This article examines a case study of a school nurse’s involvement with a family at risk of FGM. Although the children were safeguarded appropriately, opportunities were missed to support the family to address the psychological impact of FGM. Specialist services designed to work with communities where FGM is practiced exist around the UK but are few in number and have limited resources.
Section: FGM
Multi-Agency Practice Guidelines: Female Genital Mutilation (Northern Ireland)
These guidelines are practice guidelines and are designed to be educative and provide advice on FGM cases.
FGM: Frequently Asked Questions. A Campaigner’s Guide for Young People
This guide gives easy to understand answers to the frequently asked questions on FGM. It is aimed at a young audience but the information can be used with a wider audience.
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.
Female Genital Mutilation: Information, Services & Support Guide
The guide is produced as a resource for use in schools by young people and adults who work with young people. It provides basic information on FGM and related health and social issues. It aims to increase awareness of the law and about child protection issues and also offers ideas for helping girls at risk of FGM. The guide provides information of specialist health and support services in the UK.
CUT – Some Wounds Never Heal (Lesson Plan)
Values vs Violence provide training to primary and secondary schools using the ‘Cut – some wounds never heal’ DVD. A tool to raise awareness and understanding of FGM issues in schools and communities, ‘Cut’ was commissioned in response to concerns raised by schools who were dealing with victims and disclosure. The film is 13 minutes long. Teachers should follow the lesson plan on the Values Versus Violence website when viewing this film.
Female Genital Mutilation – A change has begun (Video)
This film was commissioned by the Nike Foundation’s Girl Effect and was screened at the Girl Summit 2014. It provides a survivor-led account of life with FGM and discusses the positive shift in attitudes amongst communities affected by the practice. It provides powerful personal accounts and a positive message of change.
Integrate Bristol Education Resources
Integrate Bristol has created a series of education resources on FGM for primary and secondary schools in consultation with Bristol’s safeguarding board, the NSPCC, the police and local schools. The resources are available to download free of charge from their website and have been adopted by a number of schools around the country. They come with lesson plans.
‘It’s only a tradition’: making sense of eradication interventions and the persistence of female ‘circumcision’ within a Swedish context
This paper questions why female circumcision (FC) persists despite eradication interventions and the migration of people to non-practising countries and discusses the reasoning of Somali immigrants on female circumcision.
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.