Child’s Journey Framework Decision Making, Workflow and ... · CSC Child’s Journey Framework – Decision Making, Workflow and Case Management Policy Review Date: May 2017, Version

CSC Child’s Journey Framework – Decision Making, Workflow and Case Management Policy Review Date: May 2017, Version No: 2.0 FINAL

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Somerset County Council

Children’s Social Care

Child’s Journey Framework - Decision Making, Workflow and Case Management Guidance

Owners Deputy Director – Children & Families,

Authors: Deputy Director – Children & Families, Strategic Managers, Operations Managers

Compiled by: Safeguarding, Care & Quality Assurance Unit

Version: 2.0 FINAL

Date: May 2017

CARE LEAVERS


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Contents Page

1. Introduction 3

2. Principles 3

3. High Level - Casework Process 4

3.1 High Level Process Map 4

3.2 Service Description 5

3.3 Transfer Principles and Process 5

4. Initial Contacts and New Referrals 8 4.1 Contact and Referral Process Map 8 4.2 Somerset Direct, First Response and Emergency Duty Team 9

4.2.i Where there is a possible safeguarding requirement 11

4.2.ii The Emergency Duty Team (EDT) 12

4.3 Exceptions 12 4.3.i Referrals from Professionals 12

4.3.ii Step Up to CSC from getset level 3 team 13

4.3.iii Contacts in respect of open cases 14

4.4 Professional Disagreements Procedure 14

5. Assessments, Child in Need and Child Protection 15

5.1 Cases transferring from the assessment team 17

6. Child in Need (CiN), where not Child Protection (CP) 18

6.1 Step Down 19

6.2 Child Protection 19 6.2.i Where the threshold for CP is not met 20

6.2.ii Where the threshold for Child Protection (CP) is met 20

6.2.iii Legal cases 21

6.3 Children subject to a CP plan residing outside Somerset 22

6.4 Cases transferring to Somerset from another local authority 22 6.4.i Transfer in’ Child Protection Conferences 22 6.4.ii Where a case is before the family court in another local authority and the court makes a Supervision order to Somerset County Council 22

7. Child Looked After 23

7.1 Planning for a Child to become looked after 23 7.2 Permanence Planning 24 7.3 Where a child has been looked after but returns to family or friends (including parents) 25

7.4 Transfer of cases to Leaving Care Teams 26 7.5 Out of area placements 26

7.6 Missing Children Looked After 26

8. Children with Disabilities 27

8.1 Transition to adult services 28

9. Transfer of cases between area teams 29

10. QA Function 29

Appendix A -Authorisation, Chairing and decision making levels 30

Version Control

Version Status Date Name Comments – amendments made

1.0 Final 25/11/14 A.M. Twort Agreed at Operational Mangers Meeting.

2.0 Final 12/05/17 A.M. Twort Agreed at Operational Mangers Meeting.

http://www.proceduresonline.com/somerset/cs/chapters/values.html?printMe.x=18&printMe.y=11#oneptone


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1. Introduction

This guidance aims to support all those who work in Somerset County Council (SCC),

Children’s Social Care (CSC) to understand the decision making, workflow and

management of cases between teams.

The purpose of this document is to clarify the case management, interface and transfer

arrangements from the point of first contact to closure of a case, ensuring seamless

transitions. It also helps professionals understand expectations of one another.

It should be read in conjunction with other CSC policy documents including the relevant

chapters on the Somerset Document Manual (Tri.x); references are provided in the body

of this document.

2. Principles

A child centred approach should be taken. A child’s views, wishes and feelings

should be established, respected and heard.

Understanding the child’s needs so as to ensure the best outcome for each

individual child is at the centre of the Somerset Children’s Social Care systems

and processes.

Interventions change in response to a child’s needs with practitioners moving in

and out of their lives; it is therefore essential to ensure that all professionals work

seamlessly and share information and act together in a timely manner to

safeguard children.

To build trusting working relationships with partner agencies to work

collaboratively so that consistent and appropriate support is provided to children

and their families. Where there is conflict between the needs of the Child and

their Parents/ Carers, decisions should be made in the Child’s best interests.

Eliminate discrimination and promote equality of opportunity for all children.

Monitoring, evaluation and improvement in service provision is based on

evidence and is a continuous process.


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3 High Level - Casework Process 3.1 High Level Process Map

Children’s Social Care, Child’s Journey Framework, High Level Process Map, version 0.10

S. Direct

(Filter)

Open

Access

Assessment

Team

Safeguarding Child in Need Plan (S.17)

Child Protection Plan(S.47)

including IRO

Children

Looked AfterIncluding IRO &

Resources

Possible Children’s Social

Care requirement? Child in Need (S17),

Safeguarding (S47),

Children with Disability Services,

Resources Teams, OT

Meets threshold

for Children’s

Social CareYes

No

C&F Assessment

establishes level of

risk and need for

service?

No

Children in

Need

Step Down

and CloseClose

Leaving Care

Children with

Disability

Team

P2i -

Homeless 16

&17 year olds

First

Response SW

Team

Yes

Yes

Death

Transition to

Adult Services

No

Has requirements

for Early Help

Services?

No

Early Help

Services Yes

Need for S.20,

Court Order,

Child to become

looked after?

Yes

Meets threshold

for Children with

Disability

No

Close

Yes


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3.2 Service Description – related information and guidance

The roles and functions of teams are described in the Childrens Social Care (CSC)

Service Description, link:

http://www.proceduresonline.com/somerset/cs/pdfs/service_desc.pdf

For a summary chart of ‘Authorisation, Chairing and Decision Making Levels’ see

Appendix B.

For a ‘list of Agency Decision Makers, Designated Managers and Nominated

Officers’ see the Somerset Document Manual, (Tri.x), section 7.1.

http://www.proceduresonline.com/somerset/cs/chapters/pr_desg_man.html

3.3 Transfer Principles and Process

Cases are managed in line with the Child’s Journey Framework and in a timely way that

meets the statutory requirements

Records should be updated within the timescales in the table below:

Table of Case Notes recording to be completed within the following timescales:

Where there is any immediate safeguarding concerns Immediately

A Child Looked After or Child Protection (child protection

marker) with no immediate safeguarding needs

Statutory visits

Within one

working day1

A Child in Need with no immediate safeguarding needs Within three

working days2

A Child Protection Conference minutes and outcomes

A Child looked after review minutes and actions.

Note: Team Manager (TM) to agree the actions and return to

Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) for finalised version to be

completed within 20 working days.

Within five

working days

All cases:

– Case summaries to be updated at least monthly.

– Chronologies to be reviewed and updated at least monthly.

