Specific areas and emerging themes

There will always be areas that may not be your area of expertise but may involve you as a leader at different points in time.

These topics may come to the forefront due to many reasons such as media attention (eg grooming gangs), an enquiry (eg the Independent Enquiry into Child Sexual Abuse) or evidence of harm (eg online concerns)

Recognising these emerging themes and then discussing within your networks is a good first step. Points to consider include:

  • What is known nationally and then regionally about the issue? As a leader, you will need to feel confident about any national recommendations and any legislation or statutory duty.
  • How urgently does this need to be addressed?
  • Are there established processes in place or do they need to be developed?
  • Is there a need for targeted education or is this more about ensuring key information is widely disseminated?

As a practitioner do you need to refresh or learn specially about the topic – this should be done as soon as possible so you can support others.

Suggested activities

Attend a Child Death Review Panel and Child Death oversight panel. Consider how this interplays with child protection processes and other parallel processes.

Signposting to resources

Signposting to resources

Suggested activities

  • Shadow as many CSA medicals as you can. If possible, join a Paediatrician on call for the CSA out of hours service or even a forensic medical examiner – valuable forensic skills can still be gainer when examining adults and it’s a good way to demonstrate your interest in the area.
  • Attend CSA peer review meetings
  • Attend courses such as those hosted by the Managed Clinical Network training committee in Scotland and the RCPCH.

Signposting to resources

Key messages

  • Know the legislation about FGM and mandatory reporting duties.
  • Be able to advise multi-agency partners and consider the child’s best interests. 
  • Understand the differential diagnosis considerations in suspected FGM e.g. FGM has been performed, findings due to medical causes or anatomical variants. 

Suggested activities

  • Attend local FGM clinic or service if available locally – could be with adult patients e.g. midwifery-led antenatal clinic.
  • Attend Paediatric and Adolescent Gynaecology clinic to familiarise self with normal anatomy and medical conditions.
  • Complete the e-Learning for Healthcare FGM modules – these help you to understand the impact of FGM on women and girls, the changes in genital anatomy as a result of FGM and the need for sensitive communication.

​Examples from experience

  • Seeing children during training in general paediatrics and neonates is an opportunity to gain knowledge of genital anatomy. 
  • Examination skills can be gained by being part of the sexual abuse service. 
  • Sit in clinics with experienced FGM midwives and Paediatric and Adolescent Gynaecologists, particularly those with experience of FGM.

Signposting to resources

Key messages

Modern Slavery is a serious public health issue that affects young people. Every year between 35-45% of referrals are children under 18.

Approach to modern slavery needs to be trauma-informed.

Areas of intersection

  • Knife crime / gun violence
  • Gang affiliation
  • Migration, asylum seeking, being unaccompanied
  • Access to healthcare
  • Criminalisation of CYP
  • Adultification of CYP, particularly from certain ethnic groups
  • Sexual abuse
  • Grooming

Suggested activities

Training such as:

Signposting to resources

Signposting to resources