recording guidance and expectations children’s service

Recording Guidance and Expectations Children’s Service

Issue Date: 27th January 2020 Version 4

IF IT IS NOT RECORDED IT DID NOT HAPPEN…

INTRODUCTION

This will help to ensure a level of consistency in the teams and ensure recording fully reflects the good work which is undertaken with children and families. As the service continues to develop and improve and new ideas come in to play. therefore, recording guidance will need to be kept up to date. If anyone has new ideas or tools which makes recording more effective’ then please share these and this can reflect it within this document. This is about Continuous Development and with this comes Continuous Change.

Supporting links – Coventry Procedures Manual Documents Library Working Together 2018 Recording Policy Practice Standards

http://coventrychildcare.proceduresonline.com/

http://coventrychildcare.proceduresonline.com/local_resources.html

http://www.workingtogetheronline.co.uk/chapters/chapters/contents.html

https://coventrychildcare.proceduresonline.com/contents.html

https://coventrychildcare.proceduresonline.com/local_resources.html#prac_standards




Contents

1. TIMESCALES AND EXPECTATIONS .................................................................................................. 3

2. ALLOCATIONS (New Cases) ............................................................................................................ 5

2a. Allocations (transfers) ................................................................................................................. 5

3. MANAGER DECISION (i.e. CF15 manager oversight) ...................................................................... 5

4. CASE NOTE STRUCTURE ................................................................................................................. 5

CiN/CP Visits ...................................................................................................................................... 6

CLA Visits ........................................................................................................................................... 6

5. CASE SUMMARIES .......................................................................................................................... 6

5a. Case Summaries for Looked After Children: ............................................................................... 7

6. TRANSFERS .................................................................................................................................... 9

8. HEADINGS FOR SUPERVISION ........................................................................................................ 9

8a. Cases Supervision - See Template Appendix 2 ......................................................................... 10

8b. MASH Case Supervision ............................................................................................................ 10

Appendix 1: Case Supervision - Management Oversight ................................................................. 10

Appendix 2: Case Supervision - Management Oversight LAC Cases ................................................ 12

Appendix 3: Record of Personal Supervision and Agreed Action ..................................................... 13

Appendix 4 : Team Manager Meeting Template ............................................................................. 14

Appendix 5: Whole Team Meetings Template ................................................................................ 15

Appendix 6: Child Protection Planning Template ............................................................................ 18

Appendix 7: Process MAP Guidance ................................................................................................ 19

Appendix 8: PLO Process Map ......................................................................................................... 20




1. TIMESCALES AND EXPECTATIONS Timescales and expectations for recording and visits

MASH–contact to decision (referral to area team/to MASH assessment)–1 working day.

Children must be seen within 7 working days of referral date (5 should be the aim).

Home visits – child protection(CP)/looked after(LAC) visits should be written up in within 24 hours and child in need(CiN) visits within 48 hours. In addition, all recording but must be recorded by the END of each month.

Strategy discussion/meetings must be recorded the same day as they occur and MUST include other professionals. As a minimum, this is health, police, Children’s Services and the referring agency. A conference call can be used. Strategy discussions/meetings notes MUST be sent to the police/other professionals within 72 hours of it taking place (as outlined in Working Together 18).

Section 47 enquires must be recorded in 24 hours. Team manager sign off must take place within 1 day. Where threshold for ICPC is met, a decision has to be made within 1 day as we have 15 days for ICPC to take place

Assessment timescales 30-35 days should be maximum – any over need management oversight

Visits to children should be as per statutory guidance as a minimum: o CP visits in accordance to the plan, but usually every 2 weeks ie10 working

days o CiN visits every 4 weeks o LAC visits every 4 weeks or 3 months if in stable placement for more than a

year. This should be outlined in the child’s plan LAC children should be seen within 7 days of placement. They should

be seen weekly up to 1st LAC review

CiN Meetings – Team Manager or Senior Practitioner will attend/chair the CiN meeting to support and oversee the progression of a plan and ensure no drift or delay every 3 months

Recording Statutory/Child in Need Visits o The social worker MUST ensure the correct dropdown box is used as this is

used to monitor data. o CiN – every time a child is seen this MUST be in a case note with the drop

down ‘child seen’ o CP/LAC – every time child seen this MUST be noted in a statutory visit drop

down box in the case note.

