Download - Developing Interagency Child Protection Work: Report of a Cross Agency Audit Dr Pam Green Lister
Developing Interagency Child Protection Work:
Report of a Cross Agency Audit
Dr Pam Green Lister
Historical Context
DOH 1991 Report of Child Abuse Inquiries in 1980s
Butler Sloss 1988 Clyde 1992 DOH 1995 Messages from Research Hammond 2001 Laming 2003 O’ Brien 2003 Scottish Executive 2005 Herbison 2006
Scottish Executive Policy Documents
2001 For Scotland’s Children 2002 It’s Everyone’s Job .. 2003 Getting Our Priorities Right 2004 Protecting Children and Young
People, Charter and Framework
2004 Hidden Harm 2005 Getting it Right for Every Child 2005 Protecting Children and Young People: Child Protection
Committees
The Audit
Aim to analyse the effectiveness of interagency working
at the early stage of the child protection process
Objectives
to identify the features of interagency working where there is concern about a child before child protection procedures may have been invoked
to examine this stage of concern from the perspective of the core agencies involved
to analyse what assists the development of good interagency practice and what inhibits such practice
Methodology
40 children identified by GCCP where cause for concern in timeframe of 1st August to 31st October 2004
10 provided by Social Work, Police, Health and Education
1 child named by 2 agenciesTotal 39 children
Documentary Analysis of agency files
Questionnaires
Interviews
Documentary Analysis
1st Stage Analysis of Referral Documentation
Health : Cause for Concern Referrals Education: Circular 57 Forms Police: Incident Reports and Files Social Work : Care First and Paper Files Total 39
2nd Stage Analysis: Cross referencing of Documentation
Police: 24 Incident Reports and Files Social Work : 38 Care First and 30 Paper Files
Audit Tool
Referring agency Date and nature of referral/ incident Sex, ethnicity, age Alleged perpetrator Referral category Registration
Summary of previous involvement Immediate response to the referral Post referral activity
Questionnaires: Education and Health
Contact with the family prior to the referral
Contact with other agencies prior to the referral
Contact with other agencies with regard to this specific referral
Health : 16 health visitors 17 school nurses
Education: 7 head teachers
Interviews
14 follow up interviews – semi structured
Discussion of the specific case Issues in interagency work with the other three
agencies General interagency issues Intra agency issues What assists interagency work
Social Work ( 5), Police (3) Health (3) Education (3)
Findings: Documentary Analysis
Issues raised from the nature of the files made available
The immediate response by lead investigative agencies
Previous interagency activity
Issues Arising from Agency Files
Social Work The advantages and disadvantages of CareFirst files The recording of opinions and the ‘why’ question The use of research to inform practice Importance of explicit identification of aims,
evidence base, planning and evaluation
Police Detailed recording and monitoring
Health Comprehensive – ‘what’ was done Separate notes for children and parents Importance of explicit identification of aims,
evidence base, planning and evaluation
Factors Affecting Responses: Physical InjurySeeing the child Immediate harm Nature of physical
injury Current or historical
3. Medical Presence / severity
injuries Previous exposure
to examination
2. Joint interview Communication
needs Consistency Adult witness of
abuse Availability of JIT
trained social worker
Availability of police surgeon
Factors Affecting Responses: Sexual Abuse
Seeing the child
Allocated social worker
Receipt other services Current or historical
abuse Nature of allegation Alleged perpetrator
outwith the home
Joint interview
Factors related to seeing the child
Availability of JIT trained Social Worker
Medical examination Factors related to
seeing the child and joint interview
Child accommodated
Factors Affecting Responses: Neglect
Child in immediate danger
Allocated social worker
Accumulation of concerns
Range of agencies providing services
Communication between workers
Different thresholds
Previous Interagency Activity
Currently registered 3 Previously registered 1 Sibling previously registered 1 Currently accommodated 2 Previous CP investigations 5 Previous CP concerns 10 Previous serious CC concerns 7 No/ low level involvement 10
