation to the business and affairs of The content of this policy is protected by the copyright laws of England and Wales and by international laws and the Company only. conventions. No content from this policy may be copied, reproduced, or revised without the prior written consent of Five Rivers Childcare Limited. Copies of content may be saved and/or printed for use in relation to the business and affairs of the Company only. Res 001 Residential Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy & Procedure Table of Contents 1.1 Policy Statement............................................................................................................................... 3 1.2 Scope of the Policy............................................................................................................................ 4 1.3 Terms and Definitions....................................................................................................................... 4 1.4 Data Protection................................................................................................................................. 5 1.5 Disclosure of Information.................................................................................................................. 5 1.6 Further Information.......................................................................................................................... 6 1.6.1 Legislation............................................................................................................................................ 6 1.7 LCSB................................................................................................................................................... 7 2 Safeguarding Incorporating Child Protection Procedure............................................................... 7 2.1 The Principles of Safeguarding............................................................................................................. 7 2.2 Requirements.................................................................................................................................... 8 2.3 Immediate Action to Ensure Safety.................................................................................................. 9 2.4 Preservation of Evidence................................................................................................................. 9 2.5 An Integrated Approach.................................................................................................................... 9 3 The Role of Guidance..................................................................................................................... 10 4 Shared Responsibility.................................................................................................................... 10 5 Sharing Information...................................................................................................................... 10 6 Local Children’s Safeguarding Boards (LCSB)................................................................................ 11 6.2 Philomena Protocol....................................................................................................................... 11 7 Physical Abuse............................................................................................................................... 12 8 Emotional and Wellbeing Abuse................................................................................................... 12 9 Sexual Abuse................................................................................................................................. 12 9.2 Grooming.................................................................................................................................. 12 9.3 Types of Grooming.................................................................................................................... 13 10 Financial Abuse............................................................................................................................. 13 11 Neglect.......................................................................................................................................... 13 12 Responding to Concerns............................................................................................................... 14 13 What to do if Children or Young People talk to you about Abuse or Neglect.............................. 14 (Disclosure)........................................................................................................................................... 14 14 Defining Abuse in Residential Homes........................................................................................... 15 15 Lead Person for Safeguarding (Designated Officer)...................................................................... 15 16 Make a Referral............................................................................................................................. 17 17 Information required when making a referral.............................................................................. 17 18 Allegations against Adults who work with Children and Young People....................................... 18 19 Confidentiality............................................................................................................................... 19 Page 1 of 43 Res 001 Residential Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy & Procedure 20 Peer Abuse.................................................................................................................................... 19 21 Sexually Exploited Children and Young People............................................................................. 21 22 Children and Young People involved in sexual exploitation......................................................... 21 23 Child/Young People Abuse Images and the Internet.................................................................... 22 24 Technology and Sexual Behaviour (Sexting and Selfies)............................................................... 22 24.2 Risks of Sexting.......................................................................................................................... 23 25 Violence against Women (VAW) and Gender Based Violence (GBV)........................................... 24 26 Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)................................................................................................. 25 26.2 Risk and Safeguarding.............................................................................................................. 26 27 Children and Young People who may have been Trafficked......................................................... 26 28 Children/Young People Affected by Gang Activity including County Lines.................................. 27 29 Criminal Exploitation and Gangs................................................................................................... 28 30 On-Line Abuse............................................................................................................................ 29 31 Contextual Safeguarding............................................................................................................... 29 32 Race and Racism......................................................................................................................... 29 33 Bullying......................................................................................................................................... 30 34 Fabricated or Induced Illness....................................................................................................... 30 35 Child/Young Person Affected by Parental Substance Misuse...................................................... 31 36 Foetal Alcohol Syndrome............................................................................................................. 31 37 Mental Capacity............................................................................................................................ 31 38 Access to Information for Children and Young people................................................................ 32 39 Training......................................................................................................................................... 33 40 Radicalisation & Extremism........................................................................................................... 33 41 Recruitment................................................................................................................................... 33 42 Supervision and Support............................................................................................................... 34 Appendix (1) Flow chart: Safeguarding Internal Process...................................................................... 35 Appendix (2) Flow Chart: Action Taken when a child/young person is referred to a Local Authority children’s social care service.......................................................................................................................... 37 Appendix (3) Flow Chart: Immediate Protection.................................................................................. 38 Appendix (4) Flow Chart: Action taken for an assessment of a child/young person under the Children Act 1989........................................................................................................................................................ 39 Appendix (5) Flow Chart: Action following a Strategy Discussion........................................................ 40 Appendix (6) Philomena Protocol website links................................................................................... 41 Appendix (7) Resource Links................................................................................................................. 