Overview of Portfolio

Sexual abuse as a child is an incredibly traumatic experience which has significant implications for a young person’s development. Subsequently, safeguarding children from harm is a key responsibility held by all professionals working directly and indirectly with children. This safeguarding responsibility is multi-facetted and involves the possible identification of and response to experiences of sexual abuse.

In order to identify a child who is experiencing/has experienced sexual abuse professionals are increasing encouraged to attend to a range of ways in which children might communicate their experiences of sexual abuse. Part A of this portfolio presents a systematic review of the literature associated with the ways in which female children communicate their experiences of sexual abuse. The findings of this review highlight the breadth of methods of communication displayed by female victims of sexual abuse, including ‘Emotional expression’ and ‘Externalised communication’. this finding is in line with recent clinical guidance published by the UK’s Centre of Expertise for Child Sexual Abuse (2021).

After identifying that a young person is, or may be, experiencing sexual abuse, professionals from multiple agencies implement appropriate safeguarding procedures. Part B presents a Delphi study investigation into the factors which impact multi-agency safeguarding decision making in cases of child sexual abuse, as reported by front line safeguarding professionals. The findings highlight a number of factors which both impede and support decision making. These included themes including ‘Professional Culture Regarding Child Sexual Abuse’, ‘Access to Training/Resources’, ‘Professional Confidence in Responding to Child Sexual Abuse’, ‘Complexities Within Inter-Professional Working’, ‘Over Reliance on Verbal Reports’. There was a high level of agreement between participants. Participants also reported the frequency with which they observe these factors in practice, as well as the level of control they have over these within clinical practice.