1 Note: Where a worker is not at work on the next working day then case notes will need to be completed on the

same day. 2 Note: Where a worker is not at work during the next 3 working days then case notes will need to be completed on

the same day.

http://www.proceduresonline.com/somerset/cs/pdfs/service_desc.pdf

http://www.proceduresonline.com/somerset/cs/chapters/pr_desg_man.html


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Process for transferring case between teams:

Children and families should be clear about who their Social Worker or Lead

Professional/ key worker is at all times

Teams only transfer a case to another team when that threshold is met. There are a

number of points at which cases can transfer between teams:

o When an assessment has been completed by the Assessment Team and a Child

In Need or Child Protection plan is needed

o When a child becomes looked after

o When a child no longer meets the threshold for CSC involvement and the case

needs to step-down to getset and/ or other early help services

o When a child has been successfully rehabilitated home from care, but requires an

ongoing service from CSC in the community

o Where the local authority receives a request from another local authority to

transfer in a case where a child is already subject to a CP plan

o When the local authority receives a request from another local authority to take

on a supervision order

o When a child or adult requires a Leaving Care service

All case transfers (other than those within a team) must be discussed and agreed at

weekly area allocations meetings.

Any change elements of the transition, for example, communication of change of

Social Worker to the child/family and all relevant agencies, should be planned. The

transition plan will be recorded on the case file prior to transfer and will provide detail

of actions, owners and timelines.

Case transfer will follow a discussion between Team Managers and all

documentation will be completed on LCS including plans and a chronology of

significant events prior to case transfer, as stated below.

Allocated Worker:

o Ensures that all existing records are complete, accurate and up to date

including: updated case summary, demographics and uploading of documents

to LCS; thus ensuring that there is no duplication of assessment and planning.

o The LCS case transfer form must be started by the allocated worker and can

be viewed electronically at the weekly area allocations meeting, to evidence

the stage the casework is at, the rationale for transfer and who will action

which tasks prior to case transfer taking place .

Transferring Team Manager:

o Ensures that the record is fit for purpose. Cases not meeting necessary

criteria will not be transferred and will remain the responsibility of the allocated

social worker and team.

o Point of transfer documented in LCS case note.

Allocated Worker:

o Initiates case transfer in LCS – see case transfer Business Process Map.

o Informs family of change in allocated worker and introduces new worker.


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Receiving Team Manager:

o Briefs the receiving worker.

o Allocates the case in LCS.

Allocation meetings to handover cases are held weekly. Case allocation decisions

must be recorded on the weekly allocations spreadsheet and in case notes on the

child’s LCS record.

The handover will be managed and planned pro-actively by the Team Managers, the

point of case transfer should always include a joint meeting with the family between

the old and new social worker.

Case transfers must take place within 2 weeks of the transfer decision at the

allocations meeting, to minimise disruption and delay to children and families.

Work should be placed in the area unallocated tray for the part of the service that

receiving the case (i.e. Safeguarding or CLA tray) if allocation to a named worker

cannot be completed within the 2 weeks, as set out above.

It is essential that new referrals are assessed in a timely fashion therefore once

assessments have been completed cases should be transferred from the

Assessment Team. This is essential in order to prevent a backlog of new referrals

requiring assessment.

Work in unallocated trays (there are 2 trays in each area office – one for

Safeguarding and one for CLA) must be overseen by the receiving team manager,

with a case note added at least twice weekly to evidence oversight. If a case has not

been allocated within 2 weeks of the transfer decision, the allocation issue must be

escalated to the receiving team’s Operation’s Manager.

Cases which are referred back in to CSC within three months of being closed or

stepped down should be allocated to the previous social worker. If that worker has

left the team the case must be allocated to an assessment team worker in the usual

way.

In the event of any other issues arising or being identified that are not covered by this

guidance they should be discussed with the relevant Operation’s Manager.


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4. Initial Contacts and New Referrals

4.1 Childrens Social Care Contact and Referral Process Map

Somerset Direct

First Response SW Team Triage

Refer to Early Help Services

Possible Children’s Social Care

requirement?

Possible Safeguarding requirement?

RequirementFor Early Help

Yes

YesMeets Threshold

for Children’s Social Care?

No

Meets requirement for

Resources Team?

Yes

Yes

Meets requirement for Disability / OT

services

Yes Yes

No

Close

Pre- front door police notifications sifting

Requirementfor Universal

Services?

Refer to Universal Services

Yes

No

MASH Strategy apply threshold for S47

Yes

Immediate Risk?

Yes

No

Emergency Response

C&F AssessmentResources TeamChildren with

Disability / OT Service

YesYes

Close

To Assessment

Close

Childrens Social Care, Contact and Referral, Process Map, version 0.2Childrens Social Care, Contact and Referral, Process Map, version 0.2

To Resources

To Children with

Disabilities Team

CONTACT REFERRAL


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4.2 Somerset Direct, First Response and Emergency Duty Team

Somerset Direct is the first point of contact, by phone or e-mail, for members of the

public and professional staff working in partner agencies who are concerned about the

safety or welfare of a child or young person.

Somerset Direct telephone number is: 0300 123 2224

Somerset Direct Call advisors are available:

0800 – 1800 Monday to Friday

Closed on Saturday and Sunday

In the event that the CSC service is required out of these hours a telephone answering

service is available which provides the contact details of the Emergency Duty Team.

The Somerset Direct call centre works closely with First Response Team which is the

front door social work team for Somerset Children’s Social Care services.

Once a call is received the Somerset Direct call advisor records a core data set of

information and filters the call using the contact guidance. In the event of possible

meeting of the threshold for Children’s Social Care Service (of possible safeguarding

concerns or other Children’s Social Care requirement) the information is passed to First

Response.

The Call Advisor logs the call and sends a contact to the relevant work tray in LCS,

these include:

Generic (SDC&YPT)

Police referral

Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH).

Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO)

The contact is reviewed by a Social Worker in First Response.

A contact becomes a referral where:

The social worker assesses if it meets threshold for CSC

The initial contact requires more work from an area Social Work Team to further

assess the situation either through a Children and Families (C&F) assessment,

on-going Section 47 enquiry or for any other reason

Within 24 hours of contacts being received they must be logged, written up and a

decision made by a Social Worker about the type of response required and

threshold.

If there are immediate safeguarding concerns the objective is to have this process

collated and sent to the appropriate area assessment team within a 3 hour period.


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Somerset Direct inputters will send ‘No Further Action’ letters to the initial referrer

within one working day of the contact being received and if any further action is identified

they will send a further action letter (for example a C&F assessment is being completed)

to the initial referrer within one working day (ref Working Together 2015).

The First Response team, is available 0830 to 1700 Monday to Friday, and is

collocated with the Police Safeguarding Coordination unit and the Community Services

health trust (known as Somerset Partnership) safeguarding team at the Police centre in

Bridgwater.