Initial Care Plans must be completed within 10 working days.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/729914/Working_Together_to_Safeguard_Children-2018.pdf

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/729914/Working_Together_to_Safeguard_Children-2018.pdf




Some Minimum expectations…. Children's Services Practice Standards - June 2018 and the Record Keeping Practice Guidance. Every child subject to a Child in Need plan should have as a minimum: an up to date C&F Assessment (within the last 12 months), CiN plan and minutes of CiN meeting, risk assessment/DASH assessment if needed, and safety plan. Also clear case direction with management oversight, which is explicit re child’s voice and life experiences.

Every child subject to CP should have a as a minimum: (all of CiN above) risk assessment, updated C&F Assessment, safety plan, FGC, clear CP plan with regular core groups (every 4 weeks until RCPC and then at least 4-month meeting in the review period of 6 months) and child seen/home visits. Also, clear case direction with management oversight (this applies to those subject to PLO as well), explicit re child’s voice and life. LAC health assessments also if relevant.

Every child looked after should have as a minimum: have a clear assessment of need, placement information, safety plan, care plan, LAC or pathway plan review plans and minutes, regular visits recorded., risk assessment if needed) and PEP. Records should be explicit re child’s voice and lived experience.

All records in addition to above must have:

Up to date Chronology

3 Generational genogram

Updated case summary

Child’s voice should feature throughout

Parent/carer voice should feature throughout

Direct work should be evidenced

Management decision and supervision should be present

Documents should be uploaded eg Schedule 3 or 4

Allocation case note (by manager or Senior Practitioner) on allocation / transfer. Summery at point of transfer / closure summary at point of closure

When recording ‘child seen’ be clear about context. When recording any actions, whether this is in an assessment, on a case note following a visit, or in meetings – there must be a date for the action to be completed. This is not an exhaustive list of expectations when it comes to recording; this

is just a reminder of some of the things that we do expect as a minimum… All to be read in conjunction with the practice standards, which can be found here - Children's Services Practice Standards - June 2018 and the Record Keeping Practice Guidance

http://www.proceduresonline.com/coventry/childcare/user_controlled_lcms_area/uploaded_files/Children%27s%20Services%20Practice%20Standards%20June%202018.pdf


http://www.proceduresonline.com/coventry/childcare/user_controlled_lcms_area/uploaded_files/Record%20Keeping%20Practice%20Guidance.final.pdf







2. ALLOCATIONS (New Cases)

On receipt of the referral in to children’s social care, every case is allocated to a social worker and a CF15 titled Allocation Case Note is completed. Allocated to:

Referred by:

S47 recording due (If applicable):

7 day visit due:

C&F Assessment due:

Reason for Involvement (summary of referral):

Case allocation – hypothesis / reflections:

Actions: (must be SMART)

2a. Allocations (transfers) Following a case transfer, a case note needs to be added to ensure management oversight and clear direction is offered (CF15 Management Oversight – Transfer)

Allocated to:

Overview;

Case allocation – hypothesis / reflections:

Actions: (must be SMART)

3. MANAGER DECISION (i.e. CF15 manager oversight) Cases must have management decisions recorded – this is recorded on a

management decision case note and must cover (this is NOT supervision:

Purpose:

Discussion/Decision:

Actions:

SofS and Scaling (as relevant):

4. CASE NOTE STRUCTURE




CiN/CP Visits Reason/Purpose for contact – key words i.e. which child(ren) was seen, where, why

Detailed Notes:

Child’s Voice (wishes and feelings, must detail each individual child) to include whether

the child understands their plan

Observation If the child aware of his/her plan (age appropriate)

Parents’ views if seen

Evidence of direct work

You must tick the box that says child seen, alone, bedroom as appropriate.

Analysis of information

What is working well?

What are we worried about?

What needs to happen next? o Actions: Must be SMART – Who? What? When? Be specific?

Must ensure the ‘child seen’ visit or ‘statutory visit’ drop down is used to

enable data progression.

