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WARDS AFFECTED All

FORWARD TIMETABLE OF CONSULTATION AND MEETINGS: Children & Young People Scrutiny Committee 15 November 2006 __________________________________________________________________________

IMPLEMENTATION OF REVISED GUIDANCE ON “WORKING TOGETHER TO SAFEGUARD CHILDREN” __________________________________________________________________________

Report of the Corporate Director of the Children & Young People’s Services 1. Purpose of Report 1.1. This report is to provide an overview of the revisions within the key document: “Working

Together to safeguard Children 2006: A Guide to inter-agency working to safeguard and promote the welfare of children”, and to advise of the actions which are in progress to implement the revised guidance.

2. Recommendations 2.1. That the implications of the revised statutory guidance are noted. 2.2. That the comprehensive range of actions already taken to implement the statutory

guidance are noted and endorsed. 2.3. That the future plans to implement statutory guidance not yet in force are noted and

supported. 3. Summary 3.1. The Guidance: Revised “Working Together” Guidance was published in April 2006. It

set out how organisations and individuals should work together to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. It sets out • the statutory duties of agencies, and their common and differing roles and

responsibilities, • the functions and objectives of the new statutory Local Safeguarding Children

Boards, • the key role of safeguarding training and • detailed statutory guidance as to how individual cases should be managed. • Non-statutory guidance in key areas of practice

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3.2. The revised Guidance is issued as part of the suite of Guidances to support the Every Child Matters agenda. Within the document a much wider range of settings and circumstances are highlighted in which abuse may occur or in which vulnerability to abuse is raised.

3.3. Timescales on when parts of the document come into force vary:

• Chapter 3, relating to Local Safeguarding Children Boards, had been issued earlier and came into effect from April 06.

• Chapter 7, which requires each LSCB to establish wholly new “Child Death Review Processes” must be in place by April 2008.

• Sections of Chapter 5 remove the previous requirement to hold a separate Child Protection Register. – removing the register as the point of information sharing about concerns, as soon as the Integrated Children’s System (ICS) is established, but retaining all its other functions of tracking & monitoring. This must be in place by April 2008. The delay on this recognises the lead-in time required for Local Authorities to deliver on ICS.

• All other statutory guidance in Part One of the document is in force from October 2006.

3.4. Core child protection work has a strong inter-agency history and 3.5. Establishing and Embedding The Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Local

Safeguarding Board: The core objectives of the LSCB are both to “co-ordinate and to ensure the effectiveness” of what is done by each person or body represented on the Board to safeguard and promote the welfare of children in our area. The remit is wider, although the core business remains that of protecting children from harm. The responsibility to have mechanisms to monitor and challenge are now explicit.

3.6. Our local LSCB was launched on 24th February 2006. Preparation for the transfer from

what had been a well established and proactive “Area Child Protection Committee had been comprehensive and included:

• Retaining an LSCB across three Local Authorities: which provides capacity to

finance a small team of officers • Retaining an Independent Chair: which both supports a three Authority arrangement

and symbolizes the independent voice • A structure, which now includes a Core Business Group meeting bi-monthly to drive

the business, and reporting to whole day Board meetings held twice yearly: which represents more frequent management overview of the heavier business requirements

• Revised terms of reference for the new arrangements, including “job descriptions” for LSCB members: which emphasizes the increased expectations and responsibilities

• A revised business planning process: with a more closely integrated subcommittee work programme, and clearer outcome focus

• A continuing programme of work to embed the new arrangements and make these fit for purpose during the initial year of operation

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3.7. Integral to the new arrangements is establishing the right relationship with the Local Children and Young People’s Strategic partnership (LCYPSP). The LSCB has to have a direct and ongoing relationship with the LCYPSP which avoids duplication of effort or unhelpful gaps but which also retains an independent voice for the LSCB. A key function of the LSCB is to monitor and take an independent view of the quality of local services in relation to safeguarding - and to challenge poor performance directly. The LSCB Chair now sits on the LCYPSP.

3.8. Implementing the Working Together Guidance on Managing Individual Cases;

Revising the ACPC Manual into a new LSCB manual has been the major project for the new LSCB. It has involved major restructuring of what was already a very comprehensive manual, even though this is building on a manual which had been rigorously revised as developments in specific areas of practice required. There are implications for and pressures on practitioners in working with individual cases in terms of: (for example) • Expectations of closer working with the police • Tighter timescales in many areas of work • New responsibilities in relation to working more closely with risk managing adults • New expectations regarding the management of allegations against those working

with children

3.9. The revised manual is currently in an advanced draft stage with most core chapters formally endorsed by the Core Business Group. The new manual will be launched at the December Board meeting. It will be launched in electronic form only, onto a substantially revised and improved dedicated LSCB website, which all core agencies can readily access. Regionally, our LSCB will be the first to achieve a fully revised manual.