The First Response social work team determine the level of intervention required for a family, in conjunction with referrers, families and other professionals, as appropriate. This decision is referenced against the Working Together 2015 and the Effective Support for Children and Families in Somerset (threshold) document, link:

http://sscb.safeguardingsomerset.org.uk/threshold-documents/

If there is a requirement for Children Social Care Services intervention the referral is

directed to the appropriate team to undertake an assessment of need including:

i) Assessment Team - If there is a possible Safeguarding (Child Protection)

requirement the referral is made directly to the Assessment Team Duty Social

Worker. Go to page 10.

ii) Assessment Team - Where there are no identified safeguarding concerns but

there is a possible Child in Need (CiN) requirement that meets threshold for

CSC, the referral is sent to the Assessment Team tray in the relevant Area

Office. Go to section 5.

iii) Referrals from other Local Authorities are logged and managed in the same

way as other calls. The referral will be sent to the Assessment Team tray in

the relevant Area Office.

iv) Other Childrens Social Care Team - If a referral to another service within

Children’s Social Care is required these will be processed and recorded on

LCS these include:

a. Children with Disability Services, Fieldwork Services as per i and ii above.

b. Children with Disability Services, (Occupational Therapy, Short Break

Care, Somerset Supporters).

c. Young Carer Assessment

d. Youth Offending Team

e. Route 1 Advocacy

f. Pathways to Independence (P2I)

g. Resources Team including: Adoption and post adoption support, Foster

Care and Special guardianship support services

h. Request for information

i. Another Local Authority requesting welfare visit

j. Legal report required e.g. Section 7 or Section 37

k. Access to records



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v) Early Help and Universal Services - If there is a requirement for early help

services or for universal services. The First Response Social Work Team will

signpost to the appropriate service and record the action on LCS. This

includes referrals to getset services.

vi) No further action - If the Social Worker assesses that threshold for Children’s

Social Care involvement has not been met and there are no other

requirements for Early Help or Universal Services the contact is then closed.

Where a referral from professional staff relate to concerns that do not require an

immediate response they will be asked to complete an Early Help Assessment Form.

The Child and Family must be informed of the action taken.

4.2.i Where there is a possible safeguarding requirement

Where the call advisor identifies a possible safeguarding concern, the call is transferred

to the First Response duty social worker who completes the information gathering

process including the information outlined above.

First Response duty social worker collects further details from caller, assesses the risk

and alerts relevant area Assessment Team Manager. They assess if the child is at risk

of significant harm and establish whether a strategy discussion is needed.

The Duty Social Worker completes the strategy discussion consultation case note

including:

Actions and risk assessment.

Outcome of decision

o Requires an Early Help Assessment

o Requires a Children and Family Assessment

o Strategy discussion

o No Further Action (NFA)

Such professional judgements and practise will be informed by Somerset’s ‘Effective

Support for Children and Families in Somerset, Threshold Document’ and Working

Together 2015. If no strategy discussion is needed the social worker will continue to

work on the contact

First Response may use the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH)3 meeting to

help inform and investigate the level of risk and determine any immediate actions to

protect the child; where they believe there may be section 47 threshold but further

information is needed to clarify this.

3 The Somerset MASH is a joint working initiative between Somerset County Council, Education, Avon and Somerset

Police and Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.


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Where MASH establishes that the case meets the safeguarding threshold, either a

Section 47 enquiry or a C&F assessment is required, this will be transferred to the

appropriate area Assessment Team tray in LCS.

If Section 47 actions, including consideration of requirement for Legal Advice, are

required the same day the First Response Social Worker and / or Team Manager will

inform and update the Team Manager or Duty Social Worker in the Area Assessment

team by telephone and will send the referral to the Local area Assessment Team Tray

within LCS.

If there are immediate safeguarding concerns the objective is to have this process

collated and sent to the appropriate area assessment team within a 3 hour period

4.2.ii The Emergency Duty Team (EDT) is an out-of-hours service which responds to

emergency referrals to Children’s Social Care when Somerset Direct is not available.

Where it is identified that children are suffering or at risk of suffering significant harm.

EDT make decisions and coordinate services appropriate to the safety and welfare

needs of children and young people; this is regardless of whether or not the case is new

or is currently open and active to Childrens Social Care.

Where there are immediate concerns with regard to a Child’s safety at home and it is

assessed that they may need to be removed the Duty Social Worker will contact the on-

call Senior Manager to establish permission for an emergency placement. See section

6.1 Child Protection.

The case information is documented on LCS as a case note by the EDT worker.

The EDT also takes emergency referrals for Adult Social Care, Frail Elderly, Adult

Learning Disabilities, Mental Health Act assessments and the Somerset District

Councils’ homelessness function.

4.3 Exceptions

4.3.i Referrals from Professionals

If a professional has immediate safeguarding concerns the Somerset Direct call advisers

will obtain basic information and the call will be transferred to the duty officer in the First

Response Social Work Team for further information to be gathered and action to be

taken. The referring professional will still be required to complete an Early Help

Assessment (EHA) form following their telephone referral.

If the concerns are not immediate professionals will be asked to complete an Early Help

Assessment (EHA) form and must gain consent from the family that they are referring.


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The EHA form is a referral form to request involvement from the appropriate Early help

services, getset and Childrens Social Care based on the identified needs.

Professionals are required to state the level of need when completing a EHA form

referring to the ‘effective support for children and families in Somerset threshold

document’ and EHA guidance. Referrals at Level 3 'Complex' Service will be sent to the

early help support hub for triage for Childrens Social Care and getset. Level 4 ‘Acute’

Children's Social Care will be assessed by First Response.

Once an EHA form is received the Somerset Direct call advisor will update LCS with the

information obtained within the EHA form and create a contact. The contact will then be

submitted into the First Response Team for a decision to be made on whether the

threshold for Childrens Social Care intervention is met.

For further information see:

Effective Support for Children and Families in Somerset (Threshold) and consent

documents, link:


The Early Health Assessment Form and Professional Guidance documents, link:

http://professionalchoices.org.uk/eha/

4.3.ii Step Up to Children’s Social Care (CSC) from getset level 3 team

Cases can ‘step up’ cases from getset level 3 teams. The referral of cases takes place in

the area weekly CSC and Early Help Officer transfer meetings where it is agreed that

the case meets the threshold for CSC (level 4). The EHA will be sent to the CSC area

business support mail box directly and not go to Somerset Direct.

The area contact and referral process followed is the same as that used by Somerset

Direct and First Response. Namely that the business support staff log the case contact

information on LCS and then allocate the case to the area Assessment Team Tray.

The Team Manager confirms the contact information as correct on LCS and allocates

the case to the Social Worker who completes the referral information on LSC including:

Reason for contact/referral/step up

Risks

Strengths (in relation to the risks)

History

Parental Consent (sought from whom and agreement to speak to who?)

Analysis and Recommended action

Level of Need

Management Overview (If applicable)


http://professionalchoices.org.uk/eha/


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4.3.iii Contacts in respect of open cases

If a call adviser receives a call on an open case LCS will be checked to establish the

status. This call will be transferred to the appropriate area office. If additional

information is given to the call adviser, this will be recorded as a case note and LCS will

trigger a case note alert to the allocated social worker.

4.4 Professional Disagreements Procedure

If there is an internal professional disagreement in relation to the actions or outcome for

the contact or referral this will be resolved between Team Managers.

