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1. Context - These procedures have been drawn up from the government: Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023. These procedures have been written in such a way as to encourage closer working between agencies regarding the assessment of need, the planning and the delivery of services. The purpose be1.1 Introduction to the Manual
3. Accessing Guidance and Protocols - Where there is relevant government guidance on a particular issue, reference is made to it in the procedure chapter and a link provided to the relevant website.1.1 Introduction to the Manual
4. Relevant Staff - The contents of this manual are for application by staff in the following agencies with responsibilities for children in Surrey. Surrey Children's and Safeguarding Service; Surrey Police Service and the Transport Police; All Health Services and Health Professionals; County Council Services1.1 Introduction to the Manual
5. Terminology - A glossary of terms which have a technical significance or for which abbreviations may be used in the text, is provided in the Keywords Appendix, which can be accessed from the left hand menu.1.1 Introduction to the Manual
2. Relationship of Policy, Procedure and Guidance - Policy The Surrey Safeguarding Children Partnership Policy is articulated in the Policy Principles and Values Procedure. If necessary, agencies may develop supplementary 'internal' policies which represent higher standards or which reflect an agency-specific contribution to safeguarding ch2.1 Policy, Principles and Values
1. Introduction - The work of Surrey Safeguarding Children Partnership (SSCP) is part of the wider context of integrated services for children that aim to improve the overall well-being of all children living in the area. Safeguarding Children Boards were established under the Children Act 2004, as part of2.1 Policy, Principles and Values
2. Key Principles and Values - Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is defined as: Protecting children from maltreatment; Preventing impairment of children’s health and development; Ensuring that children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care; Taking action to2.1 Policy, Principles and Values
3. Race, Ethnicity and Culture - Children and families from black and minority ethnic groups may be suffering from, or to have experience of racial abuse. This form of abuse can cause Significant Harm and, when it is known to be occurring, could mean the child and or family concerned will be in need of services or protect2.2 Surrey Safeguarding Children Partnership
7. Annual Report - Safeguarding partners must jointly report on the activity they have undertaken in a 12-month period. That reporting should be transparent and easily accessible to families and professionals. The focus of these reports should be on multi-agency priorities, learning, impact, evidence, and im2.2 Surrey Safeguarding Children Partnership
The Children Act 2004 required each local authority to establish a Safeguarding Children Board. Safeguarding Children Boards were replaced by Safeguarding Children Partnerships in 2019 with statutory responsibility for safeguarding arrangements being led by the local authority, the polic2.2 Surrey Safeguarding Children Partnership
6. Annual Business Plan - The SSCP produces an annual business plan setting out the priorities for the SSCP. The Business Plan is approved by the SSCP. The agreed plan forms the basis of activity planning within the SSCP sub groups and regular reporting of progress towards targets.2.2 Surrey Safeguarding Children Partnership
5. Structure - To assist the SSCP with its objectives the SSCP has a supporting structure and the Terms of Reference for each of the groups are available through the SSCP website. Structure and Sub-Groups - Surrey Safeguarding Children Partnership2.2 Surrey Safeguarding Children Partnership
4. Strategic leadership and accountability - As stated in Working Together 23, Strong, joined-up leadership and clear accountability is critical to effective multi-agency safeguarding, bringing together the various organisations and agencies. It is therefore important that the head of each statutory safeguarding partner agency plays2.2 Surrey Safeguarding Children Partnership
3. Accountability - Whilst the SSCP has a role in coordinating and ensuring the effectiveness of local individuals’ and organisations’ work to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, it is not accountable for their operational work. Each safeguarding partner retains its own existing lines of accoun2.2 Surrey Safeguarding Children Partnership
2. Scope of the Role - SSCP’s role includes the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of Children; this is defined in Working Together 2023 as: providing help and support to meet the needs of children as soon as problems emerge protecting children from maltreatment, whether that is within or outside the home2.2 Surrey Safeguarding Children Partnership
1. Role and Functions - The Surrey Safeguarding Children Partnership (SSCP) is the key statutory mechanism for agreeing how the relevant organisations in Surrey will co-operate to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and to ensure the effectiveness of what the member organisations do individually and col2.3 Agency Roles and Responsibilities
14. Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service - The responsibility of the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), as set out in the Children Act 1989, is to safeguard and promote the welfare of individual children who are the subject of family court proceedings. This is through the provision of independent soci2.3 Agency Roles and Responsibilities
21. Children’s homes - The registered person of a children’s home, including Secure Children’s Homes must have regard to the Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards (April 2015), in interpreting and meeting the Regulations. The Guide covers the quality standards for chil2.3 Agency Roles and Responsibilities
22. Channel panels - The Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 contains a duty on specified authorities in England, Wales, and Scotland to have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism. Children can be vulnerable to the influences of extremism which could lead to radicalisatio2.3 Agency Roles and Responsibilities
Reviewed June 20192.3 Agency Roles and Responsibilities
18. Sports Clubs/Organisations - There are many sports clubs and organisations, including voluntary and private sector providers that deliver a wide range of sporting activities to children. Some of these will be community amateur sports clubs, some will be charities. All should have the arrangements described in this cha2.3 Agency Roles and Responsibilities
17. Children's Homes - The registered person of a children’s home must have regard to the Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards (April 2015), in interpreting and meeting the Regulations. The Guide covers the quality standards for children’s homes, which set out the aspi2.3 Agency Roles and Responsibilities
19. Multi-agency public protection arrangements - Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) is the set of arrangements through which the Police, Probation and Prison Services (known as the Responsible Authority) work together with other agencies to manage the risks posed by violent, sexual and terrorism offenders living in the c2.3 Agency Roles and Responsibilities
16. Voluntary Charity, Social Enterprise, Faith-based Organisations and Private Sectors - Voluntary, charity, social enterprise (VCSE) and private sector organisations and agencies play an important role in safeguarding children through the services they deliver. Some of these will work with particular communities, with different races and faith communities, and deliver via hea2.3 Agency Roles and Responsibilities
15. The Armed Services - Local authorities have the statutory responsibility for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children of service families in the UK, in discharging these responsibilities: where a local authority requires input from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) in relation to safeguarding review2.3 Agency Roles and Responsibilities
20. Serious violence duty - The Serious Violence Duty was introduced as part of the Police Crime Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 and requires specified authorities namely police, Justice (Probation and YOTs), Fire and Rescue Service, Health (ICBs) in England, and Local Health Boards in Wales, and local authorities to2.3 Agency Roles and Responsibilities
13. UK Visas and Immigration (Formerly The United Kingdom Border Agency) - Section 55 of the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009 places upon the Secretary of State a duty to make arrangements to take account of the need to safeguard and promote the welfare of children in discharging functions relating to immigration, asylum, nationality and customs. The2.3 Agency Roles and Responsibilities
3. Early Years and Childcare - Early years providers have a duty under section 40 of the Childcare Act 2006 to comply with the welfare requirements of the early years foundation stage (EYFS). Early years providers must ensure that: they are alert to any issues of concern in the child’s life they implement policies an2.3 Agency Roles and Responsibilities
8. British Transport Police - The British Transport Police (BTP) is subject to the section 11 duties set out in this chapter. In its role as the national police for the railways, the BTP can provide a useful insight beyond the geographical footprint of local authority areas. They also play an important role in safeguar2.3 Agency Roles and Responsibilities
7. Housing Services - Housing and homelessness services in local authorities and others, such as environmental health organisations, are subject to the section 11 duties set out in this chapter. Practitioners working in these services may become aware of conditions that could have or are having an adverse impa2.3 Agency Roles and Responsibilities
6. Adult Social Care Services - Local authorities provide services to adults who are themselves responsible for children who may be in need. These services are subject to the section 11 duties set out in this chapter. When staff are providing services to adults, they should ask whether there are children in the family an2.3 Agency Roles and Responsibilities
10. The Probation Service - The Probation Service is a statutory criminal justice agency that supervises adult offenders serving community sentences, or who are subject to licensed supervision following release from custody. Probation staff also deliver resettlement work in prisons, undertake pre-sentence assessments2.3 Agency Roles and Responsibilities
5. Police - The police are one of the three statutory safeguarding partners as set out in chapter 2 and are subject to the section 11 duties set out in this chapter. Under section 1(8)(h) of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011, the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) must hold the Chi2.3 Agency Roles and Responsibilities
12. Youth Offending Teams - Youth Offending Teams (YOTs) are subject to the section 11 duties set out in this chapter. YOTs are multi-agency teams responsible for the supervision of children subject to pre-court interventions and statutory court disposals. They are therefore well placed to identify children known to2.3 Agency Roles and Responsibilities
4. Health - ICBs are one of the three statutory safeguarding partners as set out in chapter 2. NHS organisations and agencies are subject to the section 11 duties set out in this chapter. Health practitioners are in a strong position to identify welfare needs or safeguarding concerns regarding individ2.3 Agency Roles and Responsibilities
2. Schools, colleges and other educational providers - The following have duties in relation to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children: governing bodies of maintained schools (including maintained nursery schools), and colleges which includes providers of post 16 Education as set out in the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Le2.3 Agency Roles and Responsibilities
1. Organisational Responsibilities - Section 11 of the Children Act 2004 Places duties on a range of organisations, agencies, and individuals to ensure their functions, and any services that they contract out to others, are discharged having regard to the need to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. Section 11 place2.3 Agency Roles and Responsibilities
11. The Secure Estate for Children - Governors, managers, directors and principals of the following secure establishments are subject to the section 11 duties set out in this chapter: secure training centres young offender institutions . Each centre holding those aged under 18 should have in place an annually reviewed safeg2.3 Agency Roles and Responsibilities
9. Prison Service - The Prison Service, including privately managed prisons, is subject to the section 11 duties set out in this chapter. Prison staff have a responsibility to initiate or follow up a child safeguarding enquiry with children’s services at the earliest opportunity for all newly sentenced pri2.4 Information Sharing
4. Sharing Information Where There are Concerns About Significant Harm - Professionals who work with, or have contact with children, parents or adults in contact with children, should always share information with Surrey Children's Services where they have reasonable cause to suspect that a child may be suffering or may be at risk of suffering significant harm.2.4 Information Sharing
3. Seven Golden Rules for Information Sharing - The HM Government guidance Information sharing advice for safeguarding practitioners (July 2018) provides seven golden rules for Information Sharing; Remember that the Data Protection Act is not a barrier to sharing information but provides a framework to ensure that personal information a2.4 Information Sharing
2. Agency Responsibility Under Children Act 2004 - The statutory guidance on Section 11 of the Children Act 2004 states that in order to safeguard and promote children's welfare, the agencies covered by Section 11 should make arrangements to ensure that: All professionals in contact with children understand what to do and the most effectiv2.4 Information Sharing
RELEVANT READING Information sharing advice for safeguarding practitioners July 20182.4 Information Sharing
Myth-busting guide to information sharing - Sharing information enables practitioners and agencies to identify and provide appropriate services that safeguard and promote the welfare of children. Below are common myths that may hinder effective information sharing. Data protection legislation is a barrier to sharing informationNo2.4 Information Sharing
1. Introduction - This procedure should be read in conjunction with HM Government Information sharing: Information sharing advice for safeguarding practitioners July 2018 and Surrey County Council Multi Agency Information Sharing Protocol for Surrey and How to sign up to the three tiers of the informati3.1 Recruitment, Supervision and Training of Staff
The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) was established under the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 and merges the functions previously carried out by the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA). The relevant legislation is set out in the Protection of Fr3.1 Recruitment, Supervision and Training of Staff
6. General Training - All professionals including staff in the private and voluntary sectors, require a general awareness of known indicators and predisposing factors of abuse as well as (role specific) detailed knowledge of agreed policies and procedures. All front line staff must be trained to pass calls abou3.1 Recruitment, Supervision and Training of Staff
1. General Recruitment Process - So as to minimise the risk of employing or engaging an individual who poses a predictable risk to them, all agencies should consider, with respect to candidates who will be working with children (either in a paid or unpaid capacity): Methodically applying techniques which are accepted as3.1 Recruitment, Supervision and Training of Staff
2. Choice of Candidate - Quality of Job Description & Person Specification Agencies should develop detailed internal procedures which clarify allocation of ‘human resource’ tasks outlined below. Job advertisements, application forms, job descriptions and person specifications should reflect professional pr3.1 Recruitment, Supervision and Training of Staff
3. Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Checks - The Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 sets out the foundation for the Disclosure and Barring Service. It has an Independent Barring Board (IBB) with responsibility for taking barring decisions on new referrals and the management of two barred lists which replaced List 99, PoCA and PoVA Lists3.1 Recruitment, Supervision and Training of Staff
4. Induction and Review - For all staff working with children, including locum and agency staff, their induction should include child protection induction as outlined in the Surrey Safeguarding Children Partnership Training Strategy. Where appropriate, supplementary induction, supervision training and appraisal wit3.1 Recruitment, Supervision and Training of Staff
5. Supervision, Principles and Functions, and Support - Good supervision is based on a relationship which is working well and should provide a safe environment for critical reflection, challenge and professional support ensuring competent accountable practice. There are four main functions of good supervision: Competent accountable performance3.1 Recruitment, Supervision and Training of Staff
7. Equality and Diversity Training - All operational staff must routinely be provided with opportunities for basic and comprehensive anti-discriminatory training. Such training must be rooted in recognition of the diversity of families and communities in Surrey and respect for the differing approaches to child care that this3.1 Recruitment, Supervision and Training of Staff
8. Reporting Systems for Unsuitable Staff - Each agency must have a nominated/named ‘human resource' or service manager whose responsibilities include reporting to the Disclosure and Barring Service and relevant professional body, any member of staff who (following an enquiry) it concludes to be unsuitable to work with children.3.1 Recruitment, Supervision and Training of Staff
9. Whistle Blowing - Staff, through fears about repercussions, may find it difficult to raise child protection concerns about colleagues or managers. Each agency should ensure the provision of a well-publicised ‘whistle blowing’ or ‘speak out’ procedure using a direct specialist telephone line, that pr3.2 Managing allegations against people that work or volunteer with children
8. Outcomes following an investigation - The following definitions should be used when determining the outcome of allegation investigations: Substantiated allegations There is sufficient evidence to prove the allegation that a child has been harmed or there is a risk of harm. If the facts of the incident are found to be true but3.2 Managing allegations against people that work or volunteer with children
9. Substantiated outcomes - Referral to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) The DBS was established under the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 and merges the functions previously carried out by the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA). The relevant legislation is set out in t3.2 Managing allegations against people that work or volunteer with children