42 Page 2 of 43 Res 001 Residential Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy & Procedure Safeguarding Children and Young People incorporating Child Protection Policy 1.1 Policy Statement 1.1.1 The aim of these procedures is to give guidance to all Five Rivers Childcare adults in order to ensure that all children and young people are safe and free from harm within the care setting. If children/young people are considered to be at risk of or have suffered from abuse or neglect, Five Rivers Childcare will take any appropriate action required to minimise the risk in order to protect children/young people from further harm. 1.1.2 Everyone who works in Five Rivers must be able to recognise, and to know how to act upon, indicators that a child/young person’s welfare or safety may be at risk. 1.1.3 Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility: for services to be effective each professional and organisation should play their full part. It is an essential requirement that all those working to safeguard children and young people fully understand their responsibilities and duties as set out in legislation and associated regulations and guidance. 1.1.4 This document is the Safeguarding Policy for Five Rivers Residential Services which will be practiced by all adults working within or connected with residential homes and the children and young people who reside there. This policy will be supported and promoted by those in leadership and in senior positions within the organisation. 1.1.5 Five Rivers Childcare adults will ensure that children and young people are enabled to feel safe from harm alongside meeting their other needs. 1.1.6 Five Rivers Childcare will ensure that all adults are competent and confident in carrying out their responsibilities for safeguarding and promoting children's welfare. 1.1.7 Five Rivers Childcare recognises that a child/young person may be vulnerable to abuse. The purpose of this policy is to make sure that the actions of any adult employed by Five Rivers are transparent and safeguard the welfare of children and young people. 1.1.8 Residential Service Managers will ensure that all adults are aware of what constitutes abuse and ensure adults are aware and alert to any signs of possible abusive situations arising and of what actions to take in accordance with this policy. 1.1.9 Residential adults must ensure they are conversant with all policy & procedural documents/handbooks and fully understand their role and responsibilities in order to safeguard children and young people. 1.1.10 All adults will be trained in safeguarding children and young people as part of their induction into residential services and will engage in annual safeguarding training in accordance with their level of responsibility. Page 3 of 43 Res 001 Residential Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy & Procedure 1.1.11 Five Rivers Childcare will ensure that every adult member who has concerns about the wellbeing and safety of a child/young person will: Always record in writing, concerns about a child/young person’s welfare, whether further action is taken. Always record in writing discussions about a child/young person’s welfare. At the close of the discussion always reach clear and explicit agreement about who will be taking what action or that no further action will be taken. 1.2 Scope of the Policy 1.2.1 The policy outlines how all those who work with children and young people must work together to safeguard and promote their welfare in accordance with the Children’s Act 1989 and the Children’s Act 2004 and the Residential Children’s Homes Regulations 2015. 1.2.2 Under the Children’s Homes Regulations, the Registered Manager is responsible for ensuring the implementation of this and all other policies pertaining to children and young people. Managers must ensure that their adult team have read, understood, and know how to apply these policies and who to refer to in their absence from the home. 1.2.3 This document is written in accordance with the following legislation: Working Together to Safeguard Children Children Act 1989 Children Act 2004 Data Protection Act 2018 is the UKI’s implementation of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) https://www.gov.uk/data-protection 1.3 Terms and Definitions 1.3.1 The below table sets out a number of terms and definitions used within this document: Term Definition Adult Staff member DSO Designated Safeguarding Officer DOFA/LADO Designated Officer for Allegations LCSB / LSCB Local Children’s Safeguarding Board Five Rivers Childcare Adults Any individual employed or contracted to undertake work in our services or with our children and young people. MASH Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub Page 4 of 43 Res 001 Residential Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy & Procedure LADO Local Area Designated Officer PIP Personal Independent Payment VAW Violence Against Women CEOP Child Exploitation & Online Protection Centre GBV Gender Based Violence FGM Female Genital Mutilation Harm Means ill-treatment or the impairment of health or development, including, for example, impairment suffered from seeing or hearing the ill- treatment of another; Development Means physical, intellectual, emotional, social, or behavioural development; Ill treatment Includes sexual abuse and forms of ill-treatment which are not physical such as financial exploitation. SCR Serious Case Review Transgender Denoting or relating to a person whose sense of personal identity and gender does not correspond with their birth sex CSE Child Sexual Exploitation CCE Child Criminal Exploitation 1.4 Data Protection 1.4.2 Five Rivers Childcare supports the objectives of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018 and other legislation relating to Data Processing, including the Human Rights Act 1998, Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000, and the Freedom of Information Act 2000. Five Rivers Childcare has a statutory obligation to process personal data in accordance with the provisions of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018 1.4.3 Every member of Five Rivers Childcare has an obligation to ensure that the information they process (use) is collected, maintained, and disclosed in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018 and the Five Rivers Childcare Data Protection Policy. 1.5 Disclosure of Information 1.5.1 Any use or disclosure of information held within Five Rivers Childcare, without there being a legitimate purpose or legal basis, will be classed as unauthorised and is a criminal offence under Section 55 of the Act Right of Access (Subject Access Requests). Page 5 of 43 Res 001 Residential Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy & Procedure 1.6 Further Information FRCC Mental Health Policy for CYP.pdf FRCC Children and Young Persons Suicide and Self Harm Prevention Policy.pdf 1.7 Legislation 1.7.1 Under section 31(9) of the Children Act 1989 as amended by the Adoption and Children Act 2002: ‘Harm’ means ill-treatment or the impairment of health or development, including, for example, impairment suffered from seeing or hearing the ill-treatment of another. ‘Development’ means physical, intellectual, emotional, social, or behavioural development. ‘Health’ means physical or mental health; and ‘Ill treatment’ includes sexual abuse and forms of ill-treatment which are not physical such as financial exploitation. 1.7.2 Under section 31(10) of the Children Act 1989: ‘Where the question of whether harm suffered by a child/young person is significant turns on the child/young person’s health and development, their health or development shall be compared with that which could reasonably be expected of a similar child/young person.’ These core documents which are used alongside key texts such as ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018’ to be used alongside other key policy and planning documents. The revised Volume 2 Care Planning, Placement and Case Review Regulations (England) June 2015 and accompanying statutory guidance Putting Care into Practice which describes how local authorities should exercise these functions for looked after children/young people. Volume 2 – Care Planning, Placement and Case Review 1.7.3 Information Sharing – Advice for practitioners providing safeguarding services for children, young people, parents, and carers – July 2018 Guidance for practitioners and managers and the supporting materials which are for everyone who works with children and young people and explain when and how information can be shared legally and professionally. 1.7.4 Note: Section 11 of the Children Act 2004 places a statutory duty on key people and bodies to ‘make arrangements’ to safeguard and promote the welfare of children/young people. Revised statutory guidance on the duty was issued in April 2007. Schools and further education providers have an equivalent duty through the Education Act 2011, and must have regard to the statutory guidance, Keeping Children Safe in Education issued in July 2018. All adults must be clear of the statutory responsibility to protect children from harm and be fully aware of the contents of this document. Keeping Children Safe in Education Page 6 of 43 Res 001 Residential Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy & Procedure 1.8 LCSB 1.8.1 Regulation 5 of the LSCB Regulations 2006 and 2013 sets out the functions of the LSCB under Section 14 of the CA2004 as follows: a) Developing policies and procedures for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children/young people in the area of the authority including policies and procedures in relation to: i. The action to be taken when there are concerns about a child/young person’s safety or welfare, including thresholds for intervention. ii. Training of persons who work with children/young people or in services affecting the safety and welfare of children and young people. iii. Recruitment and supervision of persons who work with children/young people. iv. Investigation of allegations of persons who work with children/young people. v. Cooperation with neighbouring children’s services and their board partners. b) Communicating with persons or bodies in the area of the authority raising awareness of safeguarding and the promotion of the welfare of children and young people and providing encouragement. c) Monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of what is done by the authority and the board partners and advising on ways to improve. d) Participating in the planning of services for children and young people e) Undertaking reviews of serious cases and advising the authority and board partners of lessons to be learned. 