How can I ensure appropriate safeguarding measures are in place for children at risk of FGM?

Ensure appropriate safeguarding measures for children at risk of female genital mutilation (FGM) by:

• Training all practitioners, especially those in regulated professions such as healthcare and education, to recognise and respond to FGM risks and signs, including mandatory reporting requirements to the police if FGM is disclosed or observed ¹.
• Implementing multi-agency working arrangements with effective leadership and a local lead to coordinate planning and information sharing between agencies involved in child safeguarding ¹.
• Using local threshold documents that explicitly include FGM as a form of abuse, ensuring all relevant agencies and universal service providers are aware of these thresholds and responses ¹.
• Providing good quality supervision, case management, reflective practice, and continuing professional development tailored to staff involvement in safeguarding children at risk of FGM ¹.
• Following statutory guidance on working together to safeguard children, including seeking advice from safeguarding leads, speaking to the child when safe and appropriate, and making timely referrals to children’s social care if there is concern or suspicion of FGM risk ¹,².
• Ensuring clear, accurate documentation and information sharing within safeguarding frameworks to support coordinated protection efforts ⁴.