FGM Mandatory reporting Debbie Raymond December 2015

COMBINING SERVICES: THE TRI-BOROUGH INITIATIVE The new Mandatory Reporting of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Duty was introduced via the Serious Crime Act This comes into effect on 31 st October The duty strengthens existing safeguarding responsibilities The Home Office have published guidance with procedural information below on the mandatory reporting of FGM: mutilation-procedural-information

COMBINING SERVICES: THE TRI-BOROUGH INITIATIVE What’s changed? This is a new legal duty upon all regulated Teachers, Health care staff and Social Workers in England and Wales to report known cases of FGM affecting girls under 18 to the Police. Signs of FGM cases: A child has disclosed abuse, and/or Physical signs of FGM are detected during a health care episode FGM is child abuse and therefore all professionals have an existing duty to report FGM to Children Services under safeguarding procedures. This legislation makes the individual practitioner accountable for directly reporting the information to the Police. The practitioner who receives the disclosure or makes the observation cannot transfer the responsibility to another person and must make the report themselves although they should alert their safeguarding lead to the case.

COMBINING SERVICES: THE TRI-BOROUGH INITIATIVE Who is responsible for this duty? All other professionals and volunteers working with children should be aware that although they are not included in this legislation, they still have a duty to report cases of FGM to Children’s Services. Duty to report All health and social care professionals overseen by a regulatory body Qualified teachers and those employed in teaching work in schools or other institutions Social workers Health care professionals The regulated health professional group is far reaching and includes all those working in primary care, acute trusts, dentists, opticians and those working in sexual health settings.

COMBINING SERVICES: THE TRI-BOROUGH INITIATIVE Timeframe Reports should be made by the end of the next working day. The guidance allows professionals up to one month in order to comply with the legislation, if an immediate report is considered to place the child at risk. In this case you must consult with your designated safeguarding lead, and seek advice from Children’s services. Delaying a report could lead to other girls in the family network being left at risk of being cut too. Please seek advice from Children’s services before delaying the decision to report. For specialist advice on FGM please contact Shruti Clayton For information on FGM for Schools please contact Hilary Shaw Child Protection Advisers in the Safeguarding team can also assist.

COMBINING SERVICES: THE TRI-BOROUGH INITIATIVE How to make a report Report FGM case via the referrals desk for investigation by CAIT Social workers and other professionals with established referral routes to the Child Abuse Investigation Police Team (CAIT) Report by calling 101 (non-emergency Police number). If unable to do so, please contact Children’s Services to direct the FGM report to CAIT. In an emergency, please call 999. Other professionals

COMBINING SERVICES: THE TRI-BOROUGH INITIATIVE What happens next? REPORT OF FGM CASE TO CAIT CAIT LIAISES WITH CHILDREN’S SERVICES AND BACKGROUND CHECKS MADE THROUGH MULTI-AGENCY SAFEGUARDING HUB (MASH). MULTI-AGENCY STRATEGY MEETING CONVENED In most cases there will be a Child Protection Investigation where Police and Social Workers visit the family to assess child’s safety, the risk to other children in the family and whether there are grounds for criminal proceedings. A Social Worker will assess the family needs and ensure the girl and mother receive psychological and physical care to address life-long health conditions such as chronic pain, blood borne viruses and traumatic flashbacks.

COMBINING SERVICES: THE TRI-BOROUGH INITIATIVE Physical Examinations If signs of FGM are detected during a health examination the Health professional, they are expected to report it, not diagnose the type of FGM. There is now a pilot specialist clinic for girls affected by FGM in the three boroughs which is based at Queen’s Charlotte’s Hospital. Girls receive a holistic and sensitive joint examination from a Consultant Paediatrician and Consultant Gynaecologist. Preparation and support is offered at the clinic by a specialist social worker, child psychologist and Health Advocate drawn from an FGM practising community. The service has been developed to meet the needs of the girls affected by FGM and their families.

COMBINING SERVICES: THE TRI-BOROUGH INITIATIVE Consequences of not reporting for: Professionals Professional will be held accountable by their regulatory body. Professional could face investigation into their professional competence. Children Harm suffered by child will remain hidden. Child will not receive specialist support to prevent health problems. Other girls in the family may be left at risk.

COMBINING SERVICES: THE TRI-BOROUGH INITIATIVE What if a risk of FGM is suspected? The duty to report FGM cases directly to the Police does not apply to women over the age of 18, or cases where there is a risk but no disclosure from the child or physical indication. However, cases where a risk of harm due to FGM is suspected should always be referred to Children services in line with existing safeguarding procedure. A joint family assessment should be made rather than a single assessment of the mother. If in doubt about an FGM referral, please consult Shruti Clayton, Hilary Shaw or your local Children’s Services Team for advice. Increased potential risk of FGM female child/children and other girls in the family. Presence of FGM in mother Female child/ children Influence of father/elder relatives in family

COMBINING SERVICES: THE TRI-BOROUGH INITIATIVE Key contacts and further information: For further information on FGM, please refer to the professionals page on the Local Safeguarding Children Board Website: Shruti Clayton Shared Services FGM Lead Practitioner Hilary Shaw Safeguarding in Schools Lead Debbie Raymond Joint Head of Safeguarding

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