CLA Visits Reason for contact: Detailed Notes:

Child’s Voice (wishes and feelings)

Observations

If the child aware of his/her plan (age appropriate)

Religious/cultural needs:

Health:

Education, employment or training:

Activities:

Family time/contact: Child’s views and updates

Carers’ views if seen:

Analysis of information (include hypothesis as appropriate):

Care plan update:



What needs to happen next? o Actions: Must be SMART – Who? What? When? Be specific?

5. CASE SUMMARIES Case Summaries should be completed on every child open.




Summaries are vital part of a child’s file as it offers an immediate overview of the child journey, the plan and safety plan. The summaries must be reviewed and updated as appropriate to ensure they are up to date. The summary must include as a minimum: For children other than LAC: Pen picture of the child: (to include culture and identity)

Referral information: (short summary only)

Reason for current involvement:

Legal Status: (CIN/CP/PLO)

o If applicable, next court date and court timetable:

Frequency of visits:

History of previous involvement:


What are we worried about? o Historical Risks/Concerns o Current Risks and Concerns

What is the current plan? (Please give details, it is not acceptable to say ‘see plan’) Key Contacts/Agencies: (this must include either a phone number or an email address)

Contingency Plan:

5a. Case Summaries for Looked After Children:

Legal Status of child / young person (UASC Status (if applicable) (What is their first language and do they need an interpreter)




Homefinder (17+) if applicable **

Pen picture of child / young person

Brief Background (This would be background to social care involvement including CAF, CIN and CP)

Current Situation What is the current care plan? Who does the child/ young person live with?

What is working well

What are we worried (concerned) about (including risky people)?

What needs to happen?

Contingency Plan (if required)

Family time arrangements (contact)

Professionals and key people Involved (include phone numbers) This will include professionals from school, foster carers, FGC, CAMHS

**Housing/type of placement/are they bidding on Coventry Homefinder/ Staying put/ School/employment/training Health (physical and mental health) Finances (UC, maintenance, how do they manage) Long term linked) Probation and youth offending Care proceedings in process of or for their own child.




6. TRANSFERS Transfers - team manager will discuss all transfers during transfer meeting and plan any cases ready for transfer. A genogram must be provided by the social worker for the transfer meeting and transfer checklist MUST be completed when moving to LAC teams. Chronology / file MUST be up to date (although this would not delay transfer).

The Transfer Summary will be the same as the Case Summary if completed correctly and will then be up to date and prevent duplication. 7. CLOSURES Closure – case closure needs to be explicit and cover

Summary of referral concerns:

Reason for closure: How have the concerns in the referral been addressed/ work completed (what we were

worried about? –How has this been addressed?) (also include evidence/link to TF).

Protective factors (What is working well) at point of closure:

Date children last seen:

Potential action on re-referral (note any supportive family members/safety plans):

Professionals involved / family who continue to support the family People to be informed of closure (names, job title and address – closure letters/notification sent

and evidenced of file, needs to include parents and GP)

Manager's comments and closure approval: If closed following an assessment this will be recorded in case notes. If closing following a plan (CIN/CP/LAC) then this needs to be recorded in the closure document but with a case note evidencing closure and closure summary in forms.

Getting the recording correct means a children and families do not have to tell

their story again!

8. HEADINGS FOR SUPERVISION




(All recorded and signed by both parties and saved as an accurate reflection) Supervision (ALL): See Template (Appendix 1)

- Wellbeing (personal) - Workload /pressures / team update & staffing issues - Performance - Appraisal review / training/development - Feedback (ie complaints and compliments) - Reflections - Leave/TOIL - H&S issues - Cases – Recorded on Child’s File as per below - AOB: - On a regular basis - Dip Sample 3 cases during supervision

o Practice standards o Chronology o Case Summary o Recording

8a. Cases Supervision - See Template Appendix 2

- Overview – What is life like for the children? - SOS - Scaling - Reflection, Challenge and Direction - Permanence Plan (for LAC children) - What needs to happen?

8b. MASH Case Supervision - Timescales - Practice - Case Reflection (recent cases where this is learning) - Themes emerging - SOS

o What is working well? o What are the worries? o What needs to change?