3.10. The proposed implementation plan includes a range of methods to help embed the new

procedures including: • Specific training events in specialist areas targeted for key groups • Newsletter articles, and publicity in both the LSCB publication and in agency specific

publications • A common powerpoint presentation and commentary for use by agencies with their

staff 3.11. Other linked areas of LSCB development work this year include:

• New procedures for responding to the sudden unexpected death of children under two years old, which will provide grounding for the subsequent development of a comprehensive child death review process

• A project to engage with local Faith Communities on safeguarding issues • A major target in the business plan to embed participation of children and young

people within our development work • Widespread awareness raising amongst professionals of private fostering which has

been accompanied by developed plans within the Department on providing a focused service for private foster carers who are identified as requiring support

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3.12. There are, in chapter 4 of the national guidance, requirements for significantly enhanced training on safeguarding for staff, in particular for multi-agency training. Our local LSCB training strategy had anticipated this development. It will be a major challenge. Within CYPS the need to develop training for those working in schools and other learning settings has been recognized as a particular challenge to meet the requirements set within the national guidance.

3.13. The range of activity to be given closer attention which is now highlighted within

Working Together 2006 is a significant challenge to services and to the LSCB to co-ordinate and develop good practice in.

3.14. Establishing effective scrutiny arrangements: An ACPC quality assurance

subcommittee had been in place for several years prior to the new LSCB. In comparison with many LSCBs, our local arrangement has started from a relatively strong base. This has included, in the aftermath of the Victoria Climbie report, additional monies provided to support an LSCB audit officer post.

3.15. Nevertheless, the major challenge for the LSCB is how to build capacity to discharge

fully its statutory obligation to monitor performance – both inter-agency and within each agency – in relation to how effectively safeguarding duties are carried out. This is integral to implementing the new Guidance.

3.16. Thus far, the LSCB has:developed an audit strategy which includes:

• A programme of regular reporting by key agencies on a commonly agreed dataset which is gradually settling in and beginning to enable better interrogation of activity

• A well established programme of casefile monitoring on an inter-agency basis as a dip sample of evidence of how local inter-agency work is carried out

• Improved arrangements for auditing the implementation of recommendations from local serious case reviews

• Some basic reporting (eg on the number of allegations against staff and their outcomes) by all affiliated agencies

• Occasional self audits to benchmark with local agencies and raise awareness (this has been used with the Bichard recommendations and with section 11 duties)

3.17. Future Developments: The current LSCB business plan (attached as supporting

information) spans two years from 2006 to 2008. Significant progress has been made towards implementing the basic components of Working Together 2006. There are significant challenges for core child protection work to embed this within wider family support strategies, without losing the sharp focus on protecting from abuse.

4. Headline Financial and Legal Implications 4.1 Financial Implications

The increasing expectations from central government will have a cost implication, which means that activity will have to be prioritised to remain within the funding available. (Colin Sharpe, Head of Finance)

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4.2 Legal Implications

Working Together comprises statutory and non-statutory guidance. Part 1 is issued under section 7 of the Local Authority Social Services Act 1970 which requires local authorities to act under the general guidance of the Secretary of State and should be complied with unless there are exceptional circumstances justifying departure from it. Chapters 3, 4, 7 and 8 are issued under section 16 of the Children Act 2004 which requires that local authorities and statutory partners, when exercising their functions in respect of the LSCB, have regard to any guidance issued i.e. they must take the guidance into account and if they do not followed it there must be clear reasons for not doing so (Guy Goodman, Head of Community Services Law - ext 7054).

5. Other Implications

OTHER IMPLICATIONS YES/NO Paragraph References within Supporting information

Equal Opportunities Yes Throughout report

Policy Yes Throughout report

Sustainable and Environmental No

Crime and Disorder Yes Throughout report

Human Rights Act No

Elderly/People on Low Income No 6. Background Papers – Local Government Act 1972

7. Consultations Gill Bodkin, Julie Bucknor and Kirsty Haridas, Human Resources Officers

8. Report Authors to contact:

Pat Nawrockyi, Service Manager, Child Protection & Independent Review Service: Tel: 225 4706

Andrew Bunyan, Service Director, Family Support & Safeguarding Division Tel: 252 8306

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WARDS AFFECTED

All

FORWARD TIMETABLE OF CONSULTATION AND MEETINGS: Children & Young People Scrutiny Committee 15 November 2006 __________________________________________________________________________

IMPLEMENTATION OF REVISED GUIDANCE on “WORKING TOGETHER TO SAFEGUARD CHILDREN” __________________________________________________________________________

SUPPORTING INFORMATION

APPENDIX 1 Working Together to Safeguard Children. Executive Summary This document sets out how organisations and individuals should work together to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. It is addressed to practitioners and front-line managers who have particular responsibilities for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and to senior and operational managers, in: • Organisations that are responsible for commissioning or providing services to children, young people, and adults who are parents / carers, and • Organisations that have a particular responsibility for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Part one of the document comprises chapters 1 to 8, which are issued as statutory guidance. Practitioners and agencies will have different responsibilities that apply to different areas of the guidance and should look in the preface for a fuller explanation of their statutory duties. Part two of the document incorporates chapters 9 to 12 and is issued as non-statutory practice guidance. This executive summary is not guidance in itself, it is included to help readers gain an overview of the document.

