Policies and Protocols
The investigation of allegations of child abuse is a crucial stage
in protecting children. Although other agencies will be involved in
aspects of the investigation process the Police and Children and
Young People’s Services (CYPS) are primarily responsible for the
investigation. This Protocol is designed to help staff from the two
agencies to work together. The Protocol will make reference to the
formal investigative interview, but detailed knowledge of
‘Achieving Best Evidence (ABE) in Criminal Proceedings: Guidance
for Vulnerable or Intimidated Witnesses, including Children (2001)
(‘ABE’) is a requirement for investigating officers.
SCB Joint Protocol
Safeguarding Children Policy
Serious Case Review Policy
Sudic Protocol
Injury to non-mobile baby GP HV advice
Inter-Agency Practice Guidance
Guidance for dealing with domestic incidents and violence
This document has been commissioned by the Safeguarding Board, in
relation to Agencies identifying Domestic Abuse and their responses
to this, to best safeguard children and families.
Cross Boundary protocol
This protocol was developed and agreed by Safeguarding Children
Board and Children’s Social Care in Suffolk and should be used with
any other authority.
No formal agreement has been reached between Suffolk and any
other Local Authority, but staff in Suffolk should seek to apply
this guidance in all situations where responsibilities need to be
transferred across a Local Authority boundary.
Working with sexually active young people under the age of
18
This protocol has been devised with the understanding that most
young people under the age of 18 will have an interest in sex and
sexual relationships.
It is designed to assist those working with children and young
people to identify where these relationships may be abusive, and
the children and young people may need the provision of protection
or additional services.
It is based on the core principle that the welfare of the child
or young person is paramount, and emphasises the need for
professionals to work together in accurately assessing the risk of
significant harm when a child or young person is engaged in sexual
activity.
Children abuse through sexual exploitation protocol
A child or young person is being
sexually exploited if they provide sexual services in exchange for
some form of payment or gain. This includes all forms of sexual
activity that are done in exchange for money, alcohol, drugs, food,
gifts and/or accommodation. It also includes, when a child is
persuaded to post sexual pictures on the internet without any
exchange in terms of payment or gain.
Sexually exploited children are
rarely visible on the streets. Street based sexual exploitation of
children is however only a small part of the bigger picture of
sexual exploitation of children by adults and other children and
young people.
A growing number of young people are being sexually exploited by
adults and older young people they meet on the internet. This
"hi-tech" access to groom children for abuse has contributed to the
visibility of the sexual exploitation of children.
This Protocol provides professionals with a guide on assessing the
risks of children becoming exploited, how to make a referral if you
are concerned, when to convene a child protection meeting, and the
roles of the children, parents and police in that process.
You may also want to read this Ipswich Prostitution Strategy
update, if so please
click here.
Children abused through sexual exploitation presentation -
click here.
Policy statement regarding private fostering
The policy defines Private Fostering and outlines the Local
Authority duties towards privately fostered children. It is a legal
requirement that the child’s parents and the private foster carers
must notify the arrangement to the Local Authority. Professional
staff in all agencies working with children and young people should
be aware of the legal requirements, and must report any private
fostering arrangements they encounter in the community
Anti Bullying Strategy
Bullying is a key feature of the
Safeguarding Children Board’s agenda. There has been a great deal
of consultation work undertaken by key agencies, which has led to
the Board developing an Anti Bullying Strategy, which identifies
the meaning of bullying and outlines Suffolk’s strategy to help
children who may be bullied.
Suffolk Safeguarding Children Board Protocol On Private
Fostering