Moray Council Children & Families Social Work Division. Child Protection Procedures DOCUMENT HISTORY - AUTHORISATION AND REVIEW DATES

Transcription

1 Moray Council Children & Families Social Work Division Child Protection Procedures DOCUMENT HISTORY - AUTHORISATION AND REVIEW DATES Draft: 30 September 2011 Issued for consultation: 30 September 2011 Approved by Moray Child Protection Sub Committee: 24 July 2012 Review date: 1 June 2013 Amended: 5 December 2012

2 CONTENTS Introduction..3 Child Protection in Context 4 Definitions.6 Information Sharing.8 Child Protection Messaging.10 IRD Process 11 IRD Flow Chart / Checklist...16 Joint Child Protection Unit Protocol 20 Case Conferences.22 Core Groups...35 Compulsory Measures..38 Taking Emergency Action.39 Applying for an Emergency Order...42 Appendices 44 Appendix 1 Further information on abuse and neglect.45 Appendix 2 Standards for CP Case Conference 46 Appendix 3 Protocol between Legal Services & Social Work..47 Appendix 4 Antenatal Care pathway 57 Appendix 5 Child Protection Procedure Letters/Memos 59 Appendix 6 Guidance for using CareFirst Invites..71 Appendix 7 NESCPC Forms...76 Page INTRODUCTION

3 The Moray Child Protection Sub Committee recognises that the protection of children from significant harm or abuse is a shared responsibility and, whatever our role, we need to be able to respond appropriately to concerns about children or young people. It is therefore important that all staff, regardless of setting, are fully aware of what they should or should not do if faced with a concern for a child or young person. These procedures are for all staff working for Moray Council s Social Work Children and Families Division. We want Moray to be a place where children and young people thrive: a place where they have a voice, have opportunities, learn and can get around: a place where they have a home and feel secure, healthy and welcome. We want Moray to be a place where adults and communities understand, respect and respond to the needs of children and young people. In order to achieve this in Moray we will: Ensure children and young people get the help they need when they need it. Ensure that those responsible for keeping children safe in our communities know what they need to do and how to do it. Ensure that those who work with children and young people listen to them, respect them and strive to meet their needs. Ensure that we all work together to keep children and young people safe and meet their needs. Ensure that those who lead are committed to protecting our children and young people. Every adult in Scotland has a role in ensuring all our children live safely and can reach their full potential. Parents, whether living with their children or not, have the most important role to play and other family members will contribute greatly to a child s wellbeing. 1 In Moray we are committed to implementing the national Getting It Right For Every Child (GIRFEC) programme, a Scottish Government programme to ensure better integrated working practices leading to children receiving the right help at the right time. The following procedures for all staff complement the North East Scotland Child Protection Committee s (NESCPC) Guidelines, a copy of which is available to all on the NESCPC website 1 It s Everyone s Job to Make Sure I m Alright The Report of the Child Protection Audit and Review, Scottish Executive, 2002

4 CHILD PROTECTION IN CONTEXT National Policy Framework The Scottish Government (then Executive) agreed a vision for Scotland s Children that provides the overarching context for the development of policy. Scotland s Children should be Safe, Healthy, Active, Nurtured, Achieving, Respected, Responsible and Included. 2 The Scottish Government has confirmed that the target date for fully implementing the Children s Hearings (Scotland) Act 2011 is September 2012; these procedures will be amended in accordance with the Act and associated Guidance once published. As part of best practice, there is an expectation that agencies will work and plan together to implement Getting it Right for Every Child. This changes the way that services are delivered so that children get the help they need when they need it. The Core Components, Principles and Values of Getting it Right for Every Child, are defined in Moray s Local Integrated Assessment and Planning Process. The context for all involved in the development and delivery of child protection services is provided in: Protecting Children and Young People: The Charter which sets out what children and young people need and can expect to help protect them from harm. Protecting Children and Young People: Framework for Standards which is a means for translating the commitments made to children in the Charter into practice. It enables agencies to evaluate performance and helps inform multi-disciplinary inspections of child protection services. Both documents are essential reference points for all professionals and agencies working with children and families. Insert hyperlink Practice changes have been driven in part by the Report of the Child Protection Audit and Review It s Everyone s Job to Make Sure I m Alright (2002). This review described children s lives as a jigsaw, with different agencies and individuals having responsibility for different pieces. Parents and children themselves tend to hold the largest pieces. The review saw the importance of bringing all the pieces together in order to see the complete picture of children s lives and needs. Within For Scotland s Children (2001), there was recognition of the need to put children and families at the centre of public service work and provide better integration of services at the point of delivery. Getting our Priorities Right (2002) and Hidden Harm (2003) highlighted the needs of children of substance misusing parents. The then Scottish Executive s 3-year Child Protection Reform Programme (2002) was announced in response to these reports and signalled a conceptual shift from child protection to the broader concept of protecting children. The Reform Programme introduced a new inspection process for joint services involved in the protection of children led by HMIe. The findings of the initial round of inspections combined with emerging research informed the review of Protecting Children - A Shared Responsibility: Guidance on Inter-agency Co-operation (1998). In December 2010 the Scottish Government published National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland the review of the 1998 guidance. These procedures have been 2 For Scotland s Children, Scottish Executive 2001

5 informed by the guidance and will give practitioners a framework to work within when working with children and families in relation to child protection.

6 DEFINITIONS For the purposes of this document the following definitions apply: Child Section 93(2)(a) and (b) of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 defines a child as being a person under the age of 16, unless they are between the age of 16 and 18 and still subject to a supervision requirement by a Children s Hearing. Young people aged between 16 and 18 are potentially vulnerable to falling between the gaps and our local services should offer ongoing support and protection as required. In these circumstances services should consider which legislation, if any, could be applicable. For example a young person may fit the criteria in relation to the Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act Parents A parent is defined as someone who is the genetic or adoptive mother or father of the child. A mother has full parental rights and responsibilities. A father has parental rights and responsibilities if he is or was married to the mother at the time of the child s conception or subsequently, or if the child s birth has been registered after 4 May 2006 and he has been registered as the father of the child on the child s birth certificate. A father may also acquire parental responsibilities or rights under the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 by entering into a formal agreement with the mother of the child by making an application to the courts. Carer A carer is someone other than a parent who has rights/responsibilities for looking after a child or young person. A carer may be a relevant person within the Children s Hearing system and will therefore have the right to attend the Hearing, receive relevant paperwork and to challenge decisions made by the Hearing. Child Protection Child Protection means protecting a child from child abuse or neglect. Abuse or neglect need not have taken place; it is sufficient for a risk assessment to have identified a likelihood or risk of significant harm or neglect. Child Abuse and Neglect Abuse and neglect are forms of maltreatment of a child. Somebody may abuse or neglect a child by inflicting or failing to act to prevent, significant harm to the child. For further information on types of abuse and neglect go to Appendix 1 Significant Harm There are no absolute criteria for judging what constitutes significant harm. Significant harm is a complex matter and is subject to professional judgement based on a multi-agency assessment of the circumstances for the child and family. Significant harm can result from

7 a specific one-off incident, a series of incidents or an accumulation of concerns over a period of time. When considering significant harm it is important to consider the actual or potential impact of the harm on the child in front of you, not just the alleged abusive behaviour. It is helpful to look at the relevant definitions: Harm means the ill treatment or the impairment of the health or development of the child, including, for example, impairment suffered as a result of seeing or hearing the ill treatment of another. In this context, development can mean physical, intellectual, emotional, social or behavioural development and health can mean physical or mental health. Whether the harm suffered, or likely to be suffered, by a child or young person is significant is determined by comparing the child s health and development with what might be reasonably expected of a similar child. To understand and identify significant harm, it is necessary to consider: The nature of harm, either through an act of commission or omission; The impact on the child s health and development, taking into account their age and stage of development; The child s development within the context of their family and wider environment; The context in which a harmful incident or behaviour occurred; Any particular needs, such as a medical condition, communication impairment or disability, that may affect the child s development, make them more vulnerable to harm or influence the level and type of care provided by the family; The capacity of parents or carers to meet adequately the child s needs; and The wider and environmental family context. For further information please refer to the National Guidance. Risk Understanding the concept of risk is crucial to child protection. Risk is the likelihood or probability of a particular outcome given the presence of factors in a child or young persons life. Only where risks cause, or are likely to cause, significant harm to a child would a response under child protection be required. Where a child has already been exposed to actual harm, assessment will mean looking at the extent to which they are at risk of repeated harm and at the potential effects of continued exposure over time. For further information refer to: Moray Risk Assessment Manual & Procedures

8 INFORMATION SHARING Agencies and professionals share information about children where it is necessary to protect them Standard 4, Framework for Standards, 2004 Protecting children is a responsibility, not only of agencies involved with children, but also of families and carers. Involving children and their families, where safe to do so, in the assessment and planning to meet their children s needs can result in agreed action plans which lead to achievable outcomes, and ultimately in children being better protected. Sharing information within this context, therefore, must include the child and family appropriately, where this does not increase the risk of harm to the child. In order to make decisions each agency must share with the other agencies all of the information it holds which is relevant to assessment, including the assessment of risk, and planning of further investigations. This will include information on the child subject to the referral, key adults who have involvement with the child, and other children who may be at risk. Where there is uncertainty regarding the relevance of information gathered, this should be shared as part of the Initial Referral Discussion (IRD) process to assist in determining its significance. Each agency will consider and share information which indicates any potential risk to professional staff (this might include previous aggressive or violent behaviour, infectious disease or current mental health issues). The Reviewing Officer, chairperson of Conference, must be advised in advance of the case conference with time to make appropriate arrangements to ensure the wellbeing of all in attendance. There is an expectation on the part of the agencies that each will thoroughly research the information systems available to them and thereafter share information with their partners to enable effective decision-making. These systems will include single agency and shared information. These sources of information can be extensive and may vary on a case by case basis. Where the collation of relevant information requires access to a number of systems this should not delay sharing of information available at the time.

9 Information Sharing Protocol Aide-Memoire The general rules Principles: Information shared - is Your Responsibility for a purpose with informed consent Be clear about the purpose Identify what information is required for that purpose Seek and retain written consent on the basis of a clear agreement with the service user or carer about - transparently accountably and o what information will be shared o for what purpose o with whom o over what timescale Enable the service user to know, challenge and correct the information that you share Ensure they know of their right to do so and the procedure through which to do so Exceptions to the general rules Principles: information is shared without consent - When a vulnerable person is at risk of significant harm When to seek consent could compromise safety When to seek consent could compromise the quality of evidence of an offence against a vulnerable person Your Responsibility Be clear about the purpose Decide what information is required for that purpose Record your decision and the reasons for your decision to share information Share the information For further guidance regarding information sharing please refer to Pan Grampian Memorandum of Understanding and the LIAP Procedures.

10 CHILD PROTECTION MESSAGING (CPM) Child Protection Messaging is a system for alerting professionals to past or present Child Protection activity in relation to specific children. Each message functions as an immediate means of alerting relevant professionals to Child Protection activity and as a flag that remains attached to a child s record over the longer time to inform new professionals joining the cross-agency network of workers who come into contact with the child. In addition, children may become linked to a child who has been subject of Child Protection activity. Child protection messages are an aid and prompt to share information within and between partner agencies. They should complement and support existing Grampian / Moray Child Protection procedures. CPM will use the existing databases CareFirst (social work) and SEEMIS (education) to flag up information in respect of a child where there have been child protection concerns. There are four messages (1a to 3) for a child who is or has been subject to child protection activity, as follows: Message 1a: A Child Protection Investigation has commenced in respect of xxxx xxxx, but whose name is not recorded on the Child Protection Register. A concern has been raised about a child. This child is not currently on the Child Protection register. Message 1b: A Child Protection Investigation has commenced in respect of xxxx xxxx, but whose name is currently recorded on a Child Protection Register. A concern has been raised about a child who is currently on the Child Protection register. Message 2: There is a current child protection registration recorded for xxxx xxxx. This child has been added to the Child Protection Register. Message 3: Child Protection Activity for xxxx xxxx ceased on DD/MM/CCYY. Child protection investigations have now been completed and no concerns found. Or a child s situation has improved and they have been removed from the child protection register. All messages prompt the receiver to contact a named social worker or out of hours social work if the receiver has relevant information in respect of the child. It is therefore imperative that recording on Carefirst is carried out timeously and accurately. All recording around child protection must be completed as soon as practicably possible. In respect of recording Child Protection Investigations and Child Protection Registrations it is a requirement that the events are opened and outcomes recorded within 24 hours.

