Practice Guidance Support for Professionals
In order to support the multi agency workforce, Sefton SCP (with thanks to Sefton Safeguarding Children Unit) has developed a suite of detailed Practice Guidance Support documents in a wide range of safeguarding children topics.
The Practice Guidance is primarily to up skill professionals (who work with children, young people and families) to increase their knowledge and allow additional information to support and improve practice. (The guidance does not substitute Sefton SCP Procedures but are to support practitioners).
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Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
WHAT IS Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)?
FGM, sometimes referred to as female circumcision, is when a girl's genitals (private parts) are altered or removed. It can cause long-lasting damage as well as on-going emotional distress.
FGM can be extremely painful and dangerous. It can cause:
- really bad pain
- shock
- bleeding
- infections such as tetanus, HIV and hepatitis B and C
- organ damage.
| 5 Facts about FGM: |
| FGM is abuse, and it's illegal in the UK |
| there is no religious or medical reason for FGM |
| FGM can happen at any age before marriage |
| FGM can be dangerous if there is blood loss and infection |
| FGM can happen at any age before marriage |
The Home Office co-ordinates efforts across government and offers outreach support to local areas. You can find out more about FGM through the e-learning package, Recognising and preventing FGM.
For additional documents and guidance on FGM from GOV.UK
Children Missing Education
Welcome to Sefton's Children Missing Education (CME) Guidance 2023.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE SEFTON CME GUIDANCE (2023)
The 2016 DfE Statutory Guidance for Children Missing Education provides a clear definition for missing in education:
“All children of compulsory school age who are not on a school roll, nor being educated otherwise (e.g. at home, privately or in alternative provision) and who have been out of any educational provision for a substantial period of time”
Information for SCHOOLS
Model Policy Framework for Child Protection in Sefton Schools
(Sefton MBC) has developed a model policy framework for child protection in schools. The framework is aligned with Keeping Children Safe in Education (DfE).
The model policy framework is written with the local context for schools to utilise and adapt for their individual setting.
Click HERE to download the Whole School Model Child Protection Policy (updated September 2023) and adapt to your individual school setting.
Model Policy for Bereavement and Loss
Sefton MBC has developed a model policy for schools to utilise for Bereavement and Loss.
Click to download the Model Bereavement and Loss Policy and adapt for your individual school setting.
The Role of an Appropriate Adult
When a person under the age of 18 (or vulnerable adult) is arrested and taken into custody by the Police, the Custody Officer is responsible for identifying vulnerable people and provide an 'appropriate adult' to accompany a young person during police interview and key stages of investigations. Sefton MBC has provided guidance on the role of an Appropriate Adult (Sept 2022). CLICK HERE to download guidance.
Talking to Children and Young People about Terrorism Attacks
We know that young people are informed by what they see and hear, particularly online and research shows that while children are becoming more aware of online threats, they aren't sure what to do when they see something online that upsets them. Social media has changed the way we consume information. h2b Safer have created a guide with advice on how to talk to children and young people about terrorist attacks, with a focus on exposure to information online. Download the guide here.
Tackling Race and Faith Targeted Bullying Face To Face and Online: A Guide For Schools
A short guide for schools about how to respond to bullying connected with race or faith, whether it occurs online or offline.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/tackling-race-and-faith-targeted-bullying-face-to-face-and-online-a-guide-for-schools
Operation Encompass
Operation Encompass is an early intervention safeguarding partnership between Education and the Police. Set up in 2011, the original aim of Operation Encompass was to ensure schools were informed, before the start of the next school day, if the police had been called out to a child or young person’s house the previous evening due to a domestic incident and to ensure that children are recognised as victims of Domestic Abuse in their own right and receive the support they require.
Since January 2022 Sefton have extended Operation Encompass to all early years education settings including private, voluntary and independent early years settings.
Operation Encompass provides an efficient, confidential network of communication between the police and Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs) within schools and early years settings. This ensures that the designated practitioners are there to recognise and offer appropriate support if required, and to ensure the school/setting is a secure, supportive and emotionally connected environment to help reducing the wider effects of abuse.
Operation Encompass Helpline for School Staff
A Teachers’ and Early Years Worker Helpline aims to provide free, confidential consultations for school staff when supporting children who are victims of domestic abuse.
So a school receives an Operation Encompass notification about a child in your school and you are unsure of the best way to support, you can access FREE advice from an Education Psychologist about how best to support them, by calling the Operation Encompass Teachers’ National Helpline on 0204 513 9990 (Monday to Friday, 8am-1pm)
For more information about the helpline and how they can best support please click here
Operation Encompass Key Adult Training
All schools and early years settings are now part of Operation Encompass. All Designated Safeguarding Leads are expected to complete the free online training, which will also count towards your yearly CPD hours. This training is also available to anyone wishing to complete it and takes approximately 2 hours to complete:
On Line Key Adult Training: Operation Encompass
Always remember to follow your safeguarding procedures when you have any concerns about a child. If you are in any doubt always consult with your Designated Safeguarding Lead or contact Sefton Children’s Services Integrated Front Door on 0345 140 0845.
For guidance and resources for schools please visit the national Operation Encompass website: https://www.operationencompass.org/school-participation
You can access information provided to schools below:
Sefton School Briefing (JUNE 2023)
Operation Encompass CPD Presentation Slides (JULY 2023)