Amendments

March 2017

Updated Chapters
Chapter Name	Details
Escalation Procedure & Resolution Process	This chapter has been updated.

February 2017

Updated Chapters
Chapter Name	Details
Family Group Conferences	This chapter has been updated to acknowledge that Liverpool provide the Family Group Conference service and to reflect that children who are on the verge of becoming Looked After, either through Section 20 or as a result of the court, meet the criteria for the service.
Referral, Investigation and Assessment	This chapter has been comprehensively amended by updating the referral and assessment procedures. The detail identifies the MARF Form, Early Help assessment and Careline. See: Section 1, Introduction; Section 3, Response by Professionals in Agency; and Section 6, Referrals to Careline. Please re-reference this important aspect of safeguarding children.
Initial Child Protection Conferences	This chapter has been updated to add a link to the Solicitors Regulation Authority and Code of Conduct in respect of solicitors attending Children Act meetings, (see Section 5, Who Should Attend?). Please reference as required to clarify solicitors role in this context.
Abuse Linked to Spiritual and Religious Beliefs	This chapter has been updated to include an additional link to ‘DfE, National action plan to tackle child abuse linked to faith or belief (2012)’ (see Related Reading) and to add detail with regard to the impact on children as a result of the nature of this abuse.
Bullying	This chapter has been updated to add a link to Liverpool Children and families Anti Bullying and anti-homophobic bullying Strategies. The links contained within this site provide a range of helpful information including definitions and resources. Please re-reference.
Child Abuse and the Internet	This chapter has been amended by updating the links NSPCC (2016)’; ‘Sexting in schools and colleges: Responding to incidents and safeguarding young people (2016)’ and ‘Police action in response to youth produced sexual imagery Sexting) (2016)’ and reflecting current issues and risks for children e.g. ‘the dark web’. Please re-reference.
Children Who Self Harm	This chapter has been updated to provide a link to the Liverpool Self Harm Guidance (see Relevant Guidance) and Liverpool Self Harm flowchart (see Section 2, Action to Safeguard). Please reference the Self harm Guidance and note that the LSCB will provide further training).
Children Moving Across Boundaries	This chapter has been amended by updating: North West ADCS Protocols: North West Children in Need Moving across Local Authority Boundaries Procedure; North West Notification and Transfer of Children Subject of Child Protection Plans across Local Authority Boundaries Procedure; and North West Pre-Care and Care Proceedings Notification and Transfer across Local Authority Boundaries Procedure. Please re-reference.
Domestic Violence and Abuse	This chapter has been updated to include the 'Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy 2016 to 2020 (Home Office, 2016), and the 'Information Guide: Adolescent to Parent Violence and Abuse (APVA)'. Section 1, Definition acknowledges that 'adult to parent violence and abuse' can also include children under 16 years as well, (although this falls outside the formal definition of 'domestic violence and abuse'). Please re-reference this key area of concern.
Safeguarding Children from Abroad	This chapter has been amended to identify that the Permanence Team undertake Initial Assessments of UASC, (see Section 2, Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC)) to reflect the change of the UK Border Agency to UK Visas and Immigration.
Safeguarding Children and Young People from Sexual Exploitation	This chapter has been significantly updated to include a Appendix 1: MACE Pathway for Concerns Process Map and a new Section 9, Links with Criminal Exploitation. The Roles and Responsibilities of LSCB's and Individual Organisations section identifies there is a Consultant Social Work post to act as a single point of reference and a monthly strategic MACE meeting convened to provide an overview. The referral process has been amended to update the local procedure (see Section 6.2, Referral).
Children of Drug/Alcohol Misusing Parents	This chapter has been updated, in particular to acknowledge that professionals involved with the family should ask parents about the storage of drugs (see Section 2, Action to Safeguard).
Mental Illness of a Parent or Carer	This chapter has been significantly updated by emphasising that communication between agencies is key to understanding the impact of the illness upon parenting. New sections on how parents might get help and support to manage their illness when they experience it has also been added (see Section 3, Action to Safeguard).
Safeguarding Children Affected by Gang Activity and/or Serious Youth Violence	This chapter has been amended to update the process in respect of the Team Around the Child Meeting with regard to the YOS. Please re-reference as required.