RELEVANT GUIDANCE Proformas for use when managing allegations Surrey LADO referral form Risk assessment template Summary of Child Protection Allegation/Concern to be kept on Personnel File.3.2 Managing allegations against people that work or volunteer with children
3. Managing allegations flowchart - LADO service contact pathway3.2 Managing allegations against people that work or volunteer with children
1. Introduction - Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) - The LADO Service manages allegations against individuals who work or volunteer with children in Surrey. The LADO Team is guided by specific legislation and Statutory Guidance, in particular: The Children Act 1989 The Children Act 1989 places3.2 Managing allegations against people that work or volunteer with children
4. Relevant statutory guidance - Working Together to Safeguard Children: Statutory guidance on inter-agency working to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. Available at: GOV.UK - Working together to safeguard children 2023 and Transition Guidance Detailed guidance can be found for schools and all educationa3.2 Managing allegations against people that work or volunteer with children
5. Roles and responsibilities - Roles and responsibilities for all organisations Each organisation providing a service to children and families must have its own written policy on how it manages child safeguarding concerns so that staff, children and families know how to identify and report abuse and neglect. The poli3.2 Managing allegations against people that work or volunteer with children
2. Allegations dealt with by these procedures - Definition These procedures should be applied when there is an allegation that any person who works in regulated activities with children, in connection with their employment or voluntary activity, with the children’s workforce. These procedures also apply to independent contractors such3.2 Managing allegations against people that work or volunteer with children
6. Responding to an allegation or concern - the role of the employer - An allegation or concern raised about a member of staff may arise from a number of sources, for example, a report from a child, a concern raised by another adult in the organisation, or a complaint by a parent. It may also arise in the context of the member of staff and their life outside3.2 Managing allegations against people that work or volunteer with children
10. Disciplinary or suitability process and investigations - The LADO and the employer should discuss whether disciplinary action is appropriate where: It is clear at the outset or decided by a meeting / discussion that a police investigation or LA children's social care enquiry is not necessary; Or The employer or the LADO is informed by the po3.2 Managing allegations against people that work or volunteer with children
11. General responsibilites when investigating an allegation - Support to the child and family involved The organisation, together with LA children's social care and / or police, where they are involved, should consider the impact on the child concerned and provide support as appropriate. Liaison between the agencies should take place in order to ensu3.2 Managing allegations against people that work or volunteer with children
12. Professional dispute and complaints - Surrey LADO team have a duty to support and guide all external and partnership agencies in addressing issues or concerns pertaining to a worker, paid or unpaid who may be alleged to have behaved in a way that has harmed a child, or may have harmed a child a child or failed to protect a c3.2 Managing allegations against people that work or volunteer with children
7. The role of the LADO - Initial consideration of an allegation by the Senior Manager and the LADO Deciding whether it is an allegation of harm or a concern All concerns reported to the LADO should be assessed to determine whether the threshold for an allegation of harm has been met. In Surrey CC, there is a t4.10 Implementing the Child Protection Plan, Core Group and Allocated Social Worker Role
5. Children's Services Team Manager Role - The Team Manager has a vital role in managing the progress of the child/family’s situation and supporting the Allocated Social Worker. The manager should: Read and countersign all significant recordings, assessments, and decisions on the child's file / electronic record, including the ch4.10 Implementing the Child Protection Plan, Core Group and Allocated Social Worker Role
4. Allocated Social Worker Role - At every Initial or pre-birth Conference, where a decision is made that a child should be the subject of a Child Protection Plan, the conference record will identify the Allocated Social Worker. This section includes information on statutory visits. Note: The allocated social worker should4.10 Implementing the Child Protection Plan, Core Group and Allocated Social Worker Role
7. Intervention - Intervention must be provided to give the child and family the best opportunities of achieving the required changes, identifying, and developing the strengths within the family. If a child cannot be cared for safely at home, (s)he will need to be placed elsewhere whilst work is undertaken4.10 Implementing the Child Protection Plan, Core Group and Allocated Social Worker Role
6. Further Assessment - The social worker and Team Manager must, in every supervision session, consider the needs and risks to the child and identification of any further Interventions and /or specialist assessments/ involvement of adult specialist practitioners Further assessments and interventions may be helpfu4.1 Statutory Framework for Working with Children in Need and their Families
9. Children and Social Work Act 2017 - The Children Act 2004, as amended by the Children and Social Work Act 2017, strengthens this already important relationship by placing new duties on key agencies in a local area. Specifically the police, clinical commissioning groups and the local authority are under a duty to make arrange4.10 Implementing the Child Protection Plan, Core Group and Allocated Social Worker Role
8. Professional Disagreement about Implementation of a Child Protection Plan - Concern or disagreement may arise over another professional's decisions, actions or lack of actions in the implementation of the Child Protection Plan, including Core Group meetings. Additionally, where a professional in any agency has concerns about the response of another agency, it is e4.10 Implementing the Child Protection Plan, Core Group and Allocated Social Worker Role
11. Death of Child Subject to a Child Protection Plan - When a child who is subject to a Child Protection Plan dies, from whatever cause, the Allocated Social Worker or her/his manager must immediately complete a Cause for Concern Notification’ Children's Services 3645 and inform the Assistant Director who in turn will inform the Director of4.10 Implementing the Child Protection Plan, Core Group and Allocated Social Worker Role
10. Unallocated Child Protection Children and Families - Priority Status All children on child protection plans must be allocated to a named social worker, and this should be awarded the highest priority. Directors of Children's Services are professionally accountable for ensuring that there are sufficient human resources to provide the required4.10 Implementing the Child Protection Plan, Core Group and Allocated Social Worker Role
9. Possible Injuries or Health Concerns to Children who are Subject to a Child Protection Plan - If a child is subject of a Child Protection Plan experiences new injuries a strategy meeting should be considered and should always include input from health professionals within the strategy meeting. All new injuries or inconclusive conclusions following a Section 47 enquiry, must be disc4.10 Implementing the Child Protection Plan, Core Group and Allocated Social Worker Role
3. Formulation of Child Protection Plan - Working Together to Safeguard Children states that: “Social Workers with their managers should develop the outline child protection plan into a more detailed inter-agency plan and circulate to relevant professionals (and family where appropriate)” Chapter 1 ‘Processes for managing in4.1 Statutory Framework for Working with Children in Need and their Families
5. Carers (Recognition and Services) Act 1995 - This Act requires an assessment in respect of the needs of a disabled child to include an assessment of her or his carers' ability to provide care to the child, if the carer requests that it should do so. The Act also provides for children who act as carers to persons being assessed under4.10 Implementing the Child Protection Plan, Core Group and Allocated Social Worker Role
12. Guidance on Children and Young People Subject to a Child Protection Plan that Travel within and Outside of the UK - See: Practice Guidance in Regard to Children and young People Subject to a Child Protection Plan that Travel Within and Outside the United Kingdom.4.1 Statutory Framework for Working with Children in Need and their Families
7. Carers (Equal Opportunities) Act 2004 - Section 1 means that Local Authorities have a legal duty to inform carers of their right to a carers' assessment. This may be undertaken as part of the Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and their Families provided that information about the carer's own needs are captured alo4.1 Statutory Framework for Working with Children in Need and their Families
1. Children Act 1989 - The Act gives a broad definition of children in need in Section 17 (10): (S)he is unlikely to achieve or maintain, or to have the opportunity of achieving or maintaining, a reasonable standard of health or development without the provision for him of services by a Local Authority under thi4.1 Statutory Framework for Working with Children in Need and their Families
2. Children Act 2004 - As a result of amendments made by the Children Act 2004, any assessment of a child (including a young carer) must, amongst other things: Ascertain the child's wishes and feelings regarding the provision of such services as the Local Authority is proposing to make available; and Give due co4.1 Statutory Framework for Working with Children in Need and their Families
3. Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970 - This Act requires a Local Authority to provide services to disabled persons, including children to meet their assessed needs.4.1 Statutory Framework for Working with Children in Need and their Families
4. Disabled Persons (Services, Consultation and Representation) Act 1986 - Section 8 of the Disabled Persons (Services, Consultation and Representation) Act 1986 requires the Local Authority to have regard to the ability of a carer to provide or continue to provide when deciding what services to provide to the disabled person.4.10 Implementing the Child Protection Plan, Core Group and Allocated Social Worker Role
1. Introduction - The Liquid logic Children’s System provides for the use of a 'child's plan' for all Children in Need who are not being looked after or leaving care. Children's Services is responsible for ensuring these plans are developed and implemented. A child's plan should identify how the following4.1 Statutory Framework for Working with Children in Need and their Families
6. Carers and Disabled Children Act 2000 - This Act established additional services that can be provided to the families of disabled children under the Children Act 1989 through use of direct payments and carer break vouchers.4.10 Implementing the Child Protection Plan, Core Group and Allocated Social Worker Role
2. Core Group - Also see: Core Group Checklist. Responsibilities The first Core Group is to be chaired by the allocated social worker. If judged by a team manager to be a complex core group meeting, and/or where the child is subject to a repeat child protection plan, team manager to chair the first core4.1 Statutory Framework for Working with Children in Need and their Families
8. The Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and their Families (DoH et al, 2000) - The Assessment Framework provides a systematic multi-agency approach to analyse and record what is happening to a child within their family and the wider context of the community in which they live. The assessment stages involve gathering and analysing information about the three domains o4.11 Children on Child Protection Plans who Move Abroad
SCOPE OF THIS CHAPTER This chapter should be read in conjunction with Children Missing from Care and Home Procedure and the Child Protection Review Conference procedure AMENDMENT This chapter replaced the previous version in February 2014 and should be read in its entirety. Local agenci4.12 Child Protection Review Conferences
7. Outcomes - Every Child Protection Review Conference must consider explicitly whether the child continues to be likely to suffer Significant Harm and therefore continues to need safeguarding through a formal Child Protection Plan. If not, then the child should no longer be the subject of a Child Prote4.12 Child Protection Review Conferences
1. Booking a Review Conference - The Safeguarding Children Unit Admin Team will contact the Lead Social Worker via email six weeks before the conference date in order for the Lead Social Worker to duly complete/amend the SCS91 and then return to the Safeguarding Children Unit Admin Team so that they can send out the invit4.12 Child Protection Review Conferences
2. Purpose - The purpose of a Child Protection Review Conference is to: Receive the completed assessment from the Core Group at the first review (within 3 months of the Initial Child Protection Conference); Review the safety, health and development of the child against planned outcomes set out in the C4.12 Child Protection Review Conferences
3. Frequency - Except in relation to newborn children - see Pre-Birth Child Protection Procedure, the first Child Protection Review Conference must be held within 10 weeks of the date of the Initial Child Protection Conference. Further reviews must be held at intervals of not more than 5 months, for as l4.12 Child Protection Review Conferences
4. Reports - The Lead Social Worker must provide to the conference a typed, signed and dated written report including a chronology of significant events, which must be endorsed and counter signed by her/his manager. Information on all children in the household must be provided and the report must be cl4.12 Child Protection Review Conferences
5. Attendance - Attendees should include those most involved with the child and family in the same way as at an Initial Child Protection Conference. See Initial Child Protection Conferences Procedure.4.12 Child Protection Review Conferences
6. Administration - The Safeguarding Children Unit will administer all Child Protection Review Conferences in the same way as for Initial Child Protection Conferences, including providing Conference Chairs, the sending of invitations (other than to parents and children) and completion of the record of the con4.12 Child Protection Review Conferences
8. Recording of Review Conferences - The record of the Review Conference must be prepared, authorised by the Chair and distributed in the same way as for Initial Child Protection Conferences - see Section 23, Record Keeping of Child Protection Conferences of the Initial Child Protection Conferences. The record, signed by the4.12 Child Protection Review Conferences
9. Roles and Responsibilities of the Team Manager and Lead Social Worker when the Child Protection Plan Cannot be Implemented - If the Lead Social Worker (or other agencies involved) is unable to implement the Plan, the Lead Social Worker must inform her/his manager. This will include any situation where the Lead Social Worker is denied access to the children concerned, or is unable to carry out the agreed visiting4.12 Child Protection Review Conferences
10. Role of the Local Authority Solicitor at Child Protection Conferences - Where it is envisaged that the Surrey Children's Services would be seeking legal action as part of the Child Protection Plan, a meeting must be held involving a solicitor from the Child Care Legal Team, the ATM and the Social Worker before the Child Protection Conference, in order that the4.13 Safeguarding Disabled Children
4.13 Safeguarding Disabled Children For detailed guidance, see Safeguarding Disabled Children: Practice Guidance (DCSF 2009) Also see Reducing the need for restraint and restrictive intervention Introduction Discrimination of all kinds is an everyday reality in many disabled children’4.14 Use of Interpreters, Signers and Others with Communication Skills
2. Interviewing Children - The particular needs of a child who is thought to have communication problems should be considered at an early point in the planning of the Section 47 Enquiry (the Strategy Meeting stage). Professionals should be aware that interviewing is possible when a child communicates by means other4.14 Use of Interpreters, Signers and Others with Communication Skills
3. Using Interpreters With Family Members - If the family’s first language is not English and even if they appear reasonably fluent, the offer of an interpreter should be made, as it is essential that all issues are understood and fully explained. Interpreters used for child protection work should have been subject to references a4.14 Use of Interpreters, Signers and Others with Communication Skills
NOTE All agencies need to ensure they are able to communicate fully with parents and children when they have concerns and ensure that family members and professionals fully understand the exchanges that take place.4.14 Use of Interpreters, Signers and Others with Communication Skills
1. Recognition of Communication Difficulties - The use of accredited interpreters, signers or others with special communication skills must be considered whenever undertaking enquiries involving one or more of the following: Children and/or family members for whom English is not the first language (even if reasonably fluent in English,4.15 Achieving Best Evidence: Interviews of Children
4. Child's Consent to the Video Recording of an Interview - The video recording of interviews of children may only be carried out with the consent of the child her/himself. The interviewers are responsible for ensuring that, as far as possible, the child is freely participating in the interview, and not merely complying with a request from adult au4.15 Achieving Best Evidence: Interviews of Children
1. Criteria for Video Interviews - See "Achieving best evidence: Guidance on interviewing victims and witnesses, and guidance on using special measures(3RD Edition)" for full and detailed Guidance. Given the variety of children's backgrounds and the different circumstances leading to suspicion of abuse there are no hard and4.15 Achieving Best Evidence: Interviews of Children
2. Purpose - Any video recorded interview serves two primary purposes: Evidence gathering for use in criminal proceedings; and Evidence in chief of the child witness. In addition any relevant information gained during the interview can be used to Inform enquiries under Section 47 and any subsequent act4.15 Achieving Best Evidence: Interviews of Children
3. Conduct of Joint Video Interviews - In all cases where it is agreed to conduct a video recorded interview of a child, "Achieving best evidence: Guidance on interviewing victims and witnesses, and guidance on using special measures(3RD Edition)" must be followed and staff conducting the interview must have had appropriate tra4.16 Child Protection Medical Guidance for Medical Professionals, Children's Services and Police
Child Protection Medical Guidance for Medical professionals, Children's Services and Police4.17 A professional’s guide to online and proxy access to medical records for children and young people.
