Amendments

This chapter was updated in January 2026, with new guidance. A new Section 7.4, Child Protection Medicals / Medical Health History for children with long-term chronic health needs who require "additional child safeguards" was added saying that if the Child Protection Conference at any point is unclear whether they understand a child's health needs or any deviations, they can request that Community Paediatricians complete a Child Protection Medical as an 'additional safeguard', without a Strategy Discussion, but only when a child has complex health needs. Where it is felt that a Child Protection Medical is not warranted, a medical health history about the child's complex health condition and its progress can be requested.

In January 2026, this procedure was added and sets out how Health practitioners are to share information and explain its significance with multi-agency partners.

In January 2026, this procedure was added and sets out ‘additional child safeguards’ for those children where longer term chronic health needs are being managed in the context of wider safeguarding concerns.

This Chapter was added to the manual in Septemeber 2025.

In September 2025 a new section was added to the chapter on Child Financial Exploitation.

In September 2025, Child Criminal Exploitation Procedure was updated.

This chapter was updated in September 2025, a new section 4.9 has been added on Managing Allegations and Concerns in Managerless Organisations. Guidance has been added in LLR Local Resources on Good Practice Guidance for LADOs in Managing Allegations and Concerns in Managerless Organisations which should be read alongside this section.

In September 2025 this chapter has been refreshed on the basis of good practice guidance from recent legal judgements. Also amendments made as the Working Together With Parents Network that supports professionals working with parents with learning disabilities and learning difficulties and their children is now run by Research in Practice, part of the NCB family,

In April 2025, Section 3.2, Direct Manager to Manager Discussion was amended to say 'A clear record should be kept at all stages, by all parties. This must include written confirmation between the parties about an agreed outcome of the disagreement and how any outstanding issues will be pursued. All disputes must be followed up with written confirmation of what has been agreed by all parties (sent to all agencies involved)'.

This chapter was updated in April 2025, to include a link to the Disclosure and Barring Service Guidance Leaflets - GOV.UK in Section 11, Substantiated Allegations.

This chapter was updated in April 2025, with new guidance from Working Together to Safeguard Children around purpose and function of Child Protection Conferences and the role of the Lead Practitioner. 

In April 2025, a link was added in Section 1, Introduction to the  7-Minute Briefing - Reunification (returning children home from care) in Safeguarding Practice Guidance in Local Resources.

This chapter was updated in April 2025, to include information on Stalking Protection Orders.

In April 2025, this chapter was refreshed and links added to additional sources of information.

In April 2025, a link was added to the 7-Minute Briefing on Bruising, marks and injuries in mobile children in Safeguarding Practice Guidance in Local Resources.

In April 2025, additional links were added in Section 6, Useful Websites.

In April 2025, this chapter was refreshed.

This chapter was refreshed in April 2025.

This was added to the manual in April 2025 and will be undergoing further development.

In April 2025, information was added into Section 1, Definition in relation to sexually coerced extortion.

This chapter was refreshed in April 2025.

In April 2025, Safeguarding Children and Young People from Child Sexual Exploitation Procedure and Child Criminal Exploitation Procedure were updated.

In April 2025, amendments were made to the definition of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children in line with further revisions to Working Together to Safeguard Children.

This chapter was updated in April 2025, to include a link to Disclosure and Barring Service Guidance Leaflets - GOV.UK in Section 9, Further Information.