Female Genital Mutilation
Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a collective term for procedures, which include the removal of part or all of the external female genitalia for cultural or other non-therapeutic reasons. The practice is medically unnecessary, extremely painful and has serious health consequences, both at the time when the mutilation is carried out and in later life. The procedure is typically performed on girls aged between 4 and 13, but in some cases it is performed on new-born infants or on young women before marriage or pregnancy.
FGM is considered to be a form of child abuse (it is categorised under the headings of both physical abuse and emotional abuse) as it is illegal and is performed on a child who is unable to resist or give informed consent. It is essential that a referral into either Cumberland or Westmorland and Furness Safeguarding Hub is made in accordance with the Multi-agency Threshold Guidance (including referrals)when a practitioner suspects FGM; where the situation is an emergency, the local police should be contacted immediately.
Cumbria Safeguarding Children Partnership procedures manual
FGM training
No available training dates.
FGM language guidance and questions guides
Millie Kerr, Lead Practitioner for Anti-Racist Practice at Brighton and Hove City Council, has shared some useful guides on how to ask culturally sensitive questions in relation to FGM and what to consider before making a referral to Children’s social care.
FGM Good Practice Guidance and Assessment Tool for Social Workers - (question guide is in appendix 5)
National FGM Centre - Questions to assist FGM Assessment - (questions guide only)
Questions to consider before referring to CSC
Information to gather for a good referral: Female Genital Mutilation - (for education and other professionals)
Female Genital Mutilation: Guidance for schools
Guidance for foster carers (NSPCC)
Multi-Agency statutory guidance on FGM
Multi Agency practice guidelines - Female Genital Mutilation (GOV.UK)
Female Genital Mutilation: Resource pack
A government resource which was developed in response to requests for clearer direction from central government about the safeguarding responsibilities of local authorities. This resource pack has been updated in November 2015 to reflect recent legislative changes, including the:
- new mandatory reporting duty for professionals
- introduction of mandatory recording of FGM cases within the NHS in England
- publication of new prevalence data