Appendix 1: Case Supervision - Management Oversight




Recorded under Supervision (All Cases except LAC) (vital this is recorded as

supervision not management oversight)

CHILD ID:

Social Worker:

Team Manager:

What is life like for the child(ren)? And how do we know this?

Are social work visits in timescale?



How worried are we that the child may suffer significant harm?

(Scale 0=no safety to 10=proposing to cease involvement or reduce level of direct

intervention)

Reflection and Challenge: reflect on the experience of working with the child and

their family. What tools have been used (with the child or others) to gain further

information about potential strengths or worries? Team manager’s opportunity to

hypothesise with the practitioner.

What needs to happen next and how will we know these actions are making a

difference for the child? (Actions, desired outcomes & measures, who will be responsible? SMART

recording)




Appendix 2: Case Supervision - Management Oversight LAC Cases

Recorded under Supervision (All LAC cases ) (vital this is recorded as supervision not

management oversight)

What is this child / young person’s permanence plan?

Has this been achieved?

Are social work visits within statutory timescales?

Does the social worker understand the wishes / feelings and individual needs for this

child / young person

Are the needs of the child / young person being met within the current care

arrangement? Consider the following: Does the current care arrangement promote

high aspirations, secure the best outcomes, provide an environment for the child or

young people to be safe, healthy, to have stability in their home lives, stability in

relationships and education or work; and to prepare those children and young people

for adulthood and independent living. What are the child’s/ young person’s

aspirations? What is being done to promote these?

Progress of child / young person since last supervision?

Any barriers to progress/ development for the child / young person?

Reflection and Challenge: reflect on the experience of working with the child and

their family. What tools have been used (with the child or others) to gain further

information about potential strengths or worries? Team manager’s opportunity to

hypothesise with the practitioner.

Analysis – use signs of safety, consider what needs to happen next and how will we

know these actions are making a difference for the child / young person?

Actions SMART, what, who and when




Appendix 3: Record of Personal Supervision and Agreed Action Between: Supervisor……………………and Supervisee…………………………. Date:………………………………………………………………………….

No Agenda items

for discussion

Record of discussion Agreed actions

(including

timescale and

responsibility)

1

Wellbeing /

Personal/Temper

ature Take

2 Workload/Pressu

res/what’s

working well

3 AL/TOIL

4 Feedback

(complaints/com

pliments)

5 Reflections

(work well and

any worries)

6 Appraisal/Traini

ng/Development

7

Performance/Dip

-Sampling Practice Standards

Chronologies

Case Summary

Recording

Troubled Families

8 H&S

9 Cases See CF15’s – Case supervision as recorded

directly on child’s file

10 AOB

-

THIS IS AGREED AS AN ACCURATE RECORD

Name of Supervisor

Signature Date

Name of Supervisee

Signature Date

Date of next supervision:…………………………………………..




Appendix 4 : Team Manager Meeting Template

Meeting Agenda and Notes

Date Time Venue

Chaired by:

Meeting Minutes Taken By:

Attendees:

Name Role Name Role

Apologies

Name Role Name Role

Visitors:

Name Organisation Role

MEETING AGENDA ITEMS

1. Temperature Take/Wellbeing ADD

Agreed Outcome: Action By:

2. Staffing issues /Starters/Leavers/Recruitment Add


3. Feedback from any Meetings (must include Practice Development Forums) Add





4. Budget Add


5. Performance –Dashboard/Dip Sampling/Sharing Good Practice Add


6. Compliments and Complaints Add


7. Health and Safety Add


8. Any Other Business/Agenda Items Add


*Meeting Closed*

Appendix 5: Whole Team Meetings Template

Meeting Agenda and Notes

Date Time Venue




Chaired by:

Meeting Minutes Taken By:

Attendees:

Name Role Name Role

Apologies

Name Role Name Role

Visitors:

