2.6 The final outcome is recorded on the Referral Record, with a rational for this decision. The referral will be discussed with the child (as appropriate) and his/her parents/carers and the proposed action from the service in response to this referral unless there are safeguarding concerns when a strategy meeting will make this decision. The SSW will acknowledge the referral and feedback to the referrer and other professionals (if appropriate) within the 48 hours informing the referrer in writing of the decisions made and action to be taken in response to the referral. A case note is added to the child’s carefirst record to confirm this has taken place. Front Door Audit A STRATEGY MEETING/DISCUSSION Practice Standards Please read in conjunction with procedures in the children’s manual 3.1 Strategy discussion/meeting must involve Children’s Social care, the Police and health to be quorate. The strategy should also include the referring agency and other agencies, in particular the child nursery/school. The reason for the strategy meeting/discussion is recorded. The tasks of the strategy meeting/discussion are to: Share available information Decide whether Section 47 enquiry/Social Work Assessment should be initiated Agree the conduct and timing of any criminal investigation Plan how the Section 47 enquiry should be undertaken, including the need for medical treatment Agree any action required to secure the immediate safety of the child Determine what information will be shared with the family Determine if legal action needs to be considered A strategy meeting/discussion takes place on the same day as the referral is received under the following circumstances: For allegations/concerns indicating serious risk to the child For allegations of penetrative sexual abuse Where immediate action is required For allegations against staff that may result in disciplinary procedures In other circumstances a strategy meeting / discussion should take place in sufficient time to protect the child and be within a maximum of 2 working days of referral. Where the concerns are particularly complex e.g. organised abuse, a Strategy Discussion/Meeting must be held within a maximum of 5 working days, but sooner if there is a need to provide immediate protection to a child. Front Door audits
Private Fostering 13.1 Childrens Placement Service are responsible for private fostering arrangements including the reviewing of care provision. A social worker from Case Management will be allocated if the child in private foster care, is also a Child in Need Private Fostering applies to children under age 16 or 18 with a disability, who is planned to live with friends or non-close relatives for more than 28 days. See Private Fostering Procedure – Children’s Manual CARE PLANNING 14.1 The process of a child becoming looked after will wherever possible, be planned and child focussed. Where, through a child protection enquiry, it becomes apparent that a child is at immediate risk of significant harm, an emergency placement should be sought to secure the child’s safety. Wherever possible, a child’s admission into care should be on a planned basis, with the child being able to visit his/her prospective placement and meet carers and a placement planning meeting held to agree the arrangements. This will minimise the potential harm and distress to the child upon separation from his/her parents. If immediate placement with a family member is made, a viability assessment must be undertaken and safeguarding checks completed . This is followed by a Regulation 24 Assessment by the CPS (Children’s Placement Services) Social Worker and is to be completed within 16 weeks of placement, which is approved by the Team Manager in CPS. Child Journey – Management Decision 14.3 Children should receive a transparent service and know their rights to complain and see any records. Children should be provided with information relating to their placement, advocacy and independent visitor services and these should be discussed with the child to ensure s/he is aware of their rights and services available to them. IRO will ask at the first LAC review whether the child has received this information. Child must be provided with information upon becoming looked after The Care Plan outlines the wishes and views of the child/young person and his/her parent/carer Children and their birth families are important partners in the care planning process in line with statutory requirements. The wishes and views of the child and PR holder are clearly recorded in case notes. Audit Child Journey Child Voice Section 1
CASE SUPERVISION B.1 Regular management oversight is required on all cases. This may be reflected as a formal case supervision or as a management decision. Frequency of case discussion: In depth reflective supervision should take place on each case, two times during a 6 month period. Management decisions are made at key points as required and are captured as an observation for example: allocation of assessment, authorising assessment, actions following significant events, recommendations for conference. Child Journey Audits, and Supervision Audit B.2 Records of cases to be supervised in depth should be reviewed by the manager either prior or during the case supervision Both Social Workers and managers have a responsibility to identify cases they want to discuss in supervision In order to effectively supervise a case, managers must prepare for case supervision by reviewing the child’s record to appraise themselves of the up to date circumstances regarding the child, to quality assure the standards of practice and to be reassured that the intervention with the child is outcome focused and complies with procedures. Case managers should prepare for supervision by completing the first part of the supervision record in advance, highlighting significant issues and changes in circumstances. A case supervision record is completed each time the case is supervised and explicitly details: Significant events since last supervision Actions completed as required by the last supervision session Reflections and Analysis from the discussion Any key decisions made Actions to be taken by Social Worker with timescales This is stored on the Child’s file. Supervision Audit B.5 Supervision Audit