Harmful Sexual Behaviour Framework an Evidence-Informed Operational Framework for Children and Young People Displaying Harmful Sexual Behaviours
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Harmful sexual behaviour framework An evidence-informed operational framework for children and young people displaying harmful sexual behaviours In partnership with 2 Welcome This framework provides an evidence-informed tool for developing coordinated, multi-agency local responses to children and young people’s harmful sexual behaviour. We would like to thank everyone involved in the development and piloting of the framework. Anyone using this material in other publications or contexts should acknowledge its source¹ as: Hackett, S, Holmes, D and Branigan, P (2016) Operational framework for children and young people displaying harmful sexual behaviours, London, NSPCC. The project has been led and coordinated by the NSPCC and Research in Practice (RIP), though its production has involved a large number of national organisations and subject experts. The framework was developed by a practice development subgroup, chaired by Professor Simon Hackett, Durham University, and draws significantly on the publication Hackett, S (2014) Children and young people with harmful sexual behaviours, published by Research in Practice. 1 We would also like to thank RIP for the opportunity to reproduce and repurpose appropriate sections of their publication; Hackett S (2014) Children and young people with harmful sexual behaviours: Research Review. Dartington: Research in Practice 4 With thanks to Working practice group We wish to thank, and acknowledge the input of, A Adcock (Walsall), C Harrison (Lambeth), Charlie members of the development groups (chaired by Beaumont (Kent), Deborah Maddocks (Suffolk), Jane Jon Brown) and the 14 local authority members of Lloyd Griffiths (Gwynedd), Katie Hewitt (Sheffield), the practice working group (chaired by Julie Henniker) Laura Davies (Camarthenshire), Lesley Ingleson who also helped shape and develop the framework. (North Yorkshire), Louise Kemp (Merton), S Evans (Vale of Glamorgan), Sarah Reeves (Cambridgeshire) National development group and Tess King (Newcastle NSPCC). Andy Newson (YJB), Carlene Firmin (MsUnderstood Pilot testing Partnership), Cassandra Harrison (Barnardo’s), Dez Holmes (Research in Practice), Susannah Bowyer We would also like to thank the eight local authorities (Research in Practice), Pam Badger (CAPE), Duncan who volunteered to further test and develop the Shepard (Police National lead for MAPPA), Eileen framework in 2015: Trudy Potter (Cambridgeshire), Vizard (Honorary Senior Lecturer, Institute of Denise Jackson and Christine Walker-Booth Child Health, UCL), Elly Farmer (CEOP), Jon Brown (Cornwall), Nathalie Fontenay (Leeds), Sarah Impey (NSPCC), Julie Henniker (AIM Project), Juliet Hillier and Stef Fox (North East Lincolnshire), Amanda (Brook), Martin Quinn (Health and Social Care Board Carpenter and Kathryn Brooks (Surrey), Tracey Northern Ireland), Pat Branigan (NSPCC), Peter Clarke Goddard and Krishna Ridley (Waltham Forest), (Glebe House), Sheila Brotherston (Lucy Faithfull Rachael Osbourne (Nottingham City), and Sarah Foundation), Alice Scott (National Child Protection Constable (Telford & Wrekin). Abuse Investigation Working Group), Simon Hackett (Durham University), Graham Ritchie (Office of the Children’s Commissioner), Susan Haacke (NCATS), A Kitchener (Siarad Da), David Derbyshire (Action for Children) and Stuart Allardyce (Barnardo’s). Contents Introduction 6 1 Responses 11 1.1 Summary of evidence and issues 12 1.2 Audit tool – domain 1 18 1.3 Key principles and practice example 21 2 Prevention 23 2.1 Summary of evidence and issues 24 2.2 Audit tool – domain 2 28 2.3 Key principles and practice examples 31 3 Assessments 33 3.1 Summary of evidence and issues 34 3.2 Audit tool – domain 3 42 3.3 Key principles and practice examples 45 4 Interventions 47 4.1 Summary of evidence and issues 48 4.2 Audit tool – domain 4 60 4.3 Key principles and practice examples 63 5 Development 67 5.1 Summary of evidence and issues 68 5.2 Audit tool – domain 5 72 5.3 Key principles and practice examples 75 References 76 Introduction 6 It is over 20 years since a national In recent years, professionals The time is right to progress this those with a wider safeguarding have learned a lot about the work, giving it impetus, shape and remit and audit responsibility, strategy to address the challenge nature and extent of the focus within the UK child welfare, such as chairs and members of children and young people with problem, what constitutes good criminal justice and health and of Local Safeguarding Children assessment practice, and effective education systems. Boards (LSCBs). harmful sexual behaviour (HSB) interventions for children, young people and families affected by Aim of the