1.8.2 Chapter (4) of the Safeguarding Children and Young People from Sexual Exploitation (Supplementary Guidance to Working Together to Safeguard Children) sets out in detail the roles and responsibilities of organisations involved in safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, whilst Chapter (3) of Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018 explains the statutory objectives and functions of LSCBs. These chapters along with Section (11) of the Children Act 2004 should be read in conjunction and focus on how roles and responsibilities apply specifically to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people in the context of sexual exploitation. 2 Safeguarding Incorporating Child Protection Procedure 2.1 The Principles of Safeguarding 2.1.1 Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. For services to be effective each professional and agency must play their full part. 2.1.2 A child/young person-centered approach: for services to be effective they should be based on a clear understanding of the needs and views of children/young people. Page 7 of 43 Res 001 Residential Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy & Procedure 2.1.3 Keeping children/young people Safe from harm: requires people who work with children and young people to share information. 2.1.4 All Five Rivers Childcare adults will work in accordance with the best interests of children and young people. 2.2 Requirements 2.2.1 To fulfill our commitment to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people all organisations or agencies who provide services for, or who work with children/young people must have: Clear priorities for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children/young people, explicitly stated policy documents which adults have read, understood, and know how to apply. A clear commitment from senior management to the importance of safeguarding and multi-agency working. Clear lines of accountability and defined roles and responsibilities within the organisation for safeguarding. Recruitment and Human Resources management procedures and a safer recruitment strategy which makes arrangements for appropriate checks on new and existing adults and those who might have unsupervised access to children/young people. Procedures for dealing with ‘whistleblowing’ and allegations of abuse against adults. A Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO) who is clearly identifiable and to whom allegations and concerns are reported. Arrangements to make sure all adults receive appropriate training to equip them to carry out their responsibilities and to keep this up to date. To ensure that all adults are aware of the organisation’s arrangements for safeguarding and/for promoting the welfare of children/young people. Policies for safeguarding that comply with Safeguarding Children’s Boards Policies for safeguarding children and young people. Arrangements for working effectively with others including arrangements for sharing information in line with the data protection act and abiding by Five Rivers Confidentiality Policies. Appropriate whistleblowing procedures and a culture that enables safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people to be addressed as a priority. Page 8 of 43 Res 001 Residential Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy & Procedure A culture of listening to and engaging in dialogue with children and young people - seeking their views in ways that are appropriate to their age and understanding and taking account of those views in individual decisions and in the establishment or development of services. 2.3 Immediate Action to Ensure Safety 2.3.1 How Safeguarding Concerns Must Be Dealt with in Five Rivers. 2.3.2 Five Rivers Childcare will take immediate action where necessary at any stage in the involvement with children and families to ensure the safety and well-being of the child or young person. 2.3.3 In all cases it is vital to take whatever action is needed to safeguard the children/young people concerned, i.e. If emergency medical attention is required, this can be secured by calling an ambulance (dial 999) or taking a child/young person to the nearest Accident and Emergency Department. If a child/young person is in immediate danger the police must be contacted (dial 999) as they alone have the power to remove a child immediately if protection is necessary, via their powers to use Police Protection. 2.4 Preservation of Evidence 2.4.1 Following a disclosure, where it appears as if an incident has just occurred, and there is no obvious need for medical attention, if the child/young person makes a disclosure that they have been subject to exploitation or are reporting they have been the victim of crime whilst they have been absent from the home, it is essential that adult members attempt to preserve any evidence. Reassurance should be given that they are not to blame, explain that their help is needed as we try to ensure that the perpetrator is not allowed to hurt anyone else. As soon as is practicable relevant parties should be notified, including the police, social worker/EDT. Safeguarding procedures will be followed, and appropriate records kept. 2.4.2 Where a child/young person reports potential sexual abuse, it is important that physical evidence is preserved. Where possible, the victim should be encouraged not to wash until they have been seen by the police. If they insist on taking a shower, using PPE and gloves, gather their clothes (in particular, underwear) and place them in unused plastic bags then seal and label. The label should contain information on the date and time the evidence was gathered, by who and where. This should be held securely until it can be handed to police. 2.4.3 Where the child/young person reports they have been subject to criminal exploitation, any new items/gifts/payments should be gathered using gloves and place them in unused plastic bags then seal and label. The label should contain information on the date and time the evidence was gathered, by who and where. This should be held securely until it can be handed to police. 2.5 An Integrated Approach 2.5.1 Five Rivers Childcare acknowledges that children/young people have varying needs which change over time. Adults will intervene when there are concerns a child/young person is at risk of/or suffering harm. Page 9 of 43 Res 001 Residential Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy & Procedure 2.5.2 Five Rivers adults will use their professional judgments based on observations, a sound assessment of the child/young person’s needs and working in partnership with other professionals to ensure a cohesive approach to safeguarding and child protection. 2.5.3 Effective measures to safeguard children/young people will not be seen in isolation from the wider range of support and services available to support children and families. Best practice calls for effective co-operation between different agencies and professionals keeping the child/young person’s best interests central and the careful exercise of professional judgment based on thorough assessment and critical analysis of the available information. 3 The Role of Guidance 3.1.1 Five Rivers Childcare is aware that processes and procedures will always be used as a means of bringing about better outcomes for children. No guidance can or should attempt to offer a detailed prescription for working with each child/young person and their family. However, adults will refer to the Working Together to Safeguard Children flow charts provided to assist in the formulation of decisions and steps to take. Flow Charts at the end of this document. 4. Shared Responsibility 4.1.1 Promoting children and young people’s wellbeing and safeguarding them from significant harm depends crucially on effective information sharing, collaboration and understanding between professionals and agencies. Constructive relationships between adults and other professionals will be supported by a strong lead and commitment from senior managers. 4.1.2 When a Registered Manager is absent from the home the adult team will follow the procedures laid out within this document - under no circumstances will safeguarding concerns or matters, await the return of the Manager. Adults will use their management structure and consult with and inform the ‘’buddy’’ manager in place, the Regional Operations Manager, and the DSO. 4.1.3 Some of the most vulnerable children are at greatest risk of social exclusion. Five Rivers Childcare Adults will work proactively with other agencies to co-ordinate appropriate help and support. 5 Sharing Information 5.1.1 With any safeguarding matter concerning a child/young person in the care of Five Rivers the consideration will be to ensure that the child/young person is safe and is not exposed to harm or abuse. 5.1.2 Where it is deemed necessary to share information relating to safeguarding issues with other agencies consent will be sought from the person raising the concern, unless in doing so: The child/young person would be exposed to increased risk. There would be prejudice to any criminal proceedings. Lead to an unjustified delay in taking steps to safeguard a child/young person. 5.1.3 Where consent to share information in relation to a safeguarding matter is sought but refused in line with Information Sharing: ‘Advice for Practitioners providing safeguarding services for children parents and carers’ July 2018 consideration needs to be given as to whether withholding this information could endanger a child or affect their wellbeing. If it would then Five Rivers adults would be supported to Page 10 of 43 Res 001 Residential Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy & Procedure share the information with the statutory agencies without the consent of the person making the allegation or complaint. 