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The primary focus for safeguarding
children is to prevent FGM taking place. It is acknowledged
that some families see FGM as an act of love rather than
cruelty; however FGM causes considerable harm both in the
short and long term and constitutes physical and emotional
abuse to children.
Wherever possible the aim of prevention
is to work in partnership with parents, families and
communities to protect children through raising awareness of
the harmful effects of the practice and the UK legislation (FGM
Act 2003).
FGM must always be
considered as causing significant harm therefore, if
you believe that a girl or her
younger siblings may be at risk you must act and contact
your local child protection co-ordinator. The document
Working Together To Safeguard Children (1999) highlights
that a local authority may exercise its powers under s.47 of
the Children Act 1989 if it has reason to believe that a
girl is likely to be or has been the subject of FGM.
Professionals must work together to safeguard children and
be vigilant at all times to the potential risk.
Thresholds for Referral/Risk Assessment
Professionals need to be aware of the possibility of FGM.
The following are possible indicators that FGM may take
place:
*
The family comes from a community that is known to practise
FGM. E.g. Somalia, Sudan and other African countries. It
may be possible that they will practice FGM if a female
family elder is present in the family network.
*
Antenatal booking provides an opportunity for recognition of
risk and preventative work with parents/carers. Any female
child born to a woman who has been subjected to FGM must be
considered to be at risk, as must other female children in
the extended family.
*
Parents state that they or a relative will take the child
out of the country for a prolonged period.
*
A
child may talk about a long holiday to her country of origin
or another country where the practice is prevalent,
including African countries and the Middle East. Of other
European Countries.
*
The child may confide to a professional that she is to have
a ‘special procedure’ or to attend a special occasion.
*
Reference to FGM/Circumcision is heard in conversation, for
example a child may request help from a teacher or another
adult.
(Ref: Waltham Forest Local
Safeguarding Children Board FGM Protocol for Children and
Young People 2006).
***London
Procedures
Indications
that Female Genital Mutilation may have already taken place
include:
*
A
child may spend long periods of time away from the classroom
during the day with bladder or menstrual problems.
*
There may be prolonged absences from school.
*
A
prolonged absence from school with noticeable behaviour
changes on the girl’s return could be an indication that a
girl has recently undergone FGM.
*
At antenatal booking the holistic assessment may identify
women who have undergone FGM. Midwives and Obstetricians
should then plan appropriate care for pregnancy and
delivery.
Professionals also need to be vigilant to
the needs of children who may/are suffering the adverse
consequence of the practice.
Child who has
already undergone FGM
If a child has already
undergone FGM and this comes to the attention of any
professional, a referral should be made to social services.
A strategy meeting must be convened within two days. The
strategy meeting will consider how, where and when the
procedure was performed and the legal implication of this.
*
If the child has already undergone FGM the
strategy meeting will need to consider carefully whether to
continue enquiries or whether to assess the need for support
services. Particular attention should be given to assessing
the needs of any other girls in the family. If any legal
action is being considered, legal advice must be sought.
*
A second strategy meeting should take place
within ten working days of the referral, with the same
chair. This meeting must evaluate the information collected
in the enquiry and recommend whether a child protection
conference is necessary. (LCPC 2003).
*
Any girl who has undergone FGM may be offered
counselling and medical help as required. Consideration
must be give to any other female siblings at risk.
*
A child protection conference should only be
considered necessary if there are unresolved child
protection issues once the initial investigation and
assessment have been completed. |
