Child Safeguarding
The core child safeguarding procedures for a police officer — recognising the four categories of abuse, the FGM mandatory reporting duty, Sarah's Law (CSODS), strategy discussions, MASH referrals and Operation Encompass — an officer quick-reference cited to legislation where a specific provision applies.
Unofficial independent resource — always verify with official sources (College of Policing, your force, PFEW).
Reviewed by BlueLineHub Editorial
What are the key child safeguarding duties and procedures for a police officer?
Officers should be alert to indicators across four categories of abuse — physical, emotional, sexual and neglect. The s.5B mandatory reporting duty under the Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003 falls on regulated professionals (healthcare staff, teachers and, in Wales, social-care workers), who must notify the police within one month if they discover FGM on a girl under 18 — officers receive those reports. Performing, arranging or taking a girl abroad for FGM each carry a maximum sentence of 14 years, and breach of an FGM Protection Order is a criminal offence (max 5 years).
Safeguarding decisions are multi-agency: a strategy discussion between police and children's social care decides whether to conduct a joint investigation under section 47 of the Children Act 1989, agrees a safety plan and plans any ABE interview; concerns are referred to the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH); Sarah's Law (the Child Sex Offender Disclosure Scheme) lets a parent, carer or guardian ask whether someone with access to their child is a registered sex offender, disclosed only via a multi-agency panel; and under Operation Encompass, a child's school is notified by 9am the next morning after police attend a domestic incident where children were present.
A reference to the child safeguarding procedures a police officer relies on in practice — recognising the four categories of abuse, the FGM mandatory reporting duty, Sarah's Law (CSODS), strategy discussions, MASH referrals and Operation Encompass. It is educational reference, not tactical guidance — follow your force's safeguarding policy, training and current APP guidance.
Signs of abuse
Four categories of child abuse — be alert to indicators in every interaction.
| Category | Indicators |
|---|---|
| Physical | Unexplained injuries, bruising in unusual patterns (grip marks, belt marks), burns, fractures inconsistent with explanation |
| Emotional | Withdrawal, low self-esteem, fearfulness around certain adults, age-inappropriate behaviour, self-harm |
| Sexual | Age-inappropriate sexual behaviour or knowledge, injuries to genital area, reluctance to undress, regression |
| Neglect | Poor hygiene, persistent hunger, inadequate clothing for weather, untreated medical conditions, frequent absences from school |
FGM mandatory reporting — s.5B Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003
A duty on regulated professionals — not on police officers.
Who owes the duty
The s.5B mandatory reporting duty falls on regulated professionals — healthcare professionals, teachers, and (in Wales) social-care workers — who must notify the police within one month if, in the course of their work, they discover that FGM appears to have been carried out on a girl under 18. Police officers receive these reports; the personal duty is not on the officer, and breach is dealt with through the professional's regulatory body rather than as a criminal offence.
FGM Protection Orders
Civil order to protect a girl at risk of FGM. Can require surrender of passport, prevent travel abroad, and prohibit contact with specified persons. Breach is a criminal offence (max 5 years).
FGM offences and maximum sentences
| Offence | Sentence |
|---|---|
| Performing FGM | Max 14 years |
| Taking a girl abroad for FGM | Max 14 years |
| Assisting or arranging FGM | Max 14 years |
Sarah's Law (CSODS) — Child Sex Offender Disclosure Scheme
Multi-agency decision to disclose.
Who can apply
Parents, carers, or guardians can ask police whether someone who has access to their child is a registered sex offender. Any concerned member of the public can make an application.
Disclosure process
A multi-agency panel (police, probation, children's services) assesses whether disclosure is necessary to protect a child. If disclosure is made, it is given in a controlled setting with strict conditions on confidentiality.
Strategy discussion
Joint police and children's social care decision-making.
Purpose
To share information between agencies, decide whether to conduct a joint investigation (s.47 Children Act 1989), agree an immediate safety plan for the child, and plan any Achieving Best Evidence (ABE) interview if required.
Key attendees
Police (usually a detective), children's social worker, and where appropriate: health professionals, education representatives, and other relevant agencies.
MASH referral
The MASH brings together police, children's social care, health, and education professionals to share information and make timely, coordinated decisions about safeguarding referrals. All concerns about a child's welfare should be referred to the MASH.
Operation Encompass
When police attend a domestic incident where children are present, the child's school is notified by 9am the next morning. This allows the school to provide immediate, silent support.
Related reading
Primary sources
BlueLineHub is independent and unofficial. Always verify with the authoritative source below.
- Verify on official source
Children Act 1989, section 47 — local authority duty to investigate
The duty to investigate underlying a joint strategy discussion between police and children's social care.
Last checked: August 2026 - Verify on official source
Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003, section 1 — offence of female genital mutilation
The offence of performing FGM (excising, infibulating or otherwise mutilating).
Last checked: August 2026 - Verify on official source
Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003, sections 2 and 3 — assisting FGM
Assisting a girl to mutilate her own genitalia (s.2) and assisting a non-UK person to mutilate a girl's genitalia overseas (s.3).
Last checked: August 2026 - Verify on official source
Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003, section 5 — penalties
A person guilty of an offence under s.1, s.2 or s.3 is liable to a maximum of 14 years' imprisonment on indictment.
Last checked: August 2026 - Verify on official source
Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003, section 5B — mandatory reporting duty
The personal duty on a regulated professional to report known cases of FGM in an under-18 to the police.
Last checked: August 2026 - Verify on official source
Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003, Schedule 2 — FGM Protection Orders
FGM Protection Orders (surrender of passport, prevent travel, prohibit contact); breach is an offence.
Last checked: August 2026
Frequently asked
- What is the mandatory FGM reporting duty?
- Under section 5B of the Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003 the mandatory reporting duty falls on regulated professionals — healthcare professionals, teachers and (in Wales) social-care workers — who must notify the police within one month if they discover FGM on a girl under 18. Police officers receive those reports rather than owing the duty personally.
- What happens at a strategy discussion?
- A strategy discussion is a joint decision-making meeting between police (usually a detective) and a children's social worker, with health, education or other agencies where appropriate. It shares information, decides whether to conduct a joint investigation under section 47 of the Children Act 1989, agrees an immediate safety plan, and plans any Achieving Best Evidence (ABE) interview if required.
- What is Operation Encompass?
- When police attend a domestic incident where children are present, the child's school is notified by 9am the next morning, allowing the school to provide immediate, silent support. Officers should ensure all children present are recorded on the incident log with their names, dates of birth and school details.