If there is an external professional disagreement in relation to the actions or outcome for

the contact or referral this will be resolved in discussion with the First Response Team

Manager. If this is not able to be resolved then the matter should be escalated to the

First Response Operational Manager. The SSCB escalation process will be followed,

link:

http://www.proceduresonline.com/swcpp/somerset/p_escalation.html?zoom_highlight=e

scalation

http://www.proceduresonline.com/swcpp/somerset/p_escalation.html?zoom_highlight=escalation

http://www.proceduresonline.com/swcpp/somerset/p_escalation.html?zoom_highlight=escalation


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5. Assessments, Child in Need and Child Protection

The area Assessment Team will undertake a C&F assessment of new referrals to

Children’s Social Care. Please refer to ‘Local guidance - Assessments’ for further

information, link:

http://www.proceduresonline.com/somerset/cs/chapters/p_assessment.html

Allocation of cases:

Cases will be allocated by the Assessment Team Manager:

Where a case has been closed within the last 3 months any new referral will be

sent to the last named worker. If the worker is no longer employed in the same

team then the referral should be dealt with by the assessment team. There may

be exceptions to this principle when a Team Manager may use their discretion

and allocate the case to another SW, in the event of the previously allocated

worker already having a full caseload.

If the case has been closed for more than 3 months it should be treated as a new

referral and allocated in the normal way via the assessment team tray.

Upon receipt of the referral the Team Manager will decide on the response time for the

case.

For urgent referrals where an initial strategy is indicated. Where an urgent response

is indicated this must happen the same day. Where there is a need for emergency

placement the SW will obtain the authorisation of the Deputy Director, Children and

Families or Strategic Manager via the relevant Operation Manager. The case must then

be presented at the next available At Risk of Care Panel.

A management oversight case note will be recorded explaining the timescales including

any delays.

If a case is not allocated immediately it will be overseen daily by the Team Manager to

assess any new information received and review the level of risk. A case should be

allocated within 2 working days, where this is not possible there will be management

oversight recording on a daily basis, including when the child is going to be seen.

The area Assessment Teams will undertake a Child and Family (C&F) Assessment on

all new referrals for assessment. The exception to this is when the referral is

subsequently found to contain inaccurate information which suggests that there is not a

need for an assessment e.g. the address of the child is inaccurate and they do not live

ASSESSMENT



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within the county. In this circumstance, the assessment can be cancelled. A clear

management oversight case note should be added to LCS indicating the reason for the

cancellation.

C&F assessments should be proportionate to the Child’s needs and complexity of the

case such that it is possible to reach a decision on next steps in no more than 45

working days. The Social Worker and the Team Manager will agree the timescale for

completion of the C& F assessment based on the initial analysis and the timeframe in

which the child must be seen. In the vast majority of cases, and as a default position, the

initial timescale will be set at 10 working days. This must be clearly documented in case

notes, including the rationale. The social worker and team manager can agree an

extension beyond the initial timescale, up to a maximum of 45 days, if the social worker

is able to evidence that more time is need to complete the assessment.

Requirements for more a more extensive assessment include:

When the case is complex and has needs which require multi agency planning

Where the case is the subject of specialist assessment for Children with

Disabilities. These will be undertaken by the Children with Disabilities Team.

Where there is an identified risk of Child Sexual Exploitation

Where there are identified vulnerabilities due to factors such as missing

Where the case is the subject of a Section 47 enquiry and an Initial Child

Protection Conference (ICPC)

Where the Child has become looked after

Where there are care proceedings and placement/ permanence planning

Where they are the subject of leaving care pathway planning

This list is indicative and each child’s assessment should reflect their level of need and

their current circumstances.

Please refer to ‘Local guidance - Assessments’ for further information, link:


The social worker must revisit threshold criteria upon completion of the assessment.



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5.1 Cases transferring from the assessment team

Upon completion of an assessment, there are a number of possible outcomes:

(i) No further action – when the case will close. It should be exceptional for a case

to close with no ongoing support from any agency.

(ii) Step-down – the case should transfer to a lead professional within early help

services.

(iii) When Children’s Social Care end involvement the case summary must be

updated to include the Safety Plan and the contingency should the issues re-

emerge.

(iv) Short term time limited intervention - case can remain with the assessment team,

for a period of no longer than 2 months after the assessment ends.

(v) CIN or CP plan required – the case will transfer to the safeguarding team at the

point of initial CIN meeting or Initial CP conference (ICPC), the reports for these

meetings having been completed by the assessment team worker. Both the

existing and new social worker should attend the meeting and the receiving Team

Manager.

(vi) Transfer of casework is agreed via the weekly transfer meetings held between the

Management Team. For further information see the Childrens Social Care

Practice Framework, link:

http://enterprise/Learning_Guide/CSCToolkit/Content/Documents/CSC%20practic

e%20framework.pdf

(vii) Child becomes looked after – transfer to the Children Looked After Team

– If the case is before the court then it should transfer at the initial court hearing

unless that hearing is an EPO, when the case transfers at the first subsequent

interim care hearing . Both existing and new SWs should attend the court

hearing at which the case is to transfer.

– If the child is looked after under S20, the case should transfer at the first CLA

review. Both existing and new SWs should attend the CLA review.

Exceptions to the rule for Children Looked After (CLA) cases

Where a child is looked after, but there is a plan and a realistic likelihood of the child

returning home and/or leaving care within a short timescale (less than 3 months) then

the case should remain with the safeguarding team.

http://enterprise/Learning_Guide/CSCToolkit/Content/Documents/CSC%20practice%20framework.pdf

http://enterprise/Learning_Guide/CSCToolkit/Content/Documents/CSC%20practice%20framework.pdf


Page 18 of 33

6. Child in Need (CiN), where not Child Protection (CP)

Following completion of the C&F assessment, where a case meets the threshold of

Child in Need (CiN), the area Assessment Team will produce a Child in Need plan.

These cases will then be transferred to the Safeguarding Team at the point of initial

Child in Need meeting, the reports for these meetings having been completed by the

assessment team worker. Both the existing and new social worker should attend the

meeting.

The Child should be seen at home a minimum of every 6 weeks this is in addition to

a visiting frequency agreed in Supervision throughout the assessment and

intervention period.

The CiN plan will be reviewed at 3 months and subsequently reviewed at 3 month

intervals.

Plans should be updated within 5 days of the review

The aim of the CiN plan is to reduce risks so that universal and targeted agencies can

populate an Early Help Assessment and to step down. Step down should be considered

at every CiN review.

For further information on the step down process, link:


The exceptions to this:

Pre-birth plans and Supervision Orders.

Where the CiN plan requires a simple intervention and can be completed within a

short timeframe, for a period of no more than 2 months, followed by step-down and

case closure. In this instance the case may stay with the area Assessment Team.

There will be a small number of children who require more sustained support from

CSC under a CiN plan. Whilst the aim is to step down CiN cases within 6 months

there may be cases that, following agreement between the Social Worker and their

Team Manager, may remain with CSC for longer.

All CiN cases will be subject to area tracking with Operational Manager oversight and

agreement for cases exceeding six months to ascertain whether the case should be

stepped up, stepped down or remain as a CiN case supported by CSC.