Name Organisation Role

MEETING AGENDA ITEMS

1. Welcome and Introductions ADD


2. Temperature Take/Wellbeing Add


3. Staffing/Starters/Leavers/Recruitment Add





4. Feedback from any Meetings (must include Practice Development Forums) Add


5. Allocations/Duty Rota and Cover Arrangements Add


6. Performance –/Dashboard/Dip Sampling/Sharing Good Practice Add


7. Compliments and Complaints Add


8. Team Events and celebrating Festivals Add


9. Health and Safety Add


10. Good News Stories Add


11. Any Other Business/Agenda Items Add


*Meeting Closed*




Appendix 6: Child Protection Planning Template Child Protection planning for _______________________ Date of ICPC ___________________

Case should have

Week 1

Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Week 6 Week 7 Week 8 Week 9 Week 10 Week 11 Week 12 Week 13 Week 14 Week 15 Week 16 Week 19 Week 18

Family safety plan Case summary updated Professionals involved with contact details Is there an updated chronology Direct work 3 houses / other SOS tools – islands and fairy / wizard Eco-map Genogram to include relationships and factors reflecting parenting S & D questionnaires and other DoH assessment tools Road map of life experiences Story board one-page profile – Neglect tool CSE risk assessment + Trigger plan CE Screening theory PAM Report Family group conference Direct work with parents on family history and experience of being parented as a child Domestic abuse services Mental health services Drug and alcohol services If above applicable schedule into plan

Date of first core group to be within 10 working days of conference Review chronology

Home visit to see parents + review plan See children and explain plan to them (age appropriate)

Core group to be held + time date and location set for next meeting Feedback from parents to be part of each core group

Minutes to be recorded + plan reviewed then shared with parents

Direct work sessions with children

Home visit purpose / plan

Core group to be held + time, date and location set for next meeting – feedback from parents to be part of each core group

Minutes to be recorded + plan reviewed and updated / amended then shared with parents

Home visit, review plan of action


Core group to be held Feedback from parents to be part of each core group

Minutes to be recorded + plan reviewed and updated / amended then shared with parents

1st review

conference Home visit purpose / plan

FGC MUST be help if not already done

Parenting assessment to be completed and shared with parents

Core group to be held + time, date and location set for next meeting Feedback from parents to be part of each core group


SofS Mapping exercise

Where parents are not together – ensure parenting sessions with each parent

FGC Referral – consider wider family support

Home visit to discuss plan and progress with child and record

Direct work session

Home visit Discuss plan and progress with child and record

Direct support visit

Complete Resilience Matrix

SDQ + other D0H assessment tools to be updated and reviewed

Home visit Purpose/plan Discuss and progress with child/ren not present for RCPC

Feedback to child on outcome of / RCPC – if child /ren not present for RCPC

Consider specialist assessment, evidence

Where concerns continue – commence Viability Assessments



Update resilience matrix

Plan parenting assessment sessions – either separate assessment or included in C&F

Letter sent to carers with outline of parenting assessment /C&F Assessment and visits wit with topics to be covered

Parenting assessment /C&F planning meeting with parents involved

Neglect tool if neglect /Graded Care Profile (GCP)

Neglect tool if neglect

Neglect tool (if neglect)

Direct work family sessions

SOS case Mapping exercise

Review child protection conference report to be shared with parents and children Update /review chronology

Change needs to be seen

Update of assessment if needed

Review neglect work

Review neglect work

Review neglect work

Week 19

Week 20 Week 21 Week 22 Week 23 Week 24 Week 25 Week 26 Week 27 Week 28 Week 29 Week 30 Week 31 Week 32 Week 33 Week 34 Week 35 Week 36

Home visit purpose/plan



Viability from FGC to continue

Home visit purpose/ plan



Viability from FGC to be conclude


Core group to be held + time, date and location set for next meeting

Minutes to be recorded + plan reviewed, then shared with parents

SDQ + another DoH assessment tools to be updated and reviewed

Home visit Purpose / plan

Core group to be held + time, date and location set for next meeting


If not change and CP likely to continue – Case to go to Panel for PLO agreement/

Home visit Discuss RCPC

Review RCPC

SDQ + another DoH assessment tools to be updated and reviewed

Home visit Discuss and progress with child and record

Home visit Discuss and progress with child and record

Review neglect tool

Update C+ F assessment if needed, if concerns remain


SOS mapping exercise to assess change

Discuss if threshold for LPM is met – if threshold not met would a further 6 months of CP with no progress meet threshold?