11 INITIAL REFERRAL DISCUSSION PROCESS (IRD) No one individual is solely responsible for the protection of vulnerable children and their families. All staff should make sure that they are clear about the nature and extent of their responsibilities of their post. Senior and Team Managers all have an important role in ensuring that there are appropriate policies, guidance and procedures for staff, alongside good quality, regular supervision and support. Managers have a responsibility to monitor and evaluate child protection practice against agreed service standards. Where there are concerns about a child, professionals, via their single agency routes, need to assess whether their concern is that a child is suspected to be at risk of harm or injury, or has been harmed or injured (child protection), or whether their concern relates to a child in need (child welfare). This involves professional judgement, knowledge of your own agency s child protection procedures, knowledge of your agency s arrangements for passing on any concerns and ensuring you record your actions appropriately. In order to assess your concerns effectively, it may be necessary for the agency with the concern to contact other agencies in order to gather further information about the child and family. This information will allow the agency to assess whether or not the child may be in need of protection, or if the child is in need of further support from other services. In seeking, or sharing, information between agencies, it is the duty of each professional and their agency to adhere to the guidance within the Pan Grampian Information Sharing Protocol 3. This extends to good practice in information sharing, issues of consent and confidentiality. Where a child or young person is at risk of harm, professionals can and must take prompt and timely action in passing on concerns, even if this means over-riding a child s/young person s right to withhold consent. In this first information gathering stage, professionals will need to carry out basic enquiries with other agencies in order to assess whether an IRD will be required. These agencies will include: Social Work Local Area Team or Child Protection Team Police Mon Fri Family Protection Unit, outwith these hours - Duty Sergeant Health Health Visitor and/or School Nurse Out of hours contact Royal Aberdeen Children s Hospital Education Child Protection Co-ordinator for the school or Nursery - if the child is attending during term times. During school holidays contact the Education Duty Officer Other agencies involved with the family, could also include: Housing Drug and Alcohol Teams Mental Health Teams 3 The Pan Grampian Information Sharing Protocol 2005 can be found on Moray s GIRFEC website:

12 Criminal Justice Services Voluntary agencies Basic enquiries do not involve home visits or interviews with the child, young person or family members. Indeed, to do so may put the child at further risk of harm. They do, however, involve a search of records and contact with other services and agencies to establish if they have information that could suggest that a child or young person might be at risk. Basic enquiries also include a check of the North East of Scotland Child Protection Register (NESCPC ) to be carried out by the relevant designated officer for the agency making the enquiries. A note must be taken about whether the child is currently or has been registered, the reason for current or previous registration, the name of the case coordinator, and whether the new incident has been notified to the Child Protection Register. The agencies spoken to and information gathered should be recorded by the individual making the enquiry on the Child s Plan Request or, in the case of a police initiated referral, a Police Child Care Concern Form (formerly known as Ops 12/1). Where it becomes clear from the initial information gathering stage that a child may be at risk of, or suspected to be at risk of harm or injury, or has actually been harmed or injured then an Initial Referral Discussion (IRD) must be initiated by the agency gathering that initial information. This is done by informing the local Area Team Senior Social Worker or duty Social Worker, or the duty Police Sergeant who will then begin the IRD process. There will be occasions when it is quite clear, without the need to gather further information, that a child has been harmed and there is a need to move directly to initiate an IRD process. This is also done by informing the local Area Team Senior Social Worker or duty Social Worker, or the duty Police Sergeant who will then begin the IRD process. IRD Process The IRD is not a single event but an ongoing process which will allow the assessment and planning to develop as agencies continually share, review and evaluate new information. The IRD process will, therefore, determine the action necessary to begin to assess the protection needs of the child or young person. This will include consideration of: any immediate action required to protect the child. whether a formal medical examination or comprehensive medical assessment is required. whether a criminal offence may have been committed. whether an Joint Investigative Interview is required. The IRD must be led by social work and although initial information sharing may be carried out by telephone, this can limit the ability to ensure that all agencies are active participants in the process. IRD should, therefore, where possible, involve a formal meeting in which those agencies outlined below are able to participate. Irrespective of the method of the discussion, the outcome must be recorded and shared, by if possible, with the agencies as soon as possible following the IRD and no later than the same working day. Where it is safe to do so the outcome must also be fed back to the child and family. The discussion must establish who will do this. The information gathered at this stage will be recorded by social work on or added to the Child s Plan Request, and the relevant sections of the Child s Plan. The information will

13 also inform the ongoing risk assessment, and should be recorded using the appropriate Risk Assessment Form either Form 2, for low level risk, or the Risk Assessment and Recording Tool for significant risk. Participation IRD is the central mechanism within the child protection process and in all cases the following core agencies will be involved in the IRD process: Social Work Senior Social Worker and other appropriate staff Police Mon Fri Family Protection Unit, outwith these hours - Duty Sergeant Health - An appropriate member of relevant Health services with suitable experience and knowledge of the child eg Health Visitor/School Nurse/Paediatrician. Education Child Protection Co-ordinator and/or the young person s guidance teacher or head teacher (whoever has best knowledge of the child s circumstances) - where the child is of school age or attending nursery. Other relevant agencies will be involved as required e.g.: Housing, Drug & Alcohol Teams, Criminal Justice Services etc Planning The professionals involved will plan how and by which agencies and practitioners the concerns will be assessed or investigated. Once this has been agreed, the following must also be considered depending on the agreed course of action. What further information is required, from whom and who will be responsible for gathering this. If a Joint Investigative Interview is required, the arrangements for this including who will be involved and where and when this will take place In discussion with the Paediatric Service, NHS Grampian, the need for a medical examination and/or compulsory medical assessment including where, when and by whom What support may be required for the child / family and who will provide this If there is need to consider potential risks to any other child What information should be shared with parents or carers including consideration of the need to secure consent for interviews and medical examinations when parents or carers are not considered a source of potential risk. What relevant feedback will be given to the initial referrer at this stage and who will provide this. It must be remembered that the initial referrer/agency might continue to have close contact with the child/family and must not be compromised by lack of information. Equally, the rights of the child or young person and their family must also be considered Consider if relevant legal measures are required i.e. whether a Child Protection Order or Exclusion Order is required due to evidence of immediate risk of significant harm to any child, or a Child Assessment Order, where there is reasonable cause to suspect a child is suffering or is likely to suffer significant harm and there is a lack of co operation from parent(s)/carer(s) to enable assessment to be carried out satisfactorily. Ensure a preliminary plan is in place to secure the child s safety. In considering all of these issues, time scales and the sequence of actions must be explicitly decided upon and recorded on the Child s Plan.

14 Outcomes arising from Initial Referral Discussion Process A number of outcomes are possible from an IRD process: Commencing an inter-agency Risk Assessment using the Risk Assessment and Recording Tool. Sufficient information may be available to decide that no further action is required at that time by any of the agencies. This decision must be recorded on the Child s Plan and fed back to the child/family. Voluntary Support - there may be a need for one or more agency, statutory or voluntary, to provide support to a child and/or family on a voluntary basis. The issue is now not one of child protection but one of support in respect of the child s welfare. The Team around the Child will follow LIAP procedures and deliver an agreed multi agency action plan, and through their assessment consider whether or not Compulsory Measures of Supervision may be necessary. Single Agency Enquiry - where evidence suggests that investigation of specific issues by a particular agency is appropriate, either because of their particular expertise or responsibility or their relationship with the parents or children, a single agency will conduct further enquiries on their own, but will record and provide outcome information for all agencies, and the child and family, where it is safe to do so. Joint Investigation - where the information suggests that this is in the best interests of the child, agencies will investigate jointly and will record outcome information, reporting back to the Team around the Child. Child Protection Case Conference - where there are serious professional concerns about the likelihood of harm to a child through abuse or neglect, a decision may be taken to convene an Initial Child Protection Case Conference. Referral to the Children s Reporter. Other Legal Measures - Child Protection Order or Exclusion Order, required due to evidence of immediate risk of significant harm to any child, or a Child Assessment Order, where there is reasonable cause to suspect a child is suffering or is likely to suffer significant harm and there is a lack of co-operation from parent(s)/carer(s) to enable assessment to be carried out satisfactorily. In deciding on any of these outcomes, the IRD will identify explicitly who will be responsible for completing tasks, timescales and sequence of events. This must be recorded in Child s Plan. The outcomes are not mutually exclusive and more than one outcome may be desirable. The outcomes should be shared with the referrer, and the child and family when it is appropriate to do so. IRD outcomes can result in the gathering of additional information through enquiry or investigation. Again the new information will be shared with the other agencies leading back to the Planning stage described earlier. Further Discussions A number of decisions made during the IRD process may result in the gathering of further information and in other courses of action. Further information gathered and actions taken will be recorded and shared with the agencies involved in the IRD process.

15 Assessment and analysis elicited from all further discussions will be recorded on Child s Plan. Where the information suggests risk to a child, at a level of significance that will necessitate a detailed, joint risk assessment, the available evidence about: the sources of risk, the nature and severity of potential harm, factors in the situation that make harm more or less likely to occur, and factors that might increase or reduce severity of risk should be recorded on the Risk Assessment and Recording Tool. The Child s Plan should also be updated to incorporate the relevant information and actions to reduce or manage risk. Signing Off an IRD The end of the IRD process should be agreed by the agencies involved and recorded on Child s Plan. The IRD episode is complete once all actions agreed have been progressed, any further information gathered has been shared and decisions have been taken in respect of what happens next. It can be helpful at this stage to hold a debrief when agencies can consider the management and practice of the IRD as a matter of self-evaluation and continuous improvement. Each agency s record of an IRD process must be reviewed and signed off within two weeks of completion by a nominated senior manager within each agency o Social Work Area Manager or Casework Services Manager o Police Sergeant supervising the case o Health - Specialist Nurse, Child Protection or Lead Paediatrician for Child Protection o Education Child Protection Co-ordinator at the relevant school or nursery These review and sign off procedures may be carried out on a single agency basis, however where inter-agency issues arise the Core Agencies will make joint decisions regarding any action required.

16 CHILD PROTECTION FLOWCHART (Social Work) Referral or Casework Issue Potential Child Protection Concern identified from information received or through casework process and assessed by Senior Social Worker as requiring further enquiry. Stage 1 Basic Enquiries Social Worker, with guidance from Senior Social Worker, makes basic enquiries and completes an Assessment Record including their analysis of any risks or protective factors and, in consultation with the Senior Social Worker, makes an assessment about future action. (CareFirst Child Protection Enquiry Event) No Further Action Concerns or allegations are not substantiated or there is no evidence of risk Advice or Information and No Further Action Stage 2 - Investigation Basic Enquiries fail to reduce or resolve concerns and there is a need for a further assessment of possible or potential risk or Basic Enquiries have established that a child is or may be at risk and there is a need to establish the degree of actual or potential risk Consider need to refer to Co-located Team (CareFirst Child Protection Investigation Event) Consideration given to informing Authority Reporter of circumstances and other support identified Child in Need Service provided Concerns or allegations are not substantiated or there is no evidence of risk but the assessment identifies the need for a support service Child Protection Enquiry Checklist Stage 1 Basic Enquiries Social Worker :

17 Child : CareFirst ID No: Stage 1 Basic Enquiries Initials Date 1 Information or casework issue assessed by Senior Social Worker as a Child Protection concern. (Out of Hours Social Workers should consider discussion with the Duty Manager.) 2 Record opened or updated on CareFirst as a Child Protection Enquiry 3 Child s Plan Request started / received from referrer 4 Risk Assessment commenced 5 Full details of the child and other key people, date, time, location and specific details of the nature of the allegation or concern recorded in the Child s Plan Request and in CareFirst. 6 Agreed timescales with the Senior Social Worker and agencies and services to be contacted. 7 Checked CareFirst. (For information about child and key people. Record any relevant information on the Initial Assessment Record.) 8 Checked the North East of Scotland Child Protection Register or through Aberdeen City OOHS If child known and/or already on the child protection register, contact made with allocated Case Social Worker or Keyworker. (Record when contact made and the nature of the information shared.) 10 Completed Child s Plan Request. (This should include a summary of all the information gathered as well as an analysis of any risk or protective factors and a recommendation of the action necessary following completion of the enquiry phase.) 11 Child s Plan Request shared with the Senior Social Worker and action agreed. - No further action. - Child in Need Service. - Initiate Investigation. (Stage 2) 12 Parent(s) advised of the outcome of Stage 1 Enquiries. 13 Original Referrer advised of the outcome of Stage 1 Enquiries. 14 Copy of the Child s Plan request forwarded to Area Manager. -

18 Inter-agency Risk Assessment Inter-agency Risk Assessment IRD Flowchart Initial Referral Discussion Joint Investigation or Single Agency Enquiry Medical Examination Investigation debrief NFA Advice/Guidance Immediate Risk of Significant Harm Hospital Admission Referral to Reporter CPO or emergency powers Referral to LIAP process Voluntary admission into care Actual or Potential Risk of Significant Harm Interim Child Protection Plan Initial Child Protection Case Conference

19 Child Protection Investigation Checklist Stage 2 Investigation Social Worker : Child : CareFirst ID No: Stage 2 Investigation Initials Date 1 Basic enquiry (Stage 1) checks completed and recorded 2 Record opened or updated on CareFirst as a Child Protection Investigation. 3 Full details of the child and other key people, date, time, location and specific details of the nature of the allegation or concern recorded in the Child s Plan Request. 4 Risk Assessment updated 5 IRD process initiated. 6 Plan for joint investigation of Child Protection concerns completed. Where a single agency investigation undertaken the workers from that agency should complete the plan. 7 Following investigation Senior Social Worker reviewed the Assessment Record and risk assessment and in discussion with those involved in the investigation agreed action necessary. Action agreed; - No further action. - Child in Need Service. - Child remaining in Hospital - Child placed in Foster Care (Voluntary) - Immediate Legal Action to protect the child - Request a Case Conference. - Other - 8 Interim Protection Plan in place 9 Recorded the outcome of the Stage 2 Investigation on CareFirst. 10 Parent(s) advised of the outcome of Stage 2 Investigation. 11 Original Referrer advised of the outcome of Stage 2 Investigation. 12 Completed Child s Plan and Risk Assessment signed by SSW. 13 Copy of completed Child s Plan and Risk Assessment sent to Area Manager.

