The NSPCC has developed an evidence-informed Harmful Sexual Behaviour framework and audit to support authorities to develop multi-agency responses to children displaying harmful sexual behaviour.
The framework can be accessed here: https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/media/1657/harmful-sexual-behaviour-framework.pdf
How to use the framework
The framework should be used alongside the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines on harmful sexual behaviour among young people. NICE guidelines can be found here: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng55
You should repeat the audit every 6 to 12 months to help track progress and help you continuously develop and improve services.
Who is it for?
The framework helps commissioners, strategic leads and lead safeguarding professionals from any sector to improve their local area response to harmful sexual behaviour (HSB).
To get the most out of the framework, use a multi-agency approach involving:
staff with a strategic role in coordinating child protection and local HSB responses from different agencies
commissioners of local child protection and HSB services
those with a wider safeguarding remit and audit responsibility.
What does it include?
The framework is split into five domains that cover the essential elements of developing and delivering an integrated and effective HSB service for children, young people and their families:
a continuum of responses to children and young people displaying HSB
prevention, identification and early assessment
effective assessment and referral pathways
interventions
workforce development.
Each domain includes:
a summary of the latest evidence to back up practice and local decision making
an audit checklist to help assess your HSB offer and service response
key principles to consider when improving HSB service delivery, with practical examples.
Recording the audit
Each domain of the Framework includes an audit checklist. A separate downloadable audit tool (PDF) can be used that brings all the checklists together in one place, accessed here: https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/media/1149/harmful-sexual-behaviour-framework-audit-tool.pdf.
The findings from your audit can be inputted into the star tool which produces a visual representation of your audit scores, accessed here: https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/media/1147/harmful-sexual-behaviour-audit-star-tool.xlsx
Audit tool guidance for health agencies: https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/media/1658/harmful-sexual-behaviour-framework-health-audit-tool.pdf