Case studies

In response to rising rates of hate crime, and a desire to make communities more resilient, Nottingham City Council sought to tackle prejudice by equipping people with the skills and confidence to effectively respond to it.

The involvement of parents and staff as well as the children, makes these safeguarding lessons unique. This three-way approach gives schools the tools and knowledge to recognise if someone might be at risk or for the individual to realise when they are at risk.

n October 2014, the LGA first produced its FGM Guide for Councillors. Much has happened since then. Mandatory reporting to the police has been introduced for professionals, new statutory guidance has been produced and a number of female genital mutilation (FGM) Protection Orders have been taken out to protect actual or potential victims from FGM. 

Many councils around the country are already working to tackle FGM. These case studies provide a snapshot of the work being undertaken in a selection of local authorities working towards this aim.

Overview Bristol has created a "Bristol Model" for tackling FGM, focused on community engagement and empowerment, strong partnership working and developing the right services and resources to tackle the issue at a local level.

The borough identified the need to work with at risk communities to increase reporting for support (voluntary or statutory support) and the need for greater understanding among professionals in supporting FGM victims.

Councillor Gingell, Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Services, raised the issue of FGM at a full council meeting in December 2013. A Full Council Motion (Appendix A) was introduced to condemn the practice, which was unanimously supported.

The 10 boroughs in the Greater Manchester area have coordinated their approach towards FGM to ensure that there is a consistent approach across Greater Manchester to tackling FGM.

The London Borough of Lambeth has incorporated FGM into their wider work on violence against women and girls, working with colleagues in partner organisations for a multi-agency approach to tackling the issue.