ANNUAL REPORT 2010/11 & BUISNESS PLAN 2011/12
Report available to download from www.invercydechildprotection.org
A summary version of the report is also available
2 1 PREFACE
It seem little time since last I noted in such a preface the completion of a successfully and creditably evaluated inspection by H.M.I.e. and yet once again inspection is one of the most prominent features of the year on which we now report.
The inspection which was undertaken in October 2010 occurred much sooner than had been anticipated given the signal success reported upon in February 2009. The inspection was also undertaken on a different basis described as “proportionate”. Unfortunately as those intimately involved in the preparation for inspection would vouchsafe, this did not significantly reduce the range and volume of work involved.
Once again I would pay tribute to the unstinting efforts of Miss Kerr and Mrs Allenby whose co-ordination of the inspection ensures the inspectors are afforded a clear and comprehensive picture of the services we all provide. This inspection was more specific, reported on fewer evaluated criteria and was described as evaluating our performance in the context of our previous inspection results.
It is not inappropriate nor should it be construed boastful or complacent to describe The Inspection as an unalloyed success.
Whilst this is undoubtedly extremely positive we must continue to guard against complacency and strive to maintain the services which have attracted such favourable responses at a time when all the agencies, whether statutory or voluntary, whether national or local, which contribute to the work of the C.P.C. are adversely affected by significant financial constraint.
Each time I gratefully thank all who work to support Inverclyde’s most vulnerable children I remain acutely aware of the increasing pressures which affect and afflict services.
The challenge for this and forthcoming years will be the maintenance of consistency which will require of us all adaptability, ingenuity and creativity if we are to make these crucial services not only deliverable and sustainable but also aspirational.
I am delighted along with my colleagues in The Child Protection Chief Officers’ Group, Child Protection Committee and all its sub-groups to present this report.
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2 SETTING THE SCENE
Inverclyde is one of Scotland's smallest local authority areas, falling within the geographical boundaries of Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board and Strathclyde Police. The authority borders Renfrewshire council to the east and North Ayrshire council to the west. The main towns of Greenock, Port Glasgow and Gourock sit on the Firth of Clyde. The towns provide a marked contrast to the small coastal settlement of Inverkip and Wemyss Bay which lie to the South West of the area and the villages of Kilmacolm and Quarriers Village which are located further inland. A strong sense of community identity exists within Inverclyde and to local neighbourhoods in particular. Local citizens are proud of their area, and its history which is steeped in centuries of maritime and industrial endeavour.
Inverclyde has a population of approximately 79,770, of whom 17% are children under 16, 4% are young people aged 16-18 years, 61% are adults 19-64 years and 18% are older people, 65 years and over (ONS Midyear Population Estimates 2010). This represents a small decline in the total population of 0.6% on the mid-year estimates from 2009.
Challenges for Inverclyde
Inverclyde continues to face a number of significant challenges. These have been identified as follows1 :- • Depopulation and an Aging Population • Coping with De-industrialisation • Poverty, Deprivation and Area Renewal • Employment • Health • The Natural and Built Physical Environment and Housing Stock • Transport
Inverclyde Alliance Single Outcome Agreement (2009-11) identified that:-
‘Our key challenges are to tackle head on the problems of worklessness and lack of skills development, health inequalities, economic regeneration, poverty, poor environment, depopulation and social regeneration.’
The Inverclyde Alliance Single Outcome Agreement Annual Report for 2009-102 identifies that significant progress has been made in delivering the Single Outcome Agreement despite the economic downturn.
1Tackling Poverty, Sustaining Growth- Inverclyde Alliance Single Outcome Agreement 2009-2011 2 Tackling Poverty, Sustaining Growth - Inverclyde Alliance Single Outcome Agreement 2009-2010 Annual Report
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Despite this progress the scale of the challenges facing Inverclyde means that the work of Inverclyde Child Protection Committee (ICPC) and the child protection services represented on ICPC remains vitally important to help protect some of the most vulnerable children and young people in this community.
Child Protection in Inverclyde
The number of children on the Child Protection Register in Inverclyde on 31st March 2011 was 37. The number of children on the Child Protection Register fluctuates throughout the year. Registrations at the end of each quarter in 2010-11 have ranged from 24 - 37 children. A total of 101 children's names appeared on the Child Protection Register between 1st April 2010 and 31st March 2011 with one family group of 3 appearing twice during the year.
The graph below plots the number of registrations in Inverclyde on 31st March of each year since 2005.
