understanding need and risk. girfec history and background –numerous policies relating to...

Protecting Grampian's Children: It's Everyone's BusinessProtecting Grampian's Children: It's Everyone's Business

Understanding Need and Risk


GIRFEC

• History and Background– Numerous policies relating to Multi-Agency

working

• Principles– Co-ordinated Support for Families– Timely, proportionate and appropriate

intervention

• Core Components


GIRFEC in Moray

• Girfec Development Officer appointed 2008.

• LIAP procedures introduced as “ live trial” in 2009.

• All components of GIRFEC now implemented.

• Local Integration Support Officers continue to support practice.


The Named Person in Moray

• Following extensive consultation the Moray policy on the role of the Named person was introduced in March 2012.

• The full version can be found on the Moray Girfec web pages

• http://www.moray.gov.uk/moray_standard/page_80425.html


GIRFEC Practice Model


5 Questions1. What is getting in the way of this child or

young persons wellbeing?

2. Do I have all the information I need to help this child/young person?

3. What can I do to help this child or young person?

4. What can my agency do to help this child or young person?

5. Do I need help from other professionals?


The Continuum Between Need and Risk

• Wellbeing of the child paramount– Initially assessed in accordance with

SHANARRI

• All children will at times have unmet needs• Needs can become risks if not addressed• Challenge is to assess the level of

need/risk and take action if required to ensure wellbeing is maintained


Identification of Concerns

• Cause?– Any identified triggers?

• Character?– A specific event? A series of events? An

accumulation of concerns?

• Context?– Vulnerabilities? Where did the event(s) happen?

Circumstances?

• Consequence?– Impact on the child?


Why Assess Wellbeing?

• Protecting Children – part of everyday practice

• More subtle areas of unmet need can be easily identified but often overlooked

• Impact on behaviour which can be difficult to identify and assess

• Focuses on wellbeing for child as a whole and not just specifics of abuse or neglect


Need/Risk Level

MINOR

TOLERABLE

MODERATE

SUBSTANTIAL

INTOLERABLE


Risk Assessment

• Needs to be methodical and analytical

• Consider past and present in order to identify future risks

• Use Evidence Based Practice


Significant Harm

• Definition

• Dependent upon a number of factors:– Character/Impact/Context– Additional Needs of the Child (i.e.

disability)– Parents Capacity (and impacts on this)– Wider Familial Context (sources of

support?)


Risk Assessment In MorayThe Simple Risk Estimator Matrix

SEVERITY

PROBABILITY

1 = Minor 2 = More Serious

3 = Major 4 = Severe 5 = Fatal

1 = Unlikely

2 = Possible

3 = Probable

4 = Highly Likely

5 = Inevitable

4 = Tolerable

5 = Tolerable

4 = Tolerable

6 = Tolerable

8 = Moderate

10 = Moderate

6 = Tolerable

9 = Moderate

12 = Moderate

15 = Substantial

4 = Tolerable

8 = Moderate

12 = Moderate

16 = Substantial

20 = Intolerable

5 = Tolerable

10 = Moderate

15 = Substantial

20 = Intolerable

25 = Intolerable

1 = Minor 2 = Minor 3 = Tolerable

2 = Minor

3 = Tolerable


Chronologies

Recording our Concerns


Purpose of a Chronology

To document systematically achievements, events, developments and changes in a child’s life, so that the pattern and impact of events on the child over time may be observed

and responded to.


Definition

A chronology seeks to provide a clear account of all SIGNIFICANT events in a child’s life to date drawing upon the knowledge and information held by agencies involved with the child and

family


Core aspects of chronologies

• Useful tool in assessment and practice.• Not an assessment in itself but part of the

assessment.• A working tool which promotes engagement.• Accuracy – they rely on good, up-to-date case

recording.• Detail – succinct and accurate.• Flexible – as further information emerges that

explains past history or patterns.


Core Aspects cont’d

• Reviewed regularly.• Different types are used for different reasons.• There are differences between single agency

and multi-agency chronologies – they have different demands and expectations.

• What action was taken in response to the item recorded?


Compiling a Chronology

• Deciding on the purpose – professional judgement

• Identifying the key events to be recorded

• Making sure recording is accurate and in date order

• Recording facts, events in the persons life

• Taking account of the perspective of the child


It is important to note that what might be a key event in one child's life,

such as a periods of good health or good school attendance after a long period of absence or exclusion, will

not even be relevant to another child. In this respect agencies are asked to use their professionals judgement in

completing the chronologies.


A chronology should:

• Be succinct• Identify key facts• Contain no opinion or judgement• Outline significant events• Be started when a referral is accepted/case is

opened.• Be regularly updated• Be shared with child/young person/parent/carer.• Detail action taken in relation to event


Content

• Significant changes to a child or young person’s life

• Contact with agencies• Where appropriate, changes to Legal

Status• Family and social relationships• References to where further details can

be found


EducationAn Education chronology might contain:• School attendance/lateness/explanation• Appropriate dress• Did they have packed lunch?• Who picked them up and were they on

time• If the child is hungry/tired• Emotional/physical state.• Behaviour and explanations


Social Work

Social work chronology may include:

• Any referrals made

• Significant home visits

• Disclosures made by child/siblings

• Cancelled visits

• Persons present during visits


Health

A Health chronology may include:

• Attendance at hospital/ GP for significant events

• Non- attendance for appointments

• Unexplained injuries

• Untreated infections, minor injuries

• Recurring attendance for similar reasons


Types

• Single Agency

• Integrated

• Evidential

understanding need and risk. girfec history and background –numerous policies relating to...

Documents

child paramountinitially

impact of events

named person

significant events

series of events

childyoung person

young persons wellbeing

single agency