The conclusion that an individual poses a ‘Risk to Children’ should be based on all available information including assessments of risk made by the Probation Service, the Police and Health, whether individually or via the Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA).
Whenever somebody becomes aware that a child is living with, or having unsupervised contact with, an individual who is regarded as a potential risk to children they must make a referral to Children’s Social Care.
People who may pose a risk to children include:
- those found guilty of an offence against a child and/or are regarded as a ‘Risk to Children’
- individuals known to have been cautioned / warned / reprimanded in relation to an offence against children
- those included in the ISA Barred Children’s List
- individuals against whom there is a previous finding in civil proceedings (e.g. care proceedings)
- those about whom there has been a previous s.47 enquiry which came to the conclusion that there had been abuse
- an individual who has admitted past abuse of a child
- others whose past or present behaviour suggests that a child may be at risk of significant harm (e.g. a history of domestic abuse and other serious assaults on adults)
- offenders against adults who are notified to the local authority, because the Prison or Probation Services are concerned about the possible risk to children
- offenders who come to the attention of the MAPPA
Whenever a child is resident or having unsupervised contact with one of the above, they may be at risk of significant harm and the procedures for the management of individual cases will apply.
The Police and Probation Services must notify Children’s Social Care whenever an alleged perpetrator of a sexual or violent offence against a child is to be bailed to an address where children are living. Similarly, the Probation Service must notify Children’s Social Care whenever a person convicted of such an offence is resident in a household with children.
Prison governors are required to consult and notify Children’s Social Care and the Probation Service of the town leave, home leave and release of prisoners convicted, either previously or currently, of offences against children or young persons under the age of 18.
Ref:
Guidance on Offences Against Children Home Office Circular 16/2005
Working Together Chapter 12 Para 12.1 – 12.11
Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA)
GOOD PRACTICE GUIDANCE:-
The term ‘Schedule 1 offender’ is no longer used, as it is not a reliable indicator of the actual potential risk that adults who are convicted of certain offences pose to children. Adults may be convicted of other offences where a child may be the intended victim, but where the primary offence is not a child specific one (e.g. telecommunications offences; harassment). It is also the case that adults who have not been convicted of specific offences might also be regarded as a risk to children.
For these reasons, the term ‘Risk to Children’ is now used in respect of any adult following an assessment of them by practitioners exercising their professional judgement.