Please see attached guidance - A professional’s guide to online and proxy access to medical records for children and young people.4.2 Continuum of Support for children and families living in Surrey
4.3 Targeted Support – Getting help - Children who may be vulnerable and showing early signs of abuse and/or neglect; their needs are not clear, not known or are not being met. Within the Thrive framework for system change these children are described as getting help and supported through the Healthy Child Programme life st4.2 Continuum of Support for children and families living in Surrey
4.1 Universal or Community support – Thriving - Children who consistently receive child focused care giving from their parents or carers. They have their needs met in the communities in which they live, and they have local opportunities to flourish and stay safe from harm. This grouping of children are described as Thriving in the Thriv4.2 Continuum of Support for children and families living in Surrey
5. The Family Safeguarding Model - In Surrey, our chosen model of practice for Statutory Social work is Family Safeguarding this is a partnership approach to working with families, its principles are rooted in understanding family needs. Promoting the upbringing of children in their families, by identifying, supporting, an4.2 Continuum of Support for children and families living in Surrey
4. The Continuum of Support Indicators - The continuum of support is a five-point scale from universal needs (i.e., the child's needs are met) through to safeguarding (i.e. a child is suffering or likely to suffer serious harm). The continuum of support indicators is not an exhaustive list or intended to be a 'tick box' exercise.4.2 Continuum of Support for children and families living in Surrey
3. Continuum of Support - The guidance sets out the ‘Continuum of Support’ offered to children and families in Surrey, it offers clarity and guidance to partners working with them and considers who is best to be leading on early support to meet the child and family's needs. It recognises the contribution partne4.2 Continuum of Support for children and families living in Surrey
2. A vision of partnership in Surrey - The Early Help Strategy Families First sets out our vision, principles, and ambitions for working together so we can act as soon as problems emerge, share information, and provide effective, timely support to enable children and their families to overcome difficulties and become more resil4.2 Continuum of Support for children and families living in Surrey
1. Introduction - This guidance is for everyone who works with children and their families in Surrey, whether in a statutory or voluntary capacity. In this guidance as in working together, a child is defined as anyone who has not yet reached their 18th birthday. ‘Children’ therefore means ‘children an4.2 Continuum of Support for children and families living in Surrey
8. Neglect - Responding to Neglect in Surrey Neglect is the most prevalent type of harm affecting around 10% of all children (Radford, L. et al (2011) Child abuse and neglect in the UK (United Kingdom) today) and the reason most children in Surrey, and across the UK, are on child protection plans. To t4.2 Continuum of Support for children and families living in Surrey
9. Appendix 1: Resilience and Protective Factors - The factors that have been shown to be associated with resilience are listed below in relation to child, family, and community domains, and in relation to school-age children and adolescents (Daniel and Wassell, 2002) *. Summary of Factors Associated with Resilience During School Years4.2 Continuum of Support for children and families living in Surrey
4.2 Emerging Needs – Getting advice and signposting - Children and families adjusting to life circumstances, with mild or temporary difficulties, where the best intervention is within their community network with the possible addition of self-support. Within this grouping are children who are particularly vulnerable due to a range of social f4.2 Continuum of Support for children and families living in Surrey
7. Service Examples - If the child or family is not already receiving support, the next step is to work out what type of support they require. Children’s needs require different responses. Assessing a child need ensures they receive the right kind of help. In Surrey, children's needs are assessed though an Ea4.2 Continuum of Support for children and families living in Surrey
4.4 Intensive Support – Getting more help - Children who are struggling to cope, this might include children and families with a range of overlapping needs that mean they may require greater input as they have multiple interconnected needs and need a coordinated targeted response. They may require longer term intervention from speci4.2 Continuum of Support for children and families living in Surrey
4.5 Statutory Services – Getting risk support - Children are likely to have already experienced adverse effects and who are suffering or are likely to suffer significant harm, leading to poor outcomes. This is the threshold for an assessment led by children’s social care under Section 17, Children Act 1989, although the assessments an4.2 Continuum of Support for children and families living in Surrey
6. Finding the right needs-based support - Most children and families will be able to access local and community universal services and are encouraged to make use of the Family Information Service to identify services that may be able to support them and the needs of their children. Any practitioner, child or family member can dire4.3 Recognition of Significant Harm
2. Physical Abuse - Physical Abuse is a form of Significant Harm which may involve including hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning or scalding, drowning, suffocating or otherwise causing physical harm to a child. Physical harm may also be caused when a parent or carer fabricates the symptoms of, or d4.3 Recognition of Significant Harm
6. Risk Indicators - The factors described in this section are frequently found in cases of child abuse. Their presence is not proof that abuse has occurred, but: Must be regarded as indicators of the possibility of Significant Harm; Justifies the need for careful assessment and discussion with Designated Prof4.3 Recognition of Significant Harm
5. Neglect - Neglect is a form of Significant Harm which involves the persistent failure to meet a child's basic physical and/or psychological needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of the child's health or development. Neglect may occur during pregnancy as a result of maternal substance abu4.3 Recognition of Significant Harm
4. Sexual Abuse and Exploitation - Sexual abuse and exploitation is a form of Significant Harm which involves forcing or enticing a child or young person to take part in sexual activities, not necessarily involving a high level of violence, whether or not the child is aware of what is happening. The activities may involve p4.3 Recognition of Significant Harm
1. Definition of Significant Harm - The Children Act 1989 introduced the concept of Significant Harm as the threshold that justifies compulsory intervention in family life in the best interests of children. There are no absolute criteria on which to rely when judging what constitutes Significant Harm but consideration should4.3 Recognition of Significant Harm
AMENDMENTS In May 2016, this chapter was updated to include information regarding child sexual abuse and the exploitation of children and young people. In June 2018, a 'Further information' section was added.4.3 Recognition of Significant Harm
3. Emotional Abuse - Emotional abuse is a form of Significant Harm which involves the persistent emotional maltreatment of a child such as to cause severe and persistent adverse effects on the child's emotional development. It may involve conveying to children that they are worthless or unloved, inadequate, or4.3 Recognition of Significant Harm
Further information - National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, Child abuse and neglect (October 2017)4.4 Parental Responsibility
1. Definition - The Children Act 1989 defines Parental Responsibility as all the rights, duties, powers, responsibilities and authority which by law, a parent of a child has, in relation to the child and her/his property. The Act provides consistent rules about the acquisition and exercise of Parental Res4.4 Parental Responsibility
SCOPE OF THIS CHAPTER This chapter was reviewed and revised for the May 2011 edition of the manual.4.4 Parental Responsibility
2. Who has Parental Responsibility? - Where a child's father and mother were married to each other at the time of her/his birth, they shall each have Parental Responsibility for the child. When a child's father and mother were not married to each other at the time of her/his birth: The mother has Parental Responsibility for th4.5 Contacts and Referrals
6. Listening to the Child - If the child makes an allegation or discloses information which raises concern about Significant Harm, the initial response should be listening carefully to what the child says so as to: Clarify the concerns; Offer reassurance about how (s)he will be kept safe; and Explain that the informa4.5 Contacts and Referrals
1. Duty to Refer - Professionals or members of the public should make a Request for Support to Surrey Children's Services if it is believed or suspected that: A child is suffering or is likely to suffer Significant Harm; or A child's health or development may be impaired without the provision of services; o4.5 Contacts and Referrals
2. Ensuring the Immediate Safety of the Child - The safety of children is paramount in all decisions relating to their welfare. Any action taken by members of staff from a Surrey Safeguarding Children Partnership member agency must ensure that no child is left in immediate danger. When considering whether immediate action is required to4.5 Contacts and Referrals
4. Making a Referral - Referrals by professionals should be made in one of the following ways: For multi-agency partners referrals should be made to the Children's Single Point of Access (C-SPA) using the Request for Support Form which replaces the MARF. Referrals should include a body map when appropriate; I4.5 Contacts and Referrals
5. Parental Consultation - A decision by any professional not to seek parental permission before making a referral to Surrey Children's Services must be recorded and the reasons given. If the parent is consulted and refuses to give permission for the referral, further advice should be sought from a manager or Design4.5 Contacts and Referrals
3. Confidentiality - The safety and welfare of the child overrides all other considerations, including the following: Confidentiality; Gathering of evidence; Commitment or loyalty to relatives, friends or colleagues. In deciding whether there is a need to share information, professionals need to consider their4.5 Contacts and Referrals
7. Cross Boundary Referrals - If the referral relates to a child whose home is in Surrey, but who is temporarily visiting or placed in the area of another Local Authority or in a hospital in the area of another authority, or if the referral relates to an allegation against an adult who works in Surrey but lives in the4.6 Assessment
1. Focus on the Child - Children should to be seen and listened to and included throughout the assessment process. Their ways of communicating should be understood in the context of their family and community as well as their behaviour, level of understanding and developmental stage. Assessments, service provisio4.6 Assessment
7. Regular Review - The assessment plan must set out timescales for the actions to be met and stages of the assessment to progress, which should include regular points to review the assessment. The work with the child and family should ensure that the agreed points are achieved through regular reviews. Where4.6 Assessment
8. Recording - Recording by all professionals should include information on the child's development so that progress can be monitored to ensure their outcomes are improving. This is particularly significant in circumstances where neglect is an issue. Records should be kept of the progress of the assessme4.6 Assessment
SCOPE OF THIS CHAPTER All Local authorities with their partner agencies must develop and publish local frameworks for assessment, which must be based on good analysis, timeliness and transparency and be proportionate to the needs of the child and their family. Each child who has been refer4.6 Assessment
9. Principles for a Good Assessment - The assessment framework in Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018 provides a model, which should be used to examine how the different aspects of the child’s life and context interact and impact on the child. It notes that it is important that: Information is gathered and recorded s4.6 Assessment
4. Contribution of the Child and Family - The Child The child should participate and contribute directly to the assessment process based upon their age, understanding and developmental stage. They should be seen alone and if this is not possible or in their best interest, the reason should be recorded. The social worker should wor4.6 Assessment
3. Developing a Clear Analysis - Research has demonstrated that taking a systematic approach to assessments using a conceptual model is the best way to deliver a comprehensive analysis. A good assessment is one which investigates the three domains; set out in the Assessment Framework Triangle. The interaction of these do4.6 Assessment
6. Actions and Outcomes - Every assessment should be focused on identifying the needs and identifying how to meet these needs to enable better outcomes. This will include, deciding which services and support to provide to deliver improved welfare for the child and reflect the child’s best interests. In the course4.6 Assessment
2. Planning - All assessments should be planned and coordinated by a social worker and the purpose of the assessment should be transparent and understood by all participants. There should be an agreed statement setting out the aims of the assessment process. The social worker / practitioner, with suppor4.6 Assessment
5. Contribution of Agencies Involved with the Child and Family - All agencies and professionals involved with the child, and the family, have a responsibility to contribute to the assessment process. This might take the form of providing information in a timely manner and direct or joint work. Differences of opinion between professionals should be resol4.7 Strategy Discussions and Section 47 Enquiries
9. Surrey Children's Services – Single Agency Enquiry - Following a strategy discussion, a decision will be made as to whether there is going to be a single or joint agency enquiry. This may involve any of the following referrals: Purely Emotional Abuse without any apparent physical indicators; Physical Abuse resulting in minimal or no inju4.7 Strategy Discussions and Section 47 Enquiries
1. Strategy Discussions - In the case of a pre-birth Strategy Meeting (see Pre-Birth Child Protection Procedure), this should involve the Midwifery Service. If the child is in a hospital setting (in-patient or out-patient) or receiving services from a child development team and/or there is or is suspected perplexin4.7 Strategy Discussions and Section 47 Enquiries
6. Conducting Section 47 enquiries - Social workers with their managers should: Lead the enquiries in accordance with this guidance; Carry out enquiries in a way that minimises distress for the child and family; See the child who is the subject of concern to ascertain their wishes and feelings, assess their understanding of t4.7 Strategy Discussions and Section 47 Enquiries
AMENDMENT This chapter was updated in June 2022.4.7 Strategy Discussions and Section 47 Enquiries
2. Timescales of Strategy Discussion - Strategy Discussions must be held within a maximum of 3 working days of the decision being made that a Strategy discussion is required. The timeliness of the Strategy Discussion within those 3 days will be made in accordance with the child’s level of need and risk. For allegations /con4.7 Strategy Discussions and Section 47 Enquiries
3. When a Face-to-Face Meeting is required - A Strategy Discussion may take place at a meeting (face to face or virtual). In complex types of maltreatment a meeting is likely to be the most effective way of discussing the child's welfare and planning future action. Face-to-face meetings must be held when there: Is likely to be a need4.7 Strategy Discussions and Section 47 Enquiries
4. Recording of a Strategy Discussion - Agreed actions, the persons responsible and the agreed timescale must be recorded. It is the responsibility of the Chair of the Strategy Meeting to ensure minutes are taken using the Record of Strategy Discussion and must include information sharing and decisions. The minutes should be br4.7 Strategy Discussions and Section 47 Enquiries
5. Duty and Decision to Undertake Section 47 Enquiries - Surrey Children's Social Care has a statutory duty to undertake Section 47 Enquiries in any of the following circumstances: When for a child who lives or is found in its area, there is 'reasonable cause to suspect that a child has suffered or is likely to suffer Significant Harm’. When4.7 Strategy Discussions and Section 47 Enquiries
15. When a Medical Assessment is necessary - Strategy Discussions must consider, and where possible in consultation with the Named Doctor/ Paediatrician (if not part of the Strategy Discussion), the need for and timing of a medical assessment. See Child Protection Medical Guidance for Medical professionals, Children’s services and4.7 Strategy Discussions and Section 47 Enquiries
8. Single Agency or Joint Enquiry/Investigation - See also the Section 47 Protocol between Surrey Children's Services and Surrey Police (which can be accessed by clicking on the 'guidance and protocols' button in the menu at the left hand side of the screen).4.7 Strategy Discussions and Section 47 Enquiries
16. Outcome of the Section 47 Enquiries - Section 47 Enquiries are concluded at the point when an informed decision is made taking account of all information available as to whether the child has suffered or is likely to suffer Significant Harm or not. When a joint investigation has been held, all professionals involved need to b4.7 Strategy Discussions and Section 47 Enquiries
14. Parental Involvement and Consent - The Social Worker has the prime responsibility to engage with parents and other family members to ascertain the facts of the situation causing concern and to assess the capacity of the family to safeguard the child. The assessment of the parents must include both parents, any other carers4.7 Strategy Discussions and Section 47 Enquiries
13. Inability to Access the Child - If efforts to see and communicate with the child or children within the timescales agreed at the Strategy Discussion are unsuccessful, the Social Worker within 24 hours must undertake the following Inform the relevant manger, and seek legal advice as appropriate; In consultation with her4.7 Strategy Discussions and Section 47 Enquiries
12. Seeing and Interviewing the Child - Children who are the subject of Section 47 Enquiries should always be seen and communicated with alone by the Lead Social Worker. In addition, all children within the household must be seen and communicated with during Section 47 Enquiries by either the Police or Surrey Children's Soc4.7 Strategy Discussions and Section 47 Enquiries
11. Joint Investigation - Joint investigations are conducted by Surrey Children's Social Care and the Police. A joint investigation must always commence when there is an allegation or reasonable suspicion that one of the criminal offences described below has been committed: Any suspected sexual offence committed ag4.7 Strategy Discussions and Section 47 Enquiries
10. Police Single Agency Investigations - Police single agency investigations will usually be appropriate for a variety of reasons. Two main examples, of this are: They relate to the historical allegation of an adult who experienced abuse as a child; or The alleged offender is not known to the child or the child's family (i.e.4.7 Strategy Discussions and Section 47 Enquiries
7. Integration with an Assessment - A Record of Outcome form (ROO) is the means by which Section 47 Enquiries are carried out and must be commenced whenever the criteria for Section 47 Enquiries are satisfied. The ROO must be completed within 5 working days from the point of strategy discussion. A subsequent Child and4.8 Initial Child Protection Conferences
5. Quorate Conferences - The primary principle for determining quoracy is that there should be sufficient agencies present to enable safe decisions to be made in the individual circumstances. Normally, minimum representation is the Social Worker and 2 other agencies which have had direct contact with the child and4.8 Initial Child Protection Conferences
6. Enabling Parental Participation - All parents and persons with Parental Responsibility must be invited to conferences (unless exclusion is justified as described below). Parents must be encouraged to contribute to conferences; usually by attending, unless it is likely to prejudice the welfare of the child (see Section 11,4.8 Initial Child Protection Conferences
8. Role of the Social Worker - The Social Worker must facilitate the constructive involvement of the parents by ensuring in advance of the conference that they are given sufficient information and practical support to make a meaningful contribution. Invitations for the parent(s) to attend the conference must be conveyed4.8 Initial Child Protection Conferences