20 THE JOINT CHILD PROTECTION UNIT (JCPU) See also the Joint Child Protection Unit Protocol Remit The JCPU has the following remit: To receive referrals of allegations of physical and sexual abuse of children and to carry out a joint Social Work and Police investigation when considered to be appropriate. The JCPU will follow National and Local procedures and guidelines. To consider investigating child protection referrals in respect of children and young people in receipt of a service from Area and Specialist Social Work teams through liaison and agreement between the Senior Social Worker in the Child Protection Team and the manager of the Child Care and Specialist teams and Health and other relevant agencies. To undertake all investigations on new or existing cases relating to allegations against residential staff, foster carers and employees of the Moray Council and other agencies where requested. The JCPU will follow the procedures laid down in Moray Inter-Agency Child Protection Initial Referral Discussion (IRD) Procedures. A decision of joint investigation will be taken having regard to the nature and circumstances of the referral, the level of evidence and the degree of criminality believed to be involved. This information will be necessary to justify Police involvement. In cases where Police involvement does not appear to be warranted, there may be a role for Social Work staff in the JCPU in clarifying the nature of concerns, assessing any potential risks to the child and referral to other agencies/services for support as appropriate. In addition to physical and sexual abuse Social Work and Police Staff from the JCPU may in certain circumstances be involved in serious cases of physical neglect. For example, young children left unattended in dangerous or unhealthy conditions or children in the care of adults who are incapable due to substance misuse. These are situations which may result in criminal charges against the adults caring for the children. If Medical or Health staff raises concerns about serious neglect of a child presented to them, they may contact the JCPU to discuss possible investigation, e.g. a child who is ill or injured as a result of neglect. Social Work, Police and Health staff in the JCPU are available to people who may be seeking advice or guidance on how to deal with allegations or concerns in relation to the abuse of children. These situations can be discussed hypothetically or confidentially if preferred. However, identifying information will be acted upon if necessary and anonymity cannot be guaranteed should Legal proceedings arise. Where Grampian Police have concluded that information about a Schedule 1 offender should, in response to a specific request, be shared with a member of the community, a member of the Social Work Child Protection team may, at the request of Grampian Police and following discussion with the Senior Social Worker, be involved or take the lead in sharing relevant information. Operational hours

21 Social Work and Police operational hours will be 8am - 6pm Monday to Friday excluding Public Holidays. Outwith operational hours, child protection concerns should be referred to the Social Work Out of Hours Service or local Police Station. Referral process The JCPU will accept referrals directly from all agencies. Referrals from members of the public will, in the first instance be directed to the Moray Council Service Line or Grampian Police and will be subject to a preliminary assessment before referral to the JCPU. This preliminary assessment will be completed by a duty Social Worker for calls received through the Moray Council Service Line and by the Duty Sergeant for calls received by the Grampian Police Help line. Organised / multiple abuse When the possibility of organised abuse emerges during an inquiry/investigation stage, senior officers from Social Work and Police will be informed. An IRD will be arranged to decide on how the concerns will be investigated. The first consideration will be the individual interests of any child involved. The meeting will: Decide on lead role and set time scales for review. Ensure effective sharing of information on a confidential basis, between key agencies. Agree what information can be shared with families. Decide the strategy to be adopted. Decide on the number and range of staff to be involved and include preparation for counselling of families and staff. Agree a media strategy Ensure full recording of strategy meeting decisions. Case transfer (social work) The Senior Social Worker in the JCPU will contact the Senior Social Worker of the appropriate Child Care Team to discuss the timing of a case transfer. After the decision is made, the aim will be to action the transfer at the earliest appropriate opportunity. If the case has proceeded to Initial Child Protection Case Conference, the transfer of the case to the appropriate Child Care Team will take place after the conference and before the first Core Group meeting.

22 CASE CONFERENCES The case conference is central to a multi-agency response to child protection. The conference is a forum for integrated, multi disciplinary assessment and planning and should be conducted in a way that is consistent with Moray s standards for Getting It Right For Every Child. Action planned to secure or ensure the child s safety should be integrated with other action required to meet the child s short or long term needs in a single Action Plan. It requires contributions from all agencies that have information about the child or family. Parents, carers and children are an integral part of the child protection case conference process and should be enabled to attend (with appropriate supports as necessary) in order to discuss concerns and positive factors and to be involved in any planning to: Reduce the risk of harm and protect the child Improve the well being of the child Support the adults to care for the child safely Monitor and review progress Purpose The purpose of the case conference is for participants to: Share the information they have with the child and family in order to assess risk and identify need in order to determine if the child is at continuing risk of significant harm and if so is a protection plan needed in order to protect and support child; Decide whether placing the child s name on the Register is necessary in order to protect the child; and Make an inter-agency child protection plan or care plan as appropriate. Who attends a case conference? A Reviewing Officer will normally chair case conferences. Where this is not possible a member of staff who has received suitable training will chair the conference. Letters by post or giving the name (and all other known names), address and date of birth of the child and both parents (regardless of marital status) or carers, and the date, time and venue of the conference will be sent to all those on the invitation list given to the review team. Very rarely, when it is essential to have the case conference before the arrival of the post, will notification be done by telephone. The invite list will be created using a form on CareFirst see appendix 6 for further details. It is important to ensure that the right people attend the conference in order for it to be effective, but also remember that too many may have a negative impact upon the parent and child. The number of people involved in a CPCC should be limited to those with a need to know or those who have a relevant contribution to make. Those invited will include: The child or young person where appropriate (a child or young person, where appropriate, should always be offered the involvement of the Children s Rights Service to ensure their views and wishes are represented or be made aware of their right to have an advocate of their choosing for support).

23 Parents, carers, people with parental responsibilities, guardianship or adults who are involved in ongoing parenting of the child. Where the investigation is ongoing and the alleged perpetrator is a parent/carer, advice should be sought from police colleagues regarding their attendance. The parents should be advised that they may be supported by an advocate should they wish it. Professionals from the police, social work and health services who have been involved in the investigation. The Named Person for the child. Appropriate staff from education services. Those who are working directly with the child or parents. This may include staff working in criminal justice, mental health, addiction and learning disability fields, health, education, voluntary sector workers and housing. The General Practitioner. Legal Services, where the need for legal advice. Care will have been taken to avoid duplication within services, as this can overwhelm parents and make the discussion more difficult. If staff are unable to attend, they must ensure that significant information not previously shared is provided timeously in writing. (see Preparing for a Case Conference/Providing a Written Report ) Some individuals or agencies always receive a standing invitation because of their role, but may not always attend: Children s Reporter Designated Doctor for Child Protection Specialist Nurse Child Protection Realtime Evaluation Information Assistant, for info only. Consideration should be given to inviting the Senior Procurator Fiscal to the Initial Child Protection Case Conference; this should be discussed with the Reviewing Officer at the time. On occasions, students may request to attend a case conference as part of their professional training. This should be discussed with the Chair before the case conference and the parents and child s permission should be sought. When students are to attend all those invited should be informed in advance. Involving the parent, child and young person Success in child protection work depends on partnership with parents and good communication with children and young people. Parents and carers will be invited to go to the initial child protection case conference, but will be excluded for any initial closed session (see Exceptional Circumstances) There must be very specific reasons including risk to the child, (this should be considered during any risk assessment undertaken) for parents or carers to be excluded from the conference. The reasons for this should be agreed and recorded by the Chairperson. Exceptionally, it may be necessary to exclude one or more family members from a case conference in whole or in part. Details of reasons for these exclusions can be found in the NESCPC Child Protection Guidelines. Children should be encouraged and enabled to attend and participate in the case conference. They should always be offered the services of the Children s Rights Service. Attending and being involved in a formal meeting where far reaching decisions may be made can be daunting. A social worker must prepare the child and family beforehand. This will

24 include ensuring that children and families and professionals have had the opportunity and time in advance to read and make comment on the integrated report, recommendation and action plan prior to the meeting. Social workers should advise parents and children that they may bring an advocate to support them, and where necessary the Social Worker should facilitate this process. The Social Worker must also let the Chairperson know whether an advocate or support person are attending and any information the chairperson needs to know in advance for managing attendees, information and conducting conference appropriately. It is the responsibility of the Chairperson to let the parents and children know who will be at the meeting and how it will be conducted. If there is any tangible threat of violence or distress the Chairperson must take steps to diminish the impact upon others. All parents and carers and the child (if appropriate) will be sent the decisions and the child protection plan. Those parents, carers and children attending the case conference will also be sent a copy of the draft minutes. Parents receive the final minute regardless of whether they have or have not attended, excluding information from the closed session. For those who did not attend the minute, decisions and action plan will be sent to the Lead Professional who will go over them with the parent/carer/child. Exceptional Circumstances Any professional or the child involved may ask for a closed session, during which time they may share information with other professionals, which they cannot share with the parents. They should inform (or, in the case of the child asking, be enabled to inform) the Chairperson before the case conference if they want a closed session and give clear justification as to the reasons why. Closed sessions should only be used in exceptional circumstances where there is information: That has only just come to light and has not been discussed with the parents; Of an evidential nature that may damage the investigation should the alleged perpetrator learn of it; Which may put others at risk should it, or the source of it, come to light eg suspected domestic abuse or information from a child. That paternity may be incestuous. Consideration should be given to any request for a closed confidential section by a child or family member, the reasons for such a request should be fully explored and discussed prior to the session being granted. The advice of the Children s Rights Service should also be considered if such a request is made by a child or young person. Those attending should always be advised of the possibility of a closed session and reasons for such an event should be appropriately explained. If unsure about the need for a closed session seek further advice/guidance from the Chairperson. Preparing for a case conference/providing a written report All those attending a case conference have a duty to prepare thoroughly. The integrated report provided should organise the information that has informed the assessment in a

25 succinct way to help those attending to contribute more effectively. This report should give a concise assessment of need and risk for the child and family, and suggestions or recommendations for any protection plan to be made. The case conference needs a clear recommendation as to whether registration on the CP Register is required. The conference will be more effective if the Chairperson, Child, Parent, Carers and others invited have time to read and consider reports beforehand. Therefore they must be received by the Chairperson at least two working days before an initial child protection case conference and, in the case of a Review case conference, five working days. All reports to the Chairperson will be sent by . The integrated report, signed by both the writer and Senior Social Worker, will be stored in the child s file. Reports should be made available to those attending the case conference prior to the case conference to allow for preparation. The child, parent and carers should have the opportunity to see, and make comment on, reports, recommendations and proposed action plan in advance of conference. In very exceptional circumstances, when the Integrated Report cannot be circulated in advance, it is the responsibility of the social worker attending the case conference to ensure that they provide a sufficient number of reports for those attending (including the parents and child) on the day. The Chair must ensure that everyone attending has had the opportunity to read and understand all reports tabled. The author should discuss the content of any report with the parent and child prior to the case conference. Their views on the accuracy and relevance of the report and any recommended actions will be crucial to the discussion that takes place in the case conference. Cancellation of Case Conferences It is the responsibility of the Chairperson to ensure that all parties are informed in the event of a case conference being cancelled or rearranged It may be necessary for the chairperson to request assistance and tasks may be delegated to Area Teams. Responsibilities of Participants The participant must: Let the Chairperson know whether an advocate or support person are attending and any information the chairperson needs to know in advance for managing attendees, information and conducting conference appropriately. Read all reports prior to conference, where available; Ensure they have explained their role to parents and children; Ensure they have supplied and integrated any health, developmental, social and educational information with regard to an appropriate assessment of the children; Make sure protective factors which reduce risk and promote resilience are identified; Ensure that this information is evaluated to assess current and future risk and need and the support available from their agency for the child and family; Clarify how their service will contribute to the particular plan and name the worker in order to manage and reduce current and future risk and identified need; Ensure that all information about family circumstances and parenting capacity is shared and evaluated to focus on what work is necessary to diminish risk of future harm; Ensure they contribute to decisions of the case conference; Ensure that the views, wishes and intentions of parents, children and young people are heard by those attending and taken into consideration in the decision making process;