CHILDREN IN NEED CHILD PROTECTION



Page 19 of 33

6.1 Step Down

When a Social Worker has agreed with their line manger that there is no longer a role for

CSC involvement and a ‘step down’ to getset is appropriate the process is now:

1. The case will be discussed in the weekly CSC and Early Help Officer transfer

meeting, and confirmed that it will step-down.

2. The SW will complete section 1,2,3,8 & 9 of the Early Help Assessment (EHA)

and attach the C&F assessment and CiN notes stating the date of the next CIN

meeting. This will constitute the first Team Around the Child (TAC) meeting.

3. The EHA will then be emailed to Early Help Advice Hub (EHAH). The Early Help

Advice Hub will log the ‘step down EHA’ and forward to the appropriate area

mailbox to be allocated.

4. The getset worker will then attend the TAC, where the lead professional will be

agreed and complete the TAC documentation (pages 10,11, 7, 12 of the EHA)

The case discussion notes from the transition meeting will be added by the Social

Worker to LCS case notes and referenced in the Case Summary.

For further information on the step down process, link:


6.2 Child Protection

‘Where there is a risk to the life of a child or a likelihood of serious immediate harm, CSC

Social Workers, the Police or NSPCC should use their statutory Child Protection powers

to act immediately to secure the safety of the Child.’ Working Together 2015.

Planned emergency action will normally take place following an immediate strategy

discussion. Where a single agency has to act immediately a strategy discussion should

take place as soon as possible after the emergency action has been taken.

In all cases where a Child Protection investigation is undertaken

The strategy discussion and Section 47 enquiry will be undertaken in parallel with the

C&F Assessment unless a strategy discussion is required as a result of a referral, where

there is a possible Safeguarding requirement identified by First Response, see page 11.

The section 47 enquiry outcomes will be reviewed in the timescale agreed and

consideration for a further review strategy may be required. This meeting will be chaired

by the team Manager and must involve all relevant agencies.

Consideration should be given to a case discussion / consultation with the area CP C-

coordinator at this stage, for advice in relation to proposed progression to ICPC and to

identify any outstanding areas for assessment or information gathering that would be



Page 20 of 33

required for an efficient ICPC. The relevant team manager calls strategy discussion with

Police and other relevant professionals to discuss need for ICPC

Once the decision has been made regarding the outcome of the enquiry if indicated an

ICPC will be triggered. The ICPC will need to be held within 15 working days of the

strategy discussion that agrees the ICPC.

If going to an ICPC the C&F assessment must be completed within 10 days to allow it to

be shared with the family 5 days prior to the Conference.

The allocated worker and their Team Manager are expected to attend the ICPC and

future conferences. Where the ICPC is held when the case is allocated to an

Assessment Team worker the area Assessment Team Manager will liaise with the

Safeguarding Team Manager to ensure that there is an identified recipient SW identified

within the Safeguarding Team who will attend the conference in addition to the

Safeguarding Team Manager.

The current and receiving Social Worker’s attend the ICPC and the first Core Group

meeting which follows either immediately after the ICPC or within 10 working days of the

ICPC.

The Allocated worker informs ISRO of case transfer and receiving worker.

The case will transfer from the assessment team to the safeguarding team at the point of

Initial CP conference (ICPC), the reports for these meetings having been completed by

the assessment team worker.

After the ICPC:

CP Chairs will record outcomes within 5 working days of conference

Prior to the transfer to the new worker the allocated Social Worker will write to

the Child, Parent/ Carer informing them of the transfer to the new team,

including: name of key worker/ contact person, address and telephone number.

They will then complete the record of their involvement on the case record and

enter the transfer details on LCS within 10 days of conference.

6.2.i Where the threshold for CP is not met, where there are significant concerns but

no evidence for proceedings, a rigorous child in need plan is produced, which may

include support from getset services. The case will then be reviewed by the area CiN

tracking system.

6.2.ii Where the threshold for Child Protection (CP) is met a Child Protection plan

including detailed actions will be produced at the Conference.

Children meeting the criteria for a CP Plan will have the visiting frequency set at the

ICPC, based on proposals made within the SW report for conference.


Page 21 of 33

The Child Protection plan will be reviewed at Core Group meetings between CP

conferences, which should take place a minimum of once every calendar month. The

Core Group should review visiting frequency as part of the updated Plan. The Social

Worker should record the minutes of the core group onto LCS within 5 working days.

The first Review CP conference (RCPC) will be held within 3 months and thereafter 6

month intervals unless a shorter time frame is agreed at the CP Conference. Team

Managers will review CP cases monthly in supervision. In the event that the CP plan is

ineffective or there has been a trigger incident the case will be reviewed via the monthly

CP area tracking system with oversight of the Operational Manager and a case note

alert sent to the CP Chair. An early core group may also be called.

Where cases are discussed at area tracking legal advice can be sort, where appropriate,

with a view to recommending PLO or initiation of proceedings via the legal Gateway

panel chaired by the Deputy Director, Children and Families.

All PLO cases and any legal cases where children are not looked after (e.g. child

arrangement order during proceedings or interim supervision order) will be allocated to a

single worker in safeguarding teams.

6.2.iii Legal cases:

Decision to take Legal action (including PLO) will be documented through the

Legal Gateway Panel and area tracking panel.

Cases that meet the Legal threshold will be managed through the PLO process,

unless it is unsafe to do so.

Where it is unsafe to do so, immediate intervention of the Court will be sought.

The first PLO meeting should be completed within 10 working days of the

decision.

It is expected that the reviewing of PLO will reflect the timescales set out in the

actions required.

It is expected that the PLO process will be completed within twelve weeks; any

extension to be agreed by Operations Manager and the Legal Gateway panel.

It is the expectation that the Safeguarding teams will have fully assessed and explored

all options and identified a permanence plan, during the plo process, prior to the

commencement of legal proceedings, except in an emergency.


Page 22 of 33

6.3 Somerset children subject to a CP plan temporarily residing

outside of Somerset

Temporarily, e.g. on holiday or where there are interim arrangements. The SW must

notify the ISRO, core group members and the relevant local authority in which the child

is staying. The relevant local authority should be notified of the child’s temporary

address in their area as soon as this is known; including the plan involved at the time of

placement, with a reminder sent every six months and a further notification when child

moves back to Somerset or to another local authority

The relevant Local Authority should also be provided with an up to date CP and any

additional actions that that Local Authority are being requested to take on behalf of

Somerset.

Permanent change of address: SW must notify the ISRO, core group members the

local authority and request a transfer case conference in the area where the child is

permanently resident via the Central CP unit.

6.4 Cases transferring to Somerset from another local authority

6.4.i Transfer in’ Child Protection Conferences - where another local authority

requests a transfer of a child who is subject to a child protection plan in their area to the

Somerset CSC Service. The referring Authority contacts Somerset Direct who will inform

the QA & Safeguarding Central Team.