Safeguarding Children and Young people against Radicalisation and Violent Extremism	Section 5, Issues has been updated to include a link to the GOV.UK website to report online material promoting terrorism or extremism. Note also new Prevent Co-ordinator details (see Section 7, Contact Numbers). The ICACU is the operational central authority in England and Wales dealing with the Brussels 11 Regulation and provides a standard response to local authorities explaining the other sources of assistance, information and contact details of other bodies.
Cross Border Child Protection Cases under the Hague Convention	This chapter has been updated to add a link to the International Child Abduction and Contact Unit (ICACU). The linked document itself contains the update link to the DfE ICACU Request for Co-operation Form and Guidance. Please reference as required.
Safe Recruitment, Selection and Supervision of Staff	This chapter has been updated to add a link to North West ADCS, Protocol for Standards in Supervision of Children and Families Social Workers (see Related Guidance). Please reference.
Allegations Against Persons who Work with Children	This chapter has been updated in line with DfE statutory guidance ’Keeping Children Safe in Education 2016'. and Working Together to Safeguard Children (2015). Two new Appendices have also been added as additional tools to aid decision-making: Appendix G: Haringey LADO Thresholds Tier Model and Appendix H: Liverpool Agenda and Risk Tool. The chapter also contains definitions for determining the outcome of a matter (see Section 14, Action on Conclusion of a Case).
Persons Identified as Posing a Risk to Children	This chapter has been reviewed and some amendments were made, in particular regarding the Admission to Psychiatric or Children's Hospital (see Section 5, Admission to Psychiatric or Children's Hospital); it is no longer required for the Investigations Support Unit to be involved if there are concerns regarding sexual exploitation in this context.
Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA)	This chapter was updated with regard to officers of the agencies that form the Single Point of Contact (S.P.O.C) (see Section 2, MAPPA Single Point of Contact (S.P.O.C) - Children's Services). Appendix 2: Escalation, Complaints Procedure & Resolution Process Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements – Merseyside has also been added.
Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC)	This chapter has been fully updated and developed and includes Tools as well as the Steering Group Terms of Reference and MARAC Ground Rules.
Serious Case Reviews	This chapter has been updated by adding a new Appendix 1: Responding to Cases that May Warrant the Undertaking of a Serious Case Review and Appendix 3: LSCB Serious Case Review: Request for CIEC Consideration Form. Appendix 2: LSCB Critical Incident Evidence Committee Process - Flowchart (reflecting a change of role within the title) and Liverpool LSCB Learning & Improvement Framework (LIF) (see Related Guidance) have been updated and should be re-referenced.
Learning and Improvement Framework (LIF)	This chapter was updated to provide updated and new links: LSCB Learning Improvement Framework (LIF) (see Introduction) and new Appendices: Appendix 1: Learning and Improvement Index; Appendix 2: LSCB Critical Incident Evidence Committee Process - Flowchart; Appendix 3: LSCB Process: Responding to Cases that May Warrant the Undertaking of a Serious Case Review; Appendix 4: LSCB Serious Case Review: Request for CIG Consideration Form; Appendix 5: Learning and Improvement Framework – Activities. A link has also been added to the NSPCC, Serious Case Review Quality Markers, (2016) for reference (see Relevant Guidance). Please re-reference.
Children Who Run Away or Go Missing from Home or Care Strategy	This chapter has been amended to amend Appendix 5: Flowchart for Missing Children to provide additional information in respect of actions for social workers in respect of Looked After Children and Child Protection concerns. Some additional detail has also been provided with respect to the ‘Return Interviews’ (see Section 3, Children Missing from Care and Section 5, Return of the Child).
New Chapters and Features
Chapter Name	Details
Young Carers	This chapter has been fully updated to reference Liverpool’s approach to identifying, assessing and supporting young carers in line with the agreed Adult and Children’s Family Assessment and Early Help (EHAT) Pathway and Liverpool Young Carers Assessment Pathway. Relevant provisions of the Children and Families Act 2014 and the Care Act 2014 in relation to young carers came into force on 1 April 2015. Barnardo's Action with Young Carers Service Liverpool undertake the assessments of children who have been identified.
Private Fostering	This chapter links to the Children’s Services manual, which has recently been updated.
Throughout the Manual
Keywords	Please note new keywords for: Child Trafficking Advocate; Slavery and Trafficking/Prevention Order; Slavery and Trafficking Risk Order.

