If you're working with or caring for children and young people (for example you're a foster carer, child minder or youth worker) we're responsible in making sure everyone works together and follows safeguarding duties and responsibilities.
Our procedures manual includes what work we do and how the board works.
The HSCP are aware of the issues regarding some broken links in our Documents Library. We are working on resolving this issue as soon as possible.
The Continuum of Need - Threshold document (PDF 2.33MB)
Professional Referral Pathway into Children’s Services (Continuum of Need Flowchart) (PDF 120KB)
Online Information Sharing Guidance (PDF 1.41MB)
HSCP Procedures Update – November 2024 (PPTX 128KB)
Professionals' referral form for local authority designated officer (LADO) (DOC 134kb) Opening a new window Opening in a new window
Opening a new window.See the Adult, See the Child Practice Guide (PDF 514KB) Opening a new window
Hertfordshire’s Early Help Strategy 2022-2026
Multi agency report template (DOC 36Kb) opening in a new window
Multi agency report for GPs template (DOC 36Kb)
HSCP Information Sharing Agreement Oct 2024 (PDF 176 KB) opening in a new window
Including who is on the panel and what they do.
Information on our neglect strategy.
Our procedure on reviewing serious cases.
Keeping children safe in education
Resources and campaign materials for professionals.
Violence, bruising and sexual behaviour
Brook Sexual Behaviours Traffic Light Tool – a resource which helps to identify, assess and respond appropriately to sexual behaviours. It uses a 'traffic light tool' to categorise sexual behaviours, to increase understanding of healthy sexual development and distinguish this from harmful behaviour.
Violent crime strategy (PDF 432Kb) - outlines Hertfordshire’s plans for reducing the harm caused by serious violence to individuals, families and communities in Hertfordshire.
Harmful Sexual Behaviour Strategy (DOC 80KB) opening in new window
Harmful Sexual Behaviour Pathway (DOC 49KB) Opening in new window
Reporting Form for Professionals Regarding Child
Sexual Exploitation (DOCX 50kb) Opening a new window - Refer to this form should a non-urgent response be required or to submit information about Child Sexual Exploitation. Opening a new window
The HSCP multi-agency Bruising Policy (PDF 927KB) Opening in a new window
E-safety
E-safety issues affect both adults and children. Adults need to watch out for personal data being entered on random web sites, fraudulent email traps and cyberbullying.
Hertfordshire Grid for Learning
NSPCC keeping children safe online
Responsibilities of professionals when using the internet
For your own protection it's advised that you follow this advice:
Employment and safe staffing tools
Application forms and risk assessment forms
Children and young people missing from home, care or education
Children go missing from home or care for a number of reasons, some of which are often varied and complex.
Those young people who go missing may place themselves and others at risk. As well as short-term risks there can be long term implications for these children.
We are committed to working with partner agencies to safeguard those young people who go missing and put themselves at risk of exploitation and other forms of harm.
You can access guidance from the Hertfordshire Safeguarding Children Board (HSCB) on Children Abused through Commercial Sexual Exploitation including Prostitution.
Children Missing from Education (CME) Guidance (PDF)
Children who go missing from home or care, or who are vulnerable to sexual exploitation (PDF)
How to make a MACE 1 referral (Word 53kb)
Terms of Reference Multi Agency Child Exploitation (MACE) Panel (PDF 220KB)
Preventing terrorism - Prevent programme
The Prevent Strategy aims to reduce the threat to the UK from terrorism by stopping people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism.
It's part of the overall Counter-terrorism strategy and is a form of safeguarding outside of the criminal space.
The aim of Prevent is to:
- tackle the ideological causes of terrorism
- intervene early to support people susceptible to radicalisation
- enable people who have already engaged in terrorism to disengage and rehabilitate
“Safeguarding vulnerable people from radicalisation is no different from safeguarding them from other forms of harm” – The Prevent Strategy
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What is the different between extremism and terrorism?
Extremism: Extremism is the promotion or advancement of an ideology based on violence, hatred or intolerance, that aims to:
- negate or destroy the fundamental rights and freedoms of others; or
- undermine, overturn or replace the UK’s system of liberal parliamentary democracy and democratic rights; or
- intentionally create a permissive environment for others to achieve the results in (1) or (2).
Terrorism: The use or threat of action, both in and outside of the UK, designed to influence any international government organisation or to intimidate the public. It must also be for the purpose of advancing a political, religious, racial or ideological cause.
The Prevent Duty is concerned with all forms of terrorism and extremism. It also includes some forms of nonviolent extremism. For example:
- Right Wing extremism
- Religious extremism
- Environmental and Animal Rights extremism
- School Massacre ideology
- Involuntary Celibate (Incel) ideology
What do I do if I have a Prevent concern?
If a person, child or adult, is at immediate risk, report this to the Police through 999 and follow the school’s child protection procedure where appropriate.
NOTICE - Are you worried that a person is at risk of being radicalised into extremism and/or supporting terrorism?
- Observe concern, listen to disclosure
- Record concern on organisations safeguarding recording form
CHECK – Can you find out more? Can you sense check?
- If your concern is about a child and if appropriate, check the concern with a parent or carer unless it could put the child at further risk of harm
- If appropriate speak to the person of concern to better understand the situation
- Talk with Prevent Designated Safeguarding Person
- Seek advice from your HCC Prevent Programme Manager at sophie.lawrence@hertfordshire.gov.uk
SHARE – Do you still have concerns after checking?
- Complete National Referral Form (PDF 171KB)
- Remember: consent is NOT needed when making Prevent referrals.
- Consent will be sort if concern is adopted by the Channel Panel
- Update your organisation's recording systems
Prevent Information and Training
Quick contacts