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2.1.1 Child in Need Plans and Reviews

SCOPE OF THIS CHAPTER

This chapter applies to children and families where the outcome of an assessment has identified a need for a continuing involvement by the Children Young People and Families Directorate but where the criteria for a Family Support Conference or a Child Protection Conference are not met.


Contents

  1. Planning Meetings
  2. Child in Need Plans
  3. Reviews


1. Planning Meetings

  1. Planning Meetings will follow either an Initial Assessment or a Core Assessment where the assessment, usually an Initial Assessment, has concluded that the child is at Level 3 of the Oxfordshire Threshold of Need Matrix and a package of family support is required to meet the child’s/family’s needs.
  2. Planning meetings are an opportunity for a child and his or her parents/carers, together with key agencies, to identify and agree the package of services required and to develop the Child in Need Plan.
  3. All Planning Meetings should be attended by the parents, other significant family members, the child (depending on age and understanding) and by those agencies whose potential/actual contribution has been indicated within the assessment.
  4. It is important that those agencies and individuals invited to attend are the ones that the parents and/or the child consider are able to help, support or assist them and/or those who can best promote the well being of the child.
  5. The assessing social worker should discuss potential attendees for the Planning Meeting with the parents/carers and/or the child prior to arrangements being made for the meeting.
  6. It will be important that appropriate venues suitable for the child and his or her family are used for the meeting. Consideration must be given to transport, timing and any child care issues.
  7. Planning Meetings will be chaired by the assessing social worker or his/her Team Manager.
  8. At the end of the meeting, the Child in Need Plan will be drawn up by the Chair. The Plan will be copied to those involved, including the child and parent/s, who will need to sign their agreement.


2. Child in Need Plans

1. The Child in Need Plan will be informed by the Initial or Core Assessment and will usually require the continuing involvement of a social worker.
2. Most Child in Need Plans will envisage the cessation of services involving the Children Young People and Families' Directorate within twelve months. However, exceptionally, it may be that in order to prevent a crisis from being reached, some children and families may require longer-term support.
3. Such exceptions may include:
  1. Disabled children;
  2. Children whose parents/carers are disabled;
  3. Children of asylum seekers.

In all cases, consideration should be given to implementing a contingency plan where objectives are not being achieved after twelve months.

The Child in Need Plan must identify the Lead Professional and who is responsible for which action and the time-scale involved.

A copy of the Child in Need Plan should be provided to the parents, child (if old enough) and the agencies or other professionals involved in the provision of services under the Plan.

Where it becomes necessary to make minor adjustments to the plan and services provided, any changes to the plan must be made in consultation with the parents and the child (where appropriate) and key professionals from other agencies.  If there are significant changes in the family circumstances, a formal review should take place.


3. Reviews

  1. Child in Need Plan Reviews will be conducted at intervals agreed with the Team Manager, but at least every three months.
  2. The review will usually be carried out by the Lead Professional, who should invite or seek the views of the child, parents and any service providers.
  3. The Review will generally take place within a meeting, unless the manager agrees otherwise.  The Lead Professional or his/her manager will usually chair the meeting.  If the case is not allocated, the manager must undertake the review or arrange for it to be undertaken on his/her behalf.
  4. The purpose of the Review is to ensure that the services provided are contributing to the achievement of the objectives within the time-scales set.
  5. The outcome of a Review will determine:
  6. Whether the child is no longer a Child in Need requiring services, resulting in a recommendation to the manager that the case be closed
  7. Whether the child continues to be a Child in Need requiring the same level of services, resulting in the continuing provision of services and minor amendment, as necessary, of the Plan;
  8. Whether the child appears to be a Child in Need requiring increased services to safeguard and promote his or her welfare, resulting in the possible need for a Strategy Discussion and possible Child Protection Assessment.
  9. In the case of a Child in Need Plan drawn up following an Initial Assessment, whether a Core Assessment is required

The outcome of the Review should be recorded and a copy of the record sent to the child (if old enough), parent(s) and all other participants in the Review process.

Review outcomes should be recorded on Framework-I.

Where the outcome of the Review is an amendment to the Child in Need Plan, the social worker should circulate a copy of the amended Plan to the child, parents, and other agencies/professionals involved in providing the services set out in the amended Plan, including any new services to be provided.

End