26 Ensure they participate in decision making at conference with regard to the requirement, or otherwise, for registration; Contribute towards the discussion with regard to a protection plan, the aim of which is to reduce the risk of future harm and promote the child s health, social and educational development; Ensure they are clear about their tasks and objectives with regard to the protection plan; Attend future review case conferences; The Social Worker should ensure that Carefirst is updated with regard to the decisions from the case conference; Ensure that a consensus is reached about placing the child s name on the Child Protection Register, that all the reasons for this are recorded; Make sure the Lead Professional and others involved in the protection plan are identified and their tasks specified; Having attended, it is everyone's responsibility to check the accuracy of the minute and report any inaccuracies to the Chairperson as detailed below. Responsibilities of the Chairperson The Chairperson must: Ensure their availability to chair within timescale or arrange for an alternative person to chair the conference; Ensure that an experienced minute taker is available and fully briefed; Draw up the agenda; Read all the reports before the conference; Ask if a closed session is required and ensure that any request is justified; Explain the purpose, the structure, who will be attending and their roles to parents and any young person attending; Remind those attending that confidentiality must be observed after the conference within the bounds of inter-agency working; Check the child s name, date of birth and whether or not the child or parents are known by any other name; Ensure that the views, wishes and intentions of parents, children and young people are heard by those attending, taken into consideration in making decisions and recorded in the conference minute. Make sure that a consensus is reached about placing the child s name on the Child Protection Register, that the reasons for this are recorded, and identify the Indicators of Risk; Ensure that all views on registration are recorded including any disagreement; Ensure the case conference agrees a child protection plan, using SMART objectives which aim to reduce the risk of future harm and promotes the child s health, social and educational development; Ensure that the case conference recommends whether it is safe for the child to remain in or return to the care of parents or guardian; Recommend to the Team Manager if it is necessary to apply to a Sheriff for a protective order; If the conference recommends that a child should be accommodated as part of the protection plan, the recommendation should include guidance as to the aims for that period of alternative care and for how long it is expected to be necessary. The chairperson s role is to make sure this is recorded in the protection plan. If the conference recommends that Compulsory Measures of Care should be sought, the recommendation should include a brief statement of the reason for believing compulsion to be necessary. The Chairperson should ensure that this is recorded in the protection plan and the Social Worker will advise the Reporter.

27 Make sure the Lead Professional and others involved in the protection plan are identified and their tasks specified; Agree membership of the Core Group, including parents, in order to put the child protection plan into practice and identify the person responsible for co-ordinating and chairing the meeting; Make a date for the next review (after first registration this will normally take place in three months. An earlier date may be necessary to protect the child); The Chairperson should ensure that the Keeper of the Register is informed of the decision to register or de-register the child s name using NESCPC CPR input form, (Appendix 7) as soon as possible after the end of the conference; The Chairperson should ensure any spare copies of reports are collected at the end of the conference and that they are securely destroyed; Make sure the decisions, plan and minutes are accurate and circulated within the given timescales; The Chair has a role in relation to monitoring and reviewing case conference processes. In connection with this role a report will be submitted to the Moray Child Protection Sub Committee on an annual basis. Quorum/Reaching Decisions There will be a quorum established when at least three different agencies are represented at the conference. If there is not a quorum at the conference, the Chairperson must contribute to any decision about registration and this must be reviewed under the normal reviewing procedures. Where there is no clear consensus in the discussion, the Chair will use their professional judgement to make the final decision, based on an analysis of the issues raised, as to whether or not to place the child s name on the CPR. In these cases the decision making needs to be subjected to independent scrutiny from a senior member of staff with no involvement in the case.

28 Minutes of Case Conferences This protocol refers to all Case Conferences: pre-birth, initial and review. A minute of the Child Protection Case Conference will be prepared and circulated to all those invited to attend. All attendees at a Case Conference have the responsibility for checking the minute and ensuring its accuracy. Any inaccuracies in the minute should be reported by those who attended the Case Conference to the Chair, who should arrange for the minute to be amended and recirculated. Only those who attended the Case Conference can ask the Chair to amend and re-circulate the minute. This can only happen if the minute does not accurately reflect the discussion or statements made or information provided to the Case Conference. Note that it is important to record what was discussed or stated even if it later transpires that the information or statement was inaccurate. Where there are any factual inaccuracies in the information provided or statements made at the Case Conference then it is the responsibility of the attendee who made those to advise the Chair of this and provide a note of the correct information that will then be circulated by the Chair as an addendum to the minute. If there has been a closed session a minute will be taken and held on the Social Work file, this will not be circulated, should any professional wish to access this section of the minute they should contact the case social worker. Where another attendee or an invitee not in attendance at the Case Conference disputes the accuracy of any statement made or information provided then they shall provide the Chair with a note of this, which the Chair will again treat and circulate as an addendum to the minute. Any complaints regarding the content of or handling of minutes should be dealt with through the normal Social Work complaints procedure. All draft copies of minutes must be destroyed upon receipt of the final, agreed minute. Participants should receive a copy of the child protection plan from the Case Conference within 5 calendar days of the CPCC. Minutes of the Case Conference should be received by participants within 15 calendar days. Registration The threshold for registration is reached where it is considered that a child is at ongoing or future risk of significant harm and this can only be reduced or eliminated by implementing an inter-agency child protection plan. The Chairperson will seek the views of the family with regard to registration, and also the views of others present. The decision to register or maintain a child s name on the register will be made by a quorum of three agencies. All views, including dissent, must be recorded. Parents must always be asked for their views. Any decision to register is best made by agreement. If anyone disagrees with a registration decision, this must be noted. In the unlikely circumstances of a split decision, the Chairperson will decide on whether there is a need to place the child s name on the Child Protection Register.

29 The inter-agency child protection plan Prior to attending a case conference all professionals should have discussed and considered their contribution to an inter-agency child protection plan and what outcomes for children they hope to achieve. Where there is a recommendation to the conference that a child s name should not be placed on the Register, a child care plan will still be required. The child protection plan should: Make provision to protect the child from harm; Make sure that the child s developmental needs are met; Identify any further assessment necessary and who is responsible for completing this; Incorporate any work currently ongoing with the family that can contribute to meeting the child s needs and ensuring his/her safety; Define what needs to change for the child to be considered safe and set SMART objectives to be achieved; Be designed to help bring about changes in the family so that risk is reduced; Recommend the services to be offered to the child, family members and carers by each agency, naming who in each agency will carry out specific pieces of work and set out timescales for these; Set out arrangements for communication between agencies; Identify who will co-ordinate and constitute any core group of staff who will meet with the parent(s) to agree the detailed plan of how risk will be reduced and the welfare and the health of the child promoted. Set the date of the next child protection review. All parents and carers and the child (if appropriate) will be sent the decisions and the child protection plan. Those parents and carers and children at the case conference will also be sent a copy of the minutes. The final minute gets sent to parents regardless of whether they have or have not attended, excluding information from the closed session. The Core Group The Core Group must meet within 7 calendar days of the case conference. The Core Group has a crucial role to play in implementing and reviewing the Child Protection Plan and is responsible for ensuring that the plan remains focussed on achieving better outcomes for the child by reducing the known risks. Those responsible for the work should monitor the child protection plan continuously, refine it in response to new information, and review regularly as circumstances change, which may affect the safety of the child. Staff involved with the family, including the adults, must give to the Lead Professional any information which suggests parental capacity to protect and care is diminished. If this suggests that the plan is inadequate, the Social Worker or Senior Social Worker must be informed and steps must be taken to ensure the safety of the child. (Further details about core groups can be found on pages 38/39). The Senior Social Worker or Team Manager has the duty to take action that may change the child protection plan to protect the child, and will consult and advise the relevant agencies as soon as possible. Responsibilities of the Lead Professional

30 A Lead Professional should be identified in relation to implementing the child protection plan. They should be the most appropriate person to do so and also have the necessary experience. The Lead Professional is responsible for: Seeing the child regularly; Professionally managing the case; Putting the social work tasks of the child protection plan into practice where he/she is a SW; Seeing the child regularly as detailed in the Child Protection Plan Providing information and co-ordination between agencies; Continuously assessing need and risk; and Carrying out administration in line with procedures. Timescales for Case Conferences: Initial Child Protection Case Conference (ICPCC) Review Case Conference Pre-birth Case Conference Transfer Case Conferences Invitations to ICPCC Reports to Case Conference Chair Core Group Minutes CP Plan Changes to CP Plan The Initial Conference should be held no later than 21 calendar days from the notification of concern where a decision has been made to convene a case conference. Where a decision to convene a conference arises from an accumulation of concerns the conference should be held no later than 14 calendar days of the decision to convene. The first review should be held within 3 months of the Initial CPCC, thereafter reviews should take place 6 monthly, or earlier if required. The CPCC should take place no later than at 28 weeks pregnancy, or in the case of late notification of pregnancy as soon as possible from the Notification of concern and in any case within 21 calendar days The Transfer CPCC must be held within 21 calendar days from notification that the child has permanently moved into the area. Participants should be given a minimum of 5 working days notice of the decision to convene a CPCC whenever possible ICPCC 2 working days. Review case conference - 5 working days The first core group meeting following CPCC should take place within 6 working days. Participants should receive the Minutes within 15 working days of the CPCC Participants should receive a copy of the agreed Child Protection Plan within 5 working days of the CPCC Where a Core Group identifies the need to make significant changes to the CP Plan they must notify the CPCC Chair of this within 3 working Days Pre-birth Case Conferences Case conferences can be held in respect of unborn babies. The conference may decide that the name of the unborn baby (eg unborn xxxx) should be placed on the register. The

31 conference must also identify who will be responsible for advising the Social Worker and the Reviewing Officer of the birth of the child. It is the responsibility of the Lead Professional to inform the Keeper of the Register of the child s name and date of birth. A letter from the Lead Professional will also be sent informing those invited to the initial case conference of the baby s birth. A core group should be convened as soon as practicably possible, taking into account the physical and emotional health of the child s mother, as well as the identified risks for the child. Review Case Conference Purpose For every child whose name is on the Child Protection Register a review case conference must be held to consider whether or not the plan has been effective in reducing risk and promoting welfare and effecting change, whether there is a continuing need for a protection plan and whether the child s plan requires to be modified. This will include: Assessment of any continuing risk and the current level of that risk; Assessment of the development and well-being of that child; Any further injuries, incidents, enquiries or investigation, which affect the child, or which have occurred in relation to a brother or sister; Significant changes since the last case conference; Assessment of the impact of actions taken and whether further actions are required to protect the child; Assessment of whether or not actions taken to protect the child have been in line with the child protection plan, how the protection plan has met the needs of the child; An evaluation of each agency s and individual s contribution to the child protection plan; The child s and parents evaluation of their progress; Considering if the risk of ongoing or future significant harm has been reduced or eliminated; The need for continued registration; Updating the child protection plan; To establish the need for, and source of, continuing support with the child and family if the child s name is removed from the register. De-registration When the professionals who are working with the child and family decide that the risk to the child has been eliminated or reduced, the child s name should be removed from the Child Protection Register. Removal of a child s name from the register should not necessarily lead to a reduction or withdrawal of services, or support to the child and family by any or all of the agencies. The risk of actual or potential significant harm may have been eliminated or reduced, but the child may continue to be a child in need and require a variety of services from any or all of the agencies to safeguard and promote his/her welfare. The Chair Person of the case conference will be responsible for ensuring that a care plan is put in place.