Number of children on child protection register on 31st March
45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Year
Between 1st April 2010 and 31st March 2011 a total of 114 Child Protection Investigations were completed. During this same period 46 Initial Child Protection Case Conferences, 68 Review Child Protection Case Conferences and 21 Case Discussions took place.
This is compared to statistics from previous financial years in the graph below.
Child Protection Meetings April 07-March 11
80
60 Initial CP Conference 40 Review CP Conference 20 Case Discussion
0 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11
The statistics show a slight increase in the number of initial child protection
5 conferences and a slight reduction in the number of review conferences.
The following table shows the category of registration of children on the Child Protection Register at the end of each quarter since 31st March 2010.
Category of 31st March 30th June 30th Sept 31st Dec 31st March Registration 10 10 10 10 11 Physical 17 12 12 12 12 Neglect Physical 6 2 8 10 10 Injury Sexual 0 1 1 0 1 Abuse Emotional 12 9 5 8 14 Abuse Total 35 24 26 30 37
This data shows that the increase in emotional abuse registrations noted last year has levelled off with registrations under this category remaining high. Sexual abuse registrations remain very low within Inverclyde. This continues to be an area of concern where we have taken action to increase awareness of the issue and to provide advice and support for staff who have concerns that a child may be a victim of sexual abuse.
The most recent date for which national comparison figures are available is 31st March 2010. On this date within Inverclyde the rate of children on the Child Protection Register was 2.5 per 1,000 population aged 0-15, a decrease from 3.0 the previous year. Within Scotland the population rate on this date was slightly higher than that in Inverclyde (2.8 per 1,000 population aged 0-15) however the rate of children on the Child Protection Register in Scotland also decreased slightly between 31st March 2009 and 31st March 2010.
The table below shows a comparison between Inverclyde and Scotland for category of registration as at 31st March 2010.
Category of Inverclyde Scotland Registration 31st March 2010 Physical Neglect 17 (49%) 1098 (44%)
Physical Injury 6 (17%) 485 (19%)
Sexual Abuse 0 (0%) 202 (8%)
Emotional Abuse 12 (34%) 727(29%)
Registrations for sexual abuse have been between 0 and 2 children since March 09. This has represented between 0% and 9% of registrations at the end of any individual quarter.
6 Ethnic Group
In Scotland an ethnicity of White was recorded for 85% of children on the Child Protection Register on 31st March 2010. An undisclosed or unknown ethnicity was recorded for a further 12% of these children. All other ethnic backgrounds accounted for 4% of children on the Child Protection Register in Scotland on this date.
Within Inverclyde for the same date an ethnicity of White was recorded for 91% of children on the Child Protection register. An ethnicity was recoded for all children on the register. All other ethnic backgrounds accounted for 9% of children on the child protection register in Inverclyde although it should be noted that this was only 3 children.
Numbers of Child Protection referrals subject to Case Conference and Registration
Within Inverclyde there were 209 Child Protection referrals, resulting in 84 children subject to a case conference i.e. 40% of referrals were subject to a case conference. Nationally 34% of referrals were subject to a case conferences putting Inverclyde slightly above the national average. Of these 84 children 50 were registered on the child protection register (60%). Nationally 76% of those subject to case conference are registered, putting Inverclyde below the national average.
Referrals Received by SCRA
The table below shows the number of children for whom referrals were received by the Reporter for offence grounds and non offence grounds (including failure to attend school) over the last three years. As can be seen referrals received for non offence grounds are consistently higher than those received for offence grounds. A small but increasing number of children have been referred for both offence and non-offence grounds.
Referrals Received by SCRA April 08-March 10
700 600 500 Number of 400 Non-Offence referrals 300 200 Offence 100 Both 0 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 Year
Of the 437 referrals received by the reporter over the financial year 10/11 for grounds a-g (non-offence grounds excluding failure to attend school) 320 (73%) included lack of parental care grounds. This provides evidence for the priority given by the Committee to supporting further developments in the provision of family support within Inverclyde.
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Significant Case Review
During the year ICPC did not undertake any Significant Case Reviews.
Children Missing from Education (CME)
During the year no children from Inverclyde were reported through the CME process although a small number of children were identified as potentially missing who were all traced using local resources.
8 3 INSPECTION OF SERVICES TO PROTECT CHILDREN
Her Majesties Inspectorate of Education (HMIe) undertook an inspection of services to protect children in October – November 2010. This provided external validation that services in Inverclyde continue to provide consistently high standards across all aspects of child protection and that Chief Officers and the Committee have successfully taken forward actions from the previous inspection.