Interviews: Social Workers’ Perspectives
Examples productive relationships all agencies Health Visitors high tariff cases JIT interviews Head teachers regular feedback
Areas of Concern Timescale and JIT led by police Teachers professional responsibility Differing thresholds health visitors Other agencies understanding of social work legal remit Other agencies understanding of role of reception and
duty Attendance at core groups
Legislative timescale leaving children in limbo
Interviews: Police Perspectives
Examples of positive co-working all agencies
Good understanding roles of police and social work JIT training and interviewing Health Visitors untapped resource Head teacher – child communication difficulties
Areas of Concern
Difficulty accessing some social workers Non JIT trained social workers in interviews Some head teachers not understand role in CP
Legislative timescale/ Reporter response
Interviews: Health Visitors’ Perspectives
Examples of positive co-working all agencies Complex child care work with Social Workers Good liaison nursery teachers Well organised professional case conferences
Areas of Concern Difficult initial access to social work Absence of qualified social worker Patchy ongoing communication social work Less preventative work Lack of knowledge health visitor professional
role Lack of statutory powers health visitors
Interviews: Head Teachers’ Perspectives
Examples of positive co-working all agencies Coordinated support asylum seekers Case conferences and core groups Co-work health visitors
Areas of Concern Access to social workers Less preventative work Role of school nurses
Themes from Interviews
Understanding of professional role Communication and accessibility Continuity of contact and feedback Informal and formal agency forums Joint Training Possible co-location
Areas for Consideration
Social Work File organisation and index Rationale for decisions Reception / Duty Services /
Access JIT trained workers Neglect cases Review of files
Areas for Consideration
Police Arrangements for JIT interviews Staffing
Education Reaffirmation of roles and
responsibilities Role of head teachers in joint interview
Areas for Consideration
Health File organisation Explicit rational for activity Evaluation of files Explicit risk assessment Provisions of written report
Areas for Consideration
General Interagency Delays in children hearing system Panel member training Continued interagency training Knowledge all professional roles Co-location Monitoring attendance of core
groups
References
Butler- Sloss, E. (1988). Report of the Inquiry into Child Abuse in Cleveland 1987, presented to the Secretary of State for Social Services by the Right Honourable Lord Butler Sloss DBE. London: HMSO.
Clyde, Lord (1992). Report of the Inquiry into the Removal of Children from Orkney February 1991. London: HMSO.
Department of Health (1991). Child Abuse. A Study of Inquiry Reports 1980-1989. London: HMSO.
Department of Health (1995). Child Protection: Messages from Research. London: HMSO
References
Hammond, H. (2001). Child Protection Inquiry into the Circumstances Surrounding the Death of Kennedy McFarlane. Commissioned by Dumfries and Galloway Child Protection Committee.
Herbison, J. (2006). Danielle Reid Independent Review into the Circumstances Surrounding Her Death
Scottish Executive (2001). For Scotland’s Children. Edinburgh: Scottish Executive
Laming, Lord (2003). The Victoria Climbie Inquiry. Report of an Inquiry by Lord Laming. The Stationery Office: London
O’ Brien S. QC (2003). Report of the Caleb Ness Inquiry Commissioned by the Edinburgh and Lothians’ Child Protection Committee.
Scottish Executive (2002). It’s Everyone’s Job to Make Sure I’m Alright. Edinburgh: Scottish Executive
References
Scottish Executive (2003). Getting our Priorities Right-Good Practice Guidance for Working with Children and Families affected by Substance Misuse. Edinburgh: Scottish Executive.
Scottish Executive (2004a). Protecting Children and Young People: the Charter. Edinburgh: Scottish Executive.
Scottish Executive (2004b). Protecting Children and Young People :The Framework for Standards. Edinburgh: Scottish Executive.
Scottish Executive (2004c). Hidden Harm. Edinburgh: Scottish Executive.