Introduction to the Pan-Dorset Inter-Agency Safeguarding Procedures
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Dorset Safeguarding Children Board Introduction to the pan-Dorset Inter-agency Safeguarding Procedures Dorset’s children should all be able to grow up in circumstances where they are safe and supported, so that they can have the best opportunities throughout childhood, teenage years and into adulthood. To achieve this, organisations need to work together to safeguard children and prevent them from suffering harm. Therefore the Dorset Safeguarding Children Board and the Bournemouth & Poole Local Safeguarding Children Board have developed procedures in order to provide all organisations working with children and young people with clear processes for responding to concerns about a child. The pan-Dorset Inter-agency Safeguarding Procedures have been produced on behalf of the following agencies who are a part of the LSCBs: • Dorset PCT • Dorset Community Health Service • Dorset County Council • Bournemouth Borough Council • Borough of Poole • Dorset Police • Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust • Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust • CAFCASS • Dorset Probation Services • UK Border Agency • Purbeck District Council • North Dorset District Council • Weymouth & Portland Borough Council • Christchurch Borough Council • East Dorset District Council • West Dorset District Council The Pan-Dorset Inter-agency safeguarding procedures are relevant for professionals (including unqualified and volunteer staff) and front-line staff/managers who have a responsibility for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. To find out more about the work of both LSCBs and access the Pan-Dorset procedures, please go to: www.dorsetlscb.co.uk/site/advice-for-people-working-with-children/local-inter-agency-procedures or www.bournemouth-poole-lscb.org.uk/inter-agency_safeguarding_procedures The procedures are no longer available in a hard copy due to the regular update and review of content. The DSCB recommends that you do not print these procedures but refer to them electronically. In order to access directly, save this page to your internet favourites and put a note in staff areas informing them of how to access this and/or print the web-link and put this on staff notice boards explaining how to access the procedures via your computers As procedures are updated they will be clearly marked on the website as ‘updated’ and each chapter will have a date of latest update marked on it. You should receive updates by email via the safeguarding lead in your organisation. However, if you have a query about accessing the procedures, please contact: Dorset LSCB: 01305 221196 [email protected] Bournemouth & Poole LSCB: 01202 458873 [email protected] Content of the Procedures The procedures are displayed in 4 chapters: 1. Introduction 2. Managing Individual Cases in Bournemouth, Dorset & Poole. 3. Bournemouth, Dorset & Poole: Locally agreed protocols for Managing Individual Cases. 4. Good Practice Guidance Please access the chapter and sub-section relevant to your concern. You will also find a copy of Working Together to Safeguard Children 2010 as a part of the procedures; this is attached as an additional document at the end of the procedures. This is the statutory guidance on which the procedures are based and was last revised by central government in March 2010. Following the revision of this statutory guidance, the pan-Dorset Policy & Procedures group has updated the content of the pan-Dorset Inter-agency Safeguarding Procedures ensuring they reflect current expectation of practice. If you have any comments or queries about the pan-Dorset procedures please contact your relevant LSCB Business Manager at: Dorset: [email protected] Bournemouth & Poole: [email protected] Equality Impact Assessment The Inter-Agency Safeguarding Children Procedures underwent an Equality Impact Assessment in August 2009. The assessment found that the: “Implementation of the Safeguarding Children policies complied with anti-discrimination legislation and does not include discriminatory conditions or requirements in relation to age, colour, disability or illness, ethnic origin, gender, marital status, nationality, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation or social background.” Yours Sincerely, Richard Stowe Ron Lock Independent Chair Independent Chair Dorset LSCB Bournemouth & Poole LSCB Dorset Safeguarding Children Board CONTENTS PART 1 Chapter 1.1 Introduction Chapter 1.2 Contents Chapter 2 Managing Individual Cases in Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole 2.1 Introduction 2.2 Working with children about whom there are child welfare concerns 2.3 Principles underpinning work to safeguard and promote the welfare of children 2.5 The process for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children 