7. Pre-birth Conferences - See also Pre-Birth Child Protection Procedure A pre-birth conference is an Initial Child Protection Conference concerning an unborn child. Such a conference has the same status and purpose and must be conducted in a comparable manner to an Initial Child Protection Conference. Pre-birth con4.8 Initial Child Protection Conferences
3. Timing of Initial Child Protection Conferences - The Initial Child Protection Conference must take place within 15 working days of the: Strategy Discussion/Meeting (or the Strategy Discussion/ Meeting at which the Section 47 Enquiry was initiated if more than one was held) following completion of Section 47 enquiries; or Notification by4.8 Initial Child Protection Conferences
9. Role of All Agencies - Treat all family members with dignity and respect and offer a caring and courteous service; Ensure family members know the child's safety and welfare has priority; Minimise infringement of privacy consistent with protecting the child; Be clear about powers and purpose of any intervention;4.8 Initial Child Protection Conferences
10. Role of the Conference Chair before Conference - Immediately prior to the conference, the Conference Chair must meet with any family members to ensure they understand the process. This may, where the potential for conflict exists, involve separate meetings with the different parties.4.8 Initial Child Protection Conferences
11. Criteria for Excluding Parents or Restricting their Participation - In circumstances where it may be necessary to exclude 1 or more family members from part or all of a conference the request to exclude or restrict a parent's participation must be discussed with the Conference Chair and confirmed in writing if possible at least 3 days in advance. The agenc4.8 Initial Child Protection Conferences
12. Enabling Children's Participation - Involving the Child The child must be kept informed and involved throughout Section 47 Enquiries and, if their level of understanding is sufficient, must be invited to contribute to the conference; which can include attendance. In practice, the appropriateness of enabling an individual chi4.8 Initial Child Protection Conferences
13. Support for the Child After the Conference - The supporter or In-house Advocacy Service should ensure that immediately after the conference the child has an opportunity to discuss their experiences of the meeting and feelings about the decision and recommendations made. If the supporter has concerns about the child these must be disc4.8 Initial Child Protection Conferences
14. Responsibilities of the Social Worker before the Conference - General Responsibilities The Social Worker is responsible for the following: Considering as described in Section 6, Enabling Parental Participation and Section 12, Enabling Children's Participation the participation of parents and children in the conference; Inviting the child if appropria4.8 Initial Child Protection Conferences
15. Reports to Conference (ICSF) - The Social Worker must provide to the conference a typed, signed and dated written Initial Child Protection Conference report (SCS125) including a chronology of significant events, which must be endorsed and counter signed by the Team Manager. Information on all children in the household m4.8 Initial Child Protection Conferences
16. Responsibilities of Other Professionals - General Responsibilities All participants are responsible for the following: To make available relevant information to the conference; Confirming in advance with the Safeguarding Unit their attendance at the conference or informing the Unit if they are unable to attend; Ensuring that infor4.8 Initial Child Protection Conferences
4. Who Should Attend - See also Section 6, Enabling Parental Participation and Section 12, Enabling Children's Participation The conference should consist of the smallest number of people consistent with effective case management, but the following should normally be invited: Parents and those with Parental Resp4.8 Initial Child Protection Conferences
17. Responsibilities of the Conference Chair - The Conference Chair must not have any operational or line management responsibility for the case. The Conference Chair must ensure that at least 3 agencies are represented at the conference unless agreed otherwise (see Section 5, Quorate Conferences) The Conference Chair is responsible fo4.8 Initial Child Protection Conferences
2. When an Initial Child Protection Conference must be convened - An Initial Child Protection Conference must be convened when it is believed that a child is suffering or likely to suffer Significant Harm. Children may be abused through the infliction of harm or through the failure to act to prevent harm. The conference must consider all the children in4.8 Initial Child Protection Conferences
1. Purpose of Initial Child Protection Conference - The Initial Child Protection Conference brings together family members, the child (when appropriate), supporters / advocates and those professionals most involved with the child and family to share and assess information following a Section 47 Enquiry and to formulate an agreed plan of man4.8 Initial Child Protection Conferences
19. Categories of Abuse or Neglect - If the decision is that the child has suffered, or is likely to suffer Significant Harm and in need of a Child Protection Plan, the Chair must determine under which category of abuse or neglect the decision is made. For the categories, see Deciding and Recording that a Child should be Subj4.8 Initial Child Protection Conferences
20. If a Child Requires a Child Protection Plan - If a decision is reached that a child requires a Child Protection Plan, the Conference Chair must ensure that: Criteria for Child Protection Plans are satisfied and the category is determined; A Child Protection Plan is outlined and clearly understood by all concerned including the parents4.8 Initial Child Protection Conferences
21. Quality Assurance - The Conference Chair has responsibility for ensuring consistently high standards of practice by encouraging inter-agency co-operation and identifying shortcomings in practice. In order to achieve this, the Conference Chair must: Ensure that relevant data is collected for quality monitoring4.8 Initial Child Protection Conferences
22. Complaints and Representations - Each consultant constituent agency of the Surrey Safeguarding Children Partnership operates and publicises its own complaints procedures, which includes an independent element. Complaints and representation specific to one professional are therefore to be addressed to the particular agency4.8 Initial Child Protection Conferences
23. Record Keeping of Child Protection Conferences - The record of the Conference is a crucial working document for all relevant professionals and the family. The record produced is not a verbatim minute but is a summary of the main facts and issues, which are raised and addressed at the conference. All reports presented at conference will b4.8 Initial Child Protection Conferences
24. Decision Letter - The Chair must forward a letter to the parents and child(ren) confirming the decisions and recommendations of the Conference. The decision letter must be dispatched to parents / carers and other participants within 2 working days of the conference. This gives details of whether the child(r4.8 Initial Child Protection Conferences
AMENDMENT Links were added in Section 6, Enabling Parental Participation and Section 12, Enabling Children's Participation to the SSCP information leaflets for children and young people and for families. March 2015.4.8 Initial Child Protection Conferences
18. The Decision Making Process - The questions to ask as part of the decision making process are: Has the child suffered Significant Harm? and Is the child likely to suffer Significant Harm? The test for the likelihood of the child suffering Significant Harm in the future should be: The child can be shown to have suffered4.9 Deciding and Recording that a Child Should be Subject to a Child Protection Plan
1. Introduction - The Manager of the Safeguarding Children Unit is responsible for holding the Record of children subject of Child Protection Plans.4.9 Deciding and Recording that a Child Should be Subject to a Child Protection Plan
2. Purpose of Recording Child Protection Plans - A decision to make a child the subject of a Child Protection Plan is an agreed expression of multi-disciplinary concern about a child. The purposes of recording the decision are to: Provide detailed readily available information about children who are known or suspected to have suffered Si4.9 Deciding and Recording that a Child Should be Subject to a Child Protection Plan
3. Process of Deciding a Child Should be Subject of a Child Protection Plan - A child will become the subject of a Child Protection Plan after a decision to do so has been taken at a Child Protection Conference and the Conference Chair has determined the category of abuse or neglect (see Section 5, Categories of Abuse or Neglect). The decision-making process must ta4.9 Deciding and Recording that a Child Should be Subject to a Child Protection Plan
7. Informing Parents and Children - Unless there are exceptional reasons, parents must always be informed when their child is subject to a Child Protection Plan. Children must be informed too, depending on level of understanding. The Child Protection Plan must take account of the views of the child and the parents. The Chair4.9 Deciding and Recording that a Child Should be Subject to a Child Protection Plan
4. Is the Child at Continuing Risk of Significant Harm? - Before a child is made the subject of a Child Protection Plan, the Child Protection Conference must decide that the child is at continuing risk of Significant Harm leading to the need for a Child Protection Plan. The conference must consider the following questions: Has the child suffered4.9 Deciding and Recording that a Child Should be Subject to a Child Protection Plan
5. Categories of Abuse or Neglect - The categories are: Neglect: This definition is now contained in the Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023 Glossary:Neglect is a form of Significant Harm which involves the persistent failure to meet a child's basic physical and/or psychological needs, likely to result in the seriou4.9 Deciding and Recording that a Child Should be Subject to a Child Protection Plan
6. The Outline Child Protection Plan - When a Conference decides that a child should be the subject of a Child Protection Plan, it must also draw up an outline Child Protection Plan. The Chair must ensure that the Child Protection Plan drawn up by conference members: Identifies factors associated with the likelihood of the chil4.9 Deciding and Recording that a Child Should be Subject to a Child Protection Plan
8. Enquiries about Children who may be Subject to Child Protection Plans - Enquiries about children who may be subject to Child Protection Plans should only be made if there concerns about a child's welfare. In such circumstances, formal enquiries should only be made by contacting the Safeguarding Children Unit. Enquiries for agencies are also carried out by the4.9 Deciding and Recording that a Child Should be Subject to a Child Protection Plan
9. Discontinuing the Child Protection Plan - A child should no longer be subject to a Child Protection Plan if: It is judged that (s)he is no longer likley to suffer Significant Harm requiring safeguarding by means of a Child Protection Plan - under these circumstances, only a Child Protection Review Conference can decide that a Chil4.9 Deciding and Recording that a Child Should be Subject to a Child Protection Plan
10. What Happens After the Child Protection Conference, including the Review Process? - See What Happens after the Child Protection Conference, Including the Review Process? Flowchart in Working Together to Safeguard Children 20234.9 Deciding and Recording that a Child Should be Subject to a Child Protection Plan
11. Looked After Children with a Child Protection Plan - In relation to Looked After children, decisions regarding the continued need for a Child Protection Plan must be made alongside consideration of the Care Plan. The Care Plan will be the primary means of safeguarding the safety and welfare of the child. A Child Protection Plan should only b4.9 Deciding and Recording that a Child Should be Subject to a Child Protection Plan
12. Children Subject to a Child Protection Plan who become Looked After - The Lead Social Worker must inform the Safeguarding Children Unit of the change in circumstances and address. The Safeguarding Children Unit must inform the professional network by letter. The Safeguarding Children Unit must supply minutes of child protection conferences to the allocated4.9 Deciding and Recording that a Child Should be Subject to a Child Protection Plan
13. Case Responsibility within Surrey Children's Services - Children not made subject to a Child Protection Plan Case responsibility must be transferred to the relevant Locality Team in the following circumstances: When both the Section 47 Enquiry and an Assessment concludes that the child is a Child in Need; If the child is subject of an Initial C5.10 Diplomats' Families
1. Legal Position - Where there is concern that a child who is a member of a diplomat’s family has suffered, or is likley to suffer Significant Harm, caution must be exercised in taking protective measures. Diplomats and members of their household have immunity from civil, criminal and administrative jurisd5.10 Diplomats' Families
2. Action by Surrey Children's Services and Police - It is important in all these case to establish whether diplomatic immunity may be claimed and to what extent. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office are prepared to give advice on this point and the first line manager should contact the ‘immunities section of the Protocol Department’. Out5.1 The Internet and the Abuse of Children
1. The Internet - As technology develops, the Internet and its range of content services can be accessed through various devices including mobile phones, text messaging and mobile camera phones as well as computers and game consoles. As a consequence the Internet has become a significant tool in the distrib5.1 The Internet and the Abuse of Children
2. Child Abuse and the Adult - There is some evidence that people found in possession of indecent photographs/pseudo photographs or films/videos of children are likely to be involved directly in child abuse themselves. When someone is discovered to have placed or accessed such material on the Internet, the Police should5.1 The Internet and the Abuse of Children
3. Referral and Strategy Discussion - Where there is suspected or actual evidence of anyone accessing or creating indecent images of children, this must be referred to the Police and Surrey Children's Services under the Contacts and Referrals Procedure. Where there are concerns about a child being groomed, exposed to child abu5.11 Domestic Abuse
RELEVANT GUIDANCE Also see NICE Guidance - Domestic Violence and Abuse: How Health Services, Social Care and the Organisations They Work With Can Respond Effectively. Domestic Abuse Act 2021: Overarching factsheet And: Forced Marriage Protection Orders This guidance calls for integrated5.11 Domestic Abuse
3. Referrals by Other Professionals - Any professionals with concerns about a child’s welfare should make a referral to local authority children’s social care. Professionals should follow up their concerns if they are not satisfied with the local authority children’s social care response.5.11 Domestic Abuse
7. Serious Crime Act 2015 - Coercive and Controlling Behaviour - A new criminal offence of coercive and controlling behaviour came into force in England and Wales on 29 December 2015. Why the new law? There was a gap in the law which meant that repeated patterns of non-physical behaviour were not recognised in a criminal law context as domestic abuse.5.11 Domestic Abuse
6. Domestic Violence Protection Orders - Domestic Violence Protection Orders (DVPOs) were implemented across England and Wales from 8 March 2014. They provide protection to victims by enabling the police and magistrates to put in place protection in the immediate aftermath of a domestic violence incident. With DVPOs, a perpetra5.11 Domestic Abuse
5.The Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme - The Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS) gives members of the public a formal mechanism to make enquires about an individual who they are in a relationship with, or who is in a relationship with someone they know, where there is a concern that the individual may be abusive towards th5.11 Domestic Abuse
4. Response to Notifications and Referrals - On notification of an incident of domestic abuse within a family, the minimum response by Surrey Children’s Services must be to consult existing records and consider what else is known of the family. For referrals and notifications of any serious incidents of domestic abuse where the5.11 Domestic Abuse
2. Notifications by the Police - The Police are often the first point of contact and they should safeguard the safety of the victim and: Ascertain whether there are any children living in the household or if the victim is pregnant; If children are living at the address, it is important that the VOICE of the child is heard5.11 Domestic Abuse
1. Introduction - Significant Harm resulting from domestic abuse may manifest itself in a variety of ways including physical violence, emotional or psychological abuse, sexual violence and abuse, financial control and abuse and the imposition of social isolation or movement deprivation. The definition5.12 Practice guidance: Working with Hostile, Non-Compliant Clients who use Disguised Compliance within the Context of Safeguarding Children
9. Case Management - The following areas are essential for good case management: Procedures Workers must always follow their agency procedures and the procedures contained in this manual, which have incorporated the Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and their Families. Inter-agency Communication5.12 Practice guidance: Working with Hostile, Non-Compliant Clients who use Disguised Compliance within the Context of Safeguarding Children
10. Supervision - Managers must consider the following matters: Routine, regular supervision; Review of previous reports; Peer mentoring; and Group supervision.5.12 Practice guidance: Working with Hostile, Non-Compliant Clients who use Disguised Compliance within the Context of Safeguarding Children
7. Clients using Disguised Compliance - Workers may believe they have engaged in a positive way with parents/carers in addressing risk and working towards change however this may not be the case. As a consequence the following may happen: Cases can drift; Risks are not reduced; Risks may actually be increased; and Workers may fa5.12 Practice guidance: Working with Hostile, Non-Compliant Clients who use Disguised Compliance within the Context of Safeguarding Children
8. Hostile and Threatening Clients - Ask yourself: Did I feel safe in this household? If not, why not? If I or another professional should go back there to ensure the child(ren)’s safety, what support should I ask for? If necessary, put your concerns and requests in writing to your manager. (Assessing Risk in Child Protecti5.12 Practice guidance: Working with Hostile, Non-Compliant Clients who use Disguised Compliance within the Context of Safeguarding Children
This chapter was added to the manual in May 2016 and should be read throughout.5.12 Practice guidance: Working with Hostile, Non-Compliant Clients who use Disguised Compliance within the Context of Safeguarding Children
1. Introduction - The nature of child protection work is such that parents and carers may at times feel angry and react in a hostile or threatening way towards workers who are involved with them and their families. Employers have responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, Health and Safe5.12 Practice guidance: Working with Hostile, Non-Compliant Clients who use Disguised Compliance within the Context of Safeguarding Children
2. Purpose of this Guidance - To assist staff and their managers working with hostile/threatening and non-compliant parents/carers and those who use disguised compliance. To help workers and their managers identify where these actions may be impacting on the care of the child/children and possible child protection issu5.12 Practice guidance: Working with Hostile, Non-Compliant Clients who use Disguised Compliance within the Context of Safeguarding Children
3. Guidance - First Principles - Workers have a right to feel safe, to be heard when they voice fears and concerns and to know that the response should include appropriate action being taken. Workers in Surrey serve a diverse population with differing needs. Practice needs to be inclusive to reflect these differences. Wor5.12 Practice guidance: Working with Hostile, Non-Compliant Clients who use Disguised Compliance within the Context of Safeguarding Children
4. Definitions - For the purpose of this guidance the following broad definitions are being used: Hostile and threatening behaviour; behaviour which produces damaging effects, physically or emotionally, in other people; Non-compliant behaviour; involves proactively sabotaging efforts to bring about change5.12 Practice guidance: Working with Hostile, Non-Compliant Clients who use Disguised Compliance within the Context of Safeguarding Children
5. Recognition of Potential Hostility and Non Compliance - Ask yourself: What were the reasons for the parents’ behaviour? Are there other possibilities besides the obvious? Could their behaviour have been a reaction to something I did or said rather than to do with the child?” Ask yourself: Have the parents understood the situation and do the5.12 Practice guidance: Working with Hostile, Non-Compliant Clients who use Disguised Compliance within the Context of Safeguarding Children
