Policies and Protocols  


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.

Children Abused 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.

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 .


Children Who Runaway and go Missing from Home or Care
This document provides guidance to professionals and volunteers from all agencies in Suffolk working to ensure a collaborative response when:

It aims to provide guidance for assessing both the risk to the child or young person and the support needs on return and should be read in conjunction with the Suffolk Safeguarding Children Board Procedures .

Concealed Pregnancy Guidelines
A pregnancy is said to be concealed when a mother either knows that she is pregnant but does not seek appropriate medical attention and advice, or else in denial about the fact her pregnancy. It may or may not involve the collusion of others, including a partner or parent.

 

Concealed pregnancy is associated with significant child protection concerns. National and international research has shown it to be associated with significantly increased risks of neglect, abandonment and even infanticide.

 

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.

Domestic Incidents and Violence Guidance
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.


Guidance for Safer Working Practice
Guidance for Safer Working Practice- Education


Injury to non-mobile baby GP HV advice (flowchart)


Inter-Agency Practice Guidance


Joint Protocol for the Investigation of Child Abuse

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.

MARAC (Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference) Process


Potentially Dangerous Persons Protocol

There is no commonly accepted definition of a Potentially Dangerous Person (PDP) and no legislation recognises their existence as a class of person. For the purposes of this guidance, a PDP is a person who has not been convicted of, or cautioned for, any offence placing them into one of the three MAPPA Categories. They are however a person whose behaviour gives reasonable grounds for believing that there is a present likelihood of them committing an offence or offences that will cause serious harm. Unlike offenders who fall within MAPPA there is no statutory multi-agency framework which governs the management of PDP’s.

Private Fostering Policy
Private Fostering Policy Statement
Private Fostering Protocol
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


Prevention of Forced Marriage During Extended Visits Overseas
Multi-Agency Practice Guidelines- Handling Cases of Forced Marriage
Safeguarding Children who may have been Forced into Marriage - Quick Guide
Safeguarding Children who may have been Forced into Marriage - Policy, Procedures and Practice Guidance


Referring Cases of Suspected Child Trafficking to UK Human Trafficking Centre
Safeguarding Children Who May Have Been Trafficked - Quick Guide
Safeguarding Children Who May Have Been Trafficked - Policy, Procedures and Practice Guidance


Safeguarding Children Who May Be at Risk of Honour Based Violence- Quick Guide


Serious Case Review Policy


Substance Misuse - Clinical Intervention Policy for Young People
Substance Misuse- A Guide to the Services in Suffolk
The purpose of this protocol is to provide the framework for a specialized substance misuse service for vulnerable young people nineteen years and under , who has complex needs.  It will also serve to establish and maintain clear guidelines and communication between Norcas Youth Service, Norcas clinical service and Suffolk Mental Health Partnership substance misuse services. 

SUDIC Protocol


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.