The relevant documentation should be available from the referring local authority:

A copy of the current CP plan

Copies of all previous Child Protection Case Conference minutes

A copy of the last Core Group meeting minutes

A current risk assessment reflecting the impact of the family’s move

The referral is sent to the area Assessment Team tray where the TM checks that the

case meets the transfer criteria. The case should be discussed at the local area

allocations meeting and then transferred to the Somerset Local Area Safeguarding

Team.

In some instances where the transfer-in criteria are not met it may be agreed to

undertake some statutory duties on behalf of a referring Authority by agreement of the

Area Operations Manager.

6.4.ii Where a case is before the family court in another local authority and the

court makes a Supervision order to Somerset County Council, the case should be

discussed at the local area allocations meeting and allocated within the safeguarding

teams, unless agreed otherwise between Team Managers.


Page 23 of 33

7.0 Child Looked After

When a Child becomes looked after the transfers to the Children Looked After Team

If the case is before the court then it should transfer at the initial court hearing

unless that hearing is an EPO, when the case transfers at the first subsequent

interim care hearing . Both existing and new SWs should attend the court hearing

at which the case is to transfer.

If the child is looked after under S20, the case should transfer at the first CLA

review. Both existing and new SWs should attend the CLA review.

Exceptions to the rule for Children Looked After (CLA) cases

Where a child is looked after, but there is a plan and a realistic likelihood of the child

returning home and/or leaving care within a short timescale (less than 3 months) then

the case should remain with the safeguarding team.

Disabled Children who live at home may require respite or short break care if this is

provided under section 17 they are not regarded as CLA. However if they are under

Section 20 with short breaks of not more than 17 days each in the same setting (where

the total number of placement days does not exceed 75 in any 12-month period) and/or

families have limited resources to support a child whilst the child is away and may not be

able to fully exercise their Parental Responsibility. In these circumstances, the child is

looked after, see document 4.1.3 Short Breaks, link:

http://www.proceduresonline.com/somerset/cs/chapters/p_short_breaks.html

7.1 Planning for a Child to become looked after

The allocated Social Worker and Team Manager discuss the need for a child to become

looked after in supervision. This discussion must include consideration of Care Diversion

including Family Group Conferencing or an equivalent Family Meeting.

The Team Manager then requests a legal threshold discussion meeting chaired by the

Operational Manager. If the legal threshold meeting upholds the recommendation the

case goes to the legal gateway panel for consideration.

From the point that a child becomes looked after there is a requirement for a CLA

review within 20 days, which is prompted by an alert on LCS. At the point where a Child

comes into care the Child’s Social Worker informs the Central Team and an IRO is

allocated. A date is established for the 20 day review. Prior to the 20 day review the

Child’s SW will contact the named IRO for the pre review discussion. If not already

complete a C&F Assessment will be completed, along with a Care and Placement Plan

and the Social Worker’s report.

CHILDREN LOOKED AFTER

CARE LEAVERS

http://www.proceduresonline.com/somerset/cs/chapters/p_short_breaks.html


Page 24 of 33

The CLA review, in consultation with the Child and their Family, will consider how to

support the child to return home and if it is safe to do so. The proposed arrangements

for the Child are appropriately assessed and the support required identified.

Subsequent 6 monthly review meetings will be held.

7.2 Permanence Planning

A proactive approach should be taken to Permanence Planning. Good quality

assessment of risks and needs of the Child are essential in order for there to be clarity

regarding the reasons for decisions; to inform options appraisal and to identify

appropriate objectives and outcomes.

Permanence Pathway, for more information, see link:

http://www.proceduresonline.com/somerset/cs/chapters/docs_library.html

Resources Teams function; for further information see ‘Service Description’, link:

http://www.proceduresonline.com/somerset/cs/chapters/docs_library.html#policy

When it has been identified that a Child may be or is to be looked after, (even if being

considered as part of the contingency planning), the Childs SW must produce a

permanence plan.

No child should be accommodated without an appropriate planning meeting (Care

Diversion, Family Group Conference, Strategy Meeting or PLO) and the

permission of the Deputy Director, Children & Families

A delegated authority form must be completed prior to a child being

accommodated, ideally in the pre placement meeting. In an emergency it may be

completed at the placement planning meeting, i.e. within 5 days of being

accommodated.

The SW should:

o Ensure signed copies of all required paperwork are given to the carer at

point of placement, if the placement planning meeting has not yet taken

place.

o Share reports with families prior to CLA reviews

o Support children to lead their reviews

The proposed Permanence Plan to be discussed in supervision and recorded

within 4 weeks of the child being accommodated.

Permanence Planning Meeting should be held prior to 2nd CLA Review.

The proposed Permanence options to be presented to 2nd CLA review which will

automatically be reported to the Permanence Panel within 4 months of becoming

CLA.

The allocated worker will supervise contact regularly, (where it is supervised) and

at least once a month, or in line with the agreed care plan.

http://www.proceduresonline.com/somerset/cs/chapters/docs_library.html



Page 25 of 33

C&F Assessment to be completed annually or whenever there are significant

changes in the child’s life, including detailed assessment of scope for reunification

every 12 months. The C& F assessment informs the CLA review meeting. The

interim CLA review meetings are informed by pre-meeting reports.

IRO outcomes to be recorded within 5 days of review.

Care Plan to be updated within 10 days of review.

A review meeting can be held at any time if a need to do so is identified, this is

essential when there is a significant event or change of care plan (as identified in

the IRO Handbook), i.e. change of placement.

7.3 Where a child has been looked after but returns to family or friends

(including parents)

There may be circumstances where a Child is no longer looked after but requires on-

going support and services to the family following reunification. This includes on a

Special Guardianship Order (SGO).

In this instance, whether a Child’s return to their family is planned or unplanned, there

should be a clear plan that reflects current and previous assessments, focuses on

outcomes and includes details of services and support required. These plans should

follow the process for review as with any Child in Need and / or Child Protection Plan.

Following reunification:

Practitioners should make the timeline and decision making process for providing

on-going services and support clear to Child and Family.

Children should wherever possible be seen alone. Practitioners have a duty to

ascertain their wishes and feelings regarding the provision of services being

delivered.

The impact of services and support should be monitored and recorded, and help

being delivered should be reviewed.

Cases transferring from the Children Looked After team

The case should transfer to the Safeguarding Team, if the family continue to require

services, once the success of the return home has been established (usually 3 to 6

months). The request to transfer the case must go via the area allocations meeting.

Where a child is placed at home on a care order then the case will remain with the CLA

team until the order is revoked, when the process above is invoked. Revoking of care

orders must be discussed at CLA tracking where legal advice will be sought.

The step down process should be considered, link:

http://sscb.safeguardingsomerset.org.uk/effectivesupport-documents/

Relevant Care Leavers stay open as CiN up until the age of 18 years in safeguarding

teams.

http://sscb.safeguardingsomerset.org.uk/effectivesupport-documents/


Page 26 of 33

End Section 20 Child Looked After for 16/17yr olds:

Where it is proposed to end the CLA status of a young person who is 16 or 17 and

placed S20, the approval of the Director of Children’s Services must be sought in

advance of the placement ending using the appropriate LCS form. The case must be

discussed at CLA tracking prior to the DCS approval being sought.

