Amendments

Medically Unexplained Symptoms, Perplexing Presentation and Fabricated or Induced Illness definitions have been updated in March 2026.

This chapter has been updated in March 2026 to reflect changes to NICE guidance for Self-harm: assessment, management and preventing recurrence) and the NHS England  Staying safe from suicide guidance.

In March 2026, links to relevant resources have been added to this chapter.

Minor revisions have been made throughout this chapter in March 2026 to update links to relevant and current legislation.

In September 2025, a link to the police request for missing child discussion form was added to Section 6, Referrals to the Police. This form should be used to request discussions with the Missing Persons Unit or local missing hub. It is a different form from the one used to request a strategy meeting.

In September 2025, a link to the police request for missing child discussion form was added to Section 2.1, The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS). This form should be used to request discussions with the Missing Persons Unit or local missing hub. It is a different form from the one used to request a strategy meeting.

In September 2025, a link to the police request for missing child discussion form was added to Section 2, Immediate Action. This form should be used to request discussions with the Missing Persons Unit or local missing hub. It is a different form from the one used to request a strategy meeting.

This chapter was revised in September 2025, based on good practice guidance from recent legal judgements. Additionally, the Working Together With Parents Network, which supports professionals working with parents with learning disabilities and learning difficulties, and their children, is now run by Research in Practice, part of the NCB organisation.

In September 2025, the contact details for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office were updated.