for parents/carers relating to CSE. Information is now routinely gathered on children who go missing, including children not previously known to social services. K4 SBNI’s developing plan for data collection should include a commitment to collation and analysis of the data in a way that will facilitate a strategic response to CSE. SBNI K5 The DHSSPS should explore the benefits of amending or adding to standards for inspection of children’s homes to ensure that they: a) promote a culture conducive to respect for the best interests of the child; and b) take account of the specific needs of separated and trafficked children and those affected by CSE. The DHSSPS should issue a circular and associated guidance stating how these issues should be taken forward. DHSSPS The Children’s Homes standards have been examined against this recommendation. That examination found: The standards also adopt a approach which recognises the particular needs children in residential care may have and that, on occasions, their rights to safety and protection must be given priority over some of their own preferences for their care; Standard (2) promotes a positive identity and potential through individualised care and support; Standard (5) which deals with children and young people missing from care sets out the expectations for homes. It also, in the event that 1 based
S15 The HSC Board should address as a priority the provision of joint training on Regional Guidance on Police Involvement in Residential Units/ Safeguarding of Children Missing from Home and Foster Care. HSCB The regional guidance was reviewed and re-issued in June 2015 under the title of “Runaway and Missing from Home and Care (RMFHC) Protocol”. Joint training to underpin the RMFHC protocol will be provided. Bespoke training will be provided to targeted staff in residential care and frontline Police and Social Services staff. This training will be integrated into ongoing training related to “The Protocol for Joint investigation by social workers and police officers of alleged and suspected cases of child abuse for Northern Ireland 2013”. 2 S16 The HSC Board Strategic Action Plan – Children Missing from Home or Care should be revised and implemented as part of the strategic overview of CSE. HSCB Outstanding actions complete. 1 S17 Police evidence about the circumstances in which a child was found after going missing or putting themselves at risk can be vital to protection arrangements. PSNI should review current processes to ensure that in all circumstances, information is recorded and transmitted appropriately, both PSNI Protocols on responses to missing from home are contained in ‘Runaway and Missing from Home and Care’ (RMFHC) Regional Guidance; Service Procedure ‘Police Action in Respect of Missing Persons’ and the ‘Pathway for Promoting the Welfare of Separated and Unaccompanied Children in Northern Ireland’. A review of the above Service
S34 School staff and wider education professionals should receive training on CSE with the aim of integrating it into general safeguarding training. DE Partially complete. Letters issued to ITE providers on 4 August and responses received confirming that CSE is already an integral part of their courses and partnership arrangements with a range of other agencies. However some providers have indicated that they will take the opportunity to review and, if necessary, enhance their provision in this area in light of this report. The Designated teacher training provided by CPSS includes reference to CSE. S35 The Department of Education should ensure that schools receive additional, regularly updated training and resources to support them in educating pupils and parents on how to use social media and online resources responsibly, and how to keep their pupils safe. DE The Education Authority, via the C2k programme, is now providing teachers with detailed advice and guidance on eSafety within an e - Safety zone available via the C2k Exchange. Resources are also available within the C2k Virtual Learning Environment, Fronter, for staff and pupils. Teachers have access to an Internet Safety Room which has a range of resources and eSafety policies. Teachers can also now access a Fronter resource called, ‘Better safe than Sorry’. This is an online room that a teacher can bring children into, with a range of readily available educational resources relevant to safety. S36 The Department of Education should give further guidance to schools on CSE and in its review of Relationships DE Revised guidance issued 26/8/15
and Sexuality Education guidance for schools; CCEA should consider specifically referencing CSE. S37 The Department of Education should explore the possibilities for peer education and mentoring as a way of informing and supporting young people about CSE DE DE has supported the dissemination of the Barnardo’s/SBNI DVD and Resource Pack ‘False Freedom’ to all post-primary schools, the EA and regional youth officers. This resource was produced by young people for young people. S38 The Department of Education should provide schools with clear, consistent guidance on recording, storing and handling of child protection records including CSE. DE The Department is currently drafting a records management policy for schools which will address this particular aspect of records management. S39 Schools should ensure that all school governors have child protection awareness training which includes reference to CSE. The designated governor for child protection should have additional, enhanced training. Schools There are 3 strands to child protection training for governors: All Governors receive child protection awareness training (which includes CSE) as part of their Governor induction training. This is provided by Assistant Advisory Officers in the EA. The Chair of the Board of Governors and the designated Governors receive targeted child protection training (which also includes CSE), provided by the EA CPSSS Safer recruitment and selection training is provided by EA HR staff S40 The Department of Education should ensure that youth workers, whether paid or voluntary, should receive training to help them to inform and DE The Education Authority is considering the out - workings of its Child Protection Audit, but with some delays and a revised deadline of 31/3/16.
in March 2016. S52 DHSSPS should ensure that the revision of Circular HSS CC 3/96 (Revised), Sharing to Safeguard: Information Sharing about Individuals who may pose a Risk to Children, is accompanied by clear guidance to workers that will give them the confidence to act appropriately. DHSSPS Circular HSS CC 3/96 is currently being revised. Revised guidance will issue for consultation in Autumn 2015 and will be published in March 2016. The revision will take account of developments since the publication of the original revised circulars including the introduction of PPANI arrangements relating to violent and sex offenders; information sharing; arrangements between the PSNI and schools; and arrangements for child protection disclosures to members of the public. Section 48 of the Justice Act (NI) 2015, once commenced, will amend the Criminal Justice (NI) Order 2008, requiring that the PPANI guidance is extended to include guidance on disclosing conviction information on those being managed through PPANI to members of the public. 2 S53 The DHSSPS should consider further actions to protect children against offenders who will not have been brought to the attention of the statutory authorities in Northern Ireland for historical and cultural reasons. DHSSPS The essence of this recommendation is to encourage victims to come forward to the authorities so that historical crimes against them can be investigated and to ensure that, when they do come forward, victims have access to services and support. This requires raising public awareness that inspires confidence in victims to come forward and to offer them assurances that their complaints will be treated seriously and sensitively. HSC Trust Gateway 3