5.1.4 For those children/young people who are suffering or at risk of suffering significant harm, joint working is essential to safeguard the child(ren), and where necessary to help to bring to justice the perpetrators of crimes against children/young people. All Adults must: Be alert to indicators of all forms of abuse as set out in Five Rivers Policy and Procedures Be alert to the risks individuals or potential abusers might pose to children and young people. Share and help to analyse information so that an informed assessment can be made of the child/young person’s needs and circumstances. Contribute to whatever actions are needed to safeguard the child/young person and promote their welfare. Follow the internal / external notification processes of any child protection concern as required by Five Rivers policy and procedures and LCSB safeguarding procedures. Work consistently with parents and families unless this is inconsistent with the need to ensure the child/young person’s safety. Fears about sharing information must not be allowed to stand in the way of the need to promote the welfare and safety of children/young people: Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023 6 Local Children’s Safeguarding Boards (LCSB) 6.1.1 The Children Act 2004 (CA 2004) requires each authority to establish a Local Children’s Safeguarding Board’s for their area. Five Rivers will be proactive in working with each LCSB. 6.1.2 Each LCSB has its own procedures for safeguarding and other areas of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children/young people. 6.1.3 The Registered Manager in each residential service will ensure they are registered with, and linked to, their local LCSB to receive news and updates to policies and procedures – access is usually via a website. The Registered Manager will ensure they and their adult team have accessed and read all LCSB safeguarding procedures and will follow these in conjunction with Five Rivers Policies and procedures. 6.1.4 The Registered Manager will ensure that all residential adults have the contact details of and will know how to contact their LCSB. Local Safeguarding Children’s Board – Government Publication 6.2 Philomena Protocol This protocol is for children and young people who are at risk of going missing, and it is designed so the carer, or whoever has responsibility for the child or young person, has all the key information at their fingertips to not only ascertain that the child/young person is missing from home, but also work with the police to locate the child/young person successfully. The protocol originally was rolled out by Durham Constabulary and has now been adopted by police forces throughout England. Five Rivers will work with, or adapt the principles, of working with police forces who are using the protocol to achieve the best working practice, and in the best interests of all children residing in our care. It is necessary that the joint responsibility expectations between care givers and local police are outlined, understood, and fulfilled. For further information see appendix 6. Page 11 of 43 Res 001 Residential Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy & Procedure 7 Physical Abuse 7.1.1 Physical abuse may involve hitting, pushing, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning, or scalding, drowning, suffocating, or otherwise causing physical harm to a child. Physical harm may also be caused when a parent or carer fabricates the symptoms of, or deliberately induces, illness in a child/young person. NSPCC - Preventing Abuse. 8 Emotional and Wellbeing Abuse 8.1.1 Emotional and wellbeing abuse is the persistent emotional ill treatment of a child or young person such as to cause severe and persistent adverse effects on the child/young person's emotional development. It may involve conveying to children and young people that they are worthless, unloved, inadequate, or valued only in so far as they meet the needs of another person. 8.1.2 It may feature age or developmentally inappropriate expectations being imposed on children and young people. These may include interactions that are beyond the child/young person’s developmental capability as well as overprotection and limitation of exploration and learning or preventing the child/young person participating in normal social interaction. 8.1.3 It may involve seeing or hearing the ill-treatment of another. It may involve serious bullying, causing children and young people frequently to feel frightened or in danger or the exploitation or corruption of children and young people. 8.1.4 Some level of emotional abuse is involved in all types of ill treatment of a child/young person though it may occur alone. NSPCC Emotional Abuse 9 Sexual Abuse 9.1.1 Sexual abuse involves forcing or enticing a child or young person to take part in sexual activities whether or not the child is aware of what is happening. The activities may involve physical contact including penetrative or non-penetrative acts. They may include non-contact, such as involving children and young people in looking at or in the production of sexual images, watching sexual activities or encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways. Preventing child sexual abuse | NSPCC 9.2 Grooming 9.2.1 Grooming is when someone builds a relationship, trust, and emotional connection with a child/young person so they can manipulate, exploit, and abuse them. 9.2.2 Children and young people who are groomed can be sexually abused, exploited or trafficked. 9.2.3 Anybody can be a groomer, no matter their age, gender, or race. Grooming can take place over a short or long period of time – from weeks to years. Groomers may also build a relationship with the young person's family or friends to make them seem trustworthy or authoritative. Page 12 of 43 Res 001 Residential Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy & Procedure 9.3 Types of Grooming 9.3.1 Children and young people can be groomed online, in person or both – by a stranger or someone they know. This could be a family member, a friend or someone who has targeted them – like a teacher, faith group leader or sports coach. When a child or young person is groomed online, groomers may hide who they are by sending photos or videos of other people. Sometimes this'll be of someone younger than them to gain the trust of a "peer". They might target one child or young person online or contact lots of children and young people very quickly and wait for them to respond. What Parents Need to Know About Sexual Grooming | NSPCC 10 Financial Abuse 10.1.1 Five Rivers Childcare adults have a duty to ensure that a child and young person’s financial well-being is maintained and that they are not financially exploited or disadvantaged while in our care. 10.1.2 The financial arrangements for each child/young person e.g., pocket money and amounts saved are agreed with the placing Local Authority and recorded in the Delegated Authority plan and is reviewed at each subsequent childcare review. 10.1.3 To ensure that this duty is carried out adults must maintain a weekly record of expenditure for the child/young person in the home including: a separate bank account for savings, and where in receipt of (Personal Independent Payment) PIPs, a separate bank account must be held. 10.1.4 All savings and PIPs money held in these accounts must be transferred when the child/young person leaves the home. 10.1.5 Registered Managers will view the record of allowances and savings regularly (a minimum of once monthly) and evidence this through signing each allowance sheet. In addition, Registered Managers will view any bank accounts every month. The child’s or young person’s social worker may also ask to see any of these records either when visiting the home or at any other time as required. Regional Operations Managers will also undertake at least quarterly checks of all financial records in the home. Protecting your child from financial abuse (qsuper.qld.gov.au) 11 Neglect 11.1.1 Neglect is the persistent failure to meet a child/young person’s basic physical and/or psychological needs likely to result in the serious impairment of the child/young person health or development. 11.1.2 Neglect may occur during pregnancy as a result of maternal substance abuse, misuse of alcohol, maternal self-neglect, fail to attend medical treatment or follow medical advice. Once a child is born neglect may involve a parent or carer failing to: Provide adequate food, clothing, and shelter (including exclusion from home or abandonment). Protect a child from physical and emotional harm or danger. Ensure adequate supervision (including the use of inadequate caregivers). Page 13 of 43 Res 001 Residential Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy & Procedure Ensure access to appropriate medical care or treatment. Educational neglect, failure to ensure a child is given education. It may also include disregard for or unresponsiveness to a child/young person's basic emotional needs. Preventing child neglect NSPCC 12 Responding to Concerns 12.1.1 Any individuals within the organisation must report any safeguarding concerns to their line Manager or a Senior Manager unless it is a life-threatening situation in which case the police will be called first. 12.1.2 It is good practice to be as open and honest as possible with parents/carers about any concerns. No discussion can take place without consultation with the relevant authorities. 12.1.3 You MUST NOT discuss your concerns with parents/carers in the following circumstances: Where Sexual Abuse or sexual exploitation is suspected, Where Organised or Multiple Abuse is suspected Where Fabricated or Induced Illness (previously known as Munchausen Syndrome by proxy) is suspected (see Fabricated or Induced Illness), Where Female Genital Mutilation is the concern In cases of suspect Forced Marriage Where contacting parents/carers would place a child/young person yourself or others at immediate risk. These decisions must not be taken in isolation. Consult with your senior manager/line manager/DSO. Whistleblowing policy 13 What to do if Children or Young People talk to you about Abuse or Neglect (Disclosure) 13.1.1 Five Rivers Childcare recognises that a child/young person may seek out an adult (adult member) to share information about abuse or neglect or talk spontaneously individually or in groups when you are present. In these situations, YOU MUST: Listen carefully to the child. DO NOT directly question the child/young person. Give the child/young person time and attention. Allow the child/young person to give a spontaneous account; do not stop a child/young person who is freely recalling significant events. Make an accurate record of the information you have been given on the daily diary sheet taking care to record the timing, setting and people present, the child/young person’s presentation as well as what was said. Use quotation marks to represent the child/young person’s actual words where possible. Do not destroy this record as it may later be needed as evidence and must be recorded in Page 14 of 43 Res 001 Residential Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy & Procedure the child/young person’s file. N.B It is acceptable in your support of the child/young person to record the information and then transfer to a daily sheet for the child/young person as soon as is reasonably practicable – the original record must also be saved and uploaded to the child/young person’s file. Use the child/young person’s own words where possible and these must be denoted by use of quotation marks. Explain that you need to speak to others about the information they have shared - do not offer confidentiality. Explain that there are others that need to help and support, Reassure the child/young person that: They have done the right thing in telling you. They have not done anything wrong. Tell the child what you are going to do next and explain that you will need to get help to keep them safe. DO NOT ask the child/young person to repeat his or her account of events to anyone. 