7.4 Transfer of cases to the leaving care teams

Where a child has been looked after and is entitled to support as a care leaver from the

Leaving Care (LC) service, the transfer of the case should be discussed and agreed by

the social work Team Manager and the LC Team leader and agreed at CLA tracking.

Eligibility is from the point at which a care leaver becomes Relevant, Former Relevant or

Qualifying.

Where cases transfer to the Leaving Care team the Social Worker ensures that Pathway

Plan, Chronology, Risk Assessment, Case summary and Case notes are up to date and

a transfer summary completed on LCS and also ends the CLA status on LCS. It is then

reviewed, signed off and transfer authorised by the Team Manager following a CLA

tracking meeting. The LC case transfer audit form should be completed on LCS by the

receiving Leaving Care Team Leader.

Where the young person requires specialist adult services on transfer from either CLA or

Children with Disabilities (CwD) teams to Leaving Care, in addition to above, a meeting

should be held between the CLA CwD team, the LC team and the Adult Service provider

and the notes of the meeting recorded in LCS.

7.5 Out of area CLA placements - placements outside Somerset:

o Where placement proposed is outside Somerset and not in a neighbouring authority,

approval for the placement must be sought from the Director of Children’s Services

(by the Placements Team).

o Local authority in which child is placed should be notified of placement at time of

placement, with a reminder sent every six months and a further notification when

child moves back to Somerset or to another local authority. It is the social worker’s

responsibility to ensure that this happens.

7.6 Missing Children

Strategy Meeting to be held within 48hrs of a child/young person going missing and a

review strategy meeting convened every 72hrs until return:

• To review progress of attempts locate child/young person

• Consider escalation of decision for media involvement, including parental consent

For more information see the SSCB website for the local guidance and Missing Children Protocol, link:

http://www.proceduresonline.com/swcpp/somerset/p_ch_miss_care_home_ed.html?zoom_highlight=Missing+children

Tracking panels include missing young person and oversight of CSE concerns.




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8.0 Children with Disability

Children with Disability services encompass:

i. The Fieldwork Team for Children with Disability

ii. Occupational Therapy Service,

iii. Children with Disability Resource Team

a. Children’s Autism Outreach Team.

b. Short Break Team

c. Somerset Supporters

iv. Disabilities Early Support

v. Children with Disability Residential Care Units

For Service Description link:


The service therefore services at all levels of the continuum of need, see thresholds

document, 1.2.2. ‘Effective Support for Children in Somerset’, link:


Referrals to the Children with Disability Teams are received from Somerset Direct via

the First Response team.

On receipt of a contact which meets the threshold for Children’s Social Care and the

child is disabled First Response refers to the relevant area CwD work tray.

Referrals to the Children with Disabilities Resource Team and the Children with

Disability Early Support Team are received from Somerset Direct.

On receipt of a contact that meets the threshold for services from the CWD Early

Support Team or the CWD Resource Team [level 2 or 3 of the Effective Support for

Children]; Somerset Direct will refer to the relevant Early Support or Resource Team

work tray.

Occupational Therapy services work across the continuum of need. They may receive

referrals directly from other agencies as well from First Response. They may hold their

own cases or joint work them with Social Workers.

Social Work Team for Children with Disability

The process for the Children with Disability social work teams is the same as for the

general fieldwork teams, described above.

Where Safeguarding concerns are identified for a Child with Disability where the case is

open they will be managed by Children with Disability Team. However if the Child /

Young Person has siblings a joint assessment will be undertaken to consider whether all

the Children should be managed by a Mainstream Fieldwork team for the duration of the

Safeguarding work or whether the Children with Disability team should hold them.




Page 28 of 33

Supervised contact will be undertaken by contact worker in the area contact team unless

they are not available, when area-based alternative arrangements will be agreed.

Cases transferring between Children with Disability Teams:

If a case needs to step down from the CWD fieldwork team to the CWD Early Support

Team or step up from the CWD Early Support Team to the CWD Fieldwork Team this is

managed through discussion between the relevant Team Managers and the appropriate

LCS processes completed

Cases transferring in to and out of Children with Disability (CWD) teams

CWD teams hold cases of all types - assessment, CIN,CP and CLA. On rare occasions,

there is a need for cases to transfer in to CWD teams from another specialist social work

team, or out of CWD teams, where a child no longer meets the eligibility criteria for the

CWD team.

Where the CWD team assess that a case needs to transfer out of their service to

another frontline social work team, then the CwD Team Manager should first have a

discussion with the assessment team mangers for the correct geographical area to

clarify if it meets their eligibility criteria. It this is the case then the case should then be

added to the area allocations spreadsheet. The CWD Team Manager should then attend

the area allocations meeting at which the case transfer will be discussed.

If an area SW team assess that a case needs to transfer to the CWD team, then the

area TM should first have a discussion with the CWD TM to clarify if the case meets the

CWD team eligibility criteria. If this is the case then the case should be added to the

area allocations spreadsheet, and the CWD TM should be invited to the

area allocations meeting to discuss the case transfer.

8.1 Transition to adult services

Transition to Adult Services is initiated by a social work referral to the new team at 14

years; the case is then managed by the CwD Team until transfer is agreed. The

transition date is agreed on a case by case basis dependant on the Young Person’s

needs. The CwD team will liaise with the Adult Services and leaving care services as

required. A Transition Panel meets termly; this decides which service will provide the

on-going support for the Young Person into adulthood. These services include: Learning

Disabilities, Adult Mental Health, Adult Social Care, and Somerset Partnership. Once the

referral is accepted the transition planning process begins.

It may be necessary for more complex cases to be referred to the Children with Complex

Care Needs Panel, for further information see the protocol, see link: to follow.


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9.0 Transfer of cases between area teams

Where cases transfer between Area Teams the Social Worker ensures that:

The paperwork is prepared and completed including a transfer summary on LCS.

It is then reviewed, signed off and the transfer is authorised by Team Managers.

The recipient Team Manager will undertake an audit prior to the case being accepted

and plan for handover is then discussed and agreed between Team Managers.

Where issues arise cases are escalated for resolution to the Operation Managers.

10.0 QA Function

The independent reviewing officer (IRO) function is outlined in the IRO Handbook, 2010,

and the Care Planning Regulations.

In the event of a dispute about a child’s permanence plan the IRO’s views must be sort

and clearly communicated to the Permanence Panel, where this should be discussed

and the outcome including reasons clearly recorded.


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Appendix A . Authorisation, Chairing and Decision Making Levels Process/ Decision

Director of Children’s Services (DCS)

Deputy Director – Children and Families (DD)

Strategic Manager (SM)

Operations Manager (OM)

Team Manager (TM) Consultant Social Worker (CSW)

Experienced Social Worker (ESW)

Practice Development Officer (PDO)

Casework – Care Planning

Development of service as a whole

Oversight and decision making on individual cases

Day-to-day management & direction of care planning on individual cases

Day-to-day management & direction of detailed care planning on individual cases

Detailed care plans for cases

Casework – case holding

Hold no cases but provide management oversight

Complex cases, including co-working with less experienced staff.