32 Administration of Case Conferences The Chairperson is responsible for making sure that procedure (as detailed in this document) for the administration of case conferences is adhered to. They are also responsible for making sure that the decisions from case conferences and reviews are recorded clearly, noting any major issues of disagreement, and that the minutes are sent out. Full decisions of the conference with any child protection plan will be sent to all participants within 5 working days of the conference. The minute of the case conference will be sent out within 15 working days after the case conference to all those invited to the conference, whether they attended or not. The Chairperson of the case conference must ensure that they sign the minute, and if this is not possible the responsibility will rest with the Casework Services Manager. Protected Information Information disclosed during a closed session will not form part of the overall minute of the case conference. If there has been a closed session during which protected information has been disclosed then a minute will be taken and held on the Social Work file, this will not be circulated, should any professional wish to access this section of the minute they should contact the case social worker. Written information to parents In order that parents can work with agencies to implement the protection plans and reduce the risk of harm to their children whilst also meeting the needs of their children, they must be aware of the issues discussed and the plans that are agreed. Parents who attend will receive the draft and final minute. The final case conference minutes, excluding the closed session text, will be sent to all parents. All appropriate steps to maintain confidentiality when sending information by post should be taken. The parental copy of case conference minutes, for parents who have not attended and who have parental responsibilities, will be sent to the social worker who will, where practicable, go through the information with them. This will also apply to a young person who has attended. Storage Minutes of case conferences should be held securely in accordance with data protection regulations and the Moray Council Records Management Policy Minutes of closed sessions should be stored in the confidential section of the child s file. The information shared within the closed session is subject to data protection regulation. It cannot be shared with any person not present at the time unless the permission of the person who shared the information originally is obtained. Where minutes are stored electronically, they must be password protected. The Child Protection Register and the role of the Keeper of the Register North East Scotland Child Protection Committee is responsible for managing the Register.

33 When children and families move, consideration is given to informing police of a child moving address or out of area, or out of area to a facility such as a mother and baby unit. See also guidance contained within NESCPC Guidelines and National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland. Transferring children within the Moray area If a child on the Register moves to another area in Moray, the social worker must tell the Senior Social Worker about the change of address. It is the SSW s responsibility to inform the Keeper of the Register and the Reviewing Officer about any change. The social worker will let those from other agencies, with designated responsibilities for the child, know of the change of address and they will take appropriate action to ensure their part of the protection plan is met. The receiving Team Manager must make arrangements to ensure a continuous service. Transfers outwith Moray When a child moves outwith Moray, the SSW must let the Keeper of the Register and the Reviewing Officer know. The SSW will then contact the Keeper in the new area to which the child has moved. It is the responsibility of the Senior Social Worker or Team Manager to pass all necessary information, especially the protection plan to the new area, so they can assess, protect the child and support the family. The new area will arrange a case conference within local timescales, this should be within 21 calendar days and at least one representative from the Area team must attend. In the interim it is the responsibility of the SSW to ensure there is clarity regarding who is keeping contact with, and monitoring the child. Transfers in-to Moray of children registered in another area The Transferring Authority must advise the Area Services Manager and the Area Team Manager that a child/children on their Child Protection Register has moved to Moray and they will share all relevant information The Reviewing Officer will advise the Keeper of the Register, and the child s/children s names will be placed on the North East of Scotland Child Protection Register pending a Transfer/Initial Child Protection Case Conference The Team Manager will allocate a social worker who will gather the information required in order to begin assessment The allocated social worker must ensure that colleagues in other relevant agencies are aware of the family moving into Moray and have sufficient information to enable them to contact colleagues in the area from where the family has moved A Transfer Child Protection Case Conference must be held within 21 calendar days from notification that the child has moved on a permanent basis. A representative from the Transferring Local Authority will be expected to attend the Transfer Child Protection Case Conference. Missing children and families In situations where a child who is registered on the Child Protection Register is missing and there are extremely high concerns for their safety and well-being the Senior Social Worker, in partnership with other relevant professionals, will act and respond appropriately according to the assessed risk to the child.

34 A child is treated as missing if there has been difficulty making contact by any professional or agency involved, and other information would indicate that they are away temporarily, and their forwarding address is unknown. If the child is missing for over one week, regardless of the assessed risk, you should inform the Senior Social Worker. The Senior Social Worker should then: Inform the Keeper of the Register, who will then notify Keepers nationally; Inform the Reviewing Officer; Inform the police regarding a missing child and provide any additional information they may require in order for them to fulfil their responsibilities; Inform other members of the core group. If a child is found, all missing-person alerts must be cancelled by the SSW, and the Keeper of the Register, the appropriate Manager and police must be informed. Some families will move on from area to area despite their child being on the Child Protection Register. This could be in order to avoid intervention and therefore a risk factor. Often it is not known where they are planning to go. It is the responsibility of the Local Authority from where they have gone missing to try to trace them. When a missing person alert is received from outwith the Moray area, the Keeper of the Register will pass the information on as requested by the notifying Authority.

35 THE CORE GROUP When a child s name is placed on the Child Protection Register or remains on the Child Protection Register, those who are to be part of the Core Group are identified. At the Case Conference the date of the first core group meeting should be set, within 6 working days of the conference, and the frequency of meetings set, at least six weekly and more frequently if necessary. The Senior Social Worker should always be identified as part of the Core Group. The Caleb Ness Inquiry highlighted that the lack of a proactive Senior Social Worker involvement in the assessment of risk, in the re-assessment of risk, in decision making, and in ongoing supervision as being a fundamental reason for that agency s failure to protect Caleb. (Executive Summary) It would be expected that the Senior Social Worker would attend and chair the initial Core Group meeting. At this meeting dates for the remaining Core Groups prior to Review Case Conference must be set. It is preferable for Senior Social Workers to attend all Core Group meetings, if this is not possible then they must attend every second meeting. Where the Senior Social Worker is unable to attend two or more meetings in a row the reason for this should be recorded in the minute of the meeting. It is the responsibility of all who are part of the Core Group to ensure that they have the dates of all core group meetings and if they are unable to attend then they will ensure that a representative will attend on their behalf (if appropriate) or an update of current involvement and views provided. The Core Group should have a representative from the key professionals identified to work with the family in ensuring the Action Plan is carried forward. The Core Group must include parent(s) and the child/young person where appropriate. Every effort should be made to encourage them to be included in the process either for part or all of the meetings. The child/young person should be consulted about the timing and venue of the meetings and whether they wish the Children 1 st Advocate being present with them. For those children who are considered to be too young or do not wish to attend, their views should be presented to the Core Group by a professional identified as most suited to work with the child. The Purpose of the Core Group The core group is responsible for developing, implementing and reviewing the child protection plan as a detailed working tool, taking forward the plan that was agreed at the initial child protection case conference. The Action Plan identified at the Initial or Review Case Conference is reviewed at each core group meeting. Consideration to be given to whether the Action Plan is effective, note made of progress, and actions to be removed or added to as appropriate. The first Core Group Meeting following registration should concentrate on assessing the risk using the Risk Assessment and Recording Tool. The Core Group should then be in a position to review and update the Child Protection Plan and the Risk Assessment at each meeting. The Case Conference should identify which outcome measure should be used to measure progress in relation to the plan s outcome objectives and on other changes taking place, it makes sense for the social worker to complete a holistic measure immediately following a Core Group discussion.

36 It is important that the core group clarifies how progress towards plan objectives will be measured and who will undertake any associated work, within the parameters set by the Initial or Review Case Conference. The establishment of SMART objectives will enable this to happen. SMART objectives and outcome measures can inform subsequent core group discussion, particularly where they evidence the need to make amendments to the Action Plan. Chair of Core Group Meetings The Chair should be the Senior Social Worker however in their absence another member of the core group should take on this responsibility. The Chair should ensure that each member of the core group has the opportunity to contribute to the discussion. Parents and child/young person should be encouraged to participate in the discussion and disagreement made by any member of the core group should be recorded clearly. Minutes of Core Group Meetings The person taking the minutes should not also be responsible for chairing the meeting. The revised Action Plan should be attached to the minute. The minute should be completed and distributed to all members of the core group, including child/young person, if appropriate, within 5 working days. A copy of the minute should be sent to the Child Protection Reviewing Officer and Area Manager. Measuring Outcomes for Children subject to Child Protection Registration As a matter of principle we should use reliable outcome measures to inform judgements about the extent to which the plans we make to safeguard and promote the welfare of children make a difference. This is particularly important for those children for whom we are most concerned and for whom we deploy significant resources. It is now a requirement for at least one relevant, reliable measure to be used regularly for children whose names are placed on the CP Register to track and measure their progress until sufficient, positive, sustainable change can be relied on. For many children, one of the holistic measures based on the My World assessment model, will be most appropriate, as they enable the measurement of change over the key dimensions in a child s life. The practitioner measure can be used to provide a practitioner perspective, on the basis of the integrated assessment as updated within Core Groups. Where possible, there is a real advantage in having a measure completed by the child as it measures change from the child s perspective, is very reliable and provides the practitioner and the conference with a very succinct picture of the child s view of their situation (children as young as 6 have used this measure). Where a care plan or protection plan focuses on achieving significant change with regard to patterns of parenting, a relevant measure should be used by the parent. All of our major voluntary sector partners have agreed to help facilitate the completion of measures by children and parents with whom they are working on our behalf. The Performance and Strategy Manager and Realtime Evaluation Support staff can advise people about relevant, available measures. The practice model to be adopted is along the following lines: A holistic, practitioner measure should be completed by the Social Worker at the conclusion of the assessment that forms the initial Case Conference Report. It forms a baseline measure and shows the aspects of the child s world in which the greatest level of change is necessary. The baseline measure and the assessment should be copied to the Realtime Evaluation Information Assistant,

37 so that required information can be entered into the Realtime Evaluation database. The Case Conference must agree, as a part of the child s plan, what measure(s) will be used to measure progress against the plan s outcome objectives and how frequently they will be used (this should rarely be less than four weeks or more than eight for CP cases six weeks would be a general guide). The social work report can helpfully make suggestions or recommendations about relevant measures. Given that Core Groups have a responsibility to share information and perspectives on the extent of progress being made in relation to the plan s outcome objectives and on other changes taking place, it makes sense for the practitioner to complete a holistic measure immediately following a Core Group discussion if that measure has been specified in the plan. The subsequent measure should be copied to the Realtime Evaluation Information Assistant for entry in the Realtime Evaluation database. When subsequent measures have been received and entered into the database, an updated chart, showing change over the key dimensions of the child s world, with any detail analysis will be provided to the Social Worker, Senior Social Worker and Reviewing Officer by the Realtime Evaluation Information Assistant. The most recent chart will be made available to the Review Case Conference, to inform judgements about the extent of change being achieved in relation to planned outcome objectives.

38 COMPULSORY MEASURES Compulsory measures will require to be sought on occasions when it is not practicable or possible to work on a voluntary basis with the child and family. When this is identified by a Child Protection Case Conference or Core Group, a referral must be made to the Children s Reporter. It is important that every effort is made to enable the family to work in partnership on a voluntary basis with the professionals prior to taking this step. However, it must be recognised that on some occasions the child and family are unable or unwilling to work in this way with services. On these occasions Compulsory Measures must be considered and discussed with the SSW. The Integrated Assessment submitted to the Reporter should reflect and evidence the work that has been attempted or achieved with the family and should clearly evidence the reasons for seeking Compulsory Measures at this point. The decision to take a child to the Children s Hearing lies with the Reporter to the Children s Hearing after he/she has received information, assessments and recommendations from the professionals working with the child. This information, assessment and the subsequent recommendations must be written professionally and in such a way as to provide the Reporter with the facts required to enable him/her to make the appropriate evidence-based decision. Where it is felt that the Reporter is: Not moving quickly on a case, or Not taking action recommended by a number of professionals on a number of occasions (eg recommendation of strategy group and/or case conference) Social workers should discuss their concerns with the Reporter and their Senior. These concerns should be clearly recorded and the reasons for the concern evidenced. If the concerns remain then the Area Team Manager must ensure that the Reporter is aware of the continuing issues and discuss this further with the Area Services Manager or Head of Children and Families. At this point, if the matter cannot be resolved, consideration must be given to informing the Director of Community Services, who, in his capacity as Chief Social Work Officer, will decide if it is necessary to take the matter to the Regional Reporter.

39 TAKING EMERGENCY ACTION In situations where there appears to be a risk of immediate or significant harm, the Senior Social Worker is responsible for evaluating the multi-agency risk assessment presented by the Social Worker. This evaluation will help determine whether formal Emergency Measures of Protection under the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 or an alternative course of action requires to be taken. The child s parents may agree to the child being accommodated until concerns about the child s safety, or allegations of abuse, can be clarified. The child s views should always be sought and considered in respect of any Order that is being applied for. Social Work should consider whether others in the child s extended family or social network could look after the child whilst further inquiries or assessments are carried out. The Senior Social Worker will consult with his or her Area Manager and the Duty Solicitor within Legal Services. The Senior Social Worker will provide the Duty Solicitor with the evidence and facts, as known, indicating that Emergency Measures under the 1995 Act may be required, and will also discuss whether any alternative course of action is appropriate. The Senior Social Worker is responsible for ensuring the appropriate documentation is supplied. For details of the Procedural Guidance for Child Assessment Orders, Child Protection Orders, Emergency JP Child Protection Authorisations and Exclusion Orders please see below. The Senior Social Worker will inform the Authority Reporter when Formal Measures are being sought. The final decision to apply for any of the Orders detailed below is the responsibility of the Area Child Care Team Manager and the Duty Solicitor. Where there is disagreement in respect of the application for any Order see Appendix 3 Protocol Between Legal Services & The Social Work Division on the Taking of Appropriate Legal Measures to Protect a Child. Child Assessment Orders (Sec 55) This type of order is usually appropriate where there are concerns about a child s safety or welfare but all attempts to assess a child on a voluntary basis have failed and there is insufficient information to decide whether action is needed to protect the child. Prior to applying for a Child Assessment Order the social worker must inform the family, in writing, of the Local Authority s intention to seek such an Order, thereby giving the family the opportunity to consider other options. A Sheriff may grant a Child Assessment Order for an assessment of the state of a child s health or development, or of the way in which he has been treated if he/she is satisfied that: (a) The Local Authority have reasonable cause to suspect that the child in respect of whom the order is sought is being so treated (or neglected) that he is suffering, or is likely to suffer, significant harm, (b) such assessment of the child is required in order to establish whether or not there is reasonable cause to believe that the child is so treated (or neglected) and (c) such assessment is unlikely to be carried out or be carried out satisfactorily, unless the Order is granted.