The report identified the quality indicator ‘Children are Listened to and Respected’ as excellent, noting “Children and families benefit from outstanding, open and honest communication with staff”.
The remaining five indicators were rated as very good.
Quality Indicator Evaluation Children are listened to and respected Excellent Children are helped to keep safe Very Good Response to immediate concerns Very Good Meeting needs and reducing long term harm Very Good Self evaluation Very Good Improvements in Performance Very Good
Particular strengths that made a difference to children and families were recorded as: • Children and families have supportive relationships and very high levels of trust and confidence in staff. • The Family Placement Strategy is helping relatives care for children and keep them in their own community. • Early intervention prevents difficulties emerging for many vulnerable families. • Staff take quick action to protect children and keep them safe. • Leadership of the Chief Officer Group and Inverclyde Child Protection Committee (ICPC) is improving outcomes for vulnerable children.
Three pieces of work were proposed by the Committee as good practice examples that demonstrate how services can work together effectively to improve the life chances of children and families at risk of abuse and neglect. These were scrutinised by HMIe who agreed that all three met the criteria and these have subsequently been shared with authorities across Scotland via the HMIe website.
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Good Practice 1 Improving Child Focussed Practice
The initial risk assessment report format and integrated chronology completed as part of a child protection investigation was revised to incorporate GIRFEC principles and to bring the format in line with the Inverclyde Integrated Assessment Framework. An evaluation of the impact of the revised formats on practice took place at the end of a 6 month pilot. A sample of reports prior to and during the pilot period was audited to identify practice change. Questionnaires were issued to staff from social work, health and education to ascertain their views about the changes to practice and a focus group was held with social workers who had experience of using the revised formats.
Evaluation found that initial risk assessments and integrated chronologies in response to child protection investigations had improved practice. There was a stronger focus on the child and a more holistic view of their needs. In addition, there was greater consensus across partner agencies about thresholds and a fuller assessment of the nature and level of risks.
Good Practice 2 Rights Respecting Schools
UNICEF has developed Rights Respecting School Awards scheme which is an effective way of inspiring and supporting schools who want to provide children and young people, parents and the wider community with a rights respecting guide to living. It places the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child at the heart of schools and children’s services. A Children’s Rights Officer supports schools to achieve the awards. At the time of Inspection, 4 primary schools and a special school had achieved the Advanced Award. In July 2010, St Columba’s Secondary School became the first mainstream secondary school in Scotland to achieve the Level 1 award. Children in schools who have achieved the Advanced Award have been trained as Young People Assessors so they can support other schools to become Rights Respecting Schools.
Children’s knowledge and levels of confidence about their rights have increased as a result of being involved in the Rights Respecting Schools Awards. Improved relationships and learning takes place between children, young people and staff in Rights Respecting schools. Children and young people’s well-being has improved due to their increased ability to understand and articulate their rights and responsibilities and those of others. Children in Rights Respecting schools are leading conferences for parents and people who live and work in their communities.
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Good Practice 3 Safety Net Inverclyde
A multi-agency group was set up to deliver a range of activities around Internet Safety. Actions included safety information leaflets issued to anyone purchasing a computer from a retail outlet in Inverclyde prior to Christmas 2009. Young people were invited to a foam party where 168 questionnaires were completed by them to identify how internet sites were used. This confirmed that many young people were not using safe practices to protect themselves. For younger children, activities took place in school. Learning resources from the Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) website were used to introduce on-line safety. Within the community the ‘Invernet’ bus was used to provide information on internet safety. A publicity campaign involved successful partnership working with the local media. This included the local press highlighting different topics over five days to alert parents and children of their potential vulnerability to on-line predators and cyber bullying when using social networking sites and mobile phones. Children were interviewed on the local radio as part of the campaign.
As a result of the campaign the safety of children and young people has increased due to heightened awareness of the potential dangers when accessing social networking sites, surfing online and using mobile phones. Parents and carers are aware of the ways they can protect their children from harm when using the internet and mobile phones.
HMIe identified a small number of areas for potential development, the most significant of which had already been identified within the Committee’s own self evaluation report.
The areas for improvement identified in the published report were • Build on the successful work already in place to support improved outcomes for vulnerable children and families • Continue to develop ways of monitoring and analysing data about medical examinations to ensure children’s health needs are being fully met.
An action plan has been developed to ensure these issues and others identified in the detailed feedback from Inspectors are addressed effectively. Implementation of this plan is well underway.