Next update: August 2017

August 2016

Updated Chapters
Chapter Name	Details
Responding to Need Guidance and Levels of Need Framework	This chapter has been updated and links to the most current Guidance on the Levels of Need Framework. Please re – read.
Single Assessments (including Section 47 Enquiries)	This chapter was reviewed and updated to note that the Modern Slavery Act, and its social impact, should be considered when undertaking assessments of children and families, (see Section 7.5, Analysis). A link to the Act and the Home Office circular is provided.
Female Genital Mutilation	This chapter has been comprehensively updated and has close similarities with other NW Authorities. It includes updated further reading and acknowledges the individual roles and responsibilities that each agency has to play when dealing with this issue.
Safeguarding Children and Young People from Sexual Exploitation	This chapter was amended to provide an updated 'Merseyside Multi-Agency Protocol' to reduce harm caused by Child Sexual Exploitation. The 'CSE1 form' and 'CSE Measurement Tool' and 'MACSE Plan' within this are presented now also as separate links for ease of access and use. A new 'Merseyside Multi-Agency Strategy' is also provided. This covers 5 key areas: Self Assessment / Prepare; Prevention; Safeguarding/Protect; Bringing Offenders to Justice / Pursue and Governance/prepare with details under each of how each is going to be achieved.
Learning and Improvement Framework (LIF)	This chapter has been fully and comprehensively updated. It reflects the importance of a learning and improvement culture within the agencies involved in Children's Social Care and safeguarding. It identifies cases that should be subject to Serious Case Reviews and acknowledges that where concerns don't meet this threshold, agencies should undertake their own learning. Emphasis is made with respect to transparency of the learning processes and feedback in a variety of ways; 'learning' will come from a number of sources and in a number of ways (identified in Appendix 1: Learning and Improvement Index). Please fully re-read.
Local Contacts	This chapter has been updated. Please reference as required.
New Chapters and Features
Chapter Name	Details
Children Who Run Away or Go Missing from Home or Care Strategy	This chapter covers comprehensively the issue of children who go missing and in particular the forces that drive children to run away, together with the relevant agencies roles and responsibilities. Highlighted is the fact that children who go missing can be subject to trafficking and child sexual exploitation, and that the more often a child goes missing, the greater the concerns rather than a reduction of risk they may be exposed to. Where children go missing from home, and there is a delay in parents carers reporting their absence, then this itself should be a cause for concern. The chapter has helpful flow charts to describe the key processes together with relevant forms/tools. The LSCB actively monitor details of children who go missing in a variety of settings. Links to other relevant chapters are made as appropriate.

February 2016

Updated Chapters
Chapter Name	Details
Local Safeguarding Children Board - Role and Function	This chapter has been comprehensively updated to reflect the key legislative role and functions of Liverpool Safeguarding Children Board, both nationally and within the local multi-agency setting. Working Together 2015 plays an important role in promoting multi-agency working and the expectations required in safeguarding children and in establishing serious case reviews when required. The LSCB is at the core of these activities.
Single Assessments (including Section 47 Enquiries)	This chapter has been reviewed and updated and some points of further clarification have been added (see Section 8, Conducting Section 47 Enquiries / Single Assessments and Section 9, Outcomes of a Section 47 Enquiry).
Domestic Violence and Abuse	This chapter has been updated to add information with regard to the impact of the Serious Crime Act 2015; it creates a new offence of controlling or coercive behaviour in intimate or familial relationships where there is evidence of a pattern of behaviour of this over time. (See Section 3, Action to Safeguard).
Safeguarding Children and Young people against Radicalisation and Violent Extremism	This chapter has been fully reviewed and updated and particularly provides updated contact and referral details. Please fully re-read.
Cross Border Child Protection Cases under the Hague Convention	This chapter has been updated to highlight key issues with regard to the DfE advisory guidance (2014), throughout the chapter. A new Section 13, Working with Colleagues Abroad has also been added. A link is also provided to the Lord Justice Thorpe guidance.
Safe Recruitment, Selection and Supervision of Staff	This chapter has been updated to reflect the DfE, Guidance for Safer Working Practice for those working with Children and Young People in Education Settings (October 2015). (Please see Section 1, Introduction).
Serious Case Reviews	This chapter has been updated to add a link to the LSCB Learning & Improvement Framework (LIF). This document details the way in which the 'learning and Improvement framework', required of LSCBs through 'Working Together,' is implemented across all agencies in Liverpool and identifies the sort of activities which supports this. It also recognises the range of reviews that may be undertaken and the criteria and process around progressing these. The Appendices include a 'Learning and Improvement Index' and 'Serious Case Review: Request for CIG Consideration Form' as well as process flow charts, etc.
Private Fostering	This chapter now links to the Children's Services chapter to ensure consistency and clarity around procedures and processes in this area of work.
New Chapters and Features
Chapter Name	Details
DfE, Child death reviews: forms for reporting child deaths	A link has been added to the 'DfE Child death reporting forms' in Part 9 of this Manual.

2015 Amendments

August 2015

Updated Chapters
Chapter Name	Details
Information Sharing and Confidentiality	This chapter has been significantly amended throughout in line with revised Information Sharing Guidance referenced above. This chapter should be re-read in full.
Child Protection Conference Appeal	This chapter has been significantly amended throughout and should be re-read in full.
Child Abuse and the Internet	Section 2, Child Abuse and the Adult has been amended to take into consideration the Serious Crime Act (2015) and revisions to the Sex Offences Act 2003.
Children and Families who go Missing	A link has been added to Children Who Run Away or Go Missing from Home or Care Strategy (April 2015).
Children who Self Harm	This chapter has been significantly amended throughout and should be re-read in full.
Children Moving Across Boundaries	Three new links to the North West Procedures have been added in Related Guidance.
Protection of Children from Harm on Licensed Premises	A slight amendment has been made in order to clarify that licensing authorities must also consider the need to protect children from sexual exploitation when undertaking licensing functions.
Licensing, Employment, Performance and Entertainment	A slight amendment has been made in order to clarify that licensing authorities must also consider the need to protect children from sexual exploitation when undertaking licensing functions.
Visiting of Psychiatric Patients by Children	Amendments have been made throughout and the chapter should be re-read in full.
Sudden Unexpected Deaths in Childhood Protocol	This chapter has been significantly amended and should be re-read in full.
Child Death Overview Panel	This chapter has been amended throughout and should be re-read.
Serious Case Reviews	This chapter has been significantly amended throughout and should be re-read in full.
Missing Children Protocol	This chapter has been significantly amended and new links have been added to Children Who Run Away or Go Missing from Home or Care Strategy (April 2015) and DfE, Children Missing Education Guidance (2015). In addition 2 flowcharts describing the Reporting of Absent / Missing Children have been added.

May 2015

Updated Chapters

Chapter Name

Details

Supporting Individuals Vulnerable to Violent Extremism

Contact details have been updated.

February 2015

Updated Chapters
Chapter Name	Details
Initial Child Protection Conferences	This chapter has been updated to detail the expectations of Conference attendees and provide access to the Child Protection Conference Report forms which are to be provided by relevant agencies. Guidance on the completion of these report forms is also provided.
Implementation of the Child Protection Plan - Lead Social Worker and Core Group Responsibilities	This chapter has been updated to reflect the current Liverpool organisation and Working Together 2013.
Children of Drug/Alcohol Misusing Parents	This chapter has been updated in by providing additional guidance and information in the Action to Safeguard and Assessment sections of the chapter.
Mental Illness of a Parent or Carer	This chapter has been updated by adding a link to the 'NSPCC, All babies count: spotlight on Perinatal Mental Health (2012) ' and providing some additional information on 'Implications' and 'Action to safeguard'.
Working with Sexually Active Young People under the Age of 18	This chapter has been updated to reference the Early Help Assessment Tool to ensure young people's situation can be fully understood and their needs met if required. Links have also been added to 'Sex and Relationship Education Guidance for Head teachers, Teachers & School Governors (2000)' which should be read in conjunction with 'Brook/PSHE, Sex and Relationships Education (SRE) For the 21st Century, Supplementary Advice, (2014)'.
Safeguarding Children Affected by Gang Activity and/or Serious Youth Violence	This chapter has been amended to update the Assessment processes, particularly the Early Help Assessment Tool.
Young Carers	This chapter has been fully updated to reference the Early Help Assessment process and define and identify the issues for young carers. A link has also been made to that part of the Children and Families Act 2014 which seeks to deal with young carers and their assessment.
Abandoned Babies	This chapter has been updated to clarify further the immediate action with regard to an abandoned baby and roles of key professionals.
Begging	This chapter has been fully updated and includes a link to 'Ecpat Uk Briefing Paper Child Trafficking – Begging And Organised Crime'.
Safeguarding Children from Dangerous Dogs	This chapter has been updated and contains additional points with respect to 'Owners' and 'Referrals to careline'. It also reflects the update to the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 through the 'Antisocial Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014'.
Safe Recruitment, Selection and Supervision of Staff	This chapter has been updated to add new sections on Contractors and Commissioned Services and volunteers. Please fully re-read.
Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA)	This chapter has been updated with regard to the MAPPA levels and those officers of the agencies that form the Single Point of Contact (SPOC). The 'Memorandum of Understanding between the Merseyside Local Safeguarding Children Boards and the Merseyside Strategic MAPPA Board' has been added.
Escalation Procedure & Resolution Process	This chapter has been significantly updated. The purpose of the chapter is to promote effective working together. Where disagreements exist between agencies, this process should be used to ensure a prompt and satisfactory outcome. On occasions where a professional / agency believes that a child is at risk of Significant Harm, then, then the escalation must be made on the same working day. The chapter contains a flow chart to identify the resolution process together with agency reporting and outcome proformas. Please read in entirety.
New Chapters and Features
Chapter Name	Details
Early Help Assessment	This chapter replaced the previous 'Common Assessment Framework' chapter and updates the processes and procedure and provides access to the Early Help Assessment Tool (EHAT).

End

Amendments

March 2017

February 2017

Archive

August 2016

February 2016

August 2015

May 2015

February 2015