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Contents

1. Introduction
2. Outline Child Protection Plan
3. Child Protection Core Group
   
   Appendix A: Child Protection Core Group Agreement

1. Introduction

There has developed a growing expectation placed on Social Workers to chair, record and lead the discussion at a Child Protection Core Group. The impact of this often serves to undermine the quality of all aspects of the Social Worker contribution and ultimately the Child Protection Plan. Subsequently it has been recognised that a more collective approach by Core Group members will deliver more timely and improved outcome for the respective child(ren); this is supported by Working Together to Safeguard Children’ which states:

‘Although the Lead Social Worker has lead responsibility for the implementation of the child protection plan, all members of the core group are jointly responsible for carrying out these tasks, refining the plan as needed and monitoring progress.’

2. Outline Child Protection Plan

The Child Protection Conference Chair should confirm with all Child Protection Core Group members that they understand and agree that the Outline Child Protection Plan, actions and timescale are clear, achievable and they understand their roles and responsibilities to deliver the plan

A copy of the Outline Child Protection Plan will be made available within 24 hours of the Child Protection Conference and at the same time the recommendations and decisions made.

Child Protection Plans originate from the Child Protection Conference as an Outline Plan to be developed at the first Core Group (to occur within 10 days) into a detailed plan, taking into account the recommendations made at the Child Protection Conference.

3. Child Protection Core Group

At the first Child Protection Core Group following the Child Protection Conference, Core Group members must develop the Outline Plan into a robust, detailed Plan which is SMART by nature (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, with Time Scales); for the child and their family this means the plan should clearly set out what the issue/need is who is doing what, when, how often to address that issue/need and how do we know there has been a change.

‘The purpose of the Child Protection Plan is to reduce the risks or prevent the reoccurrence of further significant harm to the child, and safeguard the child’s well being to the point where the child no longer needs a plan.

All members of the core group are jointly responsible for carrying out the tasks identified on the Child Protection Plan, refining the plan as needed and monitoring progress’ (Working Together to Safeguard Children).

The Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need (2000)/Single Assessment domains provide a useful structure for desired outcomes by addressing:

• The child and young person’s developmental needs;
• The parent/carers capacity to meet the needs of the child or young person;
• Family and environmental factors that impact on the wellbeing of children and young people including neglect.

All actions contained in the Core Group record/plan should:

• Identify what needs to change and how it will be measured;
• Have appropriate timescales to monitor and review progress;
• Be constructed in such a way that it is jargon free and clearly understood by parents and carers in order to reduce risk;
• Be able to demonstrate sustainable change.

The overall intention of a SMART Child Protection Plan is to enable Core Group members to use the Plan at each Core Group meeting to enable them to measure and family members to ‘see’ progress against actions. This will enable change to be evidenced to determine whether or not the respective child/ young person is at risk of significant harm and in need of a Child Protection Plan.

It is therefore important that at each Core Group meeting the Child Protection Plan is reviewed to ensure that risk is both reduced and managed and that progress is being made against the objectives.

If change is being achieved and risk reduced then objectives will need to be reviewed and amended. Equally, if progress is not being made and there is non-compliance then remedial action should be taken.

In addition good practice would dictate the family/child contribute to the setting and reviewing of actions and invited to comment so that their views are considered.

Attendance and contribution

It is expected all Core Group members attend all meetings which should be planned in advance. In addition, as the Lead Professional, the Social Worker is expected to attend all Core Group meetings. If a Core Group member is unable to attend a pre-planned meeting, an appropriate and fully briefed alternative representative should be identified by Children’s Social Care to chair the meeting or a, timely alternative date, within timescales, should be arranged.

All Core Group members are expected to be inclusive and ensure everyone contribute to the running of Core Groups. This includes providing a short written report that summarises issues/progress and accounts for their respective contribution to the Child Protection Plan. In addition, immediately before a Child Protection Review, the Social Worker should summarise what has been achieved in the Child Protection Plan. (Appendix A: Child Protection Core Group Agreement provides a useful agreement and suggested agenda).

All stakeholders should contribute to the provision of a single report for the Child Protection Review which would reflect the views of all Core Group members on:

• Whether the Child Protection Plan objectives have been achieved or not; and
• Whether the Child Protection Plan should continue or not.

Appendix A: Child Protection Core Group Agreement

Click here to view Appendix A: Child Protection Core Group Agreement.

End