FGM and Safeguarding Women and Children in London

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FGM and Safeguarding Women and Children in London

• Jennifer Bourne RGN, Queens Nurse
• CNS for FGM Services
• ONEL Community Services. Orient Medical Practice
• 75 Oliver Road, Leyton, E10 5LG
• Tel [phone]
• Email jennifer.bourne_at_wf-pct.nhs.uk

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Why do we need to Safeguard Girls and Women
from FGM ?

• FGM is recognised internationally as a violation
  of the human rights of girls and women.
• FGM constitutes child abuse and causes physical,
  psychological and sexual harm which is life long.
• FGM is performed on a child who is unable to
  resist or give informed consent
• FGM is illegal in the UK.

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Safeguarding Girls

• Pan London Procedures
• Provide guidance for professionals.
• Identify when a child may be at risk of FGM
• and how to respond appropriately
• Identify when a child has been subjected to
• FGM
• Outline measures which can be implemented to
  prevent and ultimately eradicate FGM

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Safeguarding

• There are 3 circumstances relating to FGM which
  require identification and intervention
• Where a child is identified at risk
• Where a child has been abused through FGM
• Where a prospective mother has undergone FGM

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Safeguarding Girls

• Any information or concern that a child is at
  immediate risk of FGM should result in a child
  protection referral to LA childrens social care
• Referrals are dealt with as s.47 enquiries
• 1st strategy meeting to be held within 2 days of
  receiving referral
• 2nd strategy meeting must be held in 10 days
• Primary focus is to prevent the child undergoing
  FGM

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Safeguarding Girls Contd.

• Girls who have had FGM and have been in UK since
  legislation passed should be referred to Police
  CAIT.
• A referral must be made to social care where
  there are other girls within the extended family
  at risk.
• A health assessment should always be offered to
  ensure the girl has any appropriate health care
  provided and a health care plan put in place.
  This may include referral to the CAMHS service

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What has worked in Waltham Forest?

• African Well Womens Service provides dedicated
  services for women and girls. It has been
  established for 10 years
• Local SCB Procedures launched in 2006
• FGM working group as part of the LSCB
• Ongoing Training for professionals
• Close working with leads from midwifery and
  childrens services
• Midwives identifying women at booking and making
  referral to Childrens Services
• Prevention work is begun before the woman
  delivers

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What has worked in Waltham Forest ?

• Links with local schools and education leads for
  Safeguarding
• Youth worker in schools to raise awareness with
  young people and education staff
• Multi Agency approach is essential
• AWWS team have close working links with Project
  Azure and Forward UK
• Working with local communities to raise awareness
  and support women and families.

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Resources for professionals

• London Safeguarding Children Board FGM Resource
  Pack
• Pan London FGM Supplementary Procedures
• Cross Government Coordinator for FGM
• Forward UK Resources -
• Information Support Services Guide for YP
• London Peer Study. FGM is always with us
• Prevalence Study for England and Wales

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