Multi-agency arrangements for safeguarding

Responding to public protection and major investigation issues, for example, child abuse, knife crime and sexual offences

This page is from APP, the official source of professional practice for policing.

The framework for multi-agency responses to concerns for children is explained in detail in HM Government (2018) Working Together to Safeguard Children(opens an external website in the same tab) . See also Welsh Assembly Government (n.d.) Safeguarding Children: Working Together Under the Children Act 2004(opens an external website in the same tab) .

The partner agency with which the police have most direct contact regarding concerns for children and child abuse investigations is children’s social care. Other agencies are also important in effective multi-agency working to safeguard and protect children.

Local multi-agency policy on child protection matters is the responsibility of the local safeguarding children boards, and they ensure suitable arrangements are in place. The responsibilities and functions of local safeguarding children boards are detailed in HM Government (2018) Working Together to Safeguard Children(opens an external website in the same tab) and Welsh Assembly Government (n.d.) Safeguarding Children: Working Together Under the Children Act 2004(opens an external website in the same tab) . Child abuse investigation unit supervisors should participate in such groups where appropriate.

Issues relating to safeguarding children and investigating child abuse should be prioritised through all local multi-agency working arrangements.

For further information see:

This is a standardised approach to conducting an assessment of a child’s additional needs and deciding how those needs should be met. It is generally used by agencies to promote a more effective, earlier identification of additional needs. It provides a simple process for a holistic assessment of a child’s needs and strengths, taking account of the effect the role of parents, carers and environmental factors have on their development.

Forces should engage in multi-agency initiatives which are developed to prevent child abuse and protect children.

public education initiatives about preventing and reporting child abuse (including those communities where child abuse is under-reported) * initiatives which provide children with skills to increase their safety and encourage the reporting of abuse (for example, projects in schools and CEOP education programmes(opens an external website in the same tab) that facilitate online reporting and access to helplines and information) * education for parents and children about the dangers of the internet and safe use of technology (for example, education and parents’ programmes provided by CEOP and designed for delivery by teachers, police officers and other child protection specialists) * advice and education for parents about preventing child deaths by promoting safe sleeping arrangements relating to co-sleeping, sleeping on sofas, and when using drugs and/or alcohol * local services that support adults abused in childhood, for example, National Association for People Abused in Childhood(opens an external website in the same tab) – the charity maintains a national information telephone line for people requiring advice and information about help available to overcome the continuing impact of childhood abuse in adulthood

When the police are involved in prevention and education initiatives, they may receive reports of abuse which require investigation. Arrangements should be made with other agencies to deal with this. Consideration should also be given to the way in which children, parents and carers can be involved in the design and delivery of initiatives.

For further information see Victim Support(opens an external website in the same tab) .

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