13.1.2 If you need further advice and support you must Consult About your Concern: immediately with your Line Manager, the Regional Operations Manager, or the Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO). What To Do- Handling Child Abuse Disclosures - Childhelp 13.1.3 If you become concerned about a child/young person who is not verbalizing but displaying behaviours that challenge; and observe the child/young person has been hurt; then it is good practice to ask a child/young person, why they are upset or how they have been hurt. 14 Defining Abuse in Residential Homes 14.1.1 Five Rivers Childcare recognises that children/young people may be abused by an adult. All actions taken will be to protect the child/young person. 14.1.2 Five Rivers Childcare has clear procedures in line with the LCSB procedures that all allegations or suspicions of abuse are fully investigated and where necessary by an independent person. 15 Lead Person for Safeguarding (Designated Officer) 15.1.1 If Five Rivers Childcare residential adults have concerns relating to their line management support, or if adults require any support in relation to a safeguarding concern write to: The Designated Safeguarding Officer for Residential Services Five Rivers Childcare Limited 47 Bedwin Street Salisbury Wiltshire SP1 3UT Page 15 of 43 Res 001 Residential Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy & Procedure Lead DSO: Victoria Elworthy: [email protected] - 07514 971546. Regional DSO: Tim Matthews: [email protected] - 07738275607. Regional DSO: Chelsea Bryan: [email protected] - 07920 509439. 15.1.2 The Regional Manager and Head of Service will be informed of all child protection matters pertaining to children/young people within their area of responsibility and keep fully up to date whilst any investigation or referral is in process. 15.1.3 If the Designated Safeguarding Officer is implicated in any concerns Five Rivers Childcare adults must discuss their concerns directly with the local Safeguarding Children’s Team and Head of Residential Services and Head of HR. 15.1.4 If the Residential Regional Manager is implicated, then adults must raise this with the Lead DSO and the Head of Residential Services. 15.1.5 The role of the Designated Safeguarding Officer is to: Take lead responsibility for dealing with child protection issues, provide advice and support to other practitioners. Support Managers and practitioners to liaise with Local Authorities and will support effective working with other agencies. Provide support, advice, and expertise in the event of a child protection referral. They will attend any Child Protection conferences. Ensure all adults within their respective services receive and maintain their child protection training at the level required for their role. Ensure that there are arrangements in place that ensure adults receive supervision and guidance which enables them to operate effectively when working with Safeguarding issues. Named child protection or safeguarding lead | NSPCC Learning 15.1.6 Communication is critical and therefore Five Rivers Childcare adults must consult with their local Children's Social Care Duty and Investigation Team (sometimes referred to as Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub – MASH) in the area where the child/young person resides in the following circumstances: When you remain unsure after internal consultation as to whether child protection concerns exist When there is disagreement as to whether child protection concerns exist When you are unable to consult promptly or at all with your Designated Safeguarding officer for child protection, your Regional Manager or Head of Service. 15.1.7 Consultation is not the same as making a referral but will enable a decision to be made as to whether a referral to Local Safeguarding Children’s Board (LSCB) or the Police should progress. Page 16 of 43 Res 001 Residential Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy & Procedure 16 Make a Referral 16.1.1 A referral involves giving Children’s Social Care (CSC), Local Safeguarding Children’s Board (LSCB), LADO, MASH or the Police information about concerns relating to an individual or family in order that enquiries can be undertaken by the appropriate agency followed by any necessary action. 16.1.2 Parents will be informed, where appropriate, if a referral is being made except in the circumstances outlined in this policy. 16.1.3 However, inability to inform parents for any reason will not prevent a referral being made. It would then become a joint decision with Local Safeguarding Children’s Board (LSCB) about how and when the parents will be approached and by whom. 17 Information required when making a referral. 17.1.1 Please note that some LSCB’s have their own referral form which they will require you to complete having made the initial phone contact. Some LSCB’s have a designated officer for referrals/ allegations (DOFA/LADO) to whom referrals are made and others have a MASH team who take all referrals. Each residential home should have this clearly distinguished and available to all adults to refer to – this is the Registered Managers responsibility. 17.1.2 Five Rivers adults must be prepared to give as much of the following information as possible (in emergency situations all of this information may not be available). Unavailability of some information must not stop you making a referral: Your name, telephone number, position and request the same of the person to whom you are speaking, Full name, address, telephone number of family, date of birth of child/young person and siblings if applicable. Full details of the residential home you are calling from and the details of the other children/young people in the home, the adult team, and Managers details. Gender, ethnicity, first language and any additional needs. Include any information on the child/young person’s developmental needs. If the disclosure is relevant to the family home – the names, dates of birth and relationship of household members and any significant others. The names of professionals known to be involved with the child/family e.g., GP, Health Visitor and School. The nature of the concern and foundation for the concern If the disclosure refers to historical abuse. Page 17 of 43 Res 001 Residential Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy & Procedure An opinion on whether the child/young person may need urgent action to make them safe. Your view of what appears to be the needs of the child/young person (and family if applicable). 17.1.3 Action to be taken following the referral: Ensure that you keep an accurate record of your concern(s) made at the time. This must be recorded on the safeguarding communication record on the child/young person’s file and will also be detailed in their diary sheet. Put your concerns in writing to local authority (CSC/DOFA/LADO) Local Children’s Safeguarding Board (LCSB) following the (within 24 hours - and using the multi - agency referral form), Accurately record the action agreed or that no further action is to be taken and ask and record the reasons for this decision and request in writing with any minutes taken. If adults have concerns that a child/young person is a potential victim of modern slavery or human trafficking, then a referral will be made to the National Referral Mechanism. www.ecpat.org.uk/national-referral-mechanism 18 Allegations against Adults who work with Children and Young People 18.1.1 If Five Rivers Childcare adults have information which suggests an adult who works with children (in a paid or unpaid capacity) has: Behaved in a way that has harmed a child or may have harmed a child. Possibly committed a criminal offence against or related to a child. Behaved towards a child or children in a way that indicates they may pose a risk of harm to children; or Behaved, or may have behaved, in a way that indicates they may not be suitable to work with children. 18.1.2 Adults must speak immediately with their Registered Manager who has responsibility for managing allegations with the support of the Designated Safeguarding Officer. 18.1.3 The Registered Manager will consult with/make a referral to the DOFA/LADO at the Local Safeguarding Children’s Board (LSCB) or the LADO dependent on the local structure in place. 18.1.4 If the Registered Manager is implicated in the concerns, then adults must discuss the concerns with the Regional Manager and Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO). If there are concerns around any more senior managers then this will be raised with Head of Service and HR. 18.1.5 In all instances the DSO and HR will be informed. 18.1.6 The DOFA / LADO will agree the course of action to be taken and the nature of any investigation. Page 18 of 43 Res 001 Residential Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy & Procedure 19 Confidentiality 19.1.1 Five Rivers Childcare will ensure that any records made in relation to a referral will be kept confidentially and in a secure place on the child/young person’s file on Clear Care. 19.1.2 Documents can be marked as ‘’sensitive’’ with listed access which will include the DSO. 19.1.3 Information will be shared on a ‘need to know’ basis the sharing of information is vital to child protection and therefore, the issue of confidentiality is secondary to a child/young person’s need for protection. 