2.1.2 Child in Need Coordination Service |
AMENDMENT
This chapter was significantly updated in October 2015 in respect of Section 1, Coordination of Child in Need Meetings. This section describes the role of the Child In need Coordination Service, its aims and objectives and key criteria.
Contents
1.Coordination of Child in Need Meetings
1.1 | The objective of the Child in Need Coordinators Service is to support the provision of a seamless service to children, parents/carers and improve outcomes for the children of Salford by ensuring that a robust Child in Need Plan is implemented where outstanding or further work has been identified under Section 17 of the Children Act 1989 and providing independent challenge and scrutiny to more complex CIN cases. |
1.2 | The Child in Need Coordinator service will support the statutory function by providing coordinators for child in need planning where the following criteria apply:
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1.3 | These criteria are likely to be met in the following circumstances:
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1.4 | It will be important that an appropriate venue 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. Where a child is attending a meeting and is of school age the meeting should be held outside of school time, wherever possible. |
1.5 | The CIN Coordinators will be responsible for the invitations to parents, carers and all professionals will have notification of the date, time and venue from the Review Conference or LAC Review. |
1.6 | Any notes or contentious issues will be recorded within the Child in Need Meeting Minutes by the chair and distributed to those involved, including the child and parent/s who will need to sign their agreement. |
2. Child in Need Plans
2.1 | A Child in Need Plan will be developed in a Child in Need Planning Meeting. |
2.2 | Most Child in Need Plans will envisage that Children's Services intervention will end within twelve months. However, some children and families may require longer term support, for example children with disabilities. |
2.3 | The Child in Need Plan will be reviewed by the allocated CIN Coordinator who will identify any resources or services that will be needed to achieve the planned outcomes within the agreed timescales and who is responsible for which action and the time-scale involved. |
2.4 | In particular, the Child in Need Plan should:
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2.5 | The allocated CIN Coordinator will be responsible for the distribution of the Child in Need Meeting minutes and recommendations and the allocated Social Worker will be responsible for completion of the CIN Plan. A copy of the Child in Need Plan should be provided by the allocated Social Worker to the parents, child (if old enough) and the agencies or other professionals involved in the provision of services under the Plan. |
2.6 | The allocated CIN Coordinator will be responsible for implementing the plan and delegation of tasks as described in the plan. |
2.7 | 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. |
3. Reviews of Child in Need Plans
3.1 | Reviews will be conducted at intervals agreed with the allocated CIN Coordinator, which will be at least every three months, unless there are exceptional circumstances when timescales can be longer e.g. in the case of disabled children. |
3.2 | If there are significant changes in the family circumstances, an early review should take place. |
3.3 | Any child protection or safeguarding issues which arise during the course of a Child in Need Plan must be responded to in line with Safeguarding Children Partnership Procedures. |
3.4 | The Review will usually be carried out by the allocated CIN Coordinator, who should invite or seek the views of the child, parents and any service providers. The responsible team will administer all Child in Need Reviews. |
3.5 | 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. |
3.6 | Where it is proposed that a complex package of support being provided under a Child in Need Plan should continue beyond 12 months consideration will be given to consultation with the Practice Manager and Safeguarding Service Manager. Exceptions to this will be those cases where the plan acknowledges the need for longer term support, for example in relation to children who meet the criteria for the Children with Disabilities Team. |
3.7 | All decisions made should be recorded on the child's electronic record, together with reasons, and dated. |
3.8 | A copy of the reviewed plan should be sent to the child (if old enough), parent and all other participants in the Review process. |
3.9 | The outcome of a Review will be:
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3.10 | Where the outcome of the Review is an amendment to the Child in Need Plan, the allocated 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