40 It is worth noting that, if the Sheriff believes that grounds have been established to grant a Child Protection Order, then he/she will grant this order instead of a Child Assessment Order. A Child Assessment Order is only valid for 7 days. As a result, prior to making an application to the Sheriff, provisional arrangements will have to have been made by the social worker for assessments to be held and completed within the timescale. When applying for an Assessment Order on medical grounds, consideration should be given to the child s ability to understand the nature of the assessment and their views sought. Should a child refuse/consent to any medical assessment their ability to make an informed choice will be judged by a medical professional who will give full consideration to the Age of Legal Capacity (Scotland) Act Child Protection Orders (Sec 57) Any person including a Local Authority can make an application to a Sheriff for a Child Protection Order under section 57(1) of the 1995 Act. This type of Order is appropriate where there are reasonable grounds to believe the child is being treated or neglected in such a way that he/she is suffering or is likely to suffer significant harm. A Local Authority can also apply for a Child Protection Order under section 57(2) where there are reasonable grounds to suspect that a child is being or will be harmed, but enquiries being made to decide what action to take are being frustrated by the denial of access to the child, and access is required as a matter of urgency. In terms of The Moray Council policy, application for a Child Protection Order will only be made by the Social Work Service in discussion with the Duty Solicitor (special arrangements cover out-of-hours applications). Where it has been agreed by the investigating social worker in consultation with the Senior Social Worker that a Child Protection Order may be required, the SSW will consult with the Duty Solicitor for advice and guidance regarding the application process, but it is the responsibility of the Area Team to ensure that the need for any Order is fully evidenced. In particular, it is vital to ensure that any intervention is proportionate to the potential risk to the welfare of the child. The child s views must also be taken into account and recorded. In section 57(1) applications, the Sheriff will have to be satisfied that there are reasonable grounds to believe that a child is being treated or neglected in a way that will cause significant harm, or that the child will suffer significant harm if not removed to and kept in a safe place, The Order can also be used to keep a child in a safe place. Before making the Order, the Sheriff will also have to be satisfied that such an Order is necessary to protect the child from such harm or such further harm. This means that alternative means of protecting the child must have been considered and discounted and the reasons for not pursuing alternatives recorded. A Child Protection Order, once made must be implemented within 24 hours, if not, it will cease to have effect. An Order must only be implemented if it is still needed to protect the child. The removal of a child to a safe place must be notified to the Reporter immediately by the SSW. On the second working day after the Order is implemented, the Reporter must convene a Hearing to decide whether to continue the Order. Any continued Order will then remain in effect until a full Hearing is convened on the eighth working day after implementation or it is otherwise recalled or varied.

41 If a child is removed then the arrangements for the child s subsequent care should be consistent with the duties to children looked after by the Local Authority. Emergency Justice of the Peace Authorisations Under section 61 of the 1995 Act, a Justice of the Peace may be asked to grant an emergency authorisation for the removal of a child to a place of safety/ to prevent removal of the child from a place of safety. The authorisation will only be granted where the grounds for a Child Protection Order in the same terms as the Emergency JP Authorisation are satisfied but it s not practicable for an application for a Child Protection Order to be made/considered. In most instances, an emergency authorisation will only be sought when a Child Protection Order application cannot be heard because there is no Sheriff to hear it, on the advice of the Sheriff Clerk. In exceptional circumstances, where it appears that a child s safety can be secured only by immediate removal from a source of danger, or where an application for a Child Protection Order cannot be heard quickly enough, an emergency authorisation can be sought. The JP Authorisation will only last for up to 24 hours, by which time an application for a Child Protection Order may have been submitted. The order will also lapse if not implemented within 12 hours. Exclusion Orders (sec 76) This allows for the Local Authority to apply to the Sheriff for an order, which excludes a named individual from a child s family home. The conditions for applying are similar to those for a Child Protection Order with the same test of risk of significant harm, in this case at the hands of the named person, but the Sheriff must also be satisfied that making the Exclusion Order would better safeguard the child s welfare than the removal of the child from the family home. If the conditions for a Child Protection Order are established in an application for an Exclusion Order, the Sheriff may treat the application as if it were an application for a Child Protection Order and grant such an Order instead. An Exclusion Order lasts up to 6 months.

42 APPLYING FOR AN EMERGENCY ORDER The procedure to be followed when applying for an Emergency Order is: 1. The decision to apply for an Order should be arrived at through normal child protection consultation procedures. It is the responsibility of the Area Child Care Team Manager to consult with relevant colleagues including the Duty Solicitor. 2. Legal Services can be consulted for advice at any stage prior to the decision to apply being made. 3. The alternatives to seeking a particular Order should be assessed with consideration given to a voluntary agreement, a different type of Order, eg. Child Protection, Assessment or Exclusion Order, or making a referral to the Reporter. 4. As far as practicable the following should be considered: (a) Taking account of the child s age and level of understanding, the child s wishes and feelings. (b) The views/wishes of the child s parents, those with parental rights and responsibilities, any other relevant people. (c) The child s physical, emotional and educational needs during the period of the Order. (d) The likely effect on the child of the Order. (e) (f) (g) The child s age, gender and family circumstances. The nature and effect of any other Orders and requirements already made in respect of the child (e.g. Residence Order, Contact Order or Supervision Requirement). Any alternative ways of reaching appropriate outcomes. 5. Once the decision has been made to apply, the Duty Solicitor will require the following information to make the application: (a) The child s name, address, gender and date of birth. (b) Details of any Court or Children s Hearing Orders in force in respect of the child. (c) The name and address of all relevant persons and the basis for them being a relevant person. A relevant person is: (1) any parent with parental responsibilities and rights in respect of the child (2) any person in whom parental responsibilities and rights have been vested (3) any person who appears to be a person who ordinarily (other than by employment) has taken charge of or control over a child. (d) Any other person who should receive notification of the application (e.g. any person who is caring for the child at the time the application is made). (e) If there is a Safeguarder involved (if possible their name, address, telephone and fax numbers and address). (f) The reasons for deciding to apply. If there is a history of social work involvement, Legal Services need to know why an application is being made on this occasion rather than on previous occasions. (g) The supporting evidence for the application. (h) The social work team s views on contact with relevant persons or anybody else during the Order, and whether they wish the Sheriff to make decisions about contact. (i) If the social work team wishes, directions on medical assessment or any other matter. (j) The Social Worker should try to obtain the child s views about the Order taking into account their age and understanding. (k) Whether or not the social work team wishes an Order to prevent the disclosure of the child s whereabouts.

43 Legal Services may require further additional information depending on the circumstances. 6. Legal Services will complete the application papers and arrange for them to be presented to the Sheriff. 7. The most appropriate Social Worker will make him/herself available to give evidence to support the application. 8. If an Order is granted the social work team will attempt to implement it within 24 hours (failure to do so means that the Order will lapse). 9. The social work team will serve notice to the child and any relevant person at the earliest opportunity. Legal Services will follow up with formal notice including notice to the Authority Reporter the following working day. 10. When serving notice to any relevant person and the child, the Social Work Team will advise them about the provisions for seeking a variation or discharge of the Order. 11. After the Order is granted the child becomes a child who is looked after and the local authority has the relevant duties towards the child. For further information regarding each specific Order, refer to the Children (Scotland) Act 1995.

44 APPENDICES Appendix 1 Appendix 2 Appendix 3 Appendix 4 Appendix 5 Appendix 6 Appendix 7 Further information on abuse & neglect Standards for CP Case Conferences Protocol Between Legal Services & The Social Work Division on the Taking of Appropriate Legal Measures to Protect a Child Antenatal Care Pathway Child Protection Procedure Letters Carefirst guide to creating CP Case Conference invites NESCPC Forms

45 Appendix 1 Further Information can be found at the following websites: Moray Council Risk Assessment Procedures and Management Manual NESCPC Child Protection Guidelines NESCPC Working with young people who are sexually active NESCPC Child Protection and Parenting Capacity A Framework for Reducing Harm NESCPC Multi-agency Child Protection Risk Assessment Framework NESCPC Working with Unco-operative Families National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland Scottish Government Child Protection Scottish Government GIRFEC pages Care Inspectorate Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) The Institute for Research and Innovation in Social Services (IRISS) Children in Scotland Children 1 st Action for Children With Scotland National Child Protection Website Legislation follow this link for legislation eg Children (Scotland) Act 1995 Forced Marriage Guidance for Practitioners

46 Appendix 2 Standards for Case Conferences: Action Standard Target Initial Child Protection Case Conference (ICPCC) The Initial Conference should be held no later than 21 calendar days from the notification of concern where a decision has been made to convene a case conference. 80% Where a decision to convene a conference arises from an accumulation of concerns the conference should be held no later than 14 calendar days of 80% Review Case Conference Pre-birth Case Conference Transfer Case Conferences Invitations to ICPCC Reports to Case Conference Chair Core Group the decision to convene. The first review should be held within 3 months of the Initial CPCC, thereafter reviews should take place 6 monthly, or earlier if required. The CPCC should take place no later than at 28 weeks pregnancy, or in the case of late notification of pregnancy as soon as possible from the Notification of concern and in any case within 21 days The Transfer CPCC must be held within 21 calendar days from notification that the child has permanently moved into the area. Participants should be given a minimum of 5 working days notice of the decision to convene a CPCC whenever possible ICPCC 2 working days. Review case conference - 5 working days The first core group meeting following CPCC should take place within 6 working days. Minutes Participants should receive the Minutes within 15 days of the CPCC CP Plan Participants should receive a copy of the agreed Child Protection Plan within 5 days of the CPCC Changes to CP Plan Where a Core Group identifies the need to make significant changes to the CP Plan they must notify the CPCC Chair of this within 3 days 75% 80% 75% 75% ICPCC 75% RCPCC 80% 80% 75% 80% 75% Appendix 3 Protocol Between Legal Services & The Social Work Division on the Taking of Appropriate Legal Measures to Protect a Child

47 The Agreement It is agreed that child protection investigations which raise concerns of likely significant harm to a child would benefit from clarity on the process and roles for ensuring that appropriate legal measures are taken to protect children at risk of such harm. This protocol seeks to outline the escalation of decision making to protect children where there is likely to be a risk of significant harm. The flow chart attached reflects the agreed escalation. This protocol also seeks to explain the ethos that will prevail when working through that escalation. Legal Services- Duty Solicitor The Legal Services section operates a Duty Solicitor system. All those qualified staff participating in the Duty Solicitor Rota have received detailed training on child protection and operate using agreed templates to ensure a consistency of approach in ingathering evidence to support the taking of appropriate legal measures or otherwise. The duty solicitor also has access to a Senior Solicitor with expertise in child protection law. The Duty Solicitor Rota will be issued to each Area Team and relevant members of Senior Management on every occasion upon which it is amended. Social Work staff are expected to consult the Duty Rota and call the relevant solicitor as their first point of contact on child protection matters. However, operational demands will dictate a need to substitute the appointed duty solicitor from time to time without altering the issued Rota. Support staff within Legal Services will always be aware of who the Duty Solicitor is for that day and will direct Social Work staff to that solicitor. Early Stage Child Protection Investigation The appointed social worker who is conducting a child protection investigation or has protection concerns about a case that is open to them may consult the Duty Solicitor at any time for advice and assistance and indeed is encouraged to do so at an early stage. The solicitor who is first consulted will wherever possible continue to deal with that case in subsequent days even although they may no longer be the Duty Solicitor. It is understood that operational demands may not always make this possible but the avoidance of duplication and consistency of approach offered by the same solicitor dealing with the case as it progresses is preferable. The social worker will ensure that the solicitor receives an update of progress even if further legal advice or action is not required. This will allow them to close their file meantime. Subsequent episodes involving the same child can be referred directly to that solicitor in the future although on the understanding that operational demands may not make it possible for that solicitor to respond, in which case the Duty Solicitor for that day will resume the case. The Senior Social Worker is responsible for evaluating the assessment of risk presented by the Social Worker. This evaluation will help determine whether formal measures of protection under the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 (hereinafter referred to as The Act ) or an alternative course of action requires to be taken. Risk Requires to be Removed Where risk assessment has shown that the case requires that the risk to the child be removed, all means of removing the risk to the child should be considered. This will range from Informal Measures to Formal Protective Measures under the Act or Emergency Measures.