framework was first proposed for the UK this issue. The guidelines aim This integrated framework aims to (NCH, 1992). Despite repeated support local work with children Despite increasing evidence on to provide a framework and young people who have calls – and some indications that the scale, nature and complexity to help local areas displayed HSB, and their families, of the problem, service provision a cross-government framework by delivering and developing clear across the UK remains patchy develop and improve policies and procedures, and by was about to be published (Home and relatively uncoordinated, with responses to this refreshing local practice guidelines some beacons of good practice. Office, 2010) – a strategy has and assessment tools. Levels of professional confidence important child not been forthcoming. and competence to address the protection challenge It seeks to provide a more coherent challenge are, at best, varied and evidence-informed approach (CJJI, 2013). There is an obvious for work with these children and need for a more coordinated and Who are these young people, and to better consistent approach to the issue, guidelines for? understand how to improve that recognises both the risks These guidelines have been outcomes for them. and needs of children displaying developed by a group of service harmful sexual behaviours. delivery organisations and experts Though the framework is intended in the field of HSB. They aim to contribute to the development The establishment of the Home to provide a framework to help of a national HSB strategy, it has Office National Group on Sexual local areas develop and improve been developed in the first instance Violence Against Children and responses to this important child for England, as similar work is being Vulnerable Adults in the wake of protection challenge. developed in Scotland, Wales and the Savile case, the developing Northern Ireland. work by NICE’s public health To effectively engage with the centre on the issue of HSB, and framework, the audit tool will Colleagues from all four high profile cases of child sexual require a joint local response. We nations have contributed to the exploitation and online abuse encourage input from local staff development of this framework, present an opportunity to forge with a strategic role in coordinating and we hope it will inform the a better approach to the issue of child protection and local HSB development of work to address HSB displayed by children and responses, those responsible for HSB across the UK. young people. commissioning such services, and 7 The framework seeks to: • support an integrated • promote the advantage of understanding of, and involving frontline agencies response to, HSB and workers (especially education services) in earlier • identify a continuum of recognition, assessment responses to children and and intervention, thus young people displaying increasing the chances of HSB, ranging from early engaging earlier community-based identification and support • encourage inter-agency with low-risk cases, to work designed to reduce the assessment, intervention and isolation and anxieties that intensive work with the highest are commonly felt in decision- risk and needs making for this group, and which may result in under and • promote effective assessment over-estimation of risk as key to preventing unnecessary use of specialist • promote the use of a shared time and intensive resources language, skills and training with lower risk cases, and to exchange, and development support earlier interventions, of appropriate local peer where appropriate support systems • ensure children and families • promote the importance of are offered the right level of evaluation and monitoring support by suitably trained of outcomes for children and skilled workers and young people who demonstrate HSB. 8 Framework structure and how to use it The framework promotes five domains (areas of focus) that cover the essential elements of developing and delivering an integrated and effective HSB service for children, young people and their families. These five key domains are closely interrelated: 1 2 3 4 5 Responses Prevention Assessment Interventions Development A continuum Prevention, Effective Multi-modal Workforce of responses identification and assessment and approach to development to children and early intervention referral pathways intervention young people displaying HSB 9 How to use the audit tool The statements are directly linked We suggest you carry out the audit exercise to establish a Each domain Each domain includes an audit to research messages, and are baseline, from which scores can be is structured exercise to enable local areas to deliberately challenging – requiring combined to provide an overview in the same way assess their practice, processes evidence to underpin each score, of local practice.