Safeguarding board publishes London Child Protection Procedures

The London Safeguarding Children Board published the third edition of its child protection procedures today after a year-long consultation.

At its launch, board chair Derek Myers called the revised London Child Protection Procedures “the most comprehensive child protection procedures in the UK”. The third edition aims to be as “wide-reaching” and “relevant to a broad range of people”.   

In the third edition, extensive work has been carried out on ‘Children in specific circumstances’ (section 5). This section outlines 43 different categories of cases from London’s 32 local safeguarding children boards. This is a major jump from the 13 cases published in the second edition in 2003. 

The revised section provides professionals with guidance and a platform to work from if a particular case arises involving, say, female genital mutilation, which is one of the categories. Another new section is ‘Working with un-cooperative families’ (section 10). 

Based on the idea that “safeguarding is everybody’s business”, it sets out guidance for professionals, who work in statutory or voluntary agencies and community or faith groups, on their roles and responsibilities when working with children, families and parents.  It also aims to guide agencies to share information.

Myers said: “London’s children should all be able to grow up in circumstances where they are safe and supported, so that they can have fun and make good progress throughout childhood, teenage years and into adulthood. But to ensure this is the case, all agencies need to work together to promote children’s welfare and prevent them from suffering harm – and this is where the London Child Protection Procedures come in.”

The new edition incorporates new areas of practice and legislation, service standards and government guidance. It also outlines new procedures which reflect recent research and practice-based evidence.

The first edition was published in 2002 and was followed shortly by the second edition in 2003 to incorporate the recommendations made in the Victoria Climbie inquiry.

More information

The London Safeguarding Children Board

London Child Protection Procedures 2003 (London Child Protection Procedures 2007 to be published)

Essential information on child protection

Victoria Climbie Inquiry

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Local safeguarding children boards: one year on

Victoria Climbie