Child Sexual Abuse
Children’s MARS Partnership Child Sexual Abuse Strategy and Pathway
The Children’s MARS Partnership Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) Strategy and Pathway set out the partnership’s coordinated approach to preventing, identifying and responding to child sexual abuse across North Lincolnshire.
The Children’s MARS Partnership Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) Strategy provides the overarching framework, outlining the partnership’s shared vision, priorities and commitments to tackling child sexual abuse. It is aimed at senior leaders, managers and practitioners across all agencies, including statutory services and the voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) sector. The strategy focuses on strengthening awareness, improving multi-agency working, and ensuring a consistent and effective response to safeguarding children. Childrens MARS Child Sexual Abuse Strategy
The CSA Pathway sits alongside the strategy and translates these priorities into practice. It offers clear, practical guidance for frontline practitioners on how to recognise concerns, respond appropriately and make referrals. The pathway supports consistent decision-making and helps ensure that children and families receive timely and effective support. Childrens MARS Child Sexual Abuse Pathway
Together, these documents provide a comprehensive approach: the strategy sets the direction, and the pathway supports day-to-day practice. They are designed to be used jointly by all professionals working with children and families to promote a confident, informed and coordinated response to child sexual abuse.
Accessing the CSA Pathway and Supporting Guidance
To support a confident, consistent and evidence-informed response to child sexual abuse across North Lincolnshire, the CSA Pathway is supported by a suite of specialist resources developed by the CSA Centre.
These resources help practitioners to:
- Recognise concerns
- Respond safely and appropriately
- Work effectively with children, young people and families
All practitioners should use these core documents alongside the CSA Pathway to support good practice, decision-making and safeguarding responses. To support quick access, we have highlighted the key resources below.
Key Resources
An Introduction to the Child Sexual Abuse Response Pathway
What it is: An overview of the CSA Response Pathway, explaining its purpose, key stages, and professional roles and responsibilities. It provides clarity on decision-making while keeping the child’s safety and needs central.
Access: An Introduction to the CSA Response Pathway
The Response Pathway (Interactive Tool)
What it is: An interactive online resource guiding practitioners through how to respond to concerns at every stage — from early help through to child protection and criminal justice processes.
Access: Child Sexual Abuse Response Pathway | CSA Centre
Signs and Indicators Template
What it is: A practical tool providing a shared language to identify, record and discuss concerns that a child may be experiencing sexual abuse.
Access: Signs and indicators of child sexual abuse | CSA Centre
Supporting parents and carers: A guide for those working with families affected by child sexual abuse
What it is: Guidance for professionals working with non-abusing parents/carers, helping them provide a supportive and informed response. It explains the impact of CSA and outlines good practice when working with families.
Access: Supporting parents and carers: A guide for those working with families affected by child sexual abuse
Communicating with Children
What it is: A guide to supporting safe, sensitive and child-centred conversations about concerns of sexual abuse, including how to build trust and help children share their experiences.
Access: Communicating with children | CSA Centre
Together, these documents underpin the CSA Pathway by providing practical tools, guidance and shared language to support effective multi-agency working and ensure children receive the right response at the right time.
Key contacts and support services for responding to child sexual abuse
Additional information on local and national support services.
• Youth Justice Services – Youth Justice Partnership – North Lincolnshire Council
• The Blue Door – Specialist Sexual Violence Support What is sexual violence & abuse? – The Blue Door
• Police (101/999) – Guidance on When and How to Report Concerns Home | Humberside Police
• Family Hubs – Practical and Early Support for Families – Family Hubs and Best Start in Life – North Lincolnshire Council
• Rotheram, Doncaster and South Humberside (RDaSH) CAMHS – Child and adolescent mental health service (CAMHS) – Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust (RDaSH)
• RDaSH With Me In Mind (WMIM) – With me in mind – Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust (RDaSH)
• North Lincolnshire Safeguarding Adults Board – North Lincs SAB | North Lincs SAB
• NSPCC – Report child abuse | NSPCC
• Childline – Childline | Free counselling service for kids and young people | Childline
• Samaritans – Contact Us | Samaritans
• The CSA Centre website provides a single, easy-to-navigate directory of over 350 support services, allowing users to quickly find the help they need, by postcode or region, with clear contact details and information on the types of support offered, including therapy, counselling, helplines and online chats. Get support | CSA Centre