48 Informal Measures may be sufficient to remove the risk to the child at this stage. A child s parents may agree to the child being accommodated until concerns about the child s safety, or allegations of abuse, can be clarified. Social Work should consider whether others in the child s extended family or social network could look after the child whilst further inquiries or assessments are carried out. It may be that a Place of Refuge is sought by the child. There may be a requirement for Formal Protective Measures under the Act, whether an Exclusion Order, Child Assessment Order or Child Protection Order. It may be that there is insufficient time to apply for formal protective measures and Emergency Measures are called for under the Regulations an Emergency Protection Order. The Senior Social Worker will consult with his or her Area Manager and should consult the Duty Solicitor to help inform their decision as to which route to removal of the risk is most appropriate in any given case. Where the Duty Solicitor has been consulted, the social worker will ensure that he/she receives an update of progress even if further legal advice or action is not required. This will allow them to close their file meantime. Subsequent episodes involving the same child can be referred directly to that solicitor in the future although on the understanding that operational demands may not make it possible for that solicitor to respond, in which case the Duty Solicitor for that day will resume the case. Formal Measures of Protection Required Where it is felt by the Area Manager that formal measures to protect the child under the Act are warranted, the case social worker or senior social worker must contact the Duty Solicitor or if the case has already been dealt with by a Duty Solicitor on a previous occasion, that solicitor, if available. The Social Worker or Senior Social Worker will provide the Duty Solicitor with the evidence indicating that protective measures under the Act may be required, and will also confirm and outline alternative courses of action that have been considered and, in discussion with the Area Manager, been deemed not appropriate. The Senior Social Worker is responsible for ensuring appropriate documentation is supplied/ completed at the request of the Duty Solicitor. The Area Manager and the Duty Solicitor will jointly decide whether the Moray Council as a Local Authority should apply for a protective order under the Act whether that be an Exclusion Order, Child Assessment Order or Child Protection Order. If agreement is reached that the legal grounds for such an application are present and that such an application should be made, the Duty Solicitor will proceed to make the application on behalf of the Chief Social Work Officer. Failure to Agree If no agreement is reached that the legal grounds for such an application are present and either the Area Manager or the Duty Solicitor are dissatisfied with that conclusion, the case will be referred to the Head of Children & Families and the Principal Solicitor (Litigation & Licensing) for further discussion. If no agreement can be reached between the Head of Children & Families and the Principal Solicitor the matter will be referred thereafter to the Chief Executive who will hear from the

49 Chief Social Work Officer and the Head of Legal and Democratic Services and decide whether or not an application should be made on behalf of the Local Authority. Ethos Whilst the taking of formal protective measures are not emergency measures, it is recognised that time is of the essence and it would be regrettable if emergency measures required to be used due to an inability on the part of the Local Authority to agree on the appropriate course of action. It is agreed that a balance has to be struck between the need to be assured that the Local Authority does not enter lightly or unnecessarily into applications for protective orders and does so on the basis of professional consensus and the need to remove the immediate risk to the child. The emphasis at all times will be on reaching consensus and having mutual respect for the disciplines involved. It is not envisaged that there will be a need to use these escalation procedures on a frequent basis. They will be used only when absolutely necessary and possible. All means of communication will be deployed to ensure that the staff at the relevant levels of authority are consulted, but their absence should not inhibit the timely handling of the matter. Substitutes for the postholders named will be acceptable in the interests of achieving consensus as quickly and efficiently as possible. However, it is acknowledged that in borderline cases, where agreement to proceed to make an application cannot be reached and time does not allow further escalation, discussion or negotiation, the professional view of the Head of Children & Families will prevail.

50 Protocol Flowchart Early Stage of Child Protection Investigation Social Worker may consult Duty Solicitor at any time Investigation concludes risk of immediate or significant harm Senior Social Worker is responsible in consultation with the Area Manager for considering potential for informal measures but where this is not an option they must in discussion with the Duty Solicitor consider if formal or emergency measures are necessary to secure the child s safety Informal Measures Formal Measures Emergency Measures Senior Social Worker considers alternative care arrangements agreed in discussion with parents/carers Area Manager in discussion with Duty Solicitor agrees to discuss emergency measures with Police Where Duty Solicitor consulted Senior Social Worker must advise Duty Solicitor of agreement reached with parents/carers Area Manager in discussion with Duty Solicitor agree appropriate formal measures Area Manager in discussion with Duty Solicitor unable to agree appropriate formal measures Senior Social Worker must advise Duty Solicitor when emergency measures implemented Exclusion Order Assessment Order Child Protection Order Head of Children and Families and Principal Solicitor agree whether or not an application should be made on behalf of the Moray Council Head of Children and Families and Principal Solicitor unable to agree Duty Solicitor with the support of the Senior Social Worker presents application to Sheriff on behalf of the Chief Social Work Officer Chief Social Work Officer and Head of Legal & Democratic Services present case to the Chief Executive who will decide whether or not an application should be made on behalf of the Moray Council Please note that substitutes for postholders named in this flowchart are acceptable in the interests of timely decision making Appendix 4

51 ANTENATAL CARE PATHWAY SUBSTANCE MISUSE Pregnant Woman with Substance misuse problem Yes Attends antenatal care No Booking appointment attended and information gathered. Antenatal liaison and Consent to share information forms completed Fails to attend three consecutive appointments or fails to attend before 24 weeks gestation. Potential Child Protection concerns identified Yes Initiate IRD do CP concerns remain? No No Yes Contact SW Area Manager to arrange Multi- Agency Meeting prior to 24-week stage where child care concerns remain (or within 21 days of notification) Multi-Agency Meeting identifies potential risks to unborn child Yes Contact Social Work Area Manager to request Pre-Birth Child Protection Case Conference Pre-Birth Child Protection Case Conference prior to 28-week stage (or within 21 days of notification) No No Child Protection Registration Yes Appropriate Services to be offered Child Protection Plan

52 MODEL OF CARE PATHWAY MATERNITY SERVICES Substance Misuse Pre-conceptual care Confirmation of pregnancy 12 weeks Booking Booking appointment appointment Advice from Family Planning Advice from GP Practices Advice from Drug and Alcohol Services re substance misuse prior to pregnancy Early referral to Hospital Substance Misuse Team from Community Midwife, GP or Drug and Alcohol Services Ready Steady Baby book Referral to Community Midwifery Team Arrange an early scan Discuss Blood Borne Viruses and take bloods with consent Referrals to appropriate services including Drug and Alcohol Services and Social Services Request for IRD Assessment of substance misuse Antenatal Liaison Form (Substance Misuse) Leaflet re pregnancy and substance misuse Agree and discuss care plan 14 weeks Antenatal midwifery appointment 16 weeks Appointment with Consultant Obstetrician Antenatal Midwife appointment 20 weeks Detailed anomaly scan 22 weeks Community Midwife appointment 24 weeks IRD meeting Meeting identifies and agrees support and care plan for mother and child Meeting considers need for a Pre Birth Child Protection Case Conference prior to 28 weeks

53 28 weeks Growth to be monitored Weekly appointments for high risk pregnancies at the hospital Preparation for antenatal classes Term Childbirth Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome assessment Discharge plan Discharge pack 10 days Postnatal care Continued multidisciplinary support/postnatal care plan Continue NAS assessment and care if required Relapse prevention support Midwife ends care (day 10 to 28) Home visit by Health Visitor Continuous assessment by all agencies Consent will be sought by all agencies for information sharing, the taking of blood and urine samples, and the contract for the methadone programme. Continuous assessment by all agencies will take place regarding substance use of the pregnant woman and her household and also of the parenting skills of the potential adult carers. If agreeable women will be offered a package of care which includes fortnightly appointments at the hospital. All meetings wherever possible should be organised at least 3 weeks in advance. If possible these meetings should take place at Dr Gray s Hospital.

54 16 weeks MODEL OF CARE PATHWAY SOCIAL WORK SERVICES Substance Misuse Social Work advised of Addiction Services Check CareFirst pregnancy database Notification to Area Service if current involvement Advise Maternity Services of any relevant background information 12 weeks Booking appointment Booking appointment Maternity Services submit Antenatal Substance Misuse form to Social Work Addiction Services contact Area Manager to request allocation of a Case Social Worker and date for an IRD meeting Case Social Worker liases with relevant agencies including Substance Misuse Midwife, Community Midwife, Health Visitor and Addiction Services 20 weeks 24 weeks 28 weeks Area Manager makes arrangements for the Strategy Meeting and issues invitations Meeting should, if possible be convened in Dr Gray s Hospital IRD meeting Meeting identifies and agrees support and care plan for mother and child Meeting considers need for a Pre Birth Child Protection Case Conference prior to 28 weeks Meeting considers need for registration and, if unborn child placed on register, protection plan Social Work and Maternity Services in Aberdeen advised of Case Conference decisions in the event that the child is born in Aberdeen Term Childbirth Confirmation to Register Keeper of child s details 10 days Postnatal care If child on the register Case Social Worker to visit family home following discharge from hospital and liase with health colleagues Continuous assessment by all agencies

55 CHILDREN S SERVICES AND THE INTEGRATED DRUG AND ALCOHOL SERVICES CHILD CARE/CHILD PROTECTION REFERRAL PROCEDURES In order to ensure, as far as is possible, the safety and wellbeing of children of substance misusing parents or carers the following procedures should be followed by Children s Services and the Integrated Drug and Alcohol Services. The role of Children s Services Staff Where Social Work staff in Children s Services identify potential or actual risks to children as a consequence of substance misuse by a parent or carer that parent or carer must be referred to the Integrated Drug and Alcohol Service for a service in terms of this protocol The referral should detail not only the nature of any concerns about potential or actual risks as a result of substance misuse but also what action is proposed in response to the concerns pending the outcome of an assessment by the Integrated Drug and Alcohol Service. The date of the referral, the nature of the concerns and the interim action proposed must be recorded in the client record The Children s Services Case Social Worker must ensure that, when involved, the Integrated Drug and Alcohol Service is advised at the earliest opportunity of any developments or changes in circumstances that could have implications for their work with a service user The Children s Services Case Social Worker must ensure that the Integrated Drug and Alcohol Service is invited to be present at any case discussions or multi-agency meetings that could have implications for their work with a service user Non Attendance/Non Compliance When advised by the Integrated Drug and Alcohol Service that a service user has failed to attend appointments or is considered to be failing to comply with advice and guidance Children s Services will: Discuss with the Area Manager or Supervisory Senior Social Worker the need for an early case review in addition to recording in the case file the outcome of this discussion, share that outcome with the Senior Social Worker for the Integrated Drug and Alcohol Service Closure of cases When advised that a case is to be closed by the Integrated Drug and Alcohol Service as a consequence of a failure by the service user/s to attend or to comply with advice and guidance Children s Services will: Discuss with the Area Manager or Supervisory Senior Social Worker the need for an early case review and in addition to recording in the case file the outcome of this discussion share that outcome with the Senior Social Worker for the Integrated Drug and Alcohol Service

56 Ensure that the Case Social Worker is part of the review process conducted by the Senior Social Worker for the Integrated Drug and Alcohol Service. A review process that will whenever possible involve the service user or users Contribute to a risk assessment in regard to the consequences for children of the Service user or users to be prepared by the Integrated Drug and Alcohol Services and used to inform the decision making process Along with the Integrated Drug and Alcohol Service ensure that consideration has been given to alternative interventions such as a referral to other agencies or services Ensure that other appropriate supports, including services provided by Children s Services, are in place which manage the risk to the children The role of Integrated Drug and Alcohol Services Staff Referrals received from Children and Families Services that detail potential or actual child protection concerns as a consequence of substance misuse by a parent or carer will be given the highest priority Where both parents or carers have been referred to the Service every effort will be made to ensure they are offered services simultaneously Referrals will be allocated within 5 working days of receipt The parents or carers will contacted by letter within 3 working days of allocation offering an appointment within 7 working days A Single Shared Assessment will be carried out and where possible be completed at first appointment. An assessment of the risk to children will also be completed at this stage The Single Shared Assessment and the risk assessment will inform the service Action Plan and dictate the level of contact and areas of work to be undertaken The Action Plan will be reviewed on a 6 weekly basis. Children s Services will be advised at the earliest opportunity of any developments that have implications for the care and protection of the children in addition to the outcome of the review Non Attendance/Non Compliance Where a service user fails to attend appointments the Integrated Drug and Alcohol Service will: Immediately advise Children s Services of the default appointment Write to the agency or service that made the referral acknowledging non-attendance and, where Children s Services were not the original source of referral, confirm that Children s Services had been advised of the non-attendance Write to the service user offering a further appointment