6. Recognition of Disguised Compliance - Factors, which may indicate and evidence, disguised compliance: No significant change at reviews despite significant input; Parents/carers agreeing with professionals regarding required changes but put little effort into making changes work; Change does occur but as a result of external ag5.13 Perplexing Presentations (PP)/Fabricated or Induced Illness (FII) in children
Appendices - Appendix A - Definitions Appendix B - Health and Education Rehabilitation Plan Template Appendix C - RCPCH Summary diagram Appendix D - Blank chronology Definitions Term Definition Synonyms Medically Unexplained Symptoms (MUS) The child’s symptoms, of which the child complain5.13 Perplexing Presentations (PP)/Fabricated or Induced Illness (FII) in children
9. Pre-birth Consideration - Please refer to 5.20 Pre-birth Child Protection Procedure5.13 Perplexing Presentations (PP)/Fabricated or Induced Illness (FII) in children
8. Strategy Meetings and S47 - If there is reasonable cause to suspect the child is suffering, or likely to suffer significant harm, Surrey Children's Services should convene and chair a Strategy Meeting involving all the key professionals. Please refer to 4.8 Strategy Discussions and Section 47 Enquiries Wherever poss5.13 Perplexing Presentations (PP)/Fabricated or Induced Illness (FII) in children
7. Initial Consideration of Referral - As with all other referrals, Surrey Children's Services should decide within one working day what response is necessary. Whilst Surrey Children's Services has lead responsibility for action to safeguard and promote the child’s welfare, the decision should be taken in consultation with th5.13 Perplexing Presentations (PP)/Fabricated or Induced Illness (FII) in children
6. Referral - When a possible explanation for the signs and symptoms is that they may have been fabricated or induced by a carer and as a consequence the child’s health or development is or is likely to be impaired, a referral should be made to the Surrey Children's Services in accordance with the Con5.13 Perplexing Presentations (PP)/Fabricated or Induced Illness (FII) in children
5. Response - Concerns about a child’s health should be discussed with a health professional who is involved with the child such as the school nurse, GP or paediatrician. If alerting signs are present, they should be discussed with the Named Doctor, Named Nurse or Health safeguarding team. Alerting si5.13 Perplexing Presentations (PP)/Fabricated or Induced Illness (FII) in children
4. Alerting Signs/Recognition - Alerting signs of FII are not evidence of FII. However, they are indicators or possible FII (not yet amounting to likely or significant harm) and if associated with possible harm to the child, they amount to general safeguarding concerns. The essence of alerting signs is the presence of di5.13 Perplexing Presentations (PP)/Fabricated or Induced Illness (FII) in children
3. Harm to the child - Harm to the child from FII/ PP takes several forms. Some of these are caused directly by the parent, intentionally or unintentionally, but may be supported by the doctor; others are brought about by the doctor’s actions, the harm being caused inadvertently. The following three aspects ne5.13 Perplexing Presentations (PP)/Fabricated or Induced Illness (FII) in children
2. Definitions - Term Definition Synonyms Medically Unexplained Symptoms (MUS) The child’s symptoms, of which the child complains and which are genuinely experienced, are not fully explained by any known pathology but with likely underlying factors in the child (usually of a psychosocial nature)5.13 Perplexing Presentations (PP)/Fabricated or Induced Illness (FII) in children
1. Introduction - Since the publication of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) guidance on Fabricated or Induced Illness by Carers (FII) in 2009, there have been significant developments in the field. The RCPCH Child Protection Companion 2013 extended the definition of FII in 2013 by i5.13 Perplexing Presentations (PP)/Fabricated or Induced Illness (FII) in children
RELEVANT GUIDANCE Guidance from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH): Perplexing Presentations (PP)/Fabricated or Induced Illness (FII) in children – guidance – RCPCH Child Protection Portal AMENDMENT This chapter was reviewed and revised in October 2022.5.14 Female Genital Mutilation
Related Guidance This procedure should be read in conjunction with; HM Government ‘Multi-agency statutory guidance on female genital mutilation’ published on 1st April 2016 and updated 23rd October 2018. Multiagency Statutory Guidance FGM. Definition What is Female Genital Mutilatio5.15 Forced Marriage
AMENDMENT This chapter was updated in July 2020.5.15 Forced Marriage
2. Definition - Forced marriage, as distinct from a consensual 'arranged' one, is a marriage conducted without the valid consent of both parties and where duress is a factor. Duress cannot be justified on religious or cultural grounds. Duress can include physical, psychological, financial, sexual and emot5.15 Forced Marriage
6. Considerations for all Agencies - Forced marriage places children and vulnerable adults at risk of rape and possible physical harm, including murder. Where an allegation of forced marriage, intended forced marriage or honour-based violence is raised, the Forced Marriage Unit at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office should be5.15 Forced Marriage
1. Introduction - Further information and guidelines concerning work with situations of forced marriage is available in the following government publications: The Right to Choose - Multi Agency Statutory Guidance for Dealing with Forced Marriage, 2014 Multi Agency Practice Guidelines: Handling Cases of Forc5.15 Forced Marriage
3. Recognition - A child who is being forced into marriage is at risk of Significant Harm through physical, sexual and emotional abuse. See Recognition of Significant Harm Procedure. Significant Harm is defined as a situation where a child is suffering, or is likely to suffer, a degree of physical, sexual5.15 Forced Marriage
4. Immediate Response - Situations where a child fears being forced into marriage have similarities with both domestic violence and honour based violence. Professionals should respond in a similar way to forced marriage as with domestic violence and honour based violence: In facilitating disclosure; Developing in5.15 Forced Marriage
5. Referral to Surrey Children's Services - If a professional and/or their agency's nominated safeguarding children adviser conclude that the child is at risk of harm, the professional should make a referral to Surrey Children's Services in line with the Contacts and Referrals Procedure. If the situation is acute, the professional s5.16 Honour Based Violence
1. Introduction - Honour based violence is a collection of practices, which are used to control behaviour and exert power within families to protect perceived cultural and religious beliefs and/or honour. Such violence can occur when perpetrators perceive that an individual has shamed the family and/or comm5.16 Honour Based Violence
2. Recognition - A child who is at risk of honour based violence is at significant risk of physical harm (including being murdered) and/or neglect, and may also suffer significant emotional harm through the threat of violence or witnessing violence directed towards a sibling or other family member. See Rec5.16 Honour Based Violence
3. Disclosure and Response - When receiving a disclosure from a child, professionals should recognise the seriousness / immediacy of the risk of harm. For a child to report to any agency that they have fears of honour based violence in respect of themselves or a family member requires a lot of courage, and trust that5.17 Historical Abuse Allegations
1. Significance - All SSCB agencies and their partner agencies responses to allegations by an adult of abuse experienced as a child must be of as high standard as a response to allegations of current abuse because: There is a significant likelihood that a person, who abused a child in the past, will have co5.17 Historical Abuse Allegations
AMENDMENT This chapter was reviewed for the October 2015 edition of the manual.5.17 Historical Abuse Allegations
3. Allegations Against Adults Who Worked with Children - If the adult is disclosing abuse against an individual who worked with children, a referral must be made to the Local Authority Designated Officer known as the LADO. The LADO will initially: Undertake checks to establish if the alleged perpetrator is currently working with children; Check5.17 Historical Abuse Allegations
2. Response - As soon as it is apparent that an adult is revealing childhood abuse, the practitioner involved must record what is said by the adult and the responses given by the practitioner must be recorded as well. If possible, the practitioner should establish, if the adult is aware of the alleged p5.18 Children Missing from Care and Home (under review)
Appendix 1: Glossary - Accommodated: A child is accommodated if the Local Authority looks after them with the voluntary agreement of his / her parents or with the child if s/he is over 16 years old. Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children: There are complex issues facing Asylum Seeking children. Information about5.18 Children Missing from Care and Home (under review)
4. Roles and Responsibilities - 4.1 Local Authority Local authorities must ensure that all incidents where children go missing are appropriately risk assessed, and should record all incidents of looked after children who are missing or away from placement without authorisation. The local authority should co5.18 Children Missing from Care and Home (under review)
13. The Missing Children Panel and Risk Management Meetings - The Missing Children Panel is a multi-agency meeting which meets weekly to discuss children who have been missing. The group reviews completed Return Home Interviews and discusses children on the weekly missing list. Area Risk Management Meetings have representation from Surrey Children’5.18 Children Missing from Care and Home (under review)
14. Support for Families - When a child is missing it is important that parents/carers are offered support both during the episode and once the child has returned. For details of independent agencies that can help, see Appendix 25.18 Children Missing from Care and Home (under review)
15. Monitoring of Missing Children Data - Data regarding missing children is collated monthly from Police and Surrey Children’s Service information and is reported to Surrey Police and Children’s Services. This data is also compiled in quarterly reports which are shared with Surrey Police and Children’s Services, the Surrey5.18 Children Missing from Care and Home (under review)
10. Return Home Interview - When a child who has been missing is found or returns, they will be offered an Independent Return Interview to try and uncover information to prevent the risk recurring and reduce exposure to risk while missing. Children who are Looked After by Surrey Children’s Service The return home i5.18 Children Missing from Care and Home (under review)
9. When a Child Missing from Home or Care is Located or Returns - 9.1 It is important to not just return the child to a safe environment and discover what happened to them whilst they were missing, but to ascertain the reason for their leaving in the first place. This may not always be apparent nor may the child immediately disclose the actual reason.5.18 Children Missing from Care and Home (under review)
8. Publicity / Media Strategy - The Police and local authority have joint responsibility for advising the media regarding missing children and decisions will be based on a number of factors including the level of risk, relevant information, and the period of time the child has been missing. These decisions will be jointl5.18 Children Missing from Care and Home (under review)
7. Children who are Looked After and go Missing (Including Care Leavers) - (For staff in Surrey Children’s Services, see also detailed internal procedures on the Children’s Procedures site). 7.1 Prevention and Planning Prior to each accommodation requirement for a looked after child, the care planning process should consider all potential risks to the child,5.18 Children Missing from Care and Home (under review)
6. Children Missing from Home - 6.1 Responsibility of the Alerter: Parents/Carers, Agencies and Voluntary Sector Responsibility of the Alerter: Parents/Carers, Agencies and Voluntary Sector If a child is thought to be missing or not where they are supposed to be, immediate efforts should be made to try and locate him/her5.18 Children Missing from Care and Home (under review)
5. Specific Risks - 5.1 Child Sexual Exploitation The sexual exploitation of children involves exploitative situations, contexts and relationships where the young person (or third person/s) receive 'something' (e.g. food, accommodation, drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, affection, gifts, money) as a r5.18 Children Missing from Care and Home (under review)
Appendix 2: Helplines - Missing People The charity is there 24/7 to offer support to those who have run away, gone missing or been forced to leave. They are there to help talk things through, give confidential advice and pass a message home if a child / young person wishes for this. The charity can also provide s5.18 Children Missing from Care and Home (under review)
11. Responding to Information from Prevention Interviews and Return Home Interviews - Information gathered from Police Prevention Interviews, Return Home Interviews and any other discussions with parents/carers, should be jointly considered with the Police (and other agencies as appropriate) and an appropriate plan put in place for the child. Consideration should also be gi5.18 Children Missing from Care and Home (under review)
12. Assessments following a Missing Episode - All missing episodes will be considered and assessed in the C-SPA. The outcome of this assessment may be an offer of Early Help. A Child & Family Assessment, a strategy meeting or immediate safeguarding action. All children will be offered a Return Home Interview within 72 hours (see5.18 Children Missing from Care and Home (under review)
3. Definitions - Missing - Anyone whose whereabouts cannot be established will be considered as missing until located, and their well-being or otherwise confirmed. All reports of missing people sit within a continuum of risk from ‘no apparent risk’ to high-risk cases that require immediate, intensive a5.18 Children Missing from Care and Home (under review)
2. Scope - This joint procedure applies to: All children under 18 who go missing from their parents/carers/home; Children "Looked After" by Surrey Council placed within the authority’s boundaries; Children "Looked After" by other local authorities, but placed within Surrey boundaries; Children wh5.18 Children Missing from Care and Home (under review)
Appendix 3: Missing Persons Reporting Form - The following information must be available when reporting a child or young person as missing or absent in order for the Police to make an accurate assessment of the risk, and locate the individual. Personal details of the individual (e.g. Name, DOB, Sex, Nationality); Relationship of call5.18 Children Missing from Care and Home (under review)
Appendix 4: Partner Agency Contact Details - Children's Single Point of Access (C-SPA): 0300 470 9100 Surrey Police Missing Persons Unit: 01483 639674 Surrey Safeguarding Children Unit: 01372 833314 Surrey Emergency Duty Team: 01483 517898 Surrey Children's Services: 0300 200 10065.18 Children Missing from Care and Home (under review)
1. Introduction and Context - The following protocol and procedure has been created to provide a multi-agency response to children who are missing or have been missing from home and care. Going missing is a dangerous activity and a child who goes missing just once faces the same immediate risks as those who regularly g5.18 Children Missing from Care and Home (under review)
AMENDMENT This chapter has been updated throughout in February 2018.5.19 Children Missing from Education
Further Information5.19 Children Missing from Education
1. Definition of Children Missing Education5.19 Children Missing from Education
2. Recognition and Response5.19 Children Missing from Education
3. Notifications and Actions5.19 Children Missing from Education
THIS CHAPTER IS CURRENTLY UNDER REVIEW5.20 Pre-birth Child Protection Procedure
AMENDMENT This chapter was reviewed and revised in October 2022.5.2 Begging
An adult begging for money may have a child with them who may or may not be their own, and whose role is to invoke public sympathy. A child may also beg alone or appear to be so doing. It is not the activity itself, rather the consequent risks which determine if an Assessment with a Sectio5.20 Pre-birth Child Protection Procedure
8. Pregnant Women Who Go Missing - When there is a loss of contact with an expectant mother where safeguarding concerns have already been established, all agencies must take this seriously. It is important that proactive and reasonable efforts are made to establish whereabouts of the pregnant woman and once it is clear th5.20 Pre-birth Child Protection Procedure
10. Timing of Pre-Birth Conferences - The pre-birth conference should take place by the time expectant mother is 28-30 weeks pregnant to allow as much time as possible to clarify and establish the support necessary to create safety for the baby and family once the baby is born (see Appendix 1: Pre-Birth Assessment and Interven5.20 Pre-birth Child Protection Procedure
11. Attendance - The key agencies involved in the delivery of the child must attend the conference. It is important that this conference makes an informed decision about the level of safeguarding intervention required, makes recommendations that will address the unborn child’s safety, and draw up protect5.20 Pre-birth Child Protection Procedure
12. Decision - If a decision is made that the child requires a Child Protection Plan, the main cause for concern must determine the category of abuse or neglect under which the decision is made, and the Child Protection Plan must be outlined to commence prior to the birth of the baby. The Core Group must5.20 Pre-birth Child Protection Procedure
13. Timing of Review Conference - The first Child Protection Review Conference will be scheduled to take place within 1 month of the child's birth. This may be extended by up to three months with the written authorisation of a Children's Social Care Assistant Director and the Conference Chair if information from a post-nat5.20 Pre-birth Child Protection Procedure
9. Pre-Birth Conferences - A pre-birth conference is an Initial Child Protection Conference concerning an unborn child. Such a conference has the same status and proceeds in the same way as other Initial Child Protection Conferences, including decisions about the Child Protection Plan, and must be conducted in a com5.20 Pre-birth Child Protection Procedure
2. Recognition and Referral - Where agencies or individuals anticipate that prospective parents may need support services to care for their baby agencies need to consider whether an Early Help Assessment is needed in the first instance see Continuum of Support for children and families living in Surrey. When an expect5.20 Pre-birth Child Protection Procedure
Appendices - Appendix 1: Pre-Birth Assessment and Intervention Timeline Appendix 2: Guidance for Professionals undertaking Pre Birth Assessments Strategy Discussions and Section 47 Enquiries Procedure. Pre-Birth Child Protection Policy (created by User Voice and Participation Team) Continuum of Suppo5.20 Pre-birth Child Protection Procedure
1. Introduction - UK Law does not legislate for the rights of the unborn baby. In some circumstances, agencies or individuals are able to anticipate the likelihood of Significant Harm with regard to an expected baby. Although it is recognised that in the ante-natal period a number of professionals have resp5.20 Pre-birth Child Protection Procedure
5. Pre-birth Section 47 Enquiry and Assessment - The undertaking of a pre-birth assessment is a multi-agency task led by Children’s Social Care which “should help us move from a reactive, crisis-led response to a more considered, proactive, and needs led response” (Calder 2003). The pre-birth assessment process should aid the mul5.20 Pre-birth Child Protection Procedure
3. Response - When making a decision to refer an unborn baby, you must consider both the Continuum of Support for children and families living in Surrey, as well as the ‘Referral Circumstances’ within this policy in order to make an informed decision. All pre-birth referrals to Children's Social C5.20 Pre-birth Child Protection Procedure
7. If a Baby on a CP Plan is Born at Home Unexpectedly - If it is suspected that a child may be born at home or delivered prior to arriving at the hospital a referral should be made to the Southeast Coast Ambulance Service (SECAMB) by the Safeguarding Lead and/or the allocated Social Worker. Information should be shared with the Ambulance Servic5.20 Pre-birth Child Protection Procedure
6. If an Unborn babies’ siblings are already open to Level 4 services - Where the unborn baby has siblings, who are already open to Level 4 services, the timescales for conducting a Pre-Birth Child and Family Assessment are the same as for any other unborn child (24 weeks where possible and with full understanding that all assessments should be concluded by 365.20 Pre-birth Child Protection Procedure
