This guidance for Ofsted inspectors is for use from September 2015 when inspecting safeguarding in education, skills and early years settings. It sets out what inspectors must do and what schools can expect, and provides guidance for inspectors on making their judgement. The guidance mentions the need to consider safeguarding arrangements around FGM.
Country: England and Wales
Keeping Children Safe in Education – Statutory Guidance for Schools and Colleges
This statutory guidance from the Department for Education is issued under Section 175 of the Education Act 2002, the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014 and the Education (Non-Maintained Special Schools) (England) Regulations 2011. Schools and colleges must have regard to it when carrying out their duties to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.
FGM Questionnaire for Health Professionals
This questionnaire was developed by Bolton NHS Foundation Trust to assess the likelihood that FGM has happened to a patient, their attitudes towards the practice, understanding of legislation and to assess the potential risk to girl children. It can be adopted by NHS Trusts to enable them to fulfil health professionals recording, reporting and safeguarding responsibilities.
eLearning to Improve Awareness and Understanding of FGM (Health)
The e-FGM educational programme has been developed by Health Education England e-Learning for Healthcare and is provided free to all healthcare professionals, including school nurses, practice nurses, health visitors and GPs.
Maternity guidelines for the care of women who have been affected by FGM
These guidelines have been produced to support the policy of asking all women at their booking appointment whether they have experienced any form of surgery to their genitals including female genital mutilation.
What to do if you’re worried about a child: Advice for practitioners
Department of Education advice to help practitioners identify the signs of child abuse and neglect and understand what action to take.
The right to choose: multi-agency statutory guidance for dealing with forced marriage
FGM can be linked to forced marriage, as in certain communities where forced marriage is found, women are forced to undergo FGM before marriage. The multi-agency statutory guidance for dealing with forced marriage is for all persons and bodies who exercise public function in relation to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults.
A Statement Opposing FGM (Health Passport)
Families travelling overseas to countries where FGM is prevalent should take this statement with them. The passports can be downloaded in several languages. They can show it to their families as it clarifies that FGM is a serious criminal offence in the UK with a maximum penalty of 14 years in prison for anyone found guilty. Overseas relatives, or whoever is caring for them abroad, may also be guilty of an offence if they fail to protect all family members from FGM being carried out.
Female Genital Mutilation: E-Learning for Professionals
This free online training course helps frontline professionals develop skills to identify and help girls at risk of female genital mutilation (FGM). Provides: an overview of FGM; professional responsibilities in FGM cases; information on how to prevent FGM; and how to support those who have been subjected to it. Although not exhaustive, the course enables professionals to develop a basic understanding of FGM and their role in protecting girls at risk.
FGM Mandatory Reporting Duty
Amendments to the Serious Crime Act 2015, mean that from October it becomes mandatory to report known cases of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) on girls under 18 to the police. The duty applies to all regulated professionals working within health, social care and education in England and Wales. “Known” cases of FGM are those when a child discloses to a professional that she’s had FGM or when a professional observes signs of FGM on a girl’s genitalia.