Hold LPM if required If CP concerns continue Conclude C&F assessment

Visit Discuss outcome of RCPC if child/ren not attending PLO to consider if no change

Links to Standards: Coventry Procedures Manual Documents Library Working Together 2018 Recording Policy Practice Standards

http://coventrychildcare.proceduresonline.com/

http://coventrychildcare.proceduresonline.com/local_resources.html

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/working-together-to-safeguard-children--2

http://coventrychildcare.proceduresonline.com/files/recording_policy.pdf?zoom_highlight=praCTICE+STANDARDS#search=%22praCTICE%20STANDARDS%22

https://www.proceduresonline.com/coventry/childcare/user_controlled_lcms_area/uploaded_files/Children's%20Services%20Practice%20Standards%20June%202018.pdf




Appendix 7: Process MAP Guidance

MASH to give initial direction based on referral and allocate to area team SW

Area TM to add, allocation case note, oversight and ensure timescales clear for child being seen and assessment being completed (initially this should be 20 days or sooner)

MASH will Feedback to referrer via outcomes Letter

Transfer to Area Team from MASH Child is to be seen with 7 days from the point of the contact

Thre

shold

for

SC

met?

Allo

cate

d to A

rea T

eam

Re-referral back to previous worker

S17

YES

YES

- Assessment to be

updated

- at the point of any new

concern or change in

circumstance

- Childs needs change

- signification event

- 6 -12 Monthly an

update assessment

must be completed

Assessments will be completed within 35 days IF NOT BEFORE

S17 – CIN meetings will occur every 4-6 weeks to monitor progress and outcomes for children (CDT 12 weeks)– every quarter this will be chaired by TM/Snr Prac – see CDT box

All

CLA – Regular reviews, child to be seen as per guidance / statutory duties, CLA reviews held to measure progress MUST ensure parallel planning – LT plan in place All paperwork/forms relating to care planning to be done

CP Strat MUST include: Police, Health, Education MINIMUM (+ others like education if involved) Recorded on day 1 Record using SOS outcomes

S47 threshold met: Joint /Single enquiry agreed

Copy of STRAT to be sent to all professionals within 5 working days and evidenced on file

S47: STRAT to be held – Day 1 – Chaired by TM/Snr Prac

NO CP Concerns, conclude and write up by day 5 continue with current plan place

S47 threshold NOT met – continue with current plan and complete C&F Assessment

Where concerns are not substantiated or child not considered being at continued/further risk – continue with plan in place and Update C&F Assessment

Where initial visit concludes no risk and referral concerns assessed and NFA is the outcome – assessment to be written within 10 days and closed

ME

ET

ING

S

MINIMUM

STANDARD

Specific to CDT CIN Visits – In CDT, CIN Visits take place every 4 weeks for the first 6 months under a CIN Plan. After 6 months, visit timescales change to every 8 weeks but should be more frequent if required in line with the needs of the child and family. A management oversight must be recorded to provide a rationale for the reduction in CIN visits from 4 weekly to 8 weekly and must continue to be reviewed in Supervision. CIN Reviews and Plans – In CDT, CIN Review Meetings take place every 3 months. In line with the 3-month timescale, the CIN Review minutes and CIN Plan must be updated following the meeting. CIN Review Meetings should be more frequent if required in line with the needs of the child and family and must continue to be reviewed in Supervision.




Appendix 8: PLO Process Map

2nd

RCPC – Change made?

No change – child remains at Risk NO

Child remains subject to ICPC but LPM is triggered regarding PLO – Timely response to ensure children are not at continued risk

CP

Records updated along the way, Child Seen visits must be explicit, children MUST BE SEEN AS PER Guidance as a MINIMUM – more often when concerns are present , all PLANs must be SMART, intervention should be clearly noted, full SC chronology MUST be done, along with Genogram, Resilience Matrix…. SOS must feature in recording throughout and an UPDATED assessment must be evident

Change made but not quite enough – continue with plan with a clear plan re next RCPC

S20 cases will be reviewed regular at the Panel and will consider if S20 is appropriate or progress to proceedings

