Key Guidance on Female Genital Mutilation

This guidance on female genital mutilation (FGM) is for all persons and bodies in England and Wales.

You must read and follow this guidance if you are under statutory duties to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and vulnerable adults.

You should read this FGM guidance along-side other safeguarding guidance, including (but not limited to):

• Working Together to Safeguard Children (2015) in England

This statutory guidance sets out the responsibilities of chief executives, directors, senior managers and front-line professionals within agencies involved in safeguarding and supporting women and girls affected by FGM.

This guidance has three key functions:

• to provide advice and support to front-line professionals who have responsibilities to safeguard and support women and girls affected by FGM, in particular to assist them in:
  • identifying when a girl or young woman may be at risk of FGM and responding appropriately;
  • identifying when a girl or woman has had FGM and responding appropriately; and
  • implementing measures that can prevent and ultimately help end the practice of FGM.
• This guidance encourages agencies to cooperate and work together to protect and support those at risk of, or who have undergone, FGM.
• to provide information on FGM, including on the law on FGM in England and Wales.

This is set out in the main body of this document;

You should read this FGM guidance along-side other safeguarding guidance, including (but not limited to):

• Working Together to Safeguard Children (2015) in England