4. Pre-birth Multi-Agency Strategy Meeting - A strategy meeting should be chaired by a Children's Social Care Services Team Manager and involve: Lead Safeguarding Midwife. Police. Social worker. Health Professionals (GP, named nurse, Health visitor, named midwife (if allocated), and any other relevant health professional. Other profe5.21 Trafficked and Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children
1. Introduction - Unaccompanied children: Professionals in all agencies should be aware that refugee and asylum seeking and unaccompanied children, are vulnerable. The children and many of their carers will need assistance to ensure that the child receives adequate care and accesses health and education ser5.21 Trafficked and Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children
2. Assessment - Surrey Children's Services should carry out an Assessment regardless of the child's immigration status. Where there are concerns about trafficking during the assessment consideration should be given to actioning a Strategy discussion/ meeting, see Strategy Discussions and Section 47 Enquir5.21 Trafficked and Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children
3. Age Assessment and Information Sharing - The issue of age assessment in social work with asylum seeking young people remains controversial and has been something that Children’s social care have struggled with since the millennium. The ADCS Asylum Task Force has worked with the Home Office to provide two new jointly agreed docu5.21 Trafficked and Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children
4. Trafficked Children - A child at risk of being trafficked who is provided with care and accommodation must, where possible, be placed within the county in accommodation that provides the level of supervision proportionate to the need to protect them. This may include protection from possible abduction by an u5.21 Trafficked and Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children
5. Contact Information - Contact information can be obtained via the Foreign and Commonwealth Office or the relevant Embassy or Consulate. The referral forms and guidance to the National Referral Mechanism see Human Trafficking Victims Referral and Assessment Forms (Government website) Additional information about5.21 Trafficked and Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children
RELEVANT GUIDANCE Care of unaccompanied mirgrant children and child victims of modern slavery (November 2017) 'Safeguarding children who may have been trafficked', non-statutory good practice guidance issued by the Department for Education and the Home Office in October 2011; and Statutory5.22 Racial and Religious Harassment
This chapter is currently under review. Children and families from black or ethnic minority groups are likely to have experienced or are still experiencing harassment, racial discrimination and institutional racism. Experience of racism is likely to affect how a child behaves, in particu5.23 Families where a Parent has a Learning Difficulty
Introduction There is increasing awareness of families where one or both Parents have learning difficulties which may impact on their ability to meet the care needs of their child and the need to increase effectiveness of assessment, communication and joint working between professionals5.24 Parental Substance Misuse
This chapter should be read in conjunction with Best Practice Guidance When Parents Are Using Drugs/Alcohol: Working Together with Parents and Children. Misuse of drugs and/or alcohol is strongly associated with significant harm to children, especially when combined with other features suc5.25 Enduring and/or Severe Parental Mental Illness
This chapter was updated in July 2020 . Some children grow up with parent(s) and or carers who have diagnosable mental health problems. Some of these mental health problems may be mild and or short-lived, whilst others may be severe and enduring which include: depression, anxiety disord5.26 Young Carers
A young carer is a young person under the age of eighteen who has a responsibility for caring on a regular basis for a relative (or very occasionally a friend) who has an illness or disability. This can be primary or secondary caring and leads to a variety of losses for the young carer.5.27 Self-Harm and Suicidal Behaviour
4. Protective and Supportive Action - A supportive response demonstrating respect and understanding of the child or young person, along with a non-judgmental stance, are of prime importance. Note also that a child or young person who has a learning disability may find it more difficult to express their thoughts. Practitioners5.27 Self-Harm and Suicidal Behaviour
5. Issues – Information Sharing and Consent - The best assessment of the child or young person’s needs and the risks, they may be exposed to, requires useful information to be gathered in order to analyse and plan the support services. In order to share and access information from the relevant professionals the child or young person5.27 Self-Harm and Suicidal Behaviour
1. Definition - Definitions from the Mental Health Foundation (2003) are: Deliberate self-harm is self-harm without suicidal intent, resulting in non-fatal injury; Attempted suicide is self-harm with intent to take life, resulting in non-fatal injury; Suicide is self-harm, resulting in death. The term sel5.27 Self-Harm and Suicidal Behaviour
2. Indicators - The indicators that a child or young person may be at risk of taking actions to harm themselves or attempt suicide can cover a wide range of life events such as bereavement, bullying at school or a variety of forms of cyber bullying, often via mobile phones, homophobic bullying, mental hea5.27 Self-Harm and Suicidal Behaviour
3. Risks - An assessment of risk should be undertaken at the earliest stage and should enquire about and consider the child or young person’s: Level of planning and intent; Frequency of thoughts and actions; Signs or symptoms of a mental health disorder such as depression; Evidence or disclosure of5.27 Self-Harm and Suicidal Behaviour
SCOPE OF THIS CHAPTER Any child or young person, who self-harms or expresses thoughts about this or about suicide, must be taken seriously and appropriate help and intervention should be offered at the earliest point. Any practitioner, who is made aware that a child or young person has sel5.28 Pregnancy of a Child
RELATED CHAPTER This section should be read in conjunction with Chapter 5.20 Pre-birth Child Protection Procedure and Chapter 5.6 Working with Sexually Active Young People. Introduction All professionals have a responsibility to consider the welfare of both the prospective mother and h5.29 Foreign Exchange Visits
1. Context This guidance should be applied to all situations where students (18 and under) are being accommodated with host families while registered at an educational establishment in Surrey whether the placement is short term or long term. Children and young people on foreign exchange v5.3 A Multi-agency Protocol for the Management of Actual or Suspected bruising in Infants who are Not Independently Mobile
AIM OF PROTOCOL The aim of this protocol is to provide all professionals with a knowledge base and action strategy for the assessment, management and referral of infants who are Not Independently Mobile (NIM) who present with bruising. All practitioners should refer to the Procedures for5.3 A Multi-agency Protocol for the Management of Actual or Suspected bruising in Infants who are Not Independently Mobile
1. Definitions - For the Purpose of this Protocol Not Independently Mobile (NIM): is an infant who is not yet crawling, bottom shuffling, or cruising. Particular attention should be given to the risks in those children who are unable to roll over. It includes all infants less than 6 months. Bruising: extra5.30 Surrogacy
Health professionals must read this in conjunction with ‘Care in Surrogacy’ Guidance for the care of surrogates and intended parents in surrogate births in England and Wales and includes the following: legal context and guidance, pre-birth, birth planning and post birth, sources of adv5.3 A Multi-agency Protocol for the Management of Actual or Suspected bruising in Infants who are Not Independently Mobile
Appendices - Appendix 1: Body Maps Appendix 2: Contact Details Appendix 3: Multi-agency Flowchart for the Management of Actual or Suspected Bruising in Infants who are not Independently Mobile Appendix 4: Leaflet: SSCP Bruising in infants who are not independently mobile5.3 A Multi-agency Protocol for the Management of Actual or Suspected bruising in Infants who are Not Independently Mobile
6. Sharing Information and Consulting Colleagues - Please refer to Managing Individual Cases section of these procedures. If there are concerns about the decision making and management of the case, any professional has a duty to escalate concerns to the next level in line with the SSCP The Surrey FaST Resolution Process5.3 A Multi-agency Protocol for the Management of Actual or Suspected bruising in Infants who are Not Independently Mobile
5. Specific Circumstances - Birth Injury: In the case of new-born infants where bruising may be the result of birth trauma, instrumental delivery, or medical procedures such as blood tests, professionals should remain alert to the possibility of physical abuse even in a hospital setting. In this situation professio5.3 A Multi-agency Protocol for the Management of Actual or Suspected bruising in Infants who are Not Independently Mobile
4. Action to be taken by Individuals and Agencies on Identifying Actual or Suspected Bruising - Referring Practitioner responsibilities: If the infant appears seriously ill or injured: Seek emergency treatment at an Emergency Department (ED); Refer to children’s services / and if needed inform police of your concerns and the child’s location. A transfer to hospital should not b5.3 A Multi-agency Protocol for the Management of Actual or Suspected bruising in Infants who are Not Independently Mobile
3. Scope of Protocol - This protocol relates only to bruising in infants who are Not Independently Mobile. It includes all infants less than 6 months. It should be noted that infants may be abused (including sustaining fractures, serious head injuries and intra-abdominal injuries) with no evidence of bruising or5.3 A Multi-agency Protocol for the Management of Actual or Suspected bruising in Infants who are Not Independently Mobile
2. Research Base - Research shows that it is very unusual for pre-mobile babies to sustain bruises accidentally and bruising in this age group raises significant concerns about physical abuse. There is a substantial and well-founded research base on the significance of bruising in children: Child Protection5.31 Children and Blood Borne Viruses
Blood-borne viruses (e.g. HIV, hepatitis B and C) are not in themselves issues for child protection, and there is no evidence that child protection issues arise disproportionately in families affected by these viruses. Workers should seek specialist advice if issues about blood-borne virus5.32 Supporting Children and Young People Vulnerable to Violent Extremism
SCOPE OF THIS CHAPTER This chapter is based on and summarises the document 'Prevent and Safeguarding Guidance: Supporting Individuals Vulnerable to Violent Extremism', which has been issued by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO). The guidance provides advice on how to manage an5.32 Supporting Children and Young People Vulnerable to Violent Extremism
1. Introduction - Radicalisation is defined as the process by which people come to support terrorism and violent extremism and, in some cases, to then participate in terrorist groups. There is no obvious profile of a person likely to become involved in extremism or a single indicator of when a person might5.32 Supporting Children and Young People Vulnerable to Violent Extremism
2. National Guidance and Strategies - The following are part of the government's counter terrorist strategy, referred to as CONTEST. The Prevent Strategy: A Guide for Local Partners in England. Stopping people becoming or supporting terrorists and violent extremists The expectation is that within all local authority areas a Pr5.32 Supporting Children and Young People Vulnerable to Violent Extremism
3. Referral and Intervention Processes - The ACPO guidance provides a model referral process for children and young people who are vulnerable to radicalisation and/or who may be at risk through living with or being in direct contact with known extremists. Click here to view model referral process flowchart. Staff working with chi5.32 Supporting Children and Young People Vulnerable to Violent Extremism
4. Understanding and Recognising Risks and Vulnerabilities of Radicalisation - Children and young people can be drawn into violence or they can be exposed to the messages of extremist groups by many means. These can include through the influence of family members or friends and/or direct contact with extremist groups and organisations or, increasingly, through the in5.33 Self-Taken Indecent Images
Click here to view the ACPO CPAI Lead’s Position on Young People Who Post Self-Taken Indecent Images.5.34 Spiritual, Cultural and Religious Beliefs
4. Professional Response - Faith based abuse may challenge a professional's own faith and / or belief, or the professional may have little or no knowledge on the issues that may arise. This makes it difficult for the professional to identify what they might be dealing with and affect their judgement. It will often t5.34 Spiritual, Cultural and Religious Beliefs
5. Working with Places of Worship and Faith Organisations - In some circumstances, it may be appropriate to work in partnership with a responsible leader/s from a faith community or to assist a community in terms of safeguarding children through education and training. Such training provides preventative and parenting opportunities. Before embarkin5.34 Spiritual, Cultural and Religious Beliefs
1. Introduction - Current guidelines for praying for children and engaging with them in a faith context are available in the 'Safe and Secure' booklet, available at: www.ccpas.co.uk, produced by the Churches' Child Protection Advisory Service (CCPAS) and the Metropolitan Police. Whilst the booklet is specif5.34 Spiritual, Cultural and Religious Beliefs
AMENDMENT This chapter was updated in February 20185.34 Spiritual, Cultural and Religious Beliefs
3. Recognising Child Abuse or Neglect Linked to Spirit Possession - Indicators of abuse include: A child's body showing signs or marks, such as bruises or burns, from physical abuse; A child becoming noticeably confused, withdrawn, disorientated or isolated and appearing alone amongst other children; A child's personal care deteriorating, for example throu5.34 Spiritual, Cultural and Religious Beliefs
6. Children being taken out of the UK - If a professional is concerned that a child who is being abused or neglected is being taken out of the country, it is relevant to consider: Why the child is being taken out of the UK; Whether the care arrangements for the child in the UK allow the local authority to discharge its safeguard5.34 Spiritual, Cultural and Religious Beliefs
2. Reasons for the Abuse - A belief in spirit possession is not confined to particular countries, cultures, religions or communities. Common factors that put a child at risk of harm include: Belief in evil spirits: this is commonly accompanied by a belief that the child could 'infect' others with such 'evil'. The ex5.35 Online Safety
This chapter was added to the manual in October 2015.5.35 Online Safety
2. Risks - There is some evidence from research that people found in possession of indecent images/pseudo images or films/videos of children may currently, or in the future become, involved directly in childAbuse themselves. In particular, the individual’s access to children should be established5.35 Online Safety
7. Further Information - See UK Safer Internet website and CEOP, thinkUknow website. Also see the Chief Medical Officer for the UK commentary on the connections between screen-based activities and children and young people's mental health. Department for Education, Teaching online safety in schools Childnet Ad5.35 Online Safety
1. Definition - ‘Internet Abuse’ relates to four main areas of abuse to children: Abusive images of children (although these are not confined to the Internet); A child or young person being groomed for the purpose of Sexual Abuse; Exposure to adult abusive images and other offensive material via the I5.35 Online Safety
5. Issues - When communicating via the internet, young people tend to become less wary and talk about things far more openly than they might when communicating face to face. Both male and female adults and some young people may use the internet to harm children. Some do this by looking at, taking and/5.35 Online Safety
4. Protection and Action to be Taken - Where there is suspected or actual evidence of anyone accessing or creating indecent images of children, this must be referred to the Police and Children’s social care in line with the Contacts and Referrals Procedure. All incidents in schools and colleges involving youth produced sexua5.35 Online Safety
3. Indicators - Often issues involving child abuse come to light through an accidental discovery of images on a computer or other device and can seem to emerge ‘out of the blue’ from an otherwise trusted and non-suspicious individual. This in itself can make accepting the fact of the abuse difficult f5.36 Reasonable punishment and smacking
LEGISLATION What is the law on smacking children? It is unlawful for a parent or carer to smack their child. There is however a defence available to a parent or person acting in loco parentis where the smack amounts to “reasonable punishment” This defence is laid down in Section 58 of5.37 Child Criminal Exploitation
3. Risks - The risk or potential risk of harm to the child may be as a victim, a gang member or both - in relation to their peers or to a gang-involved adult in their household. Teenagers can be particularly vulnerable to recruitment into gangs and involvement in gang violence. This vulnerability may5.37 Child Criminal Exploitation
8. Resources - St Giles Trust - Intensive, specialist help for young people affected by gang-related violence and exploitation - https://www.stgilestrust.org.uk Abianda - a social enterprise that works with young women affected by gangs - http://abianda.com Barnados - http://www.barnardos.org.uk NSPCC -5.37 Child Criminal Exploitation
7. Further information - Reducing Knife, Gun and Gang Crime Girls and Gangs, The Centre for Social Justice, 2014 (research paper) Ending Gang and Youth Violence Community Engagement 2014 Injunctions to Prevent Gang-Related Violence and Drug Dealing (Home Office) May 2016 Injunctions to Prevent Gang-Related Viol5.37 Child Criminal Exploitation
6. Violent extremism and radicalisation - Children and young people involved with gangs may be drawn into radicalisation or be exposed to the messages of extremist groups either through direct contact with members or, increasingly, through the internet. This can put a young person at risk of being drawn into criminal activity and5.37 Child Criminal Exploitation
5. Professional response - Referral A referral must be made as soon as possible when any concern of Significant Harm as a consequence of gang activity including child criminal exploitation becomes known. Any agency or practitioner who has concerns that a child may be at risk of harm should contact the Surrey Childre5.37 Child Criminal Exploitation
4. Indicators of risk - Child withdrawn from family; Sudden loss of interest in school or change in behaviour. Decline in attendance or academic achievement (although it should be noted that some gang members will maintain a good attendance record to avoid coming to notice); Being emotionally 'switched off', but5.37 Child Criminal Exploitation
1. Introduction - There are a number of areas in which young people are put at risk by gang activity, both through participation in, and as victims of, gang violence which can be in relation to their peers or to a gang-involved adult in their household. A child who is affected by gang activity or serious yo5.37 Child Criminal Exploitation
2. Definitions - Definition of criminal exploitation: Child Criminal Exploitation occurs where an individual or group takes advantage of an imbalance of power to coerce, control, manipulate or deceive a child or young person under the age of 18 into any criminal activity (a) in exchange for something the v5.38 Preventing Homelessness in Surrey - Joint Protocol for 16 and 17 year-olds
Please see attached Surrey Joint Protocol to set out the joint working arrangements of Children's Services and housing authorities in Surrey to improve the experience of 16 and 17 year-olds who need help and support with accommodation. Preventing Homelessness – Joint Protocol for 16- and5.39 Dangerous Dogs and Safeguarding Children
Click here to access procedure5.4 Children and Families in Need Moving Across Safeguarding Children Partnership Boundaries
AMENDMENT Some terminology was updated in September 2014 in regards to Early Help Assessments.5.4 Children and Families in Need Moving Across Safeguarding Children Partnership Boundaries
7. Child Accommodated by the Originating Authority - Responsibility An Accommodated child remains the responsibility of the originating authority until: (S)he is discharged from accommodation; or Agreement is reached, and confirmed in writing by its first line manager, that the receiving authority will accommodate the child(ren). Responsibil5.4 Children and Families in Need Moving Across Safeguarding Children Partnership Boundaries