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Part One – Statutory Guidance Chapter 1- Introduction: Working Together To Safeguard and Promote the Welfare of Children and Families Chapter 1 sets the context for the revised guidance by discussing the reasons for the changes in safeguarding policy and practice since 1999. It also outlines the key definitions and concepts used in the guidance. The statutory inquiry into the death of Victoria Climbié (2003), and the first joint Chief Inspectors’ report on safeguarding children (2002) highlighted the lack of priority status given to safeguarding. The Government response to these findings included the Green Paper Every Child Matters, and the provisions, in the Children Act 2004. Three of the most important in this context are: • the creation of children’s trusts under the duty to co-operate, the • setting up of Local Safeguarding Children Boards • the duty on all agencies to make arrangements to safeguard and promote the welfare of

children. A shared responsibility and the need for effective joint working between agencies and professionals that have different roles and expertise are required if children are to be protected from harm and their welfare promoted. In order to achieve this joint working there have to be constructive relationships between individual practitioners, promoted and supported by: • the commitment of senior managers to safeguard and promote the welfare of children • clear lines of accountability. Chapter 2: Roles and Responsibilities Chapter 2 explains the roles, responsibilities and duties of the different people and organisations that both work directly with and whose work affects, children and young people. It states that all organisations that provide services or work with children and young people should: • Have senior managers that are committed to children's and young people's well-being and safety • Be clear about people's responsibilities to safeguard and promote children’s and young people's welfare • Have effective recruitment and human resources procedures including checking all new staff and volunteers to make sure they are safe to work with children and young people • Have procedures for dealing with allegations of abuse against members of staff and volunteers

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• Make sure staff get training that helps them do their job well • Have procedures about how to safeguard and promote the welfare of young people • Have agreements about working with other organisations Section 11 of the Children Act 2004 and section 175 of the Education Act 2002 place duties on organisations and individuals to ensure that their functions are discharged with regard to the need to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. An overview of these duties and the structure of children’s services under the Children Act 2004 are set out in the Preface to this guidance and Appendix 1. Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is the responsibility of the local authority, working in partnership with other public organisations, the voluntary sector and children and young people, parents and carers and the wider community. A key objective for local authorities is to ensure children are protected from harm. Other functions in local authorities that play an important role in safeguarding are: Housing; sport, culture and leisure services; and youth services. Health professionals and organisations have a key role to play in safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and the general principles they should apply are: • aim to ensure all affected children receive appropriate and timely therapeutic and preventative interventions; • those professionals who work directly with children should ensure that safeguarding and promoting their welfare forms an integral part of all stages of care they offer; • those professionals who come into contact with children, parents and carers in the course of their work also need to be aware of their safeguarding responsibilities. • ensure that all health professionals can recognise risk factors and contribute to reviews, enquiries and child protection plans. As well as planning support for children and providing ongoing promotional and preventative support through proactive work. Standard 5 of the National Service Framework for Children, Young People and Maternity Services sets the standards for health and social care agencies work to prevent children suffering harm and to promote their welfare. The police recognise the fundamental importance of inter-agency working in combating child abuse, as illustrated by well established arrangements for joint training involving police and social work colleagues. All forces have child abuse investigation units (CAIU) and whilst they will normally take responsibility for investigating such cases, safeguarding children is a fundamental part of the duties of all police officers. The police are committed to sharing information and intelligence with other organizations and should be notified as soon as possible where a criminal offence has been, or is suspected of, being committed.

