1.3.8 Notifiable Events

Contents

1. Definition of Notifiable Events and Timescales for Notifying
2. Timescales
3. Recording of Notifiable Events

1. Definition of Notifiable Events and Timescales for Notifying

Any Incident must be reported to the Registered Manager, Social Workers, as set out in individual Chapters.

However, some Incidents are also defined as 'Notifiable Events'.

Notifiable Events are listed in the table below.

In each event, it is the responsibility of the Home's Manager, to ensure the Placing Authority/Social Worker is notified and that relevant documentation is completed (see Section 3, Recording of Notifiable Events).

The Registered Manager must also notify his/her Line Manager/Operations Manager, who will notify Partners as appropriate.

Click here to view Notifications Process Flowchart.

Outside agencies (listed below) should then be notified.

All notifications must initially be made verbally, and confirmed in writing, see Section 3, Recording of Notifiable Events. 

2. Timescales

Also see Recording of Notifiable Events Flowchart.

All notifications must be made without delay but within one working day at the latest.

EVENT	WHO TO NOTIFY
	For notifications within Clifford House: Please see Notifications Process Flowchart
Death of a Resident	Outside Agencies: The Regulatory Authority, Local Authority for the area where the Resident is placed, Health and Safety Executive - if a Child has died: The Secretary of State. OFSTED All notifications should be sent to the Residential Care Team, The Department for Children and Families, Room 144, Wellington House, 133-155 Waterloo Road, London SE1 8UG
Referral to the Secretary of State pursuant to section 2(1)(a) of the Protection of Children Act 1999(a) of an individual working in the Home.	Outside Agencies:  The Regulatory Authority
Serious illness or serious accident sustained by a Resident or employee.  This includes serious or persistent self harming or attempted suicide.	Outside Agencies:  The Regulatory Authority, If a medical practitioner considers it to be notifiable under RIDDOR, the Health and Safety Executive.
Allegation that a Resident  accommodated at the Home has has committed a serious offence	Outside Agencies:  The Police
Involvement or suspected involvement of a Resident in prostitution	Outside Agencies: The Regulatory Authority, Police & Local Authority in the area where the Resident is living
Any incident necessitating calling the Police or Emergency Services (e.g. absconding, Fire Brigade, ambulance etc.).	Outside Agencies:  The Regulatory Authority
Any serious complaint about Homes or employees	Outside Agencies:  The Regulatory Authority
Instigation and outcome of any Protection Enquiry involving a Resident	Outside Agencies:  The Regulatory Authority
Outbreak of any infectious disease which in the opinion of a registered medical practitioner is sufficiently serious to be so notified	Outside Agencies:  The Regulatory Authority, Health and Safety Executive Incident Contact Centre & Health Authority in the area where the Resident is living.

3. Recording of Notifiable Events

Click here to view Recording of Notifiable Events Flowchart.

For guidance on the completion of Incident Reports see Incidents Procedure

NOTE: The following reporting/recording processes are to be used on a trial period. Staff should make comments via their manager to Alastair Smith, Quality Assurance Manager.

When an incident occurs whether notifiable or not it will be recorded as set out in relevant procedures, e.g. an Incident Report, Daily Log, Daily Summary Sheets and possibly (depending on the type of incident) Misper Forms, Accident Records, Physical Intervention Records, Confidential Records.

When an Incident becomes a Notifiable Event, the  Operations Manager must complete a Schedule 5 Events and Notifications Record (11321) and forward it to the Quality Assurance Manager who will forward it to the Regulatory Authority. The Operations Manager must also record the details in notifications book held in the resource, a further record will be held centrally. The information in both books should be recorded as follows:

1. Date and who is notifying the Operations Manager and the name of the Manager taking notification
2. Name of Young Person involved
3. Date of Birth and legal status
4. Brief details of the incident/issue
5. Clifford House Manager reported to and date
6. Type of notification (See Section 1, Definition of Notifiable Events and Timescales of Notifying)
7. State who and when notified, and who made contact - the Regulatory Authority, Placing Authority, Secretary of State, Local Authority, Police and Health Authority
8. Response/Outcome/Feedback to the child.
9. State if post notification meeting has/will take place
10. Where a meeting is not held, state who authorised the decision including dates.

In addition to the above the chronological list of actions taken should be completed and used as a checklist to progress chase the notification to its final outcome.

The Schedule 5 Events and Notification form (11321) and Notification Checklist (Form PA623) should always be sent to the Quality Assurance Manager and taken to the Review of Quality Care Meeting.

The child's Placement Plan will identify if the child's parents are to be informed. This is usually the responsibility of the child's Social Worker.

End