11 4 FULFILLING FUNCTIONS
Alongside preparing for and participating in the second round of Inspection of Services to Protect Children, the Committee has achieved or made significant progress on the majority of the actions identified in the 10/11 business plan.
The Committee fulfils it’s functions through the work of a number of sub groups and short life working groups along with the actions of individual members and the agencies they represent.
Progress on some of the key actions from the 2010/11 business plan is described below.
Public Information
Public information activity is undertaken by the Communications Sub Group of ICPC.
This year the sub group, in conjunction with the Multiagency Partnership (Violence Against Women) focussed their attention on raising awareness of the impact of domestic abuse on young people.
It was agreed in principle early in the project that the design ideas and images should be produced by young people who had themselves experienced domestic abuse in their families. Ten young people took part in the artwork project supported by skilled workers from Community Learning and Development and Women’s Aid alongside a professional artist with experience of working on community projects. The young people proposed the eventual name of the campaign ‘Inverclyde Kids Against Domestic Abuse’ and the artwork they produced was in graffiti art style incorporating their feelings and their hopes for what they wanted for the future. This artwork formed the basis of the design of the awareness raising materials produced to support the campaign.
Alongside the artwork project a school survey was undertaken to assess awareness and attitudes to domestic abuse / violence within relationships. This survey found that awareness of domestic abuse was reportedly high and violence towards a partner was unacceptable to approximately 90% of young people. This finding was consistent across all year groups and between different schools.
An approach based on social norms theory was used within the campaign. This approach advocates using marketing methods to correct negative misperceptions and to identify, model and promote the wellbeing protective behaviours that are in fact the norm among young people. As a result it was decided to use the findings of the overwhelming unacceptability of violence towards a partner as one of the main messages of the campaign.
12 The awareness raising campaign took place between 25th November and 10th of December to coincide with 16 days of Activism to Eliminate Violence Against Women. Double page advertorials were placed in the local newspaper on the first and last day of this period and the young people’s artwork was displayed in a stall within the local shopping centre. The posters and leaflets produced as part of the campaign have since been widely circulated throughout Inverclyde.
In addition to this main campaign the sub group published three further features in the local paper between January and March including a full page article published to coincide with the publication of the HMIe Inspection report.
The sub group also undertook activity to widen access to information on child protection. This was done through two activities. Firstly material was developed by the West of Scotland Consortium to provide information for families new to living in Scotland into 5 languages plus English. Inverclyde versions of the leaflets have been published on the Committee’s website and can be downloaded when required. A small print run has been undertaken of leaflets in Polish and English. Secondly the Committee’s general public awareness leaflet has been translated and recorded in British Sign Language. This video has been published on Inverclyde Council Website and it is thought that this is the first time such material has been produced in Scotland.
Policies, Procedures and Protocols
Work on policies, procedures and protocols is undertaken by the Policies and Procedures sub group of ICPC.
During the year the sub group developed, secured approval and disseminated local multiagency guidance in relation to working with dangerous and threatening families which is published on the Committee’s web site. They also reviewed and updated the following:- • Getting Our Priorities Right Protocol • Gambling Act Policy • Guidelines on best practice in relation to Female Genital Mutilation • Media Engagement Protocol
A working group was established to consider the development of a multiagency procedure in relation to young people who go missing including those who run away.
The medicals working group, along with an equivalent group in Renfrewshire, reviewed the procedure for arranging medicals produced by NHSGGC. This group has developed and secured approval for a joint protocol document to accompany the NHSGGC flow chart. This gives a detailed breakdown of the steps involved in decision making and arranging medicals including child sexual abuse medicals, comprehensive medical assessments and medicals in relation to suspected non-accidental injury. Briefing sessions took place with staff following approval of this document.
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Management Information
Management information reports are produced quarterly with an annual review produced at the end of the financial year and a comparison report prepared following publication of the National Child Protection Statistics mid way through the year. Key information from these reports is included in section 2 of this report.
Some information on medical examinations is now included in these reports and, following a recommendation from HMIe, these have been expanded to also include information on Social Work Standby activity in Inverclyde. The information is reviewed to identify trends and patterns. One issue which has led to a further investigation was in relation to attendance at Child Protection meetings. A more detailed audit was proposed to provide a more complete picture of agency attendance and provision of reports to child protection meetings. The findings of this audit will be reported to the Committee in summer 2011.
Quality Assurance
The Performance Management Sub Group is responsible for auditing the quality of multiagency practice and taking action to improve practice where necessary.