20 Peer Abuse 20.1.1 Five Rivers Child Care will be led by the following three principles to guide the work with children and young people who abuse others: https://educationinspection.blog.gov.uk/2019/10/04/what-is-peer- on-peer-abuse/ There must be a coordinated approach by Five Rivers adults with relevant agencies and this should be guided by the child’s social worker, the victim’s social worker and the investigating officer(s). The needs of the children and young people who abuse others must be considered separately from their victims. As assessment, must be carried out in each case appreciating that these children/young people may have considerable unmet needs as well as the specific needs arising from their display of behaviours that challenge. 20.1.2 Evidence suggests that children/young people who abuse others may have suffered considerable disturbance in their own lives. They may have been exposed to violence, witnessed or been subject to physical or sexual abuse. This may cause the child/young person to have problems in their development and may lead them to committing other offences. Some will be suffering or at risk of significant harm and may and will themselves need protection. They are regarded as a child/young person in need. 20.1.3 Five Rivers Childcare recognises that children and young people who abuse others are often not yet able to be responsible for their display of behaviours that challenge, so the onus is on the residential adults and other professionals for the need to supervise, monitor and risk assess appropriately. The safety of the young person and other children will be the priority for adults and their safety and identified needs must inform their risk assessments, care planning and any interventions. 20.1.4 Where children/young people may live alongside each other in residential care, the Registered Managers must ensure an appropriate matching assessment and management plan are completed prior to the placement commencing. Full information on the child/young person’s history will be sought from the referring local authority including any assessments conducted and full details of any court proceedings, criminal orders, or restrictive measures in order to protect all children and those looking after them. 20.1.5 Adults will be aware of the potential uses of information technology for bullying and abusive behaviours and will respond to any incidences that occur. Page 19 of 43 Res 001 Residential Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy & Procedure 20.1.6 When working with a child/young person who has harmed another young person or child, the Registered Manager will discuss with the placing social worker the need for a multi- agency approach - this must be agreed and in place at the start of the placement. The Registered Manager will also ensure the Five Rivers integrated team is fully involved and an integrated approach agreed for the placement because suitable education arrangements and any clinical involvement or oversight will need to be confirmed prior to admission. Referral Policy 20.1.7 Five Rivers Childcare acknowledges that children/young people, particularly those living away from home, are also vulnerable to abuse by their peers. Such abuse will always be taken as seriously as abuse perpetrated by an adult. It will be subject to the same procedures as applied in respect of any child/young person who is suffering or at risk of suffering significant harm from an adverse source. 20.1.8 Sex offences can be committed by children. Adults will have training to identify the difference between consenting, abusive, appropriate, or exploitative peer relationships in addition to the content of this policy document. Adults must not dismiss some abusive sexual behaviour as 'normal' between young people and must take appropriate action within given timescales. Where in doubt adults will consult with their Registered Manager or the DSO. 20.1.9 Five Rivers Childcare adults involved in assessing a child or young person who abuses another must consider these relevant considerations: The nature and extent of the abusive behaviours in respect of, sexual abuse can sometimes be difficult in distinguishing between normal childhood sexual development, experimentation and sexually, inappropriate, or aggressive behaviour. Expert professional judgement may be needed within the context of knowledge about normal child sexuality/psycho-sexual development. The context of the displayed behaviours that challenge. The child's development and family and social circumstances. Needs for services specifically focusing on the child/young person's display of behaviours that challenge as well as other significant needs. The risks to self and others including other children/young people in the home, adults, extended family, school, peer group or wider social network. 20.1.10 This risk is likely to be present unless: The child/young person has acknowledged their displaying of behaviours that challenge and has accepted responsibility. The opportunity for further abuse is ended. There is agreement by the child/young person displaying behaviours that challenge, and their family to work with relevant agencies to address the problem. Page 20 of 43 Res 001 Residential Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy & Procedure 20.1.11 Five Rivers Childcare adults need to be aware that decisions must be made in relation to the following: The most appropriate action within the criminal justice system, if the child/young person is above or below the age of criminal responsibility. Whether the child/young person who has been abused will need to be the subject of a Section 47 investigation and conference. 20.1.12 What plan of action will need to be in place to address the needs of the child/young person displaying behaviours that challenge, detailing the involvement of all relevant agencies. AbuseWatch.NET 21 Sexually Exploited Children and Young People 21.1.1 Five Rivers Childcare has a child-centred approach to the sexual exploitation of children and young people and, ensures that these children and young people are treated as ‘victims of abuse’. We are proactive and will focus on early identification and intervention in working with children and young people. We are aware that all vulnerable young people both male and female are at risk of sexual exploitation. 21.1.2 Five Rivers Childcare will raise awareness of young people whom we fear may be at risk of sexual exploitation and the protection of these children and young people will be our main aim. 21.1.3 Any child or young person thought to be at risk of sexual exploitation’ will be assessed using Five Rivers in-house CSE CCE Risk Assessment Tool which will include the indicators set out in this policy and Five Rivers policy Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation which will work in conjunction with the requirements of LSCB. 21.1.4 Five Rivers Childcare will ensure adults are up to date with legislation and guidance, and ensure they are trained to recognise the warning signs and risk factors of sexual exploitation of young people. 21.1.5 Five Rivers will work with, and ensure information is shared as a matter of good practice, with other agencies including Local Authorities, Police, LSCB, Education, YOT, Health and Specialist services working with sexual, to ensure a multi-agency approach/response. 22 Children and Young People involved in sexual exploitation. 22.1.1 Children/young people who are being exploited will be treated as victims of abuse, whose needs require careful assessment. They are likely to be in need of welfare services and in many cases, protection. The problem is often hidden from view. 22.1.2 The Home Office guidance published December 2023 ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children’ gives guidance on how all agencies involved in working with young people who are at risk of child sexual exploitation. Five Rivers Childcare will work with other agencies and follow this guidance to: Recognise the problem. Treat the child/young person as a victim of abuse. Safeguard the children and young people involved and promote their welfare. Provide children and young people with strategies to leave sexual exploitation. Investigate and prosecute those who coerce, exploit and abuse children and young people. 22.1.3 The identification of a child/young person involved in sexual exploitation, or at risk of being drawn into sexual exploitation, should always trigger the agreed local procedures to ensure the child/young person’s safety and welfare, to enable the police to gather evidence about abusers and coercers. The Page 21 of 43 Res 001 Residential Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy & Procedure strong links that have been identified between sexual exploitation of children and substance misuse will be borne in mind in the development of protocols. 22.1.4 Children/young people who are sexually exploited may be fearful of being involved with the police or social services and may respond best initially to informal contact from health or voluntary sector outreach workers. Gaining the child/young person’s trust and confidence is vital if he or she is to be helped to be safe and well. Safeguarding Children and Young People from Sexual Exploitation Involving young people in responding to CSE 23 Child/Young People Abuse Images and the Internet 23.1.1 The Internet has now become a significant tool in the distribution of child abuse images. Adults are now using the Internet to try and establish contact with children and young people with a view of 'grooming' them for inappropriate or abusive relationships. 23.1.2 Five Rivers Child Registered Managers, as part of their role in preventing abuse and neglect will ensure that they raise the awareness of adults, children, and young people about the safe use of the Internet in relation to both school and home-based use of computers by children. All adults will be provided with clear advice and guidance on supporting children and young people to understand the potential risks involved (This guidance will be taken from the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) supported guidance updated June 2011). Child Exploitation & Online Protection Centre (CEOP) / Residential Internet Policy for Children, Young people, and Adults 23.1.3 All children are assessed in terms of their ability to self-manage on the basis of age and development. Five Rivers Childcare adults will adopt a child centred approach in their care. 23.1.4 Five Rivers Childcare adults will ensure that young people are supported and supervised when using the internet and again will use strategies developed by CEOP for children and young people. 