1.3.5 Allocation of Children with Child Protection Plans and Looked After Children

Introduction
Definition of 'Allocation'
Children with a Child Protection Plan
Looked After Children
Difficulties in Allocation

1. Introduction

This document clarifies the procedure in relation to the allocation of cases where a child is subject to a Child Protection Plan or is Looked After and the action to be taken where it is not possible to allocate such cases.

The same principles will also apply where children are regarded as at high risk but work with family is being undertaken within the context of a Family Support Conference.

The Management Team acknowledges that demand for services continues to grow and is not matched by an equivalent increase in resources.

2. Definition of ‘Allocation’

‘Allocation’ means that the responsible case worker is a professionally qualified social worker (nor a family support worker or Team Manager) who is responsible for ensuring that:

The child is worked with in a planned and purposeful way
On a regular basis to a plan
Endorsed by the Team Manager
In line with the recommendations of a Child Protection Conference or Looked After Review
And entered on to Framework-I

3. Children with a Child Protection Plan

For details about Lead Social Worker responsibilities under Child Protection Plans, see Implementation of Child Protection Plan - Keyworker and Core Group Responsibilities, contained in the Oxfordshire Safeguarding Children Board Procedures manual

All children with a Child Protection Plan must be allocated to a Lead Social Worker.

The Child Protection Conference will be the point of transfer. The transferring team will give maximum possible notice to the receiving team. This will usually occur following the completion of an Initial Assessment and/or Strategy Discussion/Meeting, and be confirmed once the need for a conference is established.

The Independent Conference Chair will ensure that, pre-conference, the Team Manager of the receiving team has identified a social worker to take the case immediately following the conference. The transferring team will update Framework-I accordingly. While there will be exceptions, such as sickness, Court hearings or annual leave, the prospective allocated social workers are expected to attend the Child Protection Conference.

Within teams, any changes of allocation must be planned to ensure there are no breaks in allocation.

In relation to sickness, if this is of a short term nature, the Team Manager in conjunction with the Service Manager will actively monitor child protection cases and ensure that visiting and seeing the child is undertaken by a social worker in line with the Child Protection Plan. Longer term sickness absence (i.e. 3 months +) will require reallocation.

4. Looked After Children

All Looked After Children must have an allocated social worker.

The Looked After Review will be the point of transfer. Discussion with the receiving team must take place and maximum possible notice given.

The Independent Reviewing Officer will ensure that pre-review, the Team Manager of the receiving team has identified a social worker to take the case immediately following the review. The transferring team will update Framework-I accordingly. While there will be exceptions, such as sickness, Court hearings or annual leave, the prospective allocated social workers are expected to attend the Review.

Within teams, any changes of allocation must be planned to ensure there are no breaks in allocation.

5. Difficulties in Allocation

At the point when a Team Manager feels unable to allocate a child with a Child Protection Plan or a Looked After Child – or carry out the relevant Plan for the child – the Service Manager must be notified.

The Service Manager will review the relevant team’s workload, identify the priority cases and put in place plans and monitoring arrangements for all other cases. The Service Manager must discuss with relevant Assistant Heads of Service. If additional resources (above establishment) are seen by the Service Manager as necessary, the case must be made (see Request for Additional Resources/Risk Management Profile Guidelines).

The relevant Assistant Head of Service must give agreement for additional staff.