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LSCBs should have in place a protocol agreed between the local authority and the police, to guide both organisations in deciding how child protection enquiries should be conducted, and circumstances in which joint enquiries are appropriate. Probation services supervise offenders with the aim of reducing reoffending and protecting the public. By working with offenders who are parents/carers, offender managers can safeguard and promote the welfare of children. Probation areas will also; • supervise 16 and 17 year olds on Community Punishment • second staff to Youth Offending Teams • provide a service to child victims of serious sexual or violent offences. Offender Managers should also ensure there is clarity and communication between risk management processes, these are described in greater detail in chapter 12. Governors/ Directors of all prison establishments must have in place arrangements that protect the public from prisoners in their care. All prisoners who have been identified as presenting a risk to children will not be allowed contact with them unless a favourable risk assessment has been undertaken by the police, probation, prison and social care services. Governors/Directors of women’s establishments with Mother and Baby Units need to ensure that staff working on duty are prioritised for child protection training. Governors/ Directors of Juvenile Young Offenders Institutions are required to have regard to the policies, agreed by the Prison Service and the Youth Justice Board, for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children held in custody. Secure training centres house vulnerable, sentenced and remanded juveniles aged between 12 and 17. Each STC has a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of the children in its custody. Youth offending teams are responsible for the supervision of children and young people subject to pre court interventions and statutory court disposals. Yots have a duty to make arrangements to ensure that their functions are discharged having regard to the need to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. Schools (including independent and non-maintained schools) and Further Education institutions should give effect to their duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils under the Education Act 2002. They should create and maintain a safe learning environment for children and young people; and identify where there are child welfare concerns and take action to address them, in partnership with other organisations where appropriate. Childminders and everyone working in day care services should know how to recognise and respond to the possible abuse and neglect of a child. All organisations providing day care must have a designated person who liases with local child protection agencies and Ofsted on child protection issues.

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In care and related proceedings under the Children Act 1989 the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS)’s responsibility is to safeguard and promote the interests of individual children who are the subject of family proceedings by providing independent social work advice to the court. Looking after under 18s in the Armed Forces comes under the MoD’s comprehensive welfare arrangements which apply to all members of the Armed Forces. There is already a responsibility placed upon social care services to monitor the well-being of care leavers and those joining the Armed Forces have unrestricted access to local authority social services workers. The voluntary sector is active in working to safeguard the children and young people with whom they work and provide a key role in providing information and resources to the wider public about the needs of children. Faith communities provide a wide range of activities for children and as such should have appropriate arrangements in place to safeguard and promote their welfare. Chapter 3 – Local Safeguarding Children Boards Chapter 3 explains the role, functions, governance and operation of Local Safeguarding Children Boards. The LSCB is the key statutory mechanism for agreeing how the relevant organisations in each local area will co-operate to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, and for ensuring the effectiveness of what they do. The scope of the LSCB role falls into three categories: firstly, they will engage in activities that safeguard all children and aim to identify and prevent maltreatment, or impairment of health or development, and ensure that children are growing up in circumstances consistent with safe and effective care; Secondly, they will lead and co-ordinate proactive work that aims to target particular groups; and thirdly, they will lead and co-ordinate arrangements for responsive work to protect children who are suffering, or at risk of suffering, maltreatment. The core functions of an LSCB are set out in regulations and are: • Policies and procedures including on;

o Action taken where there are concerns, including thresholds for intervention o Training of persons who work with children or in services affecting the safety and welfare of children; o Recruitment and supervision of people who work with children; o Investigation of allegations concerning persons working with children;

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o Safety and welfare of children who are privately fostered; o Co-operation with neighbouring children’s services authorities (i.e. Local Authorities) and their Board partners;

• Communicating and raising awareness; • Monitoring and evaluation; • Participating in planning and commissioning; • Reviewing the deaths of children; • Serious case reviews. County level and unitary local authorities are responsible for establishing an LSCB in their area and ensuring that it is run effectively. LSCBs should have a clear and distinct identity within local children’s trust governance arrangements. It is the responsibility of the local authority to appoint the Chair. Membership of the Local Safeguarding Children Board will be made up of senior mangers from different services and agencies in a local area including the independent and voluntary sector. In addition, the Board will receive input from experts, for example the designated nurse or doctor. To function effectively LSCBs need to be supported by their member organisations with adequate and reliable resources. The budget for each LSCB and the contribution made by each member organisation should be agreed locally. LSCB work should be effectively planned and will ordinarily be part of the Children and Young People’s Plan. The LSCBs’ work to ensure the effectiveness of work by member organisations will be a peer review process based on self evaluation, performance indicators, and joint audit. Chapter 4 Inter-agency Training and Development Chapter 4 is about training and development. Training for multi and interagency working means training which will equip people to work effectively with those from other agencies. Employers are responsible for ensuring their employees are confident and competent in carrying out their responsibilities and for ensuring employees are aware of how to recognise and respond to safeguarding concerns. They should also identify adequate resources and support for inter-agency training. Local Authorities and their partners are responsible for ensuring that workforce strategies are developed in the local area, including making sure that the training opportunities to meet the