23.1.5 If Five Rivers Childcare adults discover any member of their household or adults, including managers, is discovered to have viewed made or distributed child abuse images (pornography) on the internet or accessed child abusive images, the police will be informed to carry out their own procedures in relation to child abuse images and referred to DOFA/LADO as appropriate. 23.1.6 Any adult member suspected of being involved in child abusive images will be suspended immediately pending police investigation. Registered Managers or a designated senior manager may have to consider what disciplinary action, if any, is required in relation to adult members. 23.1.7 If there are particular concerns about one or more specific children/young person, there will be a need to carry out child protection enquiries in respect of those children. For Further Information see Residential Internet Policy for Children, Young people and Adults 24 Technology and Sexual Behaviour (Sexting and Selfies) 24.1.1 A selfie is a self-portrait, typically taken with a digital camera or camera phone held in the hand or via a selfie stick. Selfies are often shared and feature on social networking services/ sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and others. Definition of ‘Sexting’ 24.1.2 There are a number of definitions of sexting, but it is usually defined as Images or videos generated: - By children under the age of 18 or Page 22 of 43 Res 001 Residential Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy & Procedure Images of children/young people under the age of 18 that are of a sexual nature or are indecent. 24.1.3 When sexting is referred to it usually means: - sending and/ or receiving: Naked pictures or ‘nudes’ ‘Underwear’ shots Body part ‘pics’ Sexual or ‘dirty’ pics Suggestive, explicit, or sexual messages or images. 24.1.4 These images are shared between friends, boyfriend, girlfriend, young people and / or adults met on- line who may or may not be known to the young person. These are usually sent and received via phone, laptop, and hand-held devices. 24.1.5 Sexting can be common, can easily happen to children and young people and can go very wrong with images going viral or being shared without any permission. 24.1.6 There are many different types of sexting, and it is unlikely that any two cases will be the same. 24.1.7 Sexting is a behavior that children and young people often engage in without understanding the full consequences, it is essential therefore that they understand the legal implications and the impact that sexting can have on themselves and others. 24.1.8 Residential adults will support young people to use their mobile phones safely, will provide them with focused key work sessions on safe usage and will ensure that child friendly materials are available for young people to access and read which will provide them with guidance and advice. 24.1.9 Every child/young person placed in Residential Services will have a mobile phone and internet acceptable use contract which will be reviewed with them regularly. 24.2 Risks of Sexting 24.2.1 The initial risk of sexting comes from peers, friends, and others in their social network rather than from strangers or adults. Once images are in the public domain, young people may be subjected to additional risks. 24.2.2 It is necessary to carefully consider each case on its own merit. The range of contributory factors in each case also needs to be considered to determine an appropriate and proportionate response. 24.2.3 When sexting goes wrong it can leave a child/young person feeling distressed, ashamed, guilty, embarrassed, and anxious about what others have seen and read. It can also significantly affect the mental health and social interactions of children and young people. Once the image is in the public domain, it is difficult to control, to know who has seen it and what we have done with it. This can lead to feelings of paranoia and isolation at a time when teenagers need to build up their self-esteem during a crucial stage of her development. Therefore, the consequences can be devastating to children/young people. 24.2.4 Children and young people can end up being criminalized for sharing images which might have been apparently innocent but then have been used for exploitative reasons. 24.2.5 There are two main categories of sexting – Aggravated and Experimental: Aggravated incidents of sexting – involves criminal or abusive elements beyond the creation of an image such as adult involvement, criminal or abusive behavior by minors such as sexual abuse, Page 23 of 43 Res 001 Residential Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy & Procedure extortion, threats, malicious conduct arising from personal conflicts or creation, sending, or showing images without the knowledge or against the will of a minor who was pictured. Experimental incidents of sexting involve children and young people taking photographs of themselves to share with established relationships such as boy or girl friends, to create romantic or sexual interest in other children/young people or for reasons which will attract attention to them. There was no criminal intent beyond the creation and sending of the images and no apparent malice or lack of willing participation. 24.2.6 It is essential that all adults manage these incidents carefully and sensitively and offer support to young people whilst abiding by the law. 24.2.7 Because of the prevalence of sexting children and young people are not always aware their actions are illegal, and they must be supported by adults to understand this in a manner which educates and informs and does not cast any shame. 24.2.8 What to do if an image has been shared. Always put the child/young person first – support and reassure them. Inform the Registered Manager and the Child/young person’s Social Worker as soon as possible. If school is involved inform the school Child Protection officer (CPO). Record the incident and complete a safeguarding notification. Confiscate the device involved and any other devices used to share images for the young person’s protection. If appropriate, report the incident to Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) – internet safety, so that law enforcement can make an assessment, expedite the case with the relevant body or provider and ensure appropriate action is taken to safeguard the young person. CEOP Police 24.1.9 Do not under any circumstances Print out any material for evidence. Move any material from one device to another. Send, share, or save the image anywhere. Allow the young person to do any of the above. ChildLine – Cyber Bullying / ChildLine – Information and Advice – Sexting 25 Violence against Women (VAW) and Gender Based Violence (GBV) 25.1.1 VAW is defined as; ‘’any act of gender-based violence, which results in, or is likely to, result in, physical, sexual, or psychological harm or suffering to women or girls, including threats of such acts, coercion, or arbitrary deprivations of liberty, when occurring in public or private life.’’ 25.1.2 While people of both genders can be victims of GBV women and girls are viewed as being the likely targets. 25.1.3 If Five Rivers Childcare adults feel that any person may be a victim of GBV they will report this immediately to their Registered Manager or their delegate and the DSO. 25.1.4 The government developed a new strategy in 2021-2024 Ending Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG). Page 24 of 43 Res 001 Residential Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy & Procedure 25.1.5 The Government has called for evidence to the Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG) Strategy 2021 to 2024. The specialist ‘by and for’ VAWG sector, defined on page four, have set out a vision for a VAWG strategy which addresses some of the key concerns we have with the government’s approach – including the decision to de-link domestic abuse from other forms of VAWG. ‘Dual strategies’ will fragment coordinated action to tackle VAWG directly impacting all women and girls, whose needs are multiple and intersecting. In these principles, we aim to refocus the response on a comprehensive, inclusive, and holistic approach to addressing VAWG for all women and girls who are subjected to this oppression and for cohesive support that is strategically aligned to the ‘by and for’ sector. 25.1.6 One of the measures included is: a Dual Strategy Approach 25.1.7 The dual strategy approach will not only lead to a disjointed response but will also pave the way to gender neutrality in addressing VAWG. CEDAW General Recommendation 35 makes it clear that policy and legal frameworks must be based on the implicit understanding of violence against women as gendered and that this understanding, which is expressed in defining the problem, is evident in government policy and any framework protecting the rights of women. All forms of violence against women are defined as discrimination – explicitly linking gender-based violence to wider forms of discrimination experienced by women and gender inequality. Ending violence against women and girls (VAWG) strategy 2016 - 2020 Ending Violence against women and girls in the UK policy pages. Violence against Women and Girls 26 Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) 26.1.1 FGM is the partial or total removal external female genitalia for non-medical reasons. It’s also known as female circumcision or cutting. There are no medical reasons to carry out FGM. It doesn’t enhance fertility and it doesn’t make childbirth safer. It is used to control female sexuality and can cause severe and long-lasting damage to physical and emotional health. Religious, social, or cultural reasons are sometimes given for FGM. However, FGM is child abuse, is dangerous to health and wellbeing and is a criminal offence. 26.1.2 Five Rivers Childcare adults will follow the guidance as laid out in this section and if they have any reason to believe that a child/young person may have been exposed to or is at risk of FGM they will report this to their line manager and the DSO immediately. 26.1.3 The age at which FGM is carried out varies. It may be carried out when a girl is new-born, during childhood or adolescence, just before marriage or during pregnancy. 26.1.4 FGM has been a criminal offence in the UK since 1985. In 2003 via the Female Genital Mutilation Act it also became an offence for UK nationals or permanent UK residents to take their child/young person abroad to have FGM performed. Anyone found guilty of the offence faces a maximum penalty of 14 years in prison. Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003 26.1.5 The term FGM covers all harmful procedures to the female genitalia for non-medical purposes. There are 4 types – all are illegal and have serious health risks. Pricking or cauterizing the genital area, through partial or total removal of the clitoris Cutting the labia and narrowing the vaginal opening using instruments such as scissors, scalpel, glass, or a razor. Partial removal of the clitoris Page 25 of 43 Res 001 Residential Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy & Procedure Labia elongation stretching the labia using sticks, harnesses, or weights. 26.1.6 FGM is usually performed by someone with no medical training. Girls are given no anaesthetic, antiseptic and are often forcibly restrained. 26.1.7 Section 74 of the Serious Crime Act 2015 amended the Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003 to introduce the legal duty for regulated health and social care professionals and teachers to make a report to the police if: they are informed by a girl under the age of 18 that she has undergone an act of FGM, or they observe physical signs that an act of FGM may have been carried out on a girl under the age of 18. 26.1.8 The Serious Crime Act also introduced FGM protection orders. For details of what is required of professionals. Section 74 of the Serious Crime Act 2015 FGM Protection Orders Mandatory reporting of FGM: procedural information Fact sheet on mandatory reporting Female Genital Mutilation - Prevent & Protect | NSPCC 26.1.9 In 2016 the home office produced statutory guidance for any persons or bodies involved in safeguarding and supporting women and girls affected by FGM. The guidance provides information on FGM, strategic guidance, a glossary of terms used for FGM in other languages, key points for legal interventions, police protection and FGM protection orders. This statutory guidance should be considered in conjunction with other safeguarding guidance. Multi-agency statutory guidance on female genital mutilation - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) 26.2 Risk and Safeguarding 26.2.1 The Home Office has produced a Risk Assessment framework tool which assists professionals to know the type of risk to look for and how to support girls at risk of or victims of FGM. Female genital mutilation: resource pack - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) 27 Children and Young People who may have been Trafficked. 27.1.1 Five Rivers Childcare uses the definition as described by Article 3 of the Palermo Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children Supplementing the United Nations Convention Against Organised Crime to the UN Convention (2000) (ratified by the UK on the 6 February 2006) defines trafficking as: 27.1.2 “Trafficking of persons” shall mean the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring, or receipt of persons, by means of threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability or of the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person, for the purpose of exploitation. Exploitation shall include, at a minimum, the exploitation of the prostitution of others or other forms of sexual exploitation, forced labour services, slavery, or practices similar to slavery, servitude or the removal of organs. 27.1.3 There are three basic components: Movement including within the UK. Page 26 of 43 Res 001 Residential Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy & Procedure Control, through harm/threat of harm or fraud. For the purpose of exploitation. 27.1.4 Principles 27.1.5 Five Rivers Childcare has adopted the following principles in identifying and responding to children and young people (and unborn children) at risk of or having been trafficked: 27.1.6 Trafficking causes significant harm to children/young people is both the short and long term; it constitutes physical and emotional abuse, The safety and welfare of the child/young person is paramount, i.e., nationality or immigration status of the child/young person is secondary and will be addressed only after the child/young person’s safety is assured). Trafficked children and young people will be provided with the same standard of care that is available to any other child/young person in Five Rivers Childcare. All decisions and plans for the children and young people will be based on good quality assessments and supported by Five Rivers Childcare and multi-agency services. Five Rivers Childcare will work in partnership with Local Authorities, Education and Police to empower and develop support networks and information sharing. 27.1.7 Five Rivers adults will use these indicators as guidance and will make themselves aware of any other factors that may suggest the child/young person may have been trafficked. Information gathering will include the child/young person’s presenting behaviours together with any information the child/young person discloses and their circumstances. The above will also be used in conjunction with Working Together to Safeguard Young People 2023. 27.1.8 Five Rivers Childcare recognises that children and young people are not only trafficked from country to country but also from area to area within the UK. Five Rivers Childcare will share information with other agencies to ensure that together they combat the issues of Child Trafficking to ensure that perpetrators are prosecuted. 27.1.9 Five Rivers Childcare will ensure that any child/young person who has been trafficked receives the appropriate support through multi-agency planning to promote the welfare and safeguarding of young people. HM Government – safeguarding children who have been trafficked – practice guidance. NSPCC – Signs Symptoms and effects of Trafficking 28 Children/Young People Affected by Gang Activity including County Lines 28.1.1 Children and young people who become involved in gangs are at risk of violent crime and as a result of this involvement are deemed vulnerable. Risks associated with gang activity include access to weapons (including firearms), retaliatory violence and territorial violence with other gangs. The published guidance on Safeguarding Children and Young People who may be affected by Gang Activity will be reviewed in such situations. Page 27 of 43 Res 001 Residential Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy & Procedure 28.1.2 The UK government defines county lines as: County lines is a term used to describe gangs and organised criminal networks involved in exporting illegal drugs into one or more importing areas within the UK, using dedicated mobile phone lines or other form of “deal line.” They are likely to exploit children/young people and vulnerable adults to move and store the drugs and money and they will often use coercion, intimidation, violence (including sexual violence) and weapons. County lines activity and the associated violence, drug-dealing and exploitation has a devastating impact on children and young people, vulnerable adults, and local communities. (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/ 741194/HOCountyLinesGuidanceSept2018.pdf) 28.1.3 This guidance promotes an approach where Five Rivers Childcare as an agency must work together to: Understand the risks posed by local gangs. Clearly define the local problem. Effectively identify children/young people at risk. Assess the needs of children/young people and their families. Identify effective referral pathways. Support adults in delivering effective interventions. 28.1.4 Five Rivers Childcare will support all children and young people who are already associated, or a member of a gang, to protect them from the associated risks of gang activity. 28.1.5 Five Rivers Childcare recognises that friendships within groups is a normal part of growing up, and these groups must be distinguished from `street gangs`. 28.1.6 We will: Make a return home a positive experience for the child/young person. Take time to listen to child/young people. Raise awareness of the child/young person displaying behaviours that challenge. Educate the child/young people about ‘Healthy Relationships.’ Find ways to work with the ‘push pull factor’ for going missing’ by listening and talking to children and young people when they have been missing from home. Support building self-esteem in children and young people. Support children and young people in making positive attachments and building positive relationships. Address any issues of bullying of children and young people. We will work with a restorative justice approach. Give children and young people a voice and to feel safe to enable them to speak out and disclose if they are being sexually exploited. Ensure all the child and young person’s medical needs are attended to. Be aware of the difference between children and young people gathering together to socialise and gang membership. 29 Criminal Exploitation and Gangs 29.2.1 Criminal exploitation is child abuse where children and young people are manipulated and coerced into committing crimes. 29.2.2 The word ‘gang’ means different things in different contexts, the government in their paper, ‘Safeguarding children and young people who may be affected by gang activity’ distinguishes between Page 28 of 43 Res 001 Residential Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy & Procedure peer groups, street gangs and organised criminal gangs. https://www.nspcc.org.uk/what-is-child-abuse/types-of-abuse/gangs-criminal-exploitation 30 On-Line Abuse 30.3.1 Online abuse is any type of abuse that happens on the internet. It can happen across any device that is connected to the web, like computers, tablets and mobile phones and can happen anywhere online, including: Social media. Text messages and messaging apps. Emails. Online chats. Online gaming. Live-streaming sites. 30.3.2 Children and young people can be at risk of online abuse from people they know or from strangers. It might be part of other abuse, which is taking place offline, like bullying or grooming. Or the abuse might only happen online. 31 Contextual Safeguarding 31.1.1 Contextual safeguarding is an approach to understanding and responding to children/young people’s experiences of significant harm in a range of environments, outside of the family, for example, school, college, local communities, peer groups or

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