Multiagency case file audits continued to be undertaken on children who have been subject to child protection procedures, with recommendations produced following each audit. Recommendations with implications beyond the individual case being scrutinised are incorporated into a rolling action plan. This action plan was reviewed and updated during the year.
In addition to the routine case file audits a Quality Indicator audit of 6 cases was undertaken in June / July 2010 as part of our commitment to developing improvements through self evaluation. Practitioners working with the case were asked to complete a proforma identifying strengths and evidence to support these strengths from the case file or elsewhere. A mulitagency audit group then reviewed the self evaluation documentation with reference to the original file if necessary, giving particular consideration to the following key questions:-
• Did a discussion between social work, health and the police take place to ensure all relevant information was available and all the child’s needs are considered? • Was the need for a medical examination explicitly considered? • Was a comprehensive assessment of risk and need undertaken? If yes did it consider the child’s circumstances and emotional, social and development needs in a holistic way? Was it completed within agreed timescales?
14 • Has the welfare and safety been improved as a result of the services received?
A key finding of the audit was that ‘in all cases it was clear that welfare and / or safety had been improved as a result of services received. In a number of cases however risk remained and work continued to reduce the risk and monitor the situation.’
A review of the routine case file audit process is underway to incorporate recommendations from HMIE, findings from the Quality Indicator audit and other considerations. In particular the experience of undertaking the Quality Indicator audit has led to proposed changes including a practitioner self evaluation exercise prior to the audit and routine feedback provided for practitioners for each case audited.
The Performance Management sub group were also responsible for co- ordinating the preparation for inspection including undertaking a multiagency self evaluation focussing on priority quality indicators for Inverclyde.
Promotion of Good Practice
Last year Inverclyde introduced a new style of Child Protection Investigation Report (CP1). This report is now based explicitly on ‘Getting it Right for Every Child’ principles and is in a compatible format to the local Integrated Assessment Framework. A six month evaluation was undertaken that included a comparative audit of investigation reports carried out using the previous report format and the new format along with staff questionnaires and a focus group. This concluded that the new format:- • Has assisted in keeping the child at the centre • Provides a more holistic assessment of the child • Provides a fuller assessment of nature and level of risk with the chronology playing a valuable part in the assessment • Has strengthened existing good multi-agency practice • Is an effective short term planning tool and provides a robust foundation for integrated long term assessment and planning • Supports an improvement in the quality of information shared and the mechanisms for sharing information
Development of the Domestic Abuse Screening process also took place with the introduction of a system to notify health and education where appropriate of domestic abuse incidents reported to the screening group.
In relation to sexual abuse we continued to make available the sexual abuse consultancy service is to provide an opportunity for practitioners to discuss cases where they are concerned that sexual abuse may be a factor or who are looking for guidance about how to work with children or young people who have been sexually abused, with professionals who have expertise in the field. Uptake of the service has been disappointing however further promotion of the service is planned for 2011-12.
15 Training and Staff Development
The Training Sub Group of ICPC is responsible for planning and delivering a programme of interagency child protection training for practitioners, managers and Child Protection Committee members.
During 2010/11 the Training Subgroup continued to deliver high numbers of the community wide awareness program in recognition that everyone needs to be involved if children are to be protected within Inverclyde. The group also continued to deliver a level one course on roles and responsibilities in child protection and more advanced courses on a wide range of topics including child sexual abuse. The demands of preparing for and facilitating the Inspection of Services to Protect Children limited the developmental activity undertaken by the Training sub group in 2010-11. Despite this the following courses were significantly revised • Communicating with Children course to have an increased focus on child development and communication • Physical Neglect • Gender Based Violence
Briefing sessions were developed and delivered in relation to • Child Trafficking • Procedures for decision making and arranging medicals
In total 25 multiagency courses were offered by ICPC during the year with 418 people attending these courses. For all courses offered, the proportion indicating they had learnt something they could use in practice was between 90-100%. In addition 148 people attended a briefing session on child trafficking and briefings were delivered at team meetings on the new procedure for decision making and arranging medicals.
In addition to the training program the Committee ran its third annual conference in February 2011 on the topic of ‘The impact of parental mental health problems on children’. In total 102 participants attended from all agencies. The conference evaluated well with 93% participants rating the event as either very good or good and almost all participants reporting that the stated aims of the conference had been met.