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needs of the workforce are identified and met by LSCBs. The LSCB should work within the workforce strategy to manage the identification of training needs; use the information to inform the planning and commissioning of training; and check and evaluate single- and inter-agency training. All training in safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children should create an ethos which: • values working collaboratively • respects diversity • promotes equality • is child centred • promotes the participation of children and families in the processes. It should also work within The Common Core of Skills and Knowledge (2005) (Can be found at: http://www.everychildmatters.gov.uk/deliveringservices/commoncore/)for the Children’s Workforce which sets out the six areas of expertise that everyone working with children, young people and families should be able to demonstrate. Training and development for inter-agency work at the appropriate level should be targeted at practitioners in voluntary, statutory and independent agencies who: • are in regular contact with children and young people; • work regularly with children and young people, and with adults who are parents or carers, and who may be asked to contribute to assessments of children in need; and • have particular responsibility for safeguarding children. Training and development is also relevant to operational managers and those with strategic responsibility for services. Chapter 5 Managing Individual Cases Chapter 5 provides guidance on what should happen if somebody has concerns about the welfare of a child (including those living away from home), and in particular concerns that a child may be suffering, or may be at risk of suffering, significant harm. It also sets out the principles which underpin work to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. The chapter is structured according to the four key processes that underpin work with children and families: assessment; planning; intervention; and reviewing as set out in the Integrated Children’s System (2002). The Framework for The Assessment of Children in Need and their Families (2000) should be followed when undertaking assessments on children in need and their families.

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The chapter sets out in detail the processes to be followed when safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. These include: • responding to concerns about the welfare of a child and making a referral to a statutory organisation (children’s social care, the Police or the NSPCC) that can take action to safeguard and promote the welfare of children; • undertaking an initial assessment of the child’s situation and deciding what to do next; • taking urgent action to protect the child from harm, if necessary; • holding a strategy discussion where there are concerns that a child may be suffering significant harm, and where appropriate convening a child protection conference; • deciding whether a child is at continuing risk of significant harm and therefore should be the subject of a child protection plan, implementing the plan and reviewing it at regular intervals. Effective supervision is important in promoting good standards of practice and supervisors should be available to practitioners as an important source of advice and expertise. Chapter 6 Supplementary Guidance on Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children Chapter 6 summarises the supplementary guidance to Working Together to Safeguard Children. The following guidance is available: • Department of Health, Home Office. Safeguarding Children Involved in Prostitution (2000); • Department of Health, Home Office, Department for Education and Skills, Welsh Assembly Government. Safeguarding Children in whom illness is Fabricated or Induced (2002); • Home Office, Department of Health. Complex Child Abuse Investigations: Inter - agency issues (2002); • Home Office Female Circumcision Act (1985). Female Genital Mutilation Act (2003). Home Office Circular 10/2004 • Association of Directors of Social Services, Department of Education and Skills, Department of Heath, Home Office, Foreign And Commonwealth Office. Young People and Vulnerable Adults Facing Forced Marriage (2004). Practice Guidance for Social Workers; and • Guidance on allegations of abuse made against a person who works with children, which can be found in Appendix 4 of this document.

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Chapter 7 Child Death Review Processes Chapter 7 sets out the procedures to be followed when a child dies in the LSCB area(s) covered by a Child Death Overview Panel. There are two inter-related processes for reviewing child deaths • A rapid response by a group of key professionals who come together for the purpose of

enquiring into and evaluating each unexpected death of a child; and • An overview of all child deaths in the area, undertaken by a panel. Either of these

processes can identify cases requiring a Serious Case Review (covered in Chapter 8). As stated in chapter 3, the LSCB regulations mean that the functions to which chapter 7 relates will come into force on 1 April 2008, but can be carried out by any LSCB from 1 April 2006. When an LSCB commences this function before that date, it should follow the guidance in this chapter. Chapter 8: Serious Case Reviews Chapter 8 sets out the procedures LSCBs should follow when undertaking a serious case review. When a child dies, and abuse or neglect are known or suspected to be a factor in the death, the LSCB should always conduct a serious case review into the involvement with the child and family of organisations and professionals to consider whether there are any lessons to be learned about the ways in which they work together to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. Additionally, LSCBs should always consider whether a serious case review should be conducted in other circumstances where a child has been harmed. These circumstances are set out in the guidance. Following the serious case review an action plan should be drawn up and implemented. Reviews are of little value unless lessons are learned from them. At least as much effort should be spent on acting upon recommendations as conducting the review. Part Two – Non Statutory Practice Guidance Chapter 9 – Lessons from Research and Inspection Chapter 9 summarises the impact of maltreatment on children’s health and developmental progress, and goes on to set out some of the key messages from research and inspection which have informed this guidance. The sustained maltreatment of children physically, emotionally, sexually or through neglect can have major long-term effects on all aspects of a child’s health, development and well-being.

