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GUIDANCE

GUIDANCE. Working Together (2006) 6.20 - 6.30 and Appendix 5 Safeguarding Children and Safer Recruitment in Education – Chapter 5 Hertfordshire Child Protection Procedures (2007) – Module 10. APPLIES TO ALL ORGANISATIONS.

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GUIDANCE

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  1. GUIDANCE • Working Together (2006) 6.20 - 6.30 and Appendix 5 • Safeguarding Children and Safer Recruitment in Education – Chapter 5 • Hertfordshire Child Protection Procedures (2007) – Module 10

  2. APPLIES TO ALL ORGANISATIONS • All organisations providing services for children or staff or volunteers to work with or care for children, should operate procedures for dealing with allegations which are compliant with the guidance in Working Together (2006) Section 6.20 – 6.30 and Appendix 5

  3. PRINCIPLES • Timely, Consistent, Thorough and Fair Process – provides protection for the child and support to the subject of the allegation • Enquiries must be conducted by an independent person – not friend, relative, supervisor or colleague • Employers clarify the facts not investigate – when a concern first comes to light • Children should not be repeatedly interviewed • Confidentiality – ‘need to know basis’ only • ‘Unsuitability’ - should be considered throughout the process

  4. CRITERIA The procedures cover all concerns where a person who works with a child has: - Behaved in a way that has harmed, or may have harmed a child, OR - Possibly committed a criminal offence against or related to a child, OR - Behaved towards a child / children in a way that indicates ‘unsuitability’ to work with children

  5. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES • Named Senior Officers (NSO) • LADO (Local Authority Designated Officer) • Designated Senior Managers (DSM)

  6. Named Senior Officer • Ensuring the organisation operates procedures in accordance with HSCB child protection procedures • Resolving any inter-agency issues • Liaising with HSCB on the subject

  7. Local Authority Designated Officer • Be involved in the management and oversight of individual cases • Provide advice and guidance to employers and voluntary organisations • Liaise with police and other agencies • Monitor the progress of cases to ensure they are dealt with as quickly as possible consistent with a thorough and fair process

  8. Designated Senior Manager • All allegations must be reported to the DSM (or his/her deputy in their absence or if the subject of the allegation) • The DSM should report any concern they may have about an allegation not being investigated to their NSO

  9. Process • The DSM is not to investigate and/or ask leading questions to clarify an allegation • Confidentiality should not be promised • Actions to be taken include a written record of the allegation using the informant’s words-including time, date and place where the alleged incident took place, what was said and anyone else that was present. The record should be signed and dated • The recipient of an allegation must not unilaterally decide it’s validity

  10. Process • The DSM must inform the LADO immediately and always within 1 working day when a allegation is made • If there is any difficulty in communicating this to the LADO allegations should be reported direct to the Police (CAIU) or to Social Care – via the call centre client services team • Consultation with the LADO must not delay any referral where the concern / allegation is clearly very serious

  11. DSM and LADO ‘Initial Evaluation’ • Does the allegation fit the criteria ? There are three strands when considering an allegation: - Police investigation and possible offence - Social care enquiries/assessment about whether a child is in need of protection (S47) or services - Disciplinary action by the employer

  12. ‘Initial Evaluation Continued’ • Is the allegation demonstrably false ? - no further action • Is there a risk of significant harm ? - strategy discussion • Is there no significant harm, but possibly a criminal offence ? • Is there evidence of ‘unsuitability’ to work with children ?

  13. Suspension • An employer should discuss this option with the LADO, it should not be an automatic step • Consider where: • Police investigation warranted • Might be grounds for dismissal • Child is at risk of significant harm Support is needed for those suspended from work

  14. DSM / Employer & LADO • Clarify facts of the allegation (not investigate) before contacting the LADO • Work in partnership with the LADO • Provide necessary information • Operate a thorough disciplinary process when appropriate • Keep the LADO updated on process and outcomes • Ensure a properly managed conclusion to process

  15. DSM & Parent / Carer • Support and information for parent / carer: - Inform parent / carer of the allegation - Keep parent / carer up to date - Help them understand the process - Inform parent / carer of the outcome (i.e. that there has been a disciplinary process)

  16. DSM & Accused Person • Inform the adult after consultation with the LADO about what information can be shared • Treat them honestly / fairly • Help them understand the concerns and the processes • Offer support via welfare arrangements / occupational health • Advise them contact their Union / support • Inform of the outcome of any processes

  17. Resignations • All investigations must be completed and brought to a managed conclusion regardless of resignation • ‘Compromise Agreements’ must not be used

  18. False Allegations • If an allegation is shown to be unfounded the DSM and LADO should consider: - referral to social care as a child may be being abused elsewhere or be in need of services - referral to police to consider appropriate action if an allegation is demonstrably shown to be malicious

  19. Record Keeping/AMS Database • Provides accurate reference, clarification for CRB disclosures and prevents re-investigation • A clear and comprehensive summary (LADO 6) should be kept on confidential personnel file, copied to the individual, kept until retirement age or 10yrs if longer • The LADO keeps detailed case recording for monitoring and reporting requirements

  20. AMS REPORTING FUNCTION Reports generated by AMS : • Supervision Tool • Lessons Learnt Case Review • Workflow/Timescales • Basic Demographic • Internal Management Process • Offender Profile • Counts for DCSF Reporting

  21. LADO Monitoring • LADO monitors progress - Fortnightly or monthly - Via strategy discussions / management meetings - Through direct liaison with Police / Social care / DSM (Employer) • Police set target review dates - Within 4 weeks of Initial Evaluation - Further fortnightly or monthly reviews

  22. Timescales • Target timescales are achievable in most cases: - 80% resolved within 1 month - 90% resolved within 3 months - All cases concluded within 12 months (unless exceptional circumstances)

  23. Contact Details • Frazer Smith – Contact Details Mobile: 07920283106 Office: (01992) 556935 E-mail: frazer.smith@hertscc.gov.uk • Mel Leicester-Evans – Contact Details Mobile: 07788567906 Office: (01992) 556935 E-mail: mel.leicester-evans@hertscc.gov.uk LADOs WILL WORK ON A DUTY ROTA

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