5.1 |
When families plan to move they should be made aware that information will be shared with Children's Social Care in the receiving authority. |
5.2 |
Where there are significant concerns about a child, the transfer to another authority should not deter the originating authority from initiating Care Proceedings. |
Case Responsibility
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5.3 |
The responsibility for the child subject to a Child Protection Plan remains with the originating authority until the receiving authority's transfer conference (see below). |
5.4 |
The designated safeguarding manager of the receiving authority must place the child on its database as subject of a Child Protection Plan from the actual date of the move or when informed of it (if this is later). |
5.5 |
Responsibility for the management of the case up to the Child Protection Conference will remain with the originating authority. Where the originating authority is some distance away, the receiving authority should agree to implement the Child Protection Plan, on behalf of the originating local authority, from the date of the move. |
5.6 |
The Receiving-In Child Protection Conference should be convened by the receiving authority within 15 working days of notification of a child subject to a Child Protection Plan elsewhere having moved to its area (see Section 2, Receiving-In Conference, of the Child Protection Conference Procedure). |
5.7 |
The child must remain subject to a Child Protection Plan in the originating authority until it receives confirmation a conference has taken place and that the receiving authority has accepted case responsibility. |
5.8 |
The designated safeguarding manager of the receiving authority must inform her/his equivalent in the originating authority in writing of the result of the conference. |
5.9 |
The written confirmation of acceptance of case responsibility must be obtained and included on the case record. |
Responsibilities in Originating Authority
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5.10 |
If a worker from any agency discovers that a child who is the subject of a Child Protection Plan is planning to move, or has moved out of/into the area s/he should inform the Lead Social Worker / Children's Social Care immediately, and confirm this information in writing, whenever practicable on the same day. |
5.11 |
The Lead Social Worker must inform all other professionals involved in the case as well as the receiving Children's Social Care. If the move has occurred already the Lead Social Worker should complete this task immediately. If the move is to be within the next 14 days, the Lead Social Worker should complete this task within 1 working day. |
5.12 |
The Lead Social Worker from the originating authority must inform the designated safeguarding managers of both originating and receiving authorities of the (proposed) move. |
5.13 |
It is the responsibility of each agency in the originating authority to try to ascertain that the:
- Reciprocal agency in the receiving authority receives detailed information and is made aware of the need to fulfil its role in the protection plan;
- Lead Social Worker is informed of the name and details of staff in the receiving area;
- Lead Social Worker is notified of any factors affecting the protection plan.
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5.14 |
The Lead Social Worker / safeguarding manager in the originating authority must:
- Provide relevant documentation, including the Child and Family Single Assessment, previous conference reports and child protection plans;
- Make contact with agencies in the receiving authority to ensure that the level and type of service being provided satisfies the requirements of the protection plan;
- Discuss any difficulties with her/his supervisor;
- Initiate use of any of the local authority's statutory powers made necessary by the move;
- Provide a report for (and attend) the transfer conference.
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5.15 |
When case responsibility is to be transferred the Lead Social Worker must inform all agencies in the originating authority of the arrangements, so that staff can transfer records, attend the conference and/or provide information to the receiving authority's Receiving-In Child Protection Conference. |
5.16 |
If the Lead Social Worker cannot attend the receiving-in conference, the team/group manager should attend and ensure s/he is fully briefed. |
Responsibilities in Receiving Authority
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5.17 |
When a planned transfer of responsibility for a case is being arranged a representative of the Children's Social Care of the originating authority must be invited (in writing) to attend the receiving-in conference, along with any other significant contributors to the Child Protection Plan. |
5.18 |
Children's Social Care in the receiving authority must ensure, prior to the receiving-in conference, that it has received sufficient relevant information from the originating authority to clarify details of the case, responsibility for the child and plans. |
5.19 |
Each of the receiving local agencies must ensure that the receiving-in conference has all the relevant information required to make fully informed decisions and develop a proper protection plan, including information from the originating authority's agencies. |
5.20 |
If all the background information is not received prior to the receiving-in conference, the conference should be cancelled at the discretion of the chair (in consultation with the safeguarding manager) and the originating authority retain responsibility. The safeguarding manager must write to her/his counterpoint in the originating authority to state that case responsibility has not transferred, provide a new conference date and formally request the background documents. |
Joint Work
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5.22 |
In all cases joint 'handover' visits should have occurred or be arranged at the conference. |
5.23 |
The Receiving-In Child Protection Conference may recommend that although case responsibility is transferred to the receiving authority, joint work continues for a time limited period with staff from agencies in the originating authority. |
Exceptional Retention of Child Protection Responsibilities by Originating Authority
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5.24 |
Where the Child Protection Plan specifies a move out of an authority for a defined and time limited period, the originating authority should retain case responsibility, but may require the assistance of the receiving authority to carry out the protection plan. |
5.25 |
Examples of these circumstances are where a:
- Child temporarily stays with friends/ family in, or goes on holiday to, another authority;
- Mother together with baby is provided with a time limited placement in a mother and baby unit / residential drug rehabilitation unit in another authority;
- Parent will be supported for a time limited period to live with a specified person - e.g. relative or friend in another authority;
- Temporary move into bed & breakfast / homeless accommodation.
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5.26 |
Another exception, which may justify individual arrangements, is when a family constantly moves and no one authority is able to adequately monitor the welfare of the child. |
5.27 |
Whenever any of the above circumstances apply, the Lead Social Worker must:
- Agree with her/his team/group manager that the originating authority should, in the best interests of the child, retain case responsibility;
- Inform the designated safeguarding managers of both authorities and request that the child is placed on the database of the receiving authority as being subject of a Child Protection Plan;
- Provide the receiving authority with written information including the Child Protection Plan and the most recent Child and Family Single Assessment; and detail the level of participation required of the receiving Children's Social Care in implementing the plan;
- Make contact with agencies in the receiving authority to ensure that the level and type of service being/to be provided satisfies the requirements of the protection plan.
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5.28 |
Both team/group managers must:
- Confirm in writing their agreement to case responsibility being retained by the originating authority for a specified period;
- Ensure that the arrangements made satisfy the requirements of the protection plan.
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5.29 |
The designated safeguarding manager of the receiving authority must place the child's name on the authority's database as being subject to a child protection plan. |
5.30 |
If team/group managers are unable to immediately agree case responsibility, they must refer to their respective designated safeguarding managers, who should determine case responsibility. |