LPM needed to consider concerns and planning

Child no longer needs a CP plan – Case to step down to CIN and CIN plan completed

LPM – held between SW and Legal Rep chaired by Team Manager - Action from CP plan where no change has occurred by 2

nd Review

- When concerns develop around a case which needs LPM to seek advice

- Case to be presented to Panel

Follow LPM Guidance … Clearly recorded including decision and rational for decision made LPM MUST BE HAD UPON BIRTH ON ALL BABIES WHO CAN NOT RETURN HOME AND WHERE S20 IS THE PLAN

When R

isks c

ontinue

Cases will be heard at the Panel – manager will present cases where children are at risk of care / including retrospective

CLA – Regular reviews, child to be seen as per guidance / statutory duties, CLA reviews held to measure progress MUST ensure parallel planning – LT plan in place All paperwork/forms relating to care planning to be done

S20

ICO

Agreed by panel - Led by court and process - All timescales to be met / tracked

Ensuring all reports… care plans… CLA process is followed fully with NO delay

1st

RCPC (3months) – Must be completed

Family Network Meeting/FGC

Up to date C&F assessment & fully

include a parenting assessment

SMART Planning

Full Chronology

Genogram (3 generations)

Resilience Matrix

SOS Mapping

All case recording kept up to date

CF15 Oversight

Clear View of Child

YES

When children return home, complete a clear plan and Assessment

2nd RCPC (6 months (9 total at Significant Risk)

FGC must have been held

Parenting Assessments completed (in C&F)

Updated C&F assessment with clear analysis of need and risk

Viability Assessments completed from FGC

SMART Planning

Full Chronology

Genogram (3 generations minimum)

Resilience Matrix

SOS Mapping

All case recording up to date

Clear View of Child

Case will also be presented at Panel - PLO will commence if agreed - Remain in Area Team FGC / Parenting Assessments/ Availability Assessment/ Medical (LAC) to be done – all assessments must be done in PLO to inform permanence

LPM needed for all s20 who are in care or looking to be in care for 6 weeks or more to consider options (Immediately for babies)

LPM

PLO

- PLO Must commence within the CP arena and be the step prior to court proceedings

- Case will need to be heard at the Panel for agreement for PLO/Pre-Proceedings

- PLO is the same threshold as removal of a child therefore concerns are of an immediate nature and the PLO is used to ensure the child is safer within the family home for change to be made

- PLO can be used with s20 if considered appropriate

- PLO should be considered on all cases before proceedings commence (unless unsafe to do so)

2ND

CLA REVIEW MUST CONSIDER PERMANENCE OF CHILD

Parallel planning is vital for all children who come in to care

CH

EC

KL

IST

-

EX

PE

CT

AT

ION

S

Where families have had previous children removed and CP process is being followed Chair at ICPC needs to consider historical concerns TM needs to consider initiating PLO pre-birth

Pre Proceedings – during PLO the following must be completed

Clear letter of expectation

Ratified at Panel

PLO Meeting with parents and legal reps

Viability of all family identified within FGC

Connected Carer Assessment for positive viability

Specialist assessment as identified within the letter of expectation

All case recording must be kept up to date

SOS Mapping

Updated C&F Assessment

6 week review : evidenced on file CF15

Clear lived experience of child

When a child ceases to be LAC

C&F updated assessment

Clean plan in place to manage risk… in

the home

Safety plan to be done (SOS)

16+ requires DCS agreement to cease

being looked after and an EXIT CLA

Review

Under 16 will require a clear plan based

on an EXIT CLA review following robust

assessment

Clear voice /lived experience of the child

S20 brief guide: Voluntary / with consent – confident parents understand fully their rights relating to this, if there are concerns around parents ceasing s20 and child would be at risk they legal/court should be followed What private arrangement? (In brief) If a child can go home but family have made a family arrangement – then it’s a family arrangement (not LAC) If there are concerns for the child returning home and they are ‘placed’ with family, this is looked after (LAC) and not a family arrangement

Some Tools to Use and when… DASH Assessment – When DV is a

concern Graded Care Profile – When

Neglect is a concern CE Screening Tool – When CE/CSE

is a concern