Communication and Co-operation
ICPC has a stated objective ‘to ensure opportunities for communication and co-operation between departments and agencies in Inverclyde and with other Child Protection Committees are developed’. Regular attendance and participation at National and West of Scotland Child Protection Forums has helped maintain relationships across local authority area boundaries and has led to sharing of ideas and information to inform policy and practice development.
16 All communications activity is clearly identified with ICPC through the use of the logo and related images. A summary version of the annual report was produced this year and briefing papers for staff were produced and widely distributed in relation to the outcome of the inspection of services to protect children and the publication of the new National Guidance on Child Protection.
Planning and Connections
Effective connections between ICPC and related structures such as the Inverclyde Alliance are maintained by Chief Officers. Evidence of this link was clearly found by HMIe during their recent inspection. Work is underway to review the Integrated Children’s Services Plan to dove-tail it with the new strategic framework for the Single Outcome Agreement and ensure alignment with it.
Joint work with colleagues in Adult Protection has been taken forward with the development of a Social Work Child Protection/Adult Protection Protocol for Young People Aged 16 & 17. The need for multiagency guidance based on this document will be considered in the coming year.
Listening to Children and Young People
This is an area where existing practice was assessed as Excellent in the recent inspection with Inspectors recording that:-
‘Views of children and families are consistently sought and are reflected in decisions made about them, and in the services they receive. The practice in seeking views is outstanding’
This work has been further developed though the introduction of ‘Viewpoint’, a computer based interactive programme to enhance our current methods for gathering the views of children and young people about their own individual circumstances and experiences. The system was put in place for young people accommodated in residential units and those attending youth support / youth justice services early in the year. Feedback from young people and from the chair of Looked After and Accommodated reviews has been very positive. Some technical and capacity issues delayed the planned introduction of the system for young people attending Review Child Protection Conferences and those in foster care and residential schools however these were resolved towards the end of the year and the system will be fully in use early in the coming year. The system will allow the Committee to consider aggregate information highlighting the views of young people involved in the child protection system which may identify areas for development and improvement.
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18 5 Business Plan 2011 – 12
The business plan has been developed in line with the key functions of Child Protection Committee’s identified in the National Guidance3
1 Continuous Improvement
Objective What are we going to do? When will we Who is What resources How will we know we do it by? responsible for do we need to have done it? implementation? do this? To maintain and improve Further develop ways of September Medicals Working Staff Time Report to CPC service delivery and monitoring and analysing data 2011 group via Policies outcomes for children about paediatric child protection and Procedures through self evaluation, medical examinations and Sub Group performance management learning from the findings and quality assurance Develop proposals to improve October 2011 Performance Staff Time Proposal submitted to multiagency self evaluation in Management Sub CPC order that it becomes more Group embedded in practice and that the information is better used to inform planning Undertake a programme of Ongoing Performance Staff Time Action Plan reported to multiagency case audit Management Sub CPC Group To produce regular child Ongoing Performance Staff Time Management protection management Management Sub Information Reports information reports and take Group submitted to CPC action to address any quarterly concerning trends or patterns identified.
3 National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland 2010
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Objective What are we going to do? When will we Who is What resources How will we know we do it by? responsible for do we need to have done it? implementation? do this? To promote good practice Embed the new National Staged Child Protection Staff Time Review of in child protection Guidance and West of Scotland implementatio Committee & Sub implementation to be Procedures in Inverclyde n between Groups reported to CPC August 2011 September 2011 and and March April 2012 2012 Further develop the local March 2012 Child Protection Staff Time Report back to CPC response to improve outcomes Committee & Sub for vulnerable children affected Groups by parental mental health problems and/ or parental substance misuse
Implement the improvement Staged CPC / as per RIF Staff Time Report back to CPC actions identified following implementatio Action Plan on individual actions review of the areas for n between as per RIF action plan development reported in the June 2011 HMIe inspection of services to and March protect children report and 2012 record of inspection findings
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Objective What are we going to do? When will we Who is What resources How will we know we do it by? responsible for do we need to have done it? implementation? do this? To ensure the Implement a programme of local Ongoing Policies and Staff Time Policies and development, policy, procedure and guidance Procedures Sub Procedures Sub implementation, development and review. Group Group Work Plan dissemination and review produced of policies, procedures and protocols around key Regular reports on child protection issues progress of work plan to CPC Contribute to the development of Ongoing Policies and Staff Time Policies and policies, procedures, protocols Procedures Sub Procedures Sub or guidance being developed at Group Group Work Plan a regional or national level produced
Regular reports on progress of work plan to CPC To help staff develop core Plan, implement and evaluate Ongoing Training Sub Staff Time Training Sub Group awareness knowledge an effective programme of Group Work Plan produced and skills needed to multiagency child protection support effective inter- training Regular reports on disciplinary working when progress of work plan dealing with actual or to CPC suspected abuse or neglect (including sexual abuse) and in prevention and post abuse activity.
