Management Information Sheet
NSCB Serious Case Review - Case Q Operation Encompass
On 14 December 2016, Norfolk Safeguarding Children Board published a report on the Serious Case Review for Case Q.
The review deals with how two young children were not provided with the prompt and comprehensive help that they needed, leaving them at risk from neglectful care for too long. Addressing neglect is one of the NSCB's priorities, and this case highlights the need for all agencies to become better skilled at recognising the signs of neglect and understanding the cumulative and pervasive impact on children of violence, exposure to risky adults and neglect. It also shows the need to give greater attention to what children are saying to build a fuller picture of their situation, and to challenge accounts given by parents.
All Designated Safeguarding Leads are encouraged to read through the report and consider current practice in light of the learning. The Report and a PowerPoint briefing to cascade to staff are available from the NSCB website as follows:
David Ashcroft, NSCB Independent Chair, has also written a statement on behalf of the Board.
Implementing the Learning - Operation Encompass
The Review recommended improvements in the local response to domestic violence and abuse. As a result of the findings of this review, Operation Encompass was launched in September 2016. The Operation was piloted in the Great Yarmouth area involving 18 schools and is being launched across the County from January 2017. Further information about the scheme can be accessed via MI Sheet 152/16.
To be part of Operation Encompass, one Senior Member of Staff from the school needs to attend a briefing delivered by the Norfolk County Council and agree to the Protocol and Information Sharing Agreement. In order to accommodate those schools who have not yet accessed a briefing, additional sessions will be held on the following dates:
| Date | Time | Venue | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday 20 February 2017 | 10:00 to 11:30 am | Norwich Professional Development Centre | TLS-0217-T035 |
| Monday 27 February 2017 | 10:00 to 11:30 am | Norwich Professional Development Centre | TLS-0217-T036 |
| Tuesday 14 March 2017 | 10:00 to 11:30 am | West Norfolk Professional Development Centre | TLS-0317-T052 |
| Tuesday 14 March 2017 | 12:00 to 1:30pm | West Norfolk Professional Development Centre | TLS-0317-T053 |
To book a place one of these sessions, please go to www.educatorsolutions.org.uk. You will need your PIN. Places are free of charge but will be limited to one delegate place per school/establishment. Refreshments will not be available, however you may wish to purchase them at the venues.
If you require any further information about Operation Encompass please contact Daniel Halls directly (Education Representative - MASH) on 01603 729198 or daniel.halls@norfolk.gov.uk.
Resolving Professional Disagreements
A further recommendation from the review is for the NSCB to ensure that staff are aware of their duty to escalate concerns when they consider that a child is not appropriately protected and/or is suffering from neglect or other forms of abuse. The need for robust arrangements for professional challenge in the best interest of children has been a recurring theme from recent NSCB serious case reviews. The Resolving Professional Disagreements Policy has been developed to assist and guide all practitioners working with children and young people in Norfolk in finding a resolution when they have a professional disagreement in relation to the safeguarding of children and young people. All Designated Safeguarding Leads should have due regard to this process when working with other agencies.