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Professionals must take special care to help safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people who may be living in particularly stressful circumstances. Some of these are: • Families living in poverty • Families where there is domestic violence • Families where a parent has a mental illness • Families where a parent is misusing drugs or alcohol • Families where a parent has a learning disability • Families that face racism and other forms of social isolation • Families living in areas where there is with high crime, poor housing and a lot of unemployment. Chapter 10 – Implementing the Principles on Working with Children and their Families Chapter 10 sets out in more detail specific aspects of working with children, young people and families. Family Group Conferences (FGCs) may be appropriate in a number of contexts where there is a plan or decision to be made. The family is the primary planning group in the process. Where there are plans to use FGCs in situations where there are concerns about possible harm to a child, they should be developed and implemented under the LSCB. FGCs should not replace or remove the need for child protection conferences. Children and families may be supported through their involvement in safeguarding processes by advice and advocacy services, and they should always be informed of services which exist locally and nationally. Local authorities have a responsibility to children and adults understand the processes that will be followed when there are concerns about the child. Information should be available in the family’s preferred language. Children from all cultures are subject to abuse and neglect and whilst professionals should be sensitive to differing family patterns and lifestyles they must be clear that child abuse can not be condoned for religious or cultural reasons. Chapter 11 Safeguarding and Promoting the Welfare of Children who may be Particularly Vulnerable Chapter 11 outlines the circumstances of children who may be particularly vulnerable. The purpose of this chapter is to help inform rather than substitute the procedures in chapter 5, which sets out the basic framework within which action should be taken when a parent, professional, or any other person has concerns about the welfare of a child.

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It gives advice to organisations and individuals on safeguarding in the context of: • Children living away from home • The abuse of disabled children • Abuse by children and young people • Bullying • Children whose behaviour indicates a lack of parental control • Race and racism • Domestic violence • Children of drug misusing parents • Child abuse linked to believe in ‘possession’ or ‘witchcraft’, or in other ways related to spiritual or religious belief • Child abuse and information communication technology (ICT) • Children and families who go missing • Children of families living in temporary accommodation • Migrant children • Child victims of trafficking • Unaccompanied asylum seeking children (UASC). Chapter 12 Managing Individuals who pose a risk of harm to children. The chapter provides practice guidance and information about a range of mechanisms that are available when managing people who have been identified as presenting a risk or potential risk of harm to children. The Children Act 1989 recognised that the identification and investigation of child abuse together with the protection and support of victims and their families requires multi-agency collaboration. As part of that protection, action has been taken, usually by the police and social services, to prosecute known offenders or control their access to vulnerable children. The Sexual Offences Act 2003 introduced a number of new offences to deal with those who abuse and exploit children in this way. Both Acts can be found at: www.opsi.gov.uk. The term ‘schedule one offender’ should no longer be used for anyone

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convicted of a crime against a child. The focus should be on whether the individual poses a “risk of harm to children”. Interim guidance has been issued explaining how these people who present a potential risk of harm to children should be identified. This can be found at: http://www.knowledgenetwork.gov.uk. Practitioners should use the new list of offences as a ‘trigger’ to further assessments. Where the offender is given a community sentence, Offender Managers will monitor their risk to others and liase with partner agencies. Prison establishments will undertake a similar responsibility where the offender has been sentenced to a period of custody. The Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements provide a national framework for the assessment and management of risks posed by serious and violent offenders. The responsible authorities need to ensure that strategies to address risk are identified and plans developed, implemented and reviewed on a regular basis. The MAPPA framework identifies three separate, but connected, levels at which risk are managed: • ordinary risk management • local inter-agency risk management • MAPPP – Multi Agency Public Protection Panels. There are other processes and mechanisms for working with and monitoring people who may present a risk to children. For example: The Protection of Children Act (1999) gives the Secretary of State power to keep a list of people who are unsuitable to work with children in childcare positions. DfES List 99 is a confidential list of people who the Secretary of State has directed may not be employed by Local Authorities, schools and Further Education institutions as a teacher or in work involving regular contact with children under 18 years of age. 1People placed on the sex offender list are served with a notification that ensures the police are informed of their whereabouts in the community. 1 The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Bill, the legislation necessary to implement the Government’s response to Recommendation 19 of the Bichard Inquiry, to set up a vetting and barring scheme, was introduced to Parliament on 28th February 2006. www.parliament.gov.uk

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APPENDIX 2 LSCB Business Plan 2006 – 2008 This sets out the intended actions within the business plan in the two years from April 2006 until March 2008. The allocation of resources to support the work outlined will be added. 1. Delivering an effective LSCB Tasks Responsibility Method Timescales Outcomes 1.1 To ensure LSCB responds to

relevant consultation documents Development subcommittee

Policy Officer ensures document brought to attention

Responses completed in set timescales

Positive contribution to standards of national guidances

1.2 To consider significant new publications & provide CBG with briefings & recommendations for action

Development subcommittee

Policy Officer/ Training officer ensure publication brought to attention

Briefings provided within 3 months of publication of significant publications

Evidence that developments are informed by lessons from research

1.3. Each subcommittee to review its terms of reference to ensure fit for purpose within new structures/ways of working together

All subcommittees Terms of reference revised & reported to LSCB

December 06 Improved efficiency of LSCB

1.4. All significant developments to have a project management plan

All subcommittees Template completed All subsequent developments show evidence of planning

