What is a strategy discussion? It is a multi-agency discussion, convened by Children’s Services Social Care, to decide if there is reasonable cause to suspect a child has suffered or is likely to suffer significant harm and, if so, what enquiries need to be made Wherever possible, it is good practice to hold a formal meeting, though telephone discussions may be held in cases of urgency. Sometimes an initial evaluation meeting is held instead, where there is no cause to suspect significant harm is an issue but a criminal offence might have been committed. Sometimes an allegation investigation meeting will be held after the strategy discussion, to particularly consider the employment issues. You might have contributed to a strategy discussion before regarding an intra-familial concern about a child, but this guide is intended to help you to prepare for and contribute to a discussion about an allegation against a member of staff. The general principles apply to both. The paramount purpose of the discussion is to ensure the safety of the child/ren concerned. As a manager or employer, however, you also have a duty of care to the member of staff.
Coordinating, recording
chairing
and
The meeting can be held at any venue: the priority is for relevant people to be able to attend and to hold the discussion in private. A strategy meeting will be coordinated and chaired by a Social Care manager. An initial evaluation meeting or allegation investigation meeting will be chaired by the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO). The Chair should ensure the information, decisions and actions are recorded.
A copy of the record should given to you immediately or forwarded to you soon after the discussion, but you are also advised to make your own notes. If you identify any discrepancies in the official record, you should inform the chair. Further allegation investigation meetings may be held if necessary. These should track progress of enquiries, consider any other issues arising and plan any additional action needed.
Who should attend? The following is a list of possible participants: Social care manager Relevant social worker LADO Police Child Abuse Investigation Team Headteacher Chair of Governors (if Headteacher is subject of allegation) Legal adviser Proprietor if allegation against Headteacher of Independent School Head of Service or Senior Officer, if allegation is against LA Support Worker Human Resources (HR) Officer Representative of Ofsted, if residential facility Representative from DCC Communications Team, if likely media interest If child resides in another authority, representative(s) of that authority
Purpose and content of strategy discussion To gather and evaluate information to: agree action to ensure safety of all children who may be at risk decide whether s.47 enquiries should be initiated (or continued if already begun)
decide whether a criminal investigation should be conducted (or continued) by police, taking into account others’ views consider whether any parallel disciplinary process can take place and agree protocols for sharing information agree how enquiries should be undertaken, by whom, when, and where determine who should be interviewed, by whom, for what purpose and when consider need for consent to video and other interviews, assessments etc determine need for medical examinations agree provision of interim services and support for the child and family agree timescales and date and time for further meetings, if necessary If a disciplinary investigation is recommended, the criteria for re-referral and further strategy discussion should be considered, in the event that new evidence comes to light.
Further Considerations It is also important to consider: possible risk to other children the member of staff may contact, in or out of work possible risk to any children of the member of staff or any living in his/her household implications of a police investigation e.g. priority over a disciplinary investigation; security of evidence suspension or alternatives. The Headteacher or Chair of Governors will decide, but should take into account recommendations of other agencies conditions, if any, to be placed on contact with colleagues and pupils what information should be shared and with whom e.g. parents, pupils, other staff and public what information can be shared with the accused member of staff, when and by whom
possibility of other abusers/institutional abuse the need to brief senior managers information that could be used for disciplinary proceedings and whether consent can be sought when it is obtained e.g. witness statements a strategy for dealing with media enquiries any support necessary for the member of staff involved and other school staff affected needs of person reporting if under ‘Whistle Blowing’ procedures
Information that education staff can provide Regarding alleged incident(s): Details of initial report(s) e.g. time(s), date(s), location(s), what was said and by whom Possible witnesses Actions already taken in school
Regarding member of staff: Personal details e.g. name, date of birth, address, ethnicity; employment record Work context and duties Relationships with colleagues and pupils Any previous concerns/allegations Activities/hobbies which involve contact with children Relevant personal and family information Awareness of procedures, relevant training
Outcomes of a strategy discussion The outcome of a strategy discussion may be one or more of the following: Assessment by social care for ‘child in need’ services under S17 Children Act 1989 Child protection enquiries under S47 Children Act 1989, carried out via a core assessment of the child’s needs Criminal investigation No further action Internal investigation using the school’s disciplinary procedures Individual member of staff, or whole staff group, to be given additional training
Post Allegation Investigation Meeting This meeting is held at the conclusion of the child protection enquiry and/or police investigation to: Share findings of the investigation Outline any further actions required Decide whether an individual who has been suspended can return to work and how s/he can be supported Review the circumstances of the case and determine whether any changes/improvements need to be made to practice or procedures Consider reports to relevant regulatory body and/or the Independent Safeguarding Authority
Allegations against adults who work or volunteer in schools
Guidance for staff contributing to strategy discussions and/or other allegations meetings
Other points Regarding child and his/her family: Personal details e.g. name, date of birth, address, ethnicity etc Family composition, history, contact details, relationship with school Education attainment - development, progress Any special education needs Previous child protection concerns/allegations Social relationships and activities Health - physical, emotional, behavioural and cognitive development
Familiarise yourself with your establishment’s child protection procedures Obtain advice about disciplinary process from your HR officer/provider Treat discussions in confidence and do not share beyond terms agreed by other agencies Do not make enquiries unless agreed by strategy group Inform the chair if you do not understand anything. If you dissent from a decision, have this recorded If dissatisfied with progress of actions, ask for reasons and be prepared to challenge
Safeguarding Unit, The Old House, Monkton Park Winterborne Monkton Dorchester DT2 9PS Tel: 01305 221122 Fax: 01305 251814 Jan 2010