Management Information Sheet
Safeguarding Referrals to Children's Services
At all stages of the child in need and child protection process Children's Services teams need to work closely together and in partnership with schools. Central to working together is appropriate and timely information sharing.
Recently, Children's Services Teams and the Child Abuse Investigation Unit have raised concerns about a number of cases where schools have delayed making a referral. When concerns about child abuse need to be brought to our attention it is important to refer these concerns to Children's Services without delay.
Concerns about recent practice specifically relate to:disclosures of sexual abuse being referred some days after the initial disclosure has been made;
referrals regarding physical injury being made at the end of the school day when the child has returned home;
When a school makes a referral to Children's Services it is only the beginning of a process which needs to be followed. In cases of suspected abuse, Children's Services staff must hold a strategy discussion with the Child Abuse Investigation Unit and agree the most appropriate way forward. This may well involve finding suitably qualified staff to interview a child. Delays in receiving a referral compromise the ability of Children's Services and Police staff to respond to concerns in a timely manner and protect the child or young person. Once a child has returned home the chances of interviewing the child and getting any disclosures are vastly reduced. The child could potentially be silenced and the abuser/s alerted to the investigation prior to the child being spoken to by police and Children's Services. Furthermore, once the child has returned home they could become subject to further abuse possibly as a direct result of a disclosure they have made to a trusted teacher or other adult.
It has been acknowledged that some of these delays in referral are attributed to confusion over the use of the Consultation Line and communication with Care Connect. Please find attached a copy of the structural arrangements for Children's Services with effect from October 2010 and most up to date guidance on the use of the Consultation Line.
Procedures for Referral
It is important to note that school staff do not themselves investigate cases of suspected abuse; this is the responsibility of the police and the Children's Services Team.
Any member of staff or visitor to the school who receives a disclosure of abuse or suspects that abuse may have occurred must report it immediately to the designated person for child protection or to the deputy designated person if they are not available. In the absence of either of the above, arrangements should be made so that child protection concerns are addressed without delay and staff should be briefed on these procedures.
The designated person should immediately inform Care Connect (who deal with Children's Services referrals) by telephone on 0344 800 8014.
If a child discloses physical or sexual abuse, where the alleged abuser is either a family member or someone resident within the household, it is particularly important that this is done without delay and before informing parents.
Where a child or young person is already being worked with by Children's Services and there is an allocated Social Worker the call can be made directly to them. If for any reason they are not available and you are not able to get hold of a duty social worker within their team who can take the call then you can still use the 0344 800 8014 number and they will make sure the information is picked up and acted upon.
A telephone referral must be confirmed in writing using the form marked LSCB1, within a maximum of 48 hours, ideally 24 hours. Essential information will include the:pupil's name,
address,
date of birth,
family composition,
reason for referral,
previous concerns,
name of person making the referral and any advice given.
If a member of staff has observed a physical injury this should be recorded and documented using a body map.
The referral must be signed and dated by the referrer. The school should retain a copy of the referral along with any subsequent communications about the concern.
The referral will be shared with the parent/carer, and where appropriate with the child/young person, unless to do so may place the pupil at increased risk of significant harm.
It has been agreed that any future delays in referral will be reported through the Child Abuse Investigation Unit for investigation. The Governing Body of the school will need to be informed where weaknesses in safeguarding procedures are identified.
Thank you for your continued co-operation and support with regard to protecting children from harm. If you wish to discuss any of the matters raised further, please do not hesitate to contact Kelly Waters.
Recently, Children's Services Teams and the Child Abuse Investigation Unit have raised concerns about a number of cases where schools have delayed making a referral. When concerns about child abuse need to be brought to our attention it is important to refer these concerns to Children's Services without delay.
Concerns about recent practice specifically relate to:
When a school makes a referral to Children's Services it is only the beginning of a process which needs to be followed. In cases of suspected abuse, Children's Services staff must hold a strategy discussion with the Child Abuse Investigation Unit and agree the most appropriate way forward. This may well involve finding suitably qualified staff to interview a child. Delays in receiving a referral compromise the ability of Children's Services and Police staff to respond to concerns in a timely manner and protect the child or young person. Once a child has returned home the chances of interviewing the child and getting any disclosures are vastly reduced. The child could potentially be silenced and the abuser/s alerted to the investigation prior to the child being spoken to by police and Children's Services. Furthermore, once the child has returned home they could become subject to further abuse possibly as a direct result of a disclosure they have made to a trusted teacher or other adult.
It has been acknowledged that some of these delays in referral are attributed to confusion over the use of the Consultation Line and communication with Care Connect. Please find attached a copy of the structural arrangements for Children's Services with effect from October 2010 and most up to date guidance on the use of the Consultation Line.
Procedures for Referral
It is important to note that school staff do not themselves investigate cases of suspected abuse; this is the responsibility of the police and the Children's Services Team.
Any member of staff or visitor to the school who receives a disclosure of abuse or suspects that abuse may have occurred must report it immediately to the designated person for child protection or to the deputy designated person if they are not available. In the absence of either of the above, arrangements should be made so that child protection concerns are addressed without delay and staff should be briefed on these procedures.
The designated person should immediately inform Care Connect (who deal with Children's Services referrals) by telephone on 0344 800 8014.
If a child discloses physical or sexual abuse, where the alleged abuser is either a family member or someone resident within the household, it is particularly important that this is done without delay and before informing parents.
Where a child or young person is already being worked with by Children's Services and there is an allocated Social Worker the call can be made directly to them. If for any reason they are not available and you are not able to get hold of a duty social worker within their team who can take the call then you can still use the 0344 800 8014 number and they will make sure the information is picked up and acted upon.
A telephone referral must be confirmed in writing using the form marked LSCB1, within a maximum of 48 hours, ideally 24 hours. Essential information will include the:
If a member of staff has observed a physical injury this should be recorded and documented using a body map.
The referral must be signed and dated by the referrer. The school should retain a copy of the referral along with any subsequent communications about the concern.
The referral will be shared with the parent/carer, and where appropriate with the child/young person, unless to do so may place the pupil at increased risk of significant harm.
It has been agreed that any future delays in referral will be reported through the Child Abuse Investigation Unit for investigation. The Governing Body of the school will need to be informed where weaknesses in safeguarding procedures are identified.
Thank you for your continued co-operation and support with regard to protecting children from harm. If you wish to discuss any of the matters raised further, please do not hesitate to contact Kelly Waters.