Safeguarding children with complex medical needs/Autism who travel outside of the local authority or abroad

What is this guidance?

This guidance sets out a clearly defined, multi-agency procedure for responding to situations where parents or carers wish to take a child with complex medical needs out of the local authority area—whether to another UK local authority or abroad, and whether on a temporary or permanent basis.

It is designed to support all agencies in working together to:

• Identify and assess risk where there are concerns that such a move may place the child at significant harm or compromise their medical care
• Ensure timely and coordinated responses across services and geographical boundaries
• Protect the child’s best interests, while remaining sensitive to the family’s circumstances, cultural background, and any underlying trauma

By following this protocol, agencies can help ensure that decisions are made safely, consistently, and in accordance with safeguarding and health responsibilities, while maintaining a trauma-informed approach that recognises the stress and complexity families may be facing in these situations.

Why do we need this guidance? 

This guidance ensures all agencies respond clearly and consistently when a child with complex medical needs is taken out of the local authority area, either within the UK or abroad, that may face significant risk.

It addresses situations where safeguarding concerns may or may not already exist and helps prevent gaps in communication and planning.

By promoting coordinated, responses, the guidance prioritises the child’s safety and wellbeing while respecting family circumstances during these challenging transitions.

What is the purpose of this guidance?

This guidance supports all agencies in understanding their shared responsibilities when working with families who are considering moving a child with complex medical needs to another local authority area or abroad. The aim is to ensure a coordinated, compassionate, and child-centred approach that prioritizes the child’s safety and well-being, while recognizing and responding sensitively to the unique challenges and experiences of each family.

Who is this guidance aimed at? 

This guidance is intended for all practitioners, across both statutory and non-statutory agencies—who work with families where a child or children have complex needs, whether on a regular or occasional basis. It is particularly relevant when there is an intention to travel to another local authority area or abroad and there is a concern.

Practitioners are encouraged to approach these situations with sensitivity and awareness of the unique stresses and challenges that families of children with complex needs may experience. It is essential to work in a way that is respectful, collaborative, and focused on the child’s safety, health, and emotional well-being.

In some circumstances, concerns may arise that a child is being taken abroad for the purpose of undergoing Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). If this is known or suspected, practitioners must follow the appropriate FGM safeguarding pathway without delay. FGM | Leeds Safeguarding Children Partnership.  

There may also be concerns that a child is at risk of being taken abroad for the purpose of a forced marriage. Forced marriage is a serious safeguarding concern. Immediate action must be taken to protect the child, including consultation with the designated safeguarding lead and referral to Children’s Social Care or the Police, where appropriate. 

This guidance supports joined up working to ensure that any plans for travel are carefully considered, with a focus on reducing risk, maintaining trust with families, and promoting the best outcomes for children.
For any comments or feedback on this guidance, please contact: lscp.info@leeds.gov.uk 

Definitions 

When this guidance refers to children with complex medical needs, it recognises that there is no single, universally agreed definition among policymakers or practitioners. However, for the purposes of this guidance, the term broadly includes children who have a disability, children with special educational needs (SEN), and those living with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions. These children may require ongoing support across health, education, and social care settings, and often face multiple challenges that can impact both their well-being and that of their families.

Responsibilities 

All agencies must act in line with the Leeds Safeguarding Children Partnership (LSCP) Multi-Agency Policies and Procedures, as well as local safeguarding guidelines, when there are any concerns about a child's safety or well-being.

This guidance is issued and endorsed by the LSCP, which holds overall responsibility for its content and application.

When a competent agency becomes aware that a family with a child or children who have complex medical needs is intending to travel to another local authority area or abroad, that agency has a responsibility to share this information with the child's lead clinician. The lead clinician is then responsible for assessing any potential risks associated with the proposed travel, in collaboration with other professionals as appropriate. This process should prioritise the child’s health, safety, and overall well-being, while seeking to engage the family in open and supportive dialogue.

Risk assessments 

All agencies involved in a child’s care have a shared responsibility to consider the potential impact of any planned travel, whether within the UK or abroad and to engage in open, respectful discussions with the family and other key professionals. These conversations should aim to understand the family's intentions, explore any concerns, and ensure that decisions are made in the best interests of the child.

A risk assessment should be carried out for any proposed journey and clearly documented in the child’s records. This assessment should reflect the family's views and wishes, alongside professional concerns or considerations, and be used to inform planning and support.

To support this process, practitioners can use the Safeguarding Children with Complex Medical Needs Who Travel Outside of the Local Authority or Abroad – Risk Assessment Template. This resource is available on request from lscp.info@leeds.gov.uk and is designed to guide thoughtful conversations, identify potential risks, and support multi-agency decision-making.

If the outcome of the risk assessment indicates that the proposed journey abroad may place the child/ren at significant risk of harm, and there are concerns that the travel arrangements do not reflect the advice given by health professionals, practitioners should take timely and appropriate action to safeguard the child/ren. This includes making immediate contact with the Front Door Safeguarding Hub to discuss the concerns with Children’s Social Work Services. When doing so, practitioners should reference this guidance. It is important to approach the situation with sensitivity and an understanding that families may be facing complex circumstances, while prioritising the safety and wellbeing of the child/ren.

If the child/ren has an allocated Social Worker, they should be contacted promptly to share the concerns. A strategy discussion or meeting should be convened as appropriate to consider the potential risks and next steps. When making contact, practitioners should reference this guidance. It is important to approach the conversation in a collaborative and supportive manner, recognising the family's context while ensuring the child/ren's safety and wellbeing remain central.