8. Child Subject to a Child Protection Plan in the Originating Authority - Responsibility If housing provision is assessed as being required for a family with a child subject to a Child Protection Plan, all efforts should be made for the provision to be within the originating authority unless a move is part of the Child Protection Plan. This applies to both tempo5.4 Children and Families in Need Moving Across Safeguarding Children Partnership Boundaries
9. A Child (not Subject to a Child Protection Plan or Looked After) in Receipt of Services from the Originating Authority - Attribution of Responsibility Where a child and/or family in receipt of Children’s Services move to another authority, it is the responsibility of the originating authority to notify the receiving authority in writing of their circumstances. In response to notification by the originating5.4 Children and Families in Need Moving Across Safeguarding Children Partnership Boundaries
10. A Child (With or Without Carers) Arriving in Surrey from Outside the UK - The following procedures apply to all children moving into Surrey from outside the U.K., whether unaccompanied, with their family / relatives or with other adults (see also Trafficked and Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children Procedure). Responsibility for Recognition of Child in Need All5.4 Children and Families in Need Moving Across Safeguarding Children Partnership Boundaries
6. Child Subject to Statutory Order in the Originating Authority - Case Responsibility Children subject to a statutory order remain the responsibility of the originating authority until the order is discharged, or expires, unless transferred to the receiving authority. The receiving authority may, (and this must be confirmed in writing by first line manag5.4 Children and Families in Need Moving Across Safeguarding Children Partnership Boundaries
4. Inter-Authority Arrangements for Section 47 Enquiries - A local authority has a legal duty under Section 47 of the Children Act 1989 to conduct enquiries regarding suspected or actual Significant Harm to a child who lives, or is found in its area. The term ‘home authority’ refers to the authority holding case responsibility, or if the child5.4 Children and Families in Need Moving Across Safeguarding Children Partnership Boundaries
3. Best Practice for Information Sharing - Particular care must be exercised by all agencies in contact with children and families moving across borough/county boundaries to collect accurate information on any child in need and share this with other agencies e.g.: Ensuring that all fore names and surnames used by the family are pro5.4 Children and Families in Need Moving Across Safeguarding Children Partnership Boundaries
2. Indicators of Risk - When families move frequently, it is more difficult for agencies to identify risks and monitor a child’s welfare. All agencies, which come into contact with families who have moved, must ensure that they establish basic information regarding previous address(es), registration with a doct5.4 Children and Families in Need Moving Across Safeguarding Children Partnership Boundaries
1. Definitions - The increasing numbers of families moving or being moved across boundaries presents difficulties in terms of safe, reliable and consistent delivery of services. The universal services offered by health and education are delivered to a child in the area where (s)he is living. Arrangements f5.4 Children and Families in Need Moving Across Safeguarding Children Partnership Boundaries
5. Case Responsibility Following Move - Responsibility for the provision of Surrey Children's Services normally rests with the authority in which the child is living or found, regardless of whether the residence is regarded as temporary or permanent by either professionals or family. Specific qualifications and exceptions apply5.5 Safeguarding Children and Young People from Sexual Exploitation
AMENDMENT This chapter was updated in July 2017 to reflect changes to existing procedures.5.5 Safeguarding Children and Young People from Sexual Exploitation
1. Introduction - Reducing the impact of Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) is a priority for Surrey Safeguarding Children Partnership. This guidance outlines the roles and responsibilities of relevant agencies and the procedures practitioners should follow to ensure the safety and well-being of children and y5.5 Safeguarding Children and Young People from Sexual Exploitation
6. Multi Agency Involvement - The complex nature of CSE requires a joined-up, multi-agency response. All staff (including practitioners, middle and senior managers) in all agencies should, as a result of training, at minimum have a basic understanding of CSE, be familiar with vulnerability factors and warning signs/ris5.5 Safeguarding Children and Young People from Sexual Exploitation
5. Responding to CSE - Please see here for the CSE Operating Process Further reading: Making Noise: Children's voices for positive change after sexual abuse (Children's Commissioner), April 2017 Identification CSE is often a hidden harm, and explicit evidence of exploitation may not be evident. Children and yo5.5 Safeguarding Children and Young People from Sexual Exploitation
4. Key Principles - In Surrey, the approach for helping families early is embedded within the Continuum of Support and the Social Work practice model ‘Family Safeguarding.’ Within this model we have identified five types of support: Universal and community, Emerging Needs, Targeted Support, Intensive5.5 Safeguarding Children and Young People from Sexual Exploitation
3. Aims and Purposes - The procedures outlined here provide a framework for responding to CSE in Surrey with the aim of ensuring Surrey children are protected from CSE and feel safe in their communities. The purpose of these procedures is to: Support the early identification of children at risk of/experiencing C5.5 Safeguarding Children and Young People from Sexual Exploitation
2. What is CSE - Surrey Safeguarding Children partners have adopted the following definition of CSE published by the Department for Education in April 2017: Child sexual exploitation is a form of child sexual abuse. It occurs where an individual or group takes advantage of an imbalance of power to coerce,5.5 Safeguarding Children and Young People from Sexual Exploitation
7. Roles and Responsibilities - 7.1 Surrey Safeguarding Children Partnership Surrey Safeguarding Children Partnership (SSCP) has a key role to play in coordinating and ensuring the effectiveness of responses to CSE in Surrey. The DfE[1] has set out clear guidance on what effective local responses look like. These have be5.6 Working with sexually active young people
7. Advice, Information and Support - If a young person has admitted sexual activity to a practitioner but there are no causes for concern, the following discussions should take place with them: Risk of pregnancy and contraceptive advice; Sexually transmitted infections; Safer sex; Emotional response to being involved in a sex5.6 Working with sexually active young people
6. Sharing Information with Parents / Carers - Decisions to share information with parents / carers will be taken using practitioner judgement, following discussion with the child or young person and in consultation with other involved agencies. Decisions will be based on their age, maturity and ability to appreciate what is involved i5.6 Working with sexually active young people
5. Making a Referral to Local Authority Children’s Services - Depending on the nature of the concern regarding the possibility that a child or young person is at risk of being sexually exploited, the following actions should be taken. If a worker is concerned that a child is suffering or likely to suffer Significant Harm, a referral to Surrey Childr5.6 Working with sexually active young people
3. Confidentiality - In working with children and young people, it must always be made clear to them at the earliest appropriate point that absolute confidentiality cannot be guaranteed. This is because there may be some circumstances where their needs can only be safeguarded by sharing information with others5.6 Working with sexually active young people
2. The Legal Framework - The Sexual Offences Act 2003 The following information, based on the Sexual Offences Act 2003, provides an outline of the law in relation to children and young people under the age of 18 years old. 2.1 Children under the Age of 13 Sexual activity with a child under the age of 13 is illegal5.6 Working with sexually active young people
1. Introduction - Cases of underage sexual activity are likely to raise difficult issues for practitioners, and need to be handled with particular sensitivity. The Sexual Offences Act 2003 sets out the law in relation to all children and young people under 16 who legally cannot consent to sex, but makes a s5.6 Working with sexually active young people
7. Advice, Information and Support5.6 Working with sexually active young people
4. Assessment - The following factors should be considered when assessing whether a child or young person is at risk of harm because of involvement in sexual activity: The age of the child - sexual activity at a young age is a very strong indicator that there are risks to the welfare of the child (whether5.7 Children Displaying Harmful Sexual Behaviour
6. Outcomes of Section 47 Enquiries - The outcome of Section 47 Enquiries is as described in the Strategy Discussions and Section 47 Enquiries Procedure. If the information gathered in the course of the Section 47 Enquiry suggests that the child who is alleged to have sexually abused is also a victim, or potential victim, of a5.7 Children Displaying Harmful Sexual Behaviour
4. Recognition - When there is suspicion or an allegation of a child having been sexually abusive to another child, it should be referred immediately to the Surrey Children's Single Point of Access (C-SPA) Monday – Friday 9am-5pm on 0300 470 9100 or Emergency duty team if out of hours on 01483 517898 AND5.7 Children Displaying Harmful Sexual Behaviour
Appendix 2: Definition of an AIM 2 Assessment - The Assessment, Intervention, Moving On - Version2 (AIM2) Model of Assessment (Print et al. 2006) The AIM2 assessment is an actuarial measure developed within the UK. It is made up of a number of evidence-based risk and protective factors associated with young people who do or do not go on5.7 Children Displaying Harmful Sexual Behaviour
Appendix 1: Sexually Harmful Behaviour following Police Report of Incident - Flowchart - Flowchart5.7 Children Displaying Harmful Sexual Behaviour
3. Stages of Sexual Development - Children pass through different stages of sexual development as they grow and their awareness and curiosity of sexual matters changes with them. Due to children developing sexual awareness at different rates it can be difficult to tell the difference between age appropriate sexual explorat5.7 Children Displaying Harmful Sexual Behaviour
5. Procedure - Immediate actions Professionals should report concerns immediately to Police and Surrey Children's Single Point of Access Monday – Friday 9am-5pm on 0300 470 9100 or Emergency duty team if out of hours on 01483 517898. The attending Police Officer will complete a Single Combined Assessme5.7 Children Displaying Harmful Sexual Behaviour
2. What is Harmful Sexual Behaviour (HSB) - Harmful Sexual Behaviours are likely to include: Coercion Secrecy Power imbalance which may involve significant difference in age and developmental factors Degradation and threats Compulsive behaviours Age inappropriate knowledge and experience Grooming including use of bribes, gifts Remov5.7 Children Displaying Harmful Sexual Behaviour
1. Introduction - Harmful Sexual behaviour can involve one or more children engaging in sexual discussions or acts that are inappropriate for their age or stage of development. These can range from using sexually explicit word and phrases to full penetrative sex with other children or adults5.7 Children Displaying Harmful Sexual Behaviour
AMENDMENT This chapter was updated in June 20205.8 Complex (Organised or Multiple) Abuse
2. General Principles - Cases of organised or multiple abuse are often highly complex because of the number of children involved, the very serious nature of the allegations of abuse, the need for therapeutic input and the complex and time consuming nature of any consequent legal proceedings. Each investigation of5.8 Complex (Organised or Multiple) Abuse
RELATED READING This should be read in conjunction with the Home Office and Department of Health 2002 Guidance "Complex Child Abuse Investigations: Inter Agency Issues". This chapter was added to the manual in May 2016. LOCAL INFORMATION Complex (Organised or Multiple) Abuse Flowchart5.8 Complex (Organised or Multiple) Abuse
1. Definition - Organised or multiple abuse covers circumstances which may involve a number of abusers and/or a number of children. The abusers concerned may be acting together to abuse a child or children. One or more of the adults involved may be using an institutional framework or position of authority5.8 Complex (Organised or Multiple) Abuse
10. End of Enquiry/Investigation Meeting and Report - At the conclusion of the enquiry/investigation, the Strategic Management Group will evaluate the investigation, identify the lessons learned and prepare an overview report for the Surrey Safeguarding Children Partnership, highlighting any practices, procedures or policies which may need fu5.8 Complex (Organised or Multiple) Abuse
9. Crossing Geographical and Operational Boundaries - It may be recognised at the outset or during the investigation that there are suspected or potential victims in more than one geographical area. At the outset, the responsibility for managing the investigation lies with the Surrey Children's Services Assessment Team where the abuse is alle5.8 Complex (Organised or Multiple) Abuse
8. The Joint Investigation Management Group - In cases of exceptional complexity and scale, an Investigation Management Group (IMG) will be appointed. Membership This group led by the PPIU senior investigating officer or the Surrey Children's Services Area Manager, should consist of experienced personnel from PPIU and Surrey Children'5.8 Complex (Organised or Multiple) Abuse
7. Strategic Management Group - To ensure a coordinated response, a SMG (Strategic Management Group) meeting chaired by the Assistant Chief Police Officer must be convened within 5 working days of the Complex Abuse Strategy Meeting which agreed that these procedures should be adopted. The membership of the SMG should com5.8 Complex (Organised or Multiple) Abuse
6. Informing Senior Managers - If having considered the information available, the conclusion of this meeting is that the suspicions are confirmed, the Area Team Manager will inform the Head of the Safeguarding Children Unit and the Head of Surrey Children's Services. The DI will inform the Head of Police Public Protect5.8 Complex (Organised or Multiple) Abuse
5. Complex Abuse Strategy Meeting - All allegations, which may suggest the response under these procedures, should involve the Area Manager, Surrey Children's Services chairing the Strategy Meeting. These meetings are known as Complex Abuse Strategy Meetings. The following people should be invited to the first Complex Abuse5.8 Complex (Organised or Multiple) Abuse
4. Action on Receipt of Information or Referral - A referral may be made to the Surrey Children's Services or a complaint made to the Police. In both cases a referral needs to be made to Surrey Children's Services and an initial Strategy Discussion held between the relevant Team Manager of Surrey Children's Services and the relevant Manag5.8 Complex (Organised or Multiple) Abuse
3. The Child - The single and most important consideration is the safety and well-being of the child or children. In reconciling the difference between the standard of evidence required for child protection purposes and the standard required for criminal proceedings, emphasis must be given to the protect5.9 Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority Claims for Looked After Children
RELATED GUIDANCE A Guide to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2012 AMENDMENT This chapter was updated in September 2014.5.9 Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority Claims for Looked After Children
1. Introduction - The Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme is a government-funded scheme to compensate victims of violent crime, administered by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA). Where aLooked After child appears to qualify (see Section 2, Eligibility), legal advice must always be soug5.9 Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority Claims for Looked After Children
3. Timescales - In general, applications must be made within 2 years of the event giving rise to the claim. Different rules apply, however, where the applicant was under 18 years of age on the date of the incident. The application should always be made as soon as possible. However, the CICA recognise that5.9 Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority Claims for Looked After Children
4. Making an Application - Applications can be made: Online, at Gov.uk;and By telephone to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority. Customer Service Centre advisors can assist in making a claim over the telephone. Supporting Evidence The following supporting evidence must be supplied: Proof of satisfaction of5.9 Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority Claims for Looked After Children
2. Eligibility - A child/young person may be eligible if they: Were a direct victim of a crime of violence; Were not to blame for the incident; Sustained an injury while taking an exceptional and justified risk, while trying to remedy or prevent a crime; Sustained a mental injury as a result of witnessing5.9 Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority Claims for Looked After Children
5. Accepting a Payment - Legal advice should be sought without delay as to whether or not the offer should be accepted. The acceptance form must be completed and returned within 56 days of it being sent. If it is not returned within 56 days, and no written request has been made for a review or an extension of tim5.9 Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority Claims for Looked After Children
6. Reviewing Decisions - If legal advice is received that the decision should be reviewed, written application for a review must be submitted within 56 days of the date of the original decision. A review form will be sent with the decision. Any additional evidence in support of the claim must be submitted. If it5.9 Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority Claims for Looked After Children
7. Appealing Decisions - A review decision can be challenged by appealing, within 90 days of the date of the review decision, to the First-tier Tribunal (Criminal Injuries Compensation). An appeal form will be sent with the review decision. The form and supporting evidence should be sent to: First-tier Tribunal (5.9 Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority Claims for Looked After Children
8. The Award - Payment of compensation is usually by a single lump sum, but if the medical situation is unclear, one or more interim payments may be made. No compensation will be paid until the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority receives an acceptance of the award in writing. Every effort must ther5.9 Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority Claims for Looked After Children
9. Advancing Money from the Award to the Child - The CICA may allow advances if these are needed for the child’s sole benefit, education or welfare (not for general spending money). They may consider making a full payment if the child is 16 or 17 years of age and living independently. The CICA will need evidence (normally a receipt)5.9 Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority Claims for Looked After Children
10. When a Young Person is 18 - When the young person reaches the age of 18 years, responsibility for handling the money awarded by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority will be handed over to him/her unless he/she is felt to be incapable of dealing with it. If the CICA receive evidence which shows it would not be6.1 Risk Management of Individuals Who Pose a Risk of Harm to Children
7. Disclosure of Information by Local Authority - This procedure applies when disclosure to third parties of information relating to the previous history of an Individual who poses a Risk to Children is being considered. Subject to the conditions set out in Information Sharing Procedure, the general presumption is that information should6.1 Risk Management of Individuals Who Pose a Risk of Harm to Children
2. Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) - The full MAPPA guidance is available at Ministry of Justice website The Sex Offenders Act 1997 requires those (of any age) who are cautioned or convicted of specified sexual offences against a child (or certain very serious sexual offences against adults) to inform the police of changes of6.1 Risk Management of Individuals Who Pose a Risk of Harm to Children
This chapter is currently under review.6.1 Risk Management of Individuals Who Pose a Risk of Harm to Children
1. Identification of Individuals who Pose a Risk of Harm to Children - The terms ‘Schedule One Offender’ and ‘Schedule One Offence’ have been commonly used for anyone convicted of an offence against a child listed in Schedule One of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933. These terms are no longer used and have been replaced with the term ‘Individu6.1 Risk Management of Individuals Who Pose a Risk of Harm to Children