57 Where a service user attends appointments but is considered to be failing to comply with advice and guidance the Integrated Drug and Alcohol Service will advise Children's Services and seek an early case review. Closure of cases Where service users fail to attend or to comply with advice and guidance the Integrated Drug and Alcohol Service consideration will be given to closing the case but only after: The case has been reviewed by the Senior Social Worker for the Integrated Drug and Alcohol Service, the Child Care Social Worker and whenever possible the service user or users A risk assessment in regard to the consequences for child/ren of the Service user/s if closure is agreed will be prepared by the Integrated Drug and Alcohol Services and used to inform the decision making process Consideration has been given to alternative interventions such as a referral to other agencies or services It is clear that other appropriate supports, including services provided by Children s Services, are in place which manage the risk to the children

58 Appendix 5 EDUCATION AND SOCIAL CARE <NAME> CHILD PROTECTION REVIEWING OFFICER <ADDRESS> <DATE> 6 MOSS STREET, ELGIN, IV30 1LU Telephone: Fax: <NAME>@moray.gov.uk Website: Our reference: CONFIDENTIAL Dear <NAME(S)> <Child(ren) s Name and DOB> Address: <Child(ren) s Address> Parental Details (Name, DOB, Address) An Initial Child Protection Case Conference in respect of the above child(ren) will be held on <Date> at <Time> and will be held at <Location>. It is important that you arrive prepared and on time for this meeting. This meeting has been convened to give those involved with the child(ren) and/or family an opportunity to reflect on recent or potential child protection concerns and the risk(s) of significant harm, and to consider how those concerns might be addressed. In exceptional circumstances you may ask for a brief closed confidential section at the start of the meeting which will not involve the child(ren) and/or family, however this must be discussed with me in advance of the meeting. Please could your report for the case conference be forwarded to me no later than 2 working days prior to the meeting. The report should give a concise assessment of need and risk for the child(ren) and/or family, and suggestions or recommendations for any protection plan to be made. Please also include your views and reasons regarding whether or not the child(ren) needs to be placed on the Child Protection Register and your contribution to any child s plan to reduce the level of risk. It would be most helpful if you could bring <HOW MANY PROFS. INVITED> copies of your report for distribution to those attending. Please ensure the parents/carer and child(ren), if appropriate, have seen your report and had the opportunity to make comment prior to the case conference.

59 If you are unable to attend please submit your apologies as soon as possible and forward your report as above. Please note that a copy of your report will be shared with all at the meeting including the parents and child, if present. Yours sincerely <Name> Chairperson

60 EDUCATION AND SOCIAL CARE <NAME> CHILD PROTECTION REVIEWING OFFICER <ADDRESS> <DATE> 6 MOSS STREET, ELGIN, IV30 1LU Telephone: Fax: <NAME>@moray.gov.uk Website: Our reference: CONFIDENTIAL Dear <NAME(S)> <Child(ren) s Name and DOB> Address: <Child(ren) s Address> An Initial Child Protection Case Conference in respect of your child(ren) will be held on <Date> at <Time>and will be held at <Location>. This meeting has been convened to give you and those involved with you and/or your child(ren) an opportunity to reflect on recent or potential child protection concerns and to consider how those concerns might be addressed. In very exceptional circumstances there might be a brief closed confidential section at the start of the meeting that will not involve the family. Should this be required you will be informed prior to the start of the meeting. It is important that you attend the Case Conference. This will ensure that you are aware of and able to comment on the concerns that led to the decision to convene a Case Conference. It will also ensure that you are able to contribute to discussions about any action necessary to address concerns about your child(ren). You can, if you wish, provide a brief note that outlines any issues that you believe should be considered by the members of the Case Conference. Yours sincerely <Name> Chairperson Enc: NESCPC Information Leaflet (Information for Parents or Carers attending Case Conferences)

61 EDUCATION AND SOCIAL CARE <NAME> CHILD PROTECTION REVIEWING OFFICER 6 MOSS STREET, ELGIN, IV30 1LU <ADDRESS> <DATE> Telephone: Fax: <NAME>@moray.gov.uk Website: Our reference: CONFIDENTIAL Dear <NAME(S)> <Child(ren) s Name and DOB> Address: <Child(ren) s Address> I write as Chairperson of a recent <Initial / Review delete as appropriate> Case Conference held on <Date> and convened under the North East of Scotland Child Protection Procedures to consider the circumstances of <Child(rens) Name>. The decision of the <Initial / Review delete as appropriate> Case Conference was that <Child(ren) s Name> name will be placed on the Child Protection Register. The full minute will be forwarded to you when completed. Yours sincerely <Name> Chairperson

62 EDUCATION AND SOCIAL CARE <WRITERS NAME> <WRITERS JOB TITLE> <WRITERS FULL OFFICE ADDRESS <ADDRESS> <DATE> Telephone: <INSERT EXHANGE NO.> Fax: <INSERT EXHANGE NO.> Website: Our reference: CONFIDENTIAL Dear <Referrer s Name> Thank you for your recent telephone call concerning <child s name>. I am writing to confirm that your concerns have been recorded and that Social Work staff will investigate them further. If you have any further concerns relating to the protection or welfare of a child, please do not hesitate to contact the Duty Social Worker again on the above number. Yours sincerely <Senior Social Worker s Name> Senior Social Worker

63 EDUCATION AND SOCIAL CARE <NAME> CHILD PROTECTION REVIEWING OFFICER 6 MOSS STREET, ELGIN, IV30 1LU <ADDRESS> <DATE> Telephone: Fax: <NAME>@moray.gov.uk Website: Our reference: CONFIDENTIAL Dear <Parent/Carer s Name> <Child(ren) s Name and DOB> Address: <Child(ren) s Address> I am writing to give you formal notification of the outcome of the recent Child Protection Enquiry that was held in respect of your child(ren). Having assessed all of the available information, no further enquiries or actions are considered to be necessary. Thank you for your co-operation. I know that you may have found the process of our enquiries quite stressful and if you wish to discuss any aspect of our involvement with you and your family, please do not hesitate to contact me. Yours sincerely <Senior Social Worker s Name> Senior Social Worker

64 EDUCATION AND SOCIAL CARE <NAME> CHILD PROTECTION REVIEWING OFFICER 6 MOSS STREET, ELGIN, IV30 1LU <ADDRESS> <DATE> Telephone: Fax: <NAME>@moray.gov.uk Website: Our reference: CONFIDENTIAL Dear <Referrer s Name> <Child(ren) s Name and DOB> Address: <Child(ren) s Address> The referral/concern passed to us by <Referrers Name> on <Date> has resulted in the following outcome: <Brief Description of Outcome within Bounds of Confidentiality> If you have any queries in respect of this, please contact me on the telephone number above. Thank you for your assistance. Yours sincerely <Senior Social Worker s Name> Senior Social Worker

65 EDUCATION AND SOCIAL CARE <NAME> CHILD PROTECTION REVIEWING OFFICER 6 MOSS STREET, ELGIN, IV30 1LU <ADDRESS> <DATE> Telephone: Fax: <NAME>@moray.gov.uk Website: Our reference: CONFIDENTIAL Dear <NAME(S)> <Child(ren) s Name and DOB> Address: <Child(ren) s Address> Parental Details (Name, DOB, Address) A Review Child Protection Case Conference in respect of the above child(ren) will be held on <Date> at <Time> and will be held at <Location>. It is important that you arrive prepared and on time for this meeting. This meeting has been convened to give you and those involved with the child(ren) and/or family an opportunity to review the Protection Plan agreed at the previous Case Conference In exceptional circumstances you may ask for a brief closed confidential section at the start of the meeting which will not involve the child(ren) and/or family, however this must be discussed with me in advance of the meeting. Please could your report for the case conference be forwarded to me no later than 5 working days prior to the meeting. The report should detail the nature and extent of your contact with the child(ren)/family and any progress made in addressing the risks of significant harm. It should also reflect any information you believe has implications for the care and protection needs of the child(ren) along with parent/carer and child(rens) views. Please also include your views and reasons regarding whether or not the child(rens) name(s) should remain or be removed from the Child Protection Register and your contribution to the child s plan to reduce the level of risk. It would be most helpful if you would bring <HOW MANY PROF. INVITED> copies of your report for distribution to those attending. Please ensure the parents/carer and child(ren), if

66 appropriate, have seen your report and had the opportunity to make comment prior to the case conference. If you are unable to attend please submit your apologies as soon as possible and forward your report as above. Please note that a copy of your report will be shared with all at the meeting including the parents and child, if present. Yours sincerely <Name> Chairperson

67 EDUCATION AND SOCIAL CARE <NAME> CHILD PROTECTION REVIEWING OFFICER 6 MOSS STREET, ELGIN, IV30 1LU <ADDRESS> <DATE> Telephone: Fax: <NAME>@moray.gov.uk Website: Our reference: Dear <NAME(S)> <Child(ren) s Name and DOB> Address: <Child(ren) s Address> A Review Child Protection Case Conference in respect of your child(ren) will be held on <Date> at <Time> and will be held at <Location>. This meeting has been convened to give those involved with you and your child(ren) an opportunity to review the Protection Plan agreed at the previous Case Conference. In very exceptional circumstances there might be a brief closed confidential section at the start of the meeting that will not involve the family. Should this be required you will be informed prior to the start of the meeting. It is important that you attend the Case Conference as this will ensure that you are aware of and able to comment on any issues raised. It will also ensure that you are able to contribute to discussions about the action necessary to address any concerns about your child(ren). You can, if you wish, provide a brief note that outlines any issues that you believe should be considered by the members of the Case Conference. Yours sincerely <Name>Chairperson

68 EDUCATION AND SOCIAL CARE To: Investigating Social Worker Date: From: <Area Manager> <Central/North/East/West delete as appropriate> Our Ref: Cc Reviewing Officer, Child Protection Your Ref: Telephone: PRIVATE & CONFIDENTIAL Acknowledgement of Child Protection Referral Name of Child/ren: <Name(s)> Further to our discussions I have decided that an <Initial/Review delete as appropriate> Child Protection Case Conference: Is necessary in this instance. Please forward list of participants to the to the Child Protection Review Officer. Secretary Is not necessary in this instance for the following reasons: Advice and information will be provided and no further action will be required. The family are to be referred to another agency <name of agency>. Further information from the family or others is required. A service will be provided <name service>. An assessment of the child(ren) s and family s need(s) to inform further decisions has to be undertaken. Proceeding to investigation after consultation with Police, Health or other agencies under local Child Protection Procedures.

69 The child(ren) appear(s) to have been a victim and a joint investigation has to undertaken. be Referral has to be made to the Reporter. If you have any queries in relation to the above, please contact me. I have copied this to the Reviewing Officer who will contact you to arrange a date for the Case Conference.

70 Appendix 6 INVITATION TO INTITAL / REVIEW CPCC Create finish and save print Create and print a CPCC Invitation form as follows: Open the Client s record Click on the Show Main Menu icon Open the CareAssess folder Click on Assessments to open the screen Click to create a new Invitation form on the Client s record Complete fields as necessary Click The new Invitation form will open on screen Complete the form giving as much detail as possible The form is broken down into sections for ease of use

71 The form contains one mandatory question used to create an Activity on the child s record as well as on the Worker s desktop. Once all required information has been entered click on Finish and Save Complete the Authorisation Screen Mandatory Fields: End Date; Priority; Outcome; Completed By

72 Refer to the Main Menu Click on Assessment Report to open the screen The Assessment Report will display Complete Assessment Report fields as necessary: 1. The Client s ID is displayed 2. The Invitation that you wish to print should be displayed. However, if a different one is displayed click on the to select the one that you wish to print 3. You may select Large Font if the Client is Visually Impaired 4. All Sections is highlighted and this will print the whole form. However, if you only wish to print a particular Section you may make your choice by clicking on the and highlighting the Section. You may select more than one section by pressing the Ctrl key on your keyboard.

73 5. Change the User Notes from None to what you require 6. Click in the to tick the box if you wish to print Hints 7. Click in the to tick the box if you wish to print Outcome Details 8. Click in the to tick the box if you do not wish to print the Client s Name and Address Click on The following message will appear: The Invitation form will display Refer to the top right of the screen to locate the Word icon Click on the Word icon to generate the report for printing. The following message will display: Click on A Word version of the Invitation will display Print the Invitation in the usual way that you would print a Word document Close Word by clicking on the located at the top right corner of the screen