21 2 Public Information and Communication
Objective What are we going to do? When will we Who is What resources How will we know we do it by? responsible for do we need to have done it? implementation? do this? To maintain a high level of Plan, implement and evaluate Ongoing Communications Budget for Communications Sub awareness of child an effective public awareness Sub Group publications, Group Work Plan protection with children raising programme advertising and produced and young people, evaluation families and the wider Regular reports on community through the Staff time progress of work plan provision of information to CPC To maintain a high level of To develop and review new Ongoing Communications Budget for Communications Sub awareness of Child approaches to communication Sub Group publications etc Group Work Plan Protection with those who with staff and volunteers on Staff time produced work (in a paid or Child Protection developments volunteer capacity) with Regular reports on children, young people progress of work plan and / or their families to CPC through the provision of information Maximise the involvement To introduce and evaluate new March 2012 Viewpoint Budget for Management of children and young approaches to listening to and working group Viewpoint Information reports to people in decision making taking account of children and System and CPC. regarding their care and young people’s views at all support protection. stages in the child protection materials process Staff Time
22 3 Strategic Planning
Objective What are we going to do? When will we Who is What resources How will we know we do it by? responsible for do we need to have done it? implementation? do this? Work in partnership with Ensure a child protection Ongoing CPC / Chief Staff Time Evidenced from plans other planning perspective is considered during Officer Group and strategies mechanisms to ensure the review of the Integrated planning for child Children’s Services Plan / protection is given strategic framework of the Single appropriate priority. Outcome Agreement Maintain links and influence Ongoing CPC / Chief Staff Time Evidenced strategy developments and decision Officer Group and implementation making in relation to the plans development and implementation of the Family Support Strategy Maintain links and influence Ongoing CPC / Chief Staff Time Reported back to CPC developments and decision Officer Group making in relation to the development of the Getting it Right for Every Child model and the use of Co-ordinated Support Plans
23 5 CONCLUSION
The inspection of services to protect children in Inverclyde, undertaken by HMIE during 2010 and reported in January 2011, provided an independent assessment of how well services in Inverclyde protect children and meet their needs. As a result of the efforts of professional staff and volunteers involved in Child Protection work throughout Inverclyde the Inspectors found and acknowledged the maintenance of the very high level of services noted in their previous inspection, reported in January 2009, and also many areas where, in a relatively short space of time, there has been further improvement.
Since publication of this report Inverclyde Child Protection Committee has continued to pursue its function to provide strategic leadership and develop practice to ensure high standards are maintained in the face of increasingly challenging economic and social circumstances. The achievements summarised in this report and the programme of work for 2011/12 demonstrates our continued commitment to strive for excellence in the protection of children.
24 6 APPENDICES
25 Appendix I
Members of Inverclyde Child Protection Committee as at 31 March 2011
Membership Agency
Kenneth Ritchie (Chair) Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration
Fiona Miller (Vice Chair) NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde Health Board
Elsa Hamilton Inverclyde Council: Education Services
Kate Watson Inverclyde Council: Educational Psychology
Angela Edwards Inverclyde Council: Education Services
Susan Kerr Inverclyde Child Protection Committee
Robert Murphy Inverclyde Community Health Care Partnership
Lesley Watson Inverclyde Community Health Care Partnership (Social Work Services)
Inverclyde Community Health Care Partnership Fiona Van der Meer (Health)
Inverclyde Community Health Care Partnership Sharon McAlees (Social Work Services)
Dr Brian Kelly NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde Health Board
Jim Baird Strathclyde Police
Strathclyde Police John Dearie
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Members of Inverclyde Child Protection Committee as at 31 March 2011
Membership Agency
Lindy Scaife Procurator Fiscal’s Office
Elaine Paterson Inverclyde Council: Legal & Administration
Julie Spencer Treetops Community Nursery
Jim Durning Barnardo’s Threshold Project
Bob McLean Inverclyde Community Health Care Partnership (Social Work Services) (representing Inverclyde Alcohol and Drugs Partnership )
Kate Dahlstrom Oaktree Housing Association
27 Appendix II
Members of Inverclyde Child Protection Chief Officers Group as at 31 March 2011
Membership Agency
John Mundell Chief Executive, Inverclyde Council
David Stewart Divisional Commander, Strathclyde Police
Robert Murphy Inverclyde Community Health Care Partnership
Kenneth Ritchie Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration
Albert Henderson Inverclyde Council: Education Services
Rosslyn Crocket NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde Health board
28 Appendix III 20011/2012 Budget Schedule
Inverclyde Child Protection Committee Proposed Budget 20011/12 Expenditure
Inverclyde Council £113,140 Police Contribution 11/12 £8,440 Total funding £121,580
1. Staffing 1.1 Child Protection Lead Officer & £78,330 Administrator Sub-total staffing £78,330
2. Support Budget: 2.1 Accommodation £1,000 2.2 Printing / Stationery £4,450 2.3 Equipment Rental £1,610 2.4 Other Supplies and Services £3,960 (including books and publications and postage) Sub-total support budget £11,020
3. Development Budget 3.1 Inter-Agency Training £13,710 3.2 Advertising £5,520 3.3 Payments to other Bodies / £13,000 Miscellaneous payments (including Joint Investigative Interviewing Tutor and payments relating to West of Scotland Procedures and Viewpoint license) Sub-total development budget £32,230
Total £121,580
Staff costs include travel/subsistence employer’s costs and training.
