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Contents

1. Introduction
2. Terms of Reference
3. Meeting Arrangements
4. Decision of Accommodation Panel
5. Accommodation Panel Members (Roles and Responsibilities)

1. Introduction

As Knowsley works towards a situation where matching needs to service choice becomes more routinely possible, it is essential that there is a mechanism in place for the allocation of departmental resources. To further this aim Knowsley has developed various Panels as part of a full referral management system designed to make requests for significant services and our ability to meet them both more transparent and manageable.

2. Terms of Reference

The Accommodation Panel's terms of reference and function allow it to be a key reference point in the departments overall quality assurance framework with regard to children. The fortnightly meeting considers all requests for service; which are additional to the normal direct work carried out by social workers within their teams. As a consequence the processes surrounding the meeting ensure that:

• The family and child have been seen, and an assessment has been undertaken;
• