Amendments

In October 2025, this chapter was added to the manual.

In October 2025, this chapter was reviewed and updated in line with local procedure.

In October 2025, this chapter was 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,

This chapter was updated in October 2025, to bring it into line with Children Missing Education (August 2024). The changes are technical updates only to bring the guidance in line with the Working together to improve attendance statutory guidance and the School Attendance (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2024. It also highlights pending legislation: The Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill and brings to the attention of readers Ofsted and Care Quality Commission (CQC) Thematic Reviews of Children Not in School in Local Areas which will be undertaken in 2025.

In October 2025, a Section 3, Child Financial Exploitation was added to the chapter.

This chapter was updated in October 2025.

In October 2025, this chapter was refreshed on the basis of good practice guidance from recent legal judgements. In addition, amendments were made in reference to the Working Together With Parents Network. This supports professionals working with parents with learning disabilities and learning difficulties and their children. It is now run by Research in Practice, part of the NCB family. 

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 refreshed in April 2025.

In April 2025, links to sources of further information were updated.

This chapter was updated in April 2025, a new Section 6, on Non- Fatal Strangulation was added. Definitions were also updated in line with revised Working Together to Safeguard Children which now uses the statutory definition of domestic abuse in Domestic Abuse Act 2021. This chapter was also reviewed and updated in line with local procedure.

This chapter was refreshed in April 2025.

This chapter was updated in April 2025 to include a link to the Disclosure and Barring Service Guidance Leaflets - GOV.UK in Section 9.1, Substantiated Allegations.

This chapter was refreshed throughout in April 2025 and should be re-read.

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. 

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

This chapter was updated in October 2024 in line with the revised Working Together to Safeguard Children.

In October 2024, definitions were updated in line with revised Working Together to Safeguard Children.

In October 2024, a link was added in Section 1.2.1, Age Assessment to BASW Age Assessment Practice Guidance. In Further Information, a link was added to Operation Innerste Process: Caseworker Guidance.

In October 2024, this chapter was updated in line with the Online Safety Act 2023.

This chapter was amended in October 2024 in line with the revised Working Together to Safeguard Children.

This chapter was updated in October 2024, with new guidance from Working Together to Safeguard Children in relation to making a referral and the role of the Lead Practitioner.

In October 2024, this PDF document was replaced with an updated version

This chapter was updated in October 2024. A new Section 6, Non- Fatal Strangulation was added. Definitions were also updated in line with revised Working Together to Safeguard Children which now uses the statutory definition of domestic abuse in Domestic Abuse Act 2021.

In October 2024, minor amendments were made to definitions in line with Working Together to Safeguard Children. In addition, the Local Guidance section was updated in line with local procedure.

This chapter was updated in October 2024 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 October 2024, Section 11, NHS Data Sharing was refreshed and updated.

In October 2024, the Local Resources section was updated.

In October 2024, a link was added to Education Supply Chains – A Better Hiring Toolkit.

In October 2024, this PDF document was replaced with an updated version.

This chapter was refreshed in October 2024.

In October 2024, this PDF document was replaced with an updated version.

This chapter was refreshed in October 2024.