Provide casework consultation

Complex cases, including co-working with less experienced staff

Limited number of cases to maintain practice / HCPC registration

Casework - practice consistency

Oversight and review of county consistency

Oversight and review of service consistency

Oversight and review of team consistency

Casework – Authorisation Chairing and Decision Making

LCS Rollbacks – no manager can request the rollback of a recording that they have made.

Accommodation – out of hours consent to come into care.

Contractual Amendment Form

Residence Orders/ allowances

LCS Rollbacks – no manager can request the rollback of a recording that they have made.

Out of hours decisions to be made by EDT staff, who may consult OMs.

Strategy discussions Risk management / planning meetings

Child’s permanence record. (CPR)

Procurement Card Payment.

PLO Meeting.

Placement Planning Meeting.

Permanency Planning Meeting.

Passport (if acceptable as corporate parent).

LCS Rollbacks - no

manager can request

the rollback of a

recording that they

have made.

Strategy discussions

Care Diversion, Risk management / planning meetings

Child’s permanence record. (CPR)

Procurement Card Payment.

PLO Meeting.

Placement Planning Meeting.

Permanency Planning Meeting.

Passport (if acceptable as corporate parent).

CIN meetings

SoS Family Meetings

Core Groups

Risk Management Meeting.

Care Diversion Meeting

Strategy Meetings.

Care Diversion

CLA out of county placements

Decision to seek external placement to

Connected persons, agreement to place pending assessment – SM Resources.

Decision to seek external placement to be signed off by OM or above.

Exemptions (foster carers) – OMs

C&F Assessment threshold.

Own team or cover in the absence of other TM, C&F Authorisation, outcome CIN/ CP/

C&F Assessment threshold.

In the absence of TM, C&F Authorisation, outcome CIN/ CP/ ICPC.


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Process/ Decision








be signed off by OM or above.

Connected persons, agreement to assess – SM Resources.

Fostering

Foster Carer reviews – OMs Fostering

ICPC.

Viability Assessment -Fieldwork TM.

Independent placements – information to go straight to SW and TM from Placements Team

Secure accommodation (72 hrs without an order) sign off by DCS.

Secure Accommodation (Court Order) sign off by DCS.

Approval for 16/17 end CLA

Consent to invasive medical treatment for CLA if are on a care order.

Approval to adopt, as ADM

All care plans for court ratified.

Legal – to instigate proceedings.

Decision to go to Placement Panel, seeking accommodation, TM to OM (in an emergency any TM).

Recommend approval to adopt, TM to OM.

Approval to end CLA for 16/ 17 year olds (S20 or CO) TMs to OMs – seek DCS.

Recommend secure accommodation (72 hrs without an order) TM to OM to SM, sign off by DCS.

Recommend Secure Accommodation (Court Order) TM to OM to SM – sign off by DCS.

Decision to go to Placement Panel, seeking accommodation, TM to OM (in an emergency any TM).

Approval to adopt, TM to OM – seek ADM.

Approval to end CLA for 16/ 17 year olds (S20 or CO) TMs to OMs – seek DCS.

Secure accomm (72 hrs without an order) TM to OM to SM,

Sign off by DCS.

Secure Accommodation (Court Order) TM to OM to SM – sign off by Deputy Director.

Relevant Care Leavers, leaving care network placement – Leaving Care Manager in conjunction with TM.

Staffing - Staff development and Mentoring

Staff development in conjunction with PSWs and ESWs

Liaison with TMs Mentoring to all staff

Co-working cases

Supporting less experienced staff at Court

Identified through practice issues (ASYE/ESW)

Supporting development of less experienced staff, including through co-working + supporting less experienced staff at Court

Managing student placements


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Process/ Decision








Staffing - cover

For DCS when absent

For other SMs and on occasions for DD

For other OMs For other TMs in area / service

Duty senior tasks in absence of TM

Staffing – Recruitment & Retention (R&R)

R&R strategy

Recruitment of DD level posts

R&R strategy

Recruitment of SM level posts

R&R strategy

Recruitment of OM level posts

R&R strategy

Recruitment and retention of TM & CSW level posts

R&R of ESWs / SWs / SSWAs

R&R of ESWs / SWs / SSWAs

Staffing - Supervision & accountability

Supervision of DD

Supervision of SMs

Agree new posts in structure

Supervision of OMs

Decision to appoint staff following interview

Supervision of TMs/CSWs

Decision to appoint staff following interview

Oversight of staff management & deployment in area / service

Oversight of Staff Performance and respond to issues and concerns.

Supervision of ESWs/SWs

Decision to appoint SW/ESW following interview

Oversight of staff management & deployment in area / service

Monitor caseloads

Oversight of staff performance and respond to issues and concerns

Mentoring of unqualified and less experienced staff

Provide informal supervision and reflection as part of their role, which includes elements of learning as part of critical reflection upon practice.

Supervise unqualified and less experienced staff

Manage Student placements

Recruit, train, manage and support Practice Assessments

Student supervision - expectation that formal

learning supervision is made available to all staff prioritising those on formal learning programmes i.e. OU students. Delivered as part of on-going schedule of monthly supervision groups and one to ones when required.

Customer Feedback (Complaints)

Level 2 Level 2 Level 1

Finance and Budgets

Budget holder Budget holder Budget oversight for county and decisions within agreed parameters

Budget oversight for area and decisions within agreed parameters

Day-to-day budget decisions within agreed parameters

Day-to-day budget decisions within agreed parameters

Inter-agency relations and partnership working

Developing Partnerships at strategic levels.

Developing Partnerships at strategic levels.

Developing networks at strategic levels, including steering groups

Developing networks at strategic levels, including steering groups

Maintaining links / regular liaison with managers in other agencies

Liaison with other services to promote good practice

Performance Investigations

As need identified

As need identified As need identified As need identified


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Process/ Decision








Performance Data & QA Monitoring (QA Framework provides more detail)

Identification of concerns /theme across county

Monitoring, auditing and responding strategically as trends identified





Identification of concerns /themes within area / service

Oversight and management of cases and staff within area / service

Supporting resolution of issues

Identification of concerns / theme within team / area / service

Day-to-day management of individual cases and staff

Identifying issues and possible resolution

Oversight of quality Identification of issues/theme within team / area / service.

Key role in gaining participation of service users i.e. review of services

Key function to undertake case audits

Supporting development of good practice and resolution of identified issues

Learning transfer is evidenced

Performance & QA

Highlight /escalate concerns related to practice.

Where appropriate to undertake case audits

Will impact upon quality of performance and learning transfer evidenced as a result of planned learning.

Highlight /escalate concerns related to practice.

Training Key role in delivery of training in legislation and policy in area of expertise.

Design of best practice training materials.

Identify / assess need / contribute to planning / design and deliver as subject experts

Design of best practice training materials: assess need / plan / design /co-ordination /possibly deliver dependent upon subject expertise / lead on QA of teaching and learning outcomes