June 06 Ongoing from June 06

Improved efficiency of LSCB

1.5. To Provide business management support to CBG & LSCB

LSCB Officers Team

Regular team meetings

Ongoing arrangements

New structure operates effectively

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inbetween CBG & LSCB meetings allocate tasks

& adjustments are made in response to business management issues

1.6. To map appropriate links required with relevant adult focussed fora – eg DV for a; community safety; MAPPA; safeguarding adults & establish or strengthen where needed the liaison arrangements

Communications subcommittee

Report to CBG Report to LSCB on explicit liaison arrangements in place & how working with adult focussed services are being enhanced

September 06 December 06

LSCB is able to demonstrate strategic & operational links which support positive safeguarding across all local agencies

1.7. To develop formal processes which ensure that training needs are identified & translated into training solution as a result of work undertaken within other LSCB subcommittees

Training co-ordinator & training subcommittee

Process in place Training solutions identified & provided

By end of 2006 In line with agreed project plan for each development

LSCB is able to demonstrate that developments do feed into changes in practice to the benefit of children

1.8. To update/develop/implement a 3 year inter-agency training strategy to reflect the evolving responsibilities of the LSCB & wider workforce development requirements


Training strategy implemented with year on year targets for numbers trained in agreed skills and knowledge modules

As per agreed strategy

Children’s workforce skills and knowledge is increased.

1.9. To agree & deliver a themed public awareness campaign

• to raise awareness of LSCB (2006)

• a theme to be agreed by

Communications subcommittee

LSCB Campaign delivered 1 further campaign

By end 2006 By end 2007

Awareness of safeguarding issues & the work of the LSCB is enhanced

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beginning of 2007 1.10. To secure relationship with the wider

strategic partnership Chair and Vice Chairs

Explicit arrangements in place at all levels

July 06 Safeguarding has a high profile within CYP planning

1.11. Produce a media strategy Communications Subcommittee

Strategy is in place September 06 Awareness of safeguarding issues & the work of the LSCB is enhanced

1.12. Promote effective contribution from all LSCB members

Chair/ Policy Officer - Workshop at first LSCB meeting - Production of handbook Induction process for future new members in place

June 06 Sept 06 Sept 06

LSCB members report high level of awareness of roles & responsibilities & promote safeguarding within their agency

1.13 Develop regular reporting on activity & performance from relevant agencies

Audit officer Reports routinely received as commissioned from agencies

End of 2006 Improvements in practice needed are appropriately identified

1.14 To ensure that the LSCB appropriately supports the development of the Common Assessment Framework and of Lead professionals

Core Business Group

Joint operational Group to be established CAF appropriately reflected in LSCB Manual Integrated or complementary training plan established

End July 06 End October 06 End October 06

LSCB /Bridges ensure consistent messages are given to agencies and that preventative work within CAF is supported.

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2. Addressing the requirements of Working Together

2.1. Review the ACPC manual against

the new requirements of the revised Working Together Guidance Revised manual is publicised

Development Subcommittee Communications Subcommittee

Project Plan formulated Manual revised Manual is placed on website & publicity is co-ordinated

May 06 October 06 December 06

LSCB procedures comply with Working Together & the changes are widely known about amongst the key agencies

2.2. Continue to promote compliance with Bichard principles and standards devised last year – particularly in relation to safe recruitment of staff

Audit officer Agencies’ reports to include % of relevant staff appropriately checked

End 2006 Standards of recruitment, vetting & management of staff improve

2.3. Review procedures/guidance regarding allegations against professionals, foster carers & volunteers


Revised procedures cover all staff including education are widely consulted on in advance of working together revisions

July 06 Consistent standards of response to allegations against professional, foster carers & volunteers are applied

2.4. Continue to promote the safety & welfare of privately fostered children

Communications subcommittee Officers’ team + subcommittee chairs

Complete awareness for workers leaflet Review need for further campaigning

July 06 Sept 06 October 06

Numbers of privately fostered children known to Authorities increases & safeguarding assessments are in place

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Ensure private fostering is addressed in LSCB Manual

2.5. Oversee launch of sudden unexpected death in childhood procedures & review its implementation as part of preparation for Child Death Panel development Develop child death review panel system

Development subcommittee & training co-ordinator Development subcommittee Development subcommittee

Launch proceeds & implemented Review process is built into implementation Agreements & protocols drafted System implemented

October 06 April 07 By September 07 By April 08

Consistency of practice is improved in relation to deaths in childhood

2.6. To develop practice in relation to CYP who present as “abandoned/out of control” Review its implementation

Development subcommittee Development subcommittee

Guidance developed & promoted Feedback indicates improved working together

July 06 April 07

The needs of this group of children and young people for safeguarding are better met

2.7. To improve practice in relation to children abused through prostitution by developing & implementing a specific action plan for this group of children (PROJECT)