If a practitioner becomes aware that a child/ren with complex needs has travelled to another local authority area or abroad without a risk assessment having been completed beforehand, a retrospective risk assessment should be undertaken as a matter of priority. If the outcome of this assessment indicates that the journey may place the child/ren at risk of significant harm, immediate contact must be made with the Front Door Safeguarding Hub to alert Children’s Social Work Services. When doing so, the practitioner should reference this guidance and clearly outline the concerns identified through the retrospective risk assessment. It is important to approach this process with empathy and awareness of the family’s circumstances, while ensuring the child/ren’s safety and wellbeing are prioritised.

Safeguarding children with complex medical needs who travel outside of the local authority or abroad – workflow process  

If you are working with a family whose child/ren have complex health needs and they are planning to travel, either temporarily or permanently—to another local authority area or abroad, the following steps should be taken to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the child/ren:

a) All practitioners involved in supporting the child/ren’s complex health needs should consider the potential implications of the proposed travel. These discussions should take place with the family and other key professionals, either via phone or in a multi-agency meeting. The outcomes of these conversations must be clearly documented in the child’s records.
b) A risk assessment must be undertaken in collaboration with the child’s clinician or appropriate healthcare professional. This assessment should carefully consider and document the following factors:

• The expected length of time the child/ren will be out of area or abroad
• The destination (area or country) and the availability of suitable healthcare services if needed

The family’s preparation for the journey, including:

• Understanding of how to access healthcare services at the destination
• Arrangements for appropriate health insurance
• Required medical equipment, medication, and feeding supplies for the entire trip
• Mode of transport and plans for managing the child’s needs during travel
• Any prior arrangements made with healthcare services in the destination area
• The family’s understanding of potential risks, and their views and wishes

Throughout this process, practitioners should ensure that the family is supported in understanding the purpose of the assessment and that their voice is included in the decision-making. All decisions and professional reasoning must be clearly and thoroughly recorded in the child’s case file.

Where the outcome of the risk assessment does not identify any risks to the safety and welfare of the child/ren, no further action is required.

However, if the risk assessment does identify that the proposed journey poses a significant risk of harm to the child/ren—and the family is choosing not to follow the guidance provided by health professionals or make appropriate travel arrangements—then the practitioner responsible for the assessment must take immediate action.

This includes:

• Making immediate contact with Children’s Social Care Services to raise the concern
• Clearly outlining the nature of the risks identified, including any impact on the child/ren’s health and wellbeing
• Providing a summary of actions already taken, such as discussions with the family and liaison with other professionals
• Giving an overview of the findings from the risk assessment
• Referencing this guidance during the referral to ensure clarity and consistency in communication

Practitioners should approach the situation with empathy and cultural sensitivity, recognising that families may be navigating complex or challenging circumstances, while maintaining a clear focus on safeguarding the child/ren’s wellbeing.

If the child/ren has an allocated Social Worker, they should be contacted promptly to share any concerns, and a strategy discussion or meeting should be arranged as appropriate. When contacting the Social Worker, practitioners should reference this guidance to ensure consistency and clarity.

If a practitioner becomes aware that a child/ren with complex needs has travelled abroad without a prior risk assessment having been completed, a retrospective risk assessment must be undertaken as soon as possible. Should this assessment identify risks associated with the travel, immediate contact must be made with the Front Door Safeguarding Hub to inform Children’s Social Work Services. The practitioner should reference this guidance when making contact and clearly outline the risks identified through the retrospective assessment, ensuring that the child/ren’s safety remains the priority.

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The Leeds local safeguarding children partnership briefing regarding alleged “treatment” for autism

This notice is intended for communities, families, and schools to raise awareness about unsafe and unregulated procedures being falsely promoted as a "cure" for autism. These so-called treatments pose serious risks to children's health and wellbeing and may amount to medical and financial exploitation.

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The alleged “treatment”

Some individuals, including a doctor in the UK and others overseas, are falsely claiming they can “cure” autism using stem cell therapy. The procedure typically involves:

• Taking stem cells from the child’s own bone marrow.
• Injecting the stem cells into the spine (intrathecal therapy).
• Variations may involve:
• Injection into a vein
• Using stem cells from another person, umbilical cord, or placenta.

Important:

This treatment is experimental, unlicensed, and not supported by any scientific evidence. It is not approved by paediatricians or regulatory health bodies in the UK, USA, or other countries.

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Risks and harms

This procedure can cause significant and life-threatening complications, including:

• Severe infections (e.g., meningitis)
• Spinal damage and internal bleeding
• Serious allergic reactions
• Transmission of blood-borne viruses (e.g., HIV, Hepatitis) if donor cells are used
• Adverse immune responses to donor cells
• Psychological trauma due to painful and frightening medical procedures
• Anaesthetic-related risks
• Risk of death

These risks are particularly concerning given that autistic children may not understand or consent to the procedure.

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Safeguarding position

The LSCP, in partnership with health, social care, and police services, is treating this issue as a safeguarding concern. If a child is subjected to this procedure, they may be considered at risk of significant harm.
While we understand that parents are often acting out of love and desperation, they may be unknowingly exploited by individuals offering false hope.

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Current known providers

• A medical professional based in the Uk reportedly offering the treatment at high cost.
• Clinics offering the procedure in Pakistan and other countries.

These offerings are believed to be part of a medical and financial scam.

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What you should do

If you are considering this treatment or are aware of someone who is, please seek advice immediately:

• Speak to your GP, paediatrician, or other trusted health professional
• Contact your social worker or early help worker
• Discuss with your school or nursery staff

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Further reading and resources

NHS Guidance: Treatments that are not recommended for autism

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Important note

The Leeds LSCP is committed to trauma-informed safeguarding practices and urges all professionals and families to engage with compassion and clarity on this issue.