29 Appendix IV
Members of Inverclyde Child Protection Training Sub Group as at 31 March 2011
Membership Agency
Fiona Miller NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde Health Board
Susan Kerr Inverclyde Child Protection Committee
Lisa Burton Inverclyde Community Health Care Partnership (Social Work Services)
Maggie Hamilton Inverclyde Community Health Care Partnership (Social Work Services)
Nan Smith Inverclyde Community Health Care Partnership (Social Work Services)
Elsa Hamilton Inverclyde Council: Education Services
Andy Lundie Strathclyde Police
Bob Anderson Strathclyde Police
30 Appendix V
Members of Inverclyde Child Protection Performance Management Sub Group as at 31 March 2011
Membership Agency
Lesley Watson Inverclyde Community Health Care Partnership (Social Work Services)
Kenneth Ritchie Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration
Fiona Van der Meer Inverclyde Community Health Care Partnership (Health)
Susan Kerr Inverclyde Child Protection Committee
Elsa Hamilton Inverclyde Council: Education Services
Fiona Miller NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde Health Board
Joyce Gartshore Quarriers
Stephen Heron Strathclyde Police
31
Appendix VI
Members of Inverclyde Child Protection Quality Sub Group as at 31 March 2011
Membership Agency
Susan Kerr Inverclyde Child Protection Committee
Nan Smith Inverclyde Community Health & Care Partnership (Social Work Services)
Maggie Hamilton Inverclyde Community Health & Care Partnership (Social Work Services)
Fiona Miller NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde Health Board
Elsa Hamilton Inverclyde Council: Education Services
Debbie Wallman Strathclyde Police
32 Appendix VII
Members of Inverclyde Child Protection Communications Sub Group as at 31 March 2011
Membership Agency
Susan Kerr Inverclyde Child Protection Committee
Elaine McKenna Inverclyde Community Health Care Partnership (Social Work Services)
Alison Kennedy Strathclyde Police
Hazel Mitchell Newark Nursery
Anne Jamieson Inverclyde Community Health Care Partnership (Health)
Pauline Kay Inverclyde Community Health Care Partnership (Health)
Gerry McMurtrie Children’s Rights & Information Officer
Hugh Scott Inverclyde Council: Education Services
Rhoda Braddick Inverclyde Council
33 Appendix VIII
Members of Inverclyde Child Protection Finance Sub Group as at 31 March 2011
Membership Agency
Kenneth Ritchie Scottish Children’s Reporters Administration
Robert Murphy Inverclyde Community Health & Care Partnership
Jim Baird Strathclyde Police
Susan Kerr Inverclyde Child Protection Committee
34 Appendix VIIII
Members of Inverclyde Child Protection Policy & Procedure Sub Group as at 31 March 2011
Membership Agency
Kenneth Ritchie Scottish Children’s Reporters Administration
Jim Baird Strathclyde Police
Susan Kerr Inverclyde Child Protection Committee
Kate Watson Inverclyde Council: Educational Psychology
Nan Smith Inverclyde Community Health & Care Partnership (Social Work Services)
Fiona Miller NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde Health Board
Alison Kennedy Strathclyde Police
35