Development subcommittee through the ESCAPE Standing group & with support from policy officer & training co-ordinator

ESCAPE action plan developed/ implemented

Timescales for action to be agreed


2.8. To promote good practice in inter-agency work to safeguard children


CUSAB action plan developed &

Timescales for action to be agreed

The needs of this group of children

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using sexually abusive behaviour by developing & implementing a specific action plan for this group of children (PROJECT)

through CUSAB standing group

implemented and young people for safeguarding are better met

2.9. Develop liaison & safeguarding strategies with faith communities (PROJECT)

Development subcommittee through culturally appropriate practice standing group

Project work is undertaken with at least 4 faith communities

By end of April 2008


2.10. To develop communication links between the LSCB & agency members by

• Production of twice yearly newsletter

• Development & maintenance

of a website

Communications Subcommittee

Newsletters are produced Website is maintained with up to date information

Each Spring and Autumn in 2006and 2007 Updating of the website is within one month of finalised documents

Awareness of safeguarding issues and the work of LSCB is promoted Latest procedures & guidance is made available to support good practice

2.11. To continue to print & distribute translated leaflets & posters to promote protection of children from all communities

Leaflets & posters continue to be translated and distributed

Equal access & support is provided to BME communities on safeguarding

2.12. As part of Working Together project plan – review protocol for sharing information across boundaries


Protocol is compliant with Working Together Guidance

October 06 Potential gaps in safeguarding across boundaries are reduced

3. Including Users and carers in the development of our policies and practice

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3.1. Develop an overarching participation strategy linked to the Project Planning process in 1.4.


A clear strategy links work with individuals & charts how all new developments include views & ideas from families

October 06 Quality of practice is improved by being better informed by service user views

3.2. Consider developing advocacy schemes for child protection processes PROJECT


Scoping work is undertaken

October 06 Children & young people are better supported to have a voice

3.3. Promote the implementation of the leaflets/checklists on participation & review effectiveness of implementation

Training Subcommittee & Development subcommittee reps Development subcommittee

Evidence of impact is obtained

April 06 – October 06 December 06

Children & young people are better supported to have a voice

3.4 Integrate the views of service users & carers into training as identified through development of policies & practice


Training material is reviewed for each course from now on

As for each training event

Evidence of views reflected in training

3.5. To establish a monitoring process to evaluate the involvement of children, young people and carers in LSCB projects

Quality Assurance Sub-Committee

A process for monitoring is devised The way in which children and young people have been involved is collated for development subject to a project plan

July 06 To be included in project plans

Evidence of involvement of children and young people and it’s impact

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4. Establishing effective Scrutiny arrangements

4.1.

Single Agency To Promote and support single agency self evaluation in the area of child protection.

Quality Assurance Subcommittee

Self-evaluations undertaken and reports submitted. Overview reports to CBG and/or LSCB.

Completion of task 6 months after commission

Profile & commitment to safeguarding is enhanced across agencies

4.2. To collate and report information from agencies on current audit work.


Report produced Annually or as otherwise requested

Profile & commitment to safeguarding is enhanced across agencies

4.3. To work with single agencies on developing audit work or on specific projects.


Projects completed variable Profile & commitment to safeguarding improves across agencies

4.4. To audit case files on an inter-agency basis. To ensure any recommendations are followed up.


Reports produced for agencies & QA sub-Committee following each case audited. Summary report for LSCB

Cases to be audited 4 to 6 times a year. Annual report to LSCB

Learning is promoted in the agencies involved to the benefit of standards of practice

4.5. To carry out serious case reviews.

County and City SCR Committees. + Audit Officer

Reviews completed within required time frame.

Serious Case Reviews as they are required.

Learning is promoted in the agencies involved to the benefit of standards of practice

4.6. To audit the implementations of action plans.

Audit Officer Actions plans implemented and audited.

Action Plans to be audited 6 months after completion of review

Safeguarding issues are addressed in a timely manner

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4.7. To undertake evaluations,

investigations or projects as required by the LSCB/CBG


Tasks completed in given time frame

Variable depending on project undertaken Timescales to be established as project plan drawn up.

LSCB is responsive & addresses issues of practice or systems

4.8. Develop a process for responding to concerns about the work of partners

Chair/Vice Chairs Protocol developed October 06 LSCB addresses issues of practice or systems or organisational concerns

4.9. To ensure the effectiveness of single and inter-agency training


Training standards are updated and training is measured against agreed performance indicators

Standards update by end of 2006 training. Measuring against PIs Jan 07 –Jan 08

LSCB has overview of strengths & deficits of training provided

4.10. To ensure that the findings of scrutiny are feedback into practice development planning


Outcome of scrutiny findings are routinely received & practice development plans put in place

Proposed responses are brought to CBG within 3 months of scrutiny findings being published

LSCB ensures continuous improvement is built into its work

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