3. Developing Intelligence About Organised or Persistent Offenders - Surrey Police Public Protection Investigation Units (PPIU) develop intelligence about organised or persistent offenders who pose a risk to children. Surrey Police has a dedicated Registration & Assessment Officer (RAO) responsible for the: Collation and dissemination of relevant intell6.1 Risk Management of Individuals Who Pose a Risk of Harm to Children
4. Release of Individuals who Pose a Risk to Children - When a prisoner identified as posing a risk to children is to be released at the end of her/his sentence, the Head of Surrey Children's Services and Chief Probation Officer must, prior to the release date, be informed by the prison probation officer. If there are children at the household6.1 Risk Management of Individuals Who Pose a Risk of Harm to Children
5. Parole or Temporary Release of Individuals who may Pose a Risk to Children - When a prisoner identified as posing a risk to children is being considered for parole or is to be released from custody on a temporary basis, the prison probation officer must, in writing inform the Head of Surrey Children's Services for the area where the prisoner is expected to reside o6.1 Risk Management of Individuals Who Pose a Risk of Harm to Children
6. Assessment of Young People who may Pose a Risk to Children - This procedure should be considered along with Children Displaying Harmful Sexual Behaviour Procedure. There is a need to distinguish between those young people under the age of eighteen who pose a significant risk to children and those who do not and where the circumstances of an offence6.2 Children Visiting Custodial Settings
12. Appeals Process - All prison establishments have procedures for prisoners who wish to appeal a decision to restrict contact or not to permit any contact at all with a child. If the prisoner wishes to challenge the information held on file, the information provided by other agencies should only be disclosed6.2 Children Visiting Custodial Settings
2. Definition - Contact with a child includes correspondence, prisoner’s telephones or social visits. Telephone contact will include any access to office telephones where permission has been granted. It will also include any contact with children who have been invited to visit the prison as part of a gr6.2 Children Visiting Custodial Settings
3. Contact Requests - If a prisoner wishes to apply to have child contact, the enquiring Prison Officer must provide an application form for the prisoner to complete. A separate request must be made for contact with each individual child. It is possible that a request for contact could be made by a parent or fr6.2 Children Visiting Custodial Settings
4. Parental Support for Contact - The prison establishment should ask the parent of the child whether they support contact. Surrey Children's Services for the area where the child is living should ascertain the wishes and feelings of the child during a home visit. For the visit to take place, Surrey Children's Services mus6.2 Children Visiting Custodial Settings
5. Looked After Children - When a prison establishment contacts Surrey Children's Services as part of the multi agency assessment and the child is Looked After, the local authority’s view about the appropriateness of contact must be obtained in writing. The test is always whether contact is in the child’s best i6.2 Children Visiting Custodial Settings
6. The Multi Agency Assessment - In order for the prison establishment to undertake the risk assessment to determine the risk to which a child might be exposed and the risk that a prisoner presents, it must contact and gather information from a range of agencies: The police in the child’s home authority must be contacte6.2 Children Visiting Custodial Settings
7. The Decision - The operational manager with delegated authority in the prison establishment, normally the Head of Resettlement or through care, who has responsibility for Public Protection, will make the assessment using the available multi agency information. The decision must take into account the foll6.2 Children Visiting Custodial Settings
8. Level of Contact Decided - The operational manager should decide the level of contact that will be permitted. It should be proportionate to the risk identified and the best interests of the child should always be the overriding principle in making these decisions. Contact restrictions should be incremental and one o6.2 Children Visiting Custodial Settings
9. Monitoring - The level and frequency of monitoring will be proportionate to the risk identified. Monitoring should focus on whether the prisoner is attempting to contact children inappropriately and what references about children are made in general correspondence i.e. grooming or manipulation of a chi6.2 Children Visiting Custodial Settings
10. Correct Identification of Children - It is necessary to take steps to prevent a child being substituted with another possibly more vulnerable child where visits take place. Prison staff monitoring calls, correspondence and visiting areas need to be vigilant and prevent any inappropriate contact where identified. Four passport6.2 Children Visiting Custodial Settings
11. Reviewing Contact Decisions - Where a decision has been made to restrict contact, the decision will be reviewed when there is reason to believe that circumstances have changed. Reviews can be made at any time on the initiative of prison staff or at the request of the prisoner. It is good practice to review decisions ev6.2 Children Visiting Custodial Settings
1. Introduction - The Prison Service Order (ref no 4410) sets out a range of measures to reduce the risks that certain prisoners, especially those convicted of, or charged with offences against children, may present to children whilst in prison. This order imposes a number of mandatory actions on prison gov6.2 Children Visiting Custodial Settings
SCOPE OF THIS CHAPTER This chapter sets out the procedures for managing risks and safeguarding the wellbeing of children and young people, who may be visiting or having contact with adults or other young people who are in a custodial setting. Clear and timely communications are essential t6.3 Children Visiting Psychiatric Wards and Special Hospitals
14. The Visit - Where visits are agreed, the hospital remains responsible for maintaining an overview of the risks, which may vary according to the health of the patient, other environmental factors and the impact on the child if visiting is allowed. This may involve further liaison with the Surrey Childr6.3 Children Visiting Psychiatric Wards and Special Hospitals
12. The Surrey Children's Services Assessment - The Surrey Children's Services Service should contact those with Parental Responsibility and those caring for the child (if they are different) as part of the assessment and should seek to establish: The child’s legal relationship with the named patient; The quality of the child’s rela6.3 Children Visiting Psychiatric Wards and Special Hospitals
6. Visiting Special Hospitals - Ashworth, Broadmoor and Rampton - Specialist hospitals have procedures specifically developed for the service about child visiting. The decision to permit a child to visit a unit must always be based on: The interests of the child; The service user’s offending history; The clinical history of the service user; The condit6.3 Children Visiting Psychiatric Wards and Special Hospitals
7. The Child - The request for a child to visit must be in respect of a child within the permitted categories of relationship as set out in the Directions and associated guidance to Ashworth, Broadmoor and Rampton Hospital Authorities (HSC 1999/160 as amended by LAC 2000 (18)) and the guidance as set out6.3 Children Visiting Psychiatric Wards and Special Hospitals
8. The Request for a Visit - The Directions impose a duty on the Hospital to appoint a nominated officer to consider a request by a patient for a child to visit. If the child is within the permitted categories of relationship the nominated officer should: Obtain written permission from the patient to contact those wit6.3 Children Visiting Psychiatric Wards and Special Hospitals
SCOPE OF THIS CHAPTER This chapter sets out the procedures for managing risks and safeguarding the wellbeing of children and young people, who may be visiting or having contact with adults or other young people who are in a psychiatric ward or special hospital. See the legislation and guid6.3 Children Visiting Psychiatric Wards and Special Hospitals
9. Parental Consent to Visit - If those with Parental Responsibility state that they are prepared to allow their child to visit the patient, the nominated officer should arrange for the patient’s clinical team to undertake an assessment. This assessment is to judge the level of risk, if any, presented by the patient t6.3 Children Visiting Psychiatric Wards and Special Hospitals
10. Action by Nominated Officer to Consider a Visit - If the previous steps have been taken and the hospital’s assessment of risk of harm posed by the patient to the child does not rule out a visit, the nominated officer must: Contact the Head of Surrey Children's Services where the child resides to request advice on whether the visit is in6.3 Children Visiting Psychiatric Wards and Special Hospitals
5. The Arrangements for Visits - The hospital or mental health trust providing the service must ensure that the facilities for contact are conducive to the child’s safety and promotes good quality contact for both child and patient. Children should have appropriate supervision when they are visiting mental health servic6.3 Children Visiting Psychiatric Wards and Special Hospitals
4. The Decision about Visits - The ward manager is responsible for the decision to allow a visit by a child. When a visit by a child is expected, the ward manager should consider the available information about the child alongside the assessment of the patient’s needs for treatment and care and of the current state of6.3 Children Visiting Psychiatric Wards and Special Hospitals
13. The Decision - The completed assessment report must be sent within a month to the nominated officer at the hospital, who will discuss the recommendations with Surrey Children's Services and make a decision about the visit taking into account any potential risk posed by the patient and the potential risk6.3 Children Visiting Psychiatric Wards and Special Hospitals
1. Introduction - Safe and regular contact for children should be promoted with patients in psychiatric facilities, whenever it is appropriate to maintain relationships which are of importance to the child. The child’s interests must remain paramount and take precedence over the interests of the adults in6.3 Children Visiting Psychiatric Wards and Special Hospitals
2. Visiting Patients in Psychiatric Wards - When children visit adult patients, all psychiatric in-patient settings should: Place child welfare at the heart of professional practice for all staff involved in the assessment, treatment and care of patients; Take account of the needs and wishes of children as well as patients; Address6.3 Children Visiting Psychiatric Wards and Special Hospitals
3. Pre-visit Arrangements - When a compulsory admission is planned for an adult who is a parent, the approved mental health professional must assess the children’s needs and the suitability of arrangements for their care. If there are any concerns, the Surrey Children's Services should undertake an assessment and m6.3 Children Visiting Psychiatric Wards and Special Hospitals
16. Medium Secure Hospitals - Medium secure hospitals have patients who are detained under the Mental Health Act who are significantly disturbed and may be in hospital for lengthier periods of time, often in excess of a year. The process for agreeing visits operates with a similar degree of formality as those for speci6.3 Children Visiting Psychiatric Wards and Special Hospitals
15. Refusing a Visit - There are five circumstances in which the nominated officer must refuse to allow a child to visit. These are if: The relationship between the child and the patient is not within the permitted categories of relationship as set out in the Directions. The nominated officer must notify the pat6.3 Children Visiting Psychiatric Wards and Special Hospitals
11. Action by the Safeguarding Unit - On receipt of the request from the hospital the Safeguarding Manager will: Evaluate the information; Check any information across electronic and manual records held by the Surrey Children's Services to see if the child is known; and Contact the relevant Surrey Children's Services team wh7.1 Complaints about Child Protection Conferences
This process deals with the management of complaints about Child Protection Conferences by Service Users and other eligible persons acting on their behalf.7.1 Complaints about Child Protection Conferences
7. Stage 2 - The Complaint Review - Where a complainant requests a review of the Stage 1 response, the Conference Chair's line manager will assist the Service Manager, Quality Assurance to conduct a review of the Complaint. The Conference Chair's line manager must provide the Service Manager, Quality Assurance with the follo7.1 Complaints about Child Protection Conferences
9. Further Challenges - The response letter must indicate that any further challenge to the outcome of the review decision must be made within 7 working days. Where a further challenge is received, this will be reviewed by the Decision Maker (Assistant Director, Quality and Performance) The Assistant Director’s7.1 Complaints about Child Protection Conferences
8. Communicating the Complaint Review Decision - The Service Manager, Quality Assurance will write to the complainant and the Chair of the Conference within 5 working days of the completion of the Complaint Review.7.1 Complaints about Child Protection Conferences
6. Stage 1 - Exploration by Conference Chair's line Manager - Where the complaint concerns the personal conduct of the Conference Chair, the Conference Chair's line manager will contact Customer Relations to agree whether the Children Act's process or other process is appropriate. Where this (Safeguarding Partnership) complaints process is deemed app7.1 Complaints about Child Protection Conferences
5. Immediate Resolution - An expressed concern about the Conference itself, which arises during the meeting, must be noted and an attempt made by the Conference Chair to resolve it with the child or parent or other person eligible to make a complaint. Information about the nature of the concern and how it was resol7.1 Complaints about Child Protection Conferences
4. Outcomes of the Complaint - The person making the complaint will receive one of these outcomes: The complaint is referred to the relevant agency procedure; An early Review Child Protection Conference will be convened with the same Conference Chair; An early Review Child Protection Conference will be convened with a7.1 Complaints about Child Protection Conferences
3. Areas covered by this Complaints Procedure - The process, conduct or administration of the conference; Compliance with the Surrey Child Protection Procedures and other protocols about Child Protection Conferences; The exclusion of any person from the Conference; The outcome, in terms of the process followed to reach the decision that7.1 Complaints about Child Protection Conferences
2. Exclusion from this Complaint Procedure - Where the complaint is in relation to the practice of a specific agency, the person who made the complaint will be directed to that agency's internal complaints procedure e.g. the complaint is that the social worker's report to the conference was not shared with the parents in good time7.1 Complaints about Child Protection Conferences
1. Complaints Eligibility - The following people are the only ones who can make a complaint: The child who is the subject of the Child Protection Conference, where s/he is of a sufficient age and understanding; A person who is acting on behalf of and at the written request of the child, where the child is of a suffic7.2 The Surrey FaST Resolution Process
8. Key Contacts to assist with the FaST Resolution Process - Partner Contact Children’s Social Care Contact the Business Support Team at fast.signposting@surreycc.gov.uk Health Single point of contact for escalations - HEALTH First Tier of escalation supportContact the: Named Doctor, Named Nurse and Named Midwife or7.2 The Surrey FaST Resolution Process
5. Who does this Policy apply to? - 5.1 This policy applies to and is relevant for all Safeguarding Partners, and all professionals working with children and families in Surrey, in accordance with Working Together 2023 statutory guidance. Surrey Safeguarding Children Partnership: Practitioners, man7.2 The Surrey FaST Resolution Process
4. Key Principles - 4.1 Problem resolution is an integral part of professional co-operation and joint working to safeguard children. All agencies must work together in the interest of the child and it is recognised that at times there are differences of opinion on how to progress a case. Every effort should7.2 The Surrey FaST Resolution Process
2. Finding Solutions Together Process: An Overview - The chart below shows an overview of the Finding Solutions Together or FaST resolution process. A detailed explanation of these stages is set out at Section 7 of this policy. To print off a copy of this poster please click here7.2 The Surrey FaST Resolution Process
The Surrey FaST Resolution Process: For the resolution of professional disagreements and instigation of responses to exceptional issues in work relating to the safety of children. Note: If you are concerned about a child who you feel may be suffering from Harm, Neglect or Abuse and you a7.2 The Surrey FaST Resolution Process
Appendix 1 - FaST Resolution Form (for use in Stage 5 of the process) - Appendix 17.2 The Surrey FaST Resolution Process
7. The FaST Resolution Process - 7.1 This process is managed through the FaST resolution procedure which is outlined in detail in the table below. It is not always clear to professionals if the FaST resolution process is the most appropriate approach to take, and when this happens advice should be sought from the SSCP B7.2 The Surrey FaST Resolution Process
3. Purpose of the FaST Resolution Policy - 3.1 To create a transparent process that sets out how disagreements should be dealt with between partner agencies, with regards to professional practice when working with children and their families. Disagreements should be resolved quickly, at the earliest possible level, through child7.2 The Surrey FaST Resolution Process
9. Evaluating the process - 9.1 This process will be evaluated at least once every quarter by the SSCP, to ensure that it is being used appropriately and effectively. To complete this evaluation the SSCP will request that each agency supplies data from their own FaST resolutions log (as mentioned above in 8).7.2 The Surrey FaST Resolution Process
1. Introduction - 1.1 Safeguarding Partners in Surrey have recognised that the needs of Children and their families can often be complex and may require a range of interventions and support that need to be tailored to meet their differing needs and circumstances. 1.2 Often there may be no right or wrong7.2 The Surrey FaST Resolution Process
6. When is it appropriate to use the FaST Resolution Process? - 6.1 Having different professional perspectives within safeguarding practice is a sign of a healthy and well-functioning partnership. These differences of opinion can usually be resolved by discussion and negotiation between the practitioners concerned. It is essential that where differen8.1 Link to Child Death Review Policy
To see the Child Death Review Policy please click on the following link to https://www.surreyscp.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Surrey-Child-Death-Review-Policy-2020__Final.pdf9.1 Learning and Improvement Framework
This chapter is currently under review. Please see the SSCP website for further guidance around Rapid Reviews and Local Child Safeguarding Practice Reviews and National Reviews. https://surreyscp.org.uk/about-us/national-and-local-safeguarding-reviews/10.1 Local Contact Details
HOW SURREY SERVICES FOR FAMILIES CAN HELP YOU - ACT (Advice, Consultation and Therapy for young people with sexually harmful behaviours) Tel: 01483 519606 Email: act@surreycc.gov.uk Community Health Services, Acute Hospital Services and Mental Health Services Community Health Services CSH Surrey & Children and Family Health Surr10.1 Local Contact Details
Key Contacts to assist with the FaST Resolution Process - To resolve a professional disagreement and instigate responses to exceptional issues in work relating to the safety of children please refer first to the procedure at 7.2 The Surrey FaST Resolution Process In circumstances where you have been unable to identify the right person to escalate10.1 Local Contact Details
This list of Contacts was correct at the time of publication. A more detailed list of contacts and any subsequent changes to this Contact List which occur before the publication of the next update will be shown on the Surrey SSCP website. If you wish to make a referral regarding a child pl10.2 Amendments
May 2016 Updated Chapters Chapter Name Change Guidance in relation to Managing Allegations against Staff, Carers and Volunteers Risk Assessment for Suspension - Pro Forma; Risk by Association Employee Assessment - Pro Forma; Summary of Child Protection Allegation/Concern to be kept on Pers10.2 Amendments
Archive - December 2015 Updated Chapters Chapter Name Change A Multi-agency Protocol for the Management of Actual or Suspected bruising in Infants who are Not Independently Mobile This chapter was added to the manual replacing the previous procedure - 'Bruising in Children who are Not Independentl
This page is correct as printed on Thursday 25th of April 2024 03:44:35 PM please refer back to this website (http://surreyscb.procedures.org.uk) for updates.