• contents
• keywords & contacts
• quick guide
• values
• contact us
• search
• forms library
• yot procedures

Contents

1. Purpose and Function of Meeting
2. Format for Meeting

1. Purpose and Function of Meeting

A strategy meeting regarding allegations against professionals and carers will need to consider the following inter-related perspectives:

• Issues of child protection
• Any possible criminal investigation that make take place
• Any staff disciplinary process that will be undertaken
• Any complaints processes that are being undertaken

2. Format for Meeting

1. Introductions
2. Purpose of the meeting (as above) and outline allegation - by whom and against whom
3. Details of the professional/carer
   • Name, dob, address, ethnicity, first language
   • How long has s/he been employed
   • Have there been any previous allegations made against the professional/carer
   • Where did s/he work before
   • Is there a current CRB check
   • Where appropriate references taken up before employment
   • Personal circumstances - does s/he have children living with them
   • Is s/he involved in any other organisations involving children
4. Details of child/ren making allegation
   • Name, dob, address, ethnicity, first language
   • Does s/he have any special needs/disability
   • Does s/he have any special needs around communication
   • Who has parental responsibility for the child
   • Legal status of the child
   • Has the child made any previous allegations against a professional/carer
   • Does the child have a history of being untruthful or making up stories (the child's allegation still needs to be considered seriously)
   • Is there anything relevant in the child's history, particularly recent history, that should be considered e.g. a recent decision for the child not to return home to parents
5. Details of the allegation(s) and any investigation that has taken place to  date
   • How did the allegations come to light
   • Who did the child tell and in what context
   • Does the child have any injuries, and if so has the child been medically examined
   • Were there any other adults/children around at the time of the alleged incident
   • Is there a written recording of what the child said completed by the person whom the child told
   • Have any other written statements been completed
   • What has been said to the person against whom the allegations are made
   • What has the child said about what s/he wants to happen
   • Has the professional been suspended
   • If a foster carer, is the child still in placement and are there other children in placement
6. Strategy meeting decisions
   1. Is this to a joint or single agency investigation - ask police for their view
   2. Consider any immediate action that may be needed to protect the child/other children
   3. Consider whether a medical needs to be set up
   4. Make arrangements to inform the child's parents, and consider how to seek their views about the investigation and how to provide support and information during the investigation
   5. Who is going to interview the child, is an ABE interview needed, and should there be any special arrangements made to accommodate the child's needs
   6. Consider the need to interview other members of staff who may have witnessed the incident
   7. Consider the need to interview other children - this may be children who have witnessed the alleged incident or may be children who may have also experienced some harm
   8. Consider, where relevant, which other local authorities should be informed
   9. Consider what action may be required to protect the interests of children whilst enquiries are conducted, including transfer, suspension or removal of staff - seek advice from HR representative
   10. Consider the need for individual support for any workers, including those who are the subject of allegations - again seek advice from HR representative and manager of the service
   11. If relevant, consider possible claims for compensation and alert insurers - seek advice from legal
   12. If a number of staff may have been involved in abuse, or a number of children may have been abused, notify Group Manager for QA, and in his/her absence, PSM for QA.
   13. Agree on management of any anticipated media interest - if media interest is anticipated Assistant Director for Children and Families should be informed
7. Set a date for a further strategy meeting - the review date should be within 1 month of the referral being received and sooner if possible with a view to concluding the enquiry as soon as possible, however it should also give a realistic timescale for the enquiries.
   
   At subsequent strategy meeting, if concerns are confirmed, relevant information must be discussed with the  Local Authority Designated Officer and reported to,  the Independent Safeguarding Authority for inclusion on the Children's Barred List.8.
8. If the S.47 enquiries have been concluded but disciplinary proceedings are to follow, decisions must include the relevant manager informing the QA Unit in writing of the outcome of the proceedings.
9. The child and her/his parents should be informed of the outcome of the investigation.

End