2.7 Being alert to children’s welfare 2.14 The welfare of unborn children 2.15 Referrals to children’s services where there are child welfare concerns 2.17 Responding to child welfare concerns where there is or may be an alleged crime 2.23 Allegations of harm arising from underage sexual activity 2.31 Fabricated or induced illness 2.42 Response of children’s services to a referral 2.48 Initial assessment 2.58 Next steps – child in need but no suspected, actual or likely significant harm 2.60 Next steps – child in need and suspected actual or likely significant harm 2.61 Immediate protection 2.66 Strategy discussion 2.76 Co-ordination of strategy meetings where the children are from more than one family 2.78 Section 47 enquiries and core assessment 2.86 Child assessment orders 2.87 The impact of section 47 enquiries on the family and child 2.90 The outcome of section 47 enquiries 2.91 The concerns are not substantiated 2.93 Concerns are substantiated, but the child is not judged to be at continuing risk of significant harm 2.97 Concerns are substantiated and the child is judged to be at continuing risk of significant harm 2.98 The Initial Child Protection Conference 2.157 Action following the Initial Child Protection Conference 2.177 The Child Protection Review Conference 2.186 Children Looked After by the Local Authority 2.188 Adoption 2.189 Historical Allegation 2.190 Pre-birth Child Protection Conferences and Reviews 2.191 Recording that a child is the subject of a child protection plan 2.193 Managing and providing information about a child 2.203 Recording 2.206 Request for a change of worker 2.207 Effective support and supervision Flow chart 1 – Referral Flow chart 2 – What happens following initial assessment? Flow chart 3 – Urgent action to safeguard children Flow chart 4 – What happens after the strategy discussion? Flow chart 5 – What happens after the Child Protection Conference, including the review process? Chapter 3 Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole Locally agreed protocols for Managing Individual Cases 3.1 Guidance on Consent, Confidentiality and Information Sharing 3.2 Dorset Police/Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole Children & Families Joint Working Arrangements 3.3 LSCB Child Protection Conference Complaints Procedure 3.4 (A and B) Sexual Exploitation of Children & Young People 3.5 Serious Case Reviews 3.6 Sudden Unexpected Deaths in Childhood 3.7 Children who are subject to Protection Plans who are Looked After 3.8 Joint Mental Health, Substance Misuse & Childcare Protocol 3.9 Managing Allegations against People who Work with Children 3.10 Missing Children 3.11 Managing Individuals who may Pose a Risk of Harm to Children 3.12 Notifications and Transferring Information 3.13 Safeguarding Children who may be trafficked 3.14 Domestic Violence Chapter 4 Good Practice Guidance 4.1 Safer Recruitment 4.2 Safe Practice 4.3 Child Performance Working Practice Guidance 4.4 Text Messaging PART 2 Working Together To Safeguard Children 2010 Dorset Safeguarding Children Board PAN DORSET INTER-AGENCY SAFEGUARDING PROCEDURES CHAPTER 2 MANAGING INDIVIDUAL CASES IN BOURNEMOUTH, DORSET AND POOLE Procedures Effective from: November 2010 Review Date: 2012 If you have any comments or queries about the pan-Dorset procedures please contact your agency representative on the Pan Dorset Policy and Procedures Group or notify the LSCB using the following email addresses: [email protected] [email protected] Introduction Chapter 2 of the Dorset, Bournemouth and Poole Inter-agency procedures for safeguarding children and young people have been revised following the publication of “Working Together to Safeguard Children” (Department for Children, Schools and Families 2010). This document was approved by the multi-agency pan-Dorset Policy & Procedures Group on 19.10.2010. It replaces the previous Chapter 2 of the Inter-agency Area Child Protection Procedures, 2006. This document recreates the full text of “Working Together to Safeguard Children” DCSF 2010, supplementing it with Pan-Dorset agreed policy and protocol. The Working Together text has also had yellow highlights added to show where changes are made between the 2006 and 2010 versions. It is hoped this will assist those reading it to understand new expectations as well as local protocols. “Safeguarding children” is everyone’s responsibility and all are encouraged to read thoroughly the contents of this document. November 2010 Page 2 of 69 CONTENTS Introduction ..............................................................................................5 Working with children about whom there are child welfare concerns ......................5 Principles underpinning work to safeguard and promote the welfare of children ........6 The processes for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children