Guidance

Safeguarding women and girls at risk of FGM

Practical help to support NHS organisations developing new safeguarding policies and procedures for female genital mutilation (FGM).

• From: Department of Health and Social Care
• Published: 27 March 2015
• Last updated: 20 January 2017 — See all updates

Documents

FGM safeguarding pathway

PDF, 95.2 KB, 1 page

FGM safeguarding and risk assessment: quick guide for health professionals

PDF, 2.14 MB, 9 pages

FGM risk assessment templates

PDF, 770 KB, 5 pages

Female genital mutilation risk and safeguarding: guidance for professionals

PDF, 2.77 MB, 38 pages

Details

These documents can be used by health professionals from all sectors, particularly designated and named safeguarding leads, and local safeguarding children board members. It is based on existing best practice within the NHS.

They have been developed in partnership with health and social care professionals, and professional bodies.

All organisations must ensure that their approach to safeguarding against FGM is multi-agency and multi-disciplinary. They should work with partners in social services and the police.

Leaflets in a range of languages are available on the NHS Choices website see section on ‘Leaflets to download’.

These leaflets explain what help is available to those concerned about or affected by FGM. They are available in: English, Amharic, Arabic, Farsi, French, Kurdish Sorani, Somali, Swahili, Tigrinya, Urdu or Welsh.

The leaflets are available to order on DH Orderline from July 2015.

Find out about commissioning services for women and girls at risk of FGM.

Published 27 March 2015
Last updated 20 January 2017 + show all updates

1. 20 January 2017

   Added FGM safeguarding and risk assessment: quick guide for health professionals.

2. 8 December 2016

   Added FGM risk assessment templates.

3. 25 May 2016

   Added the FGM safeguarding pathway and an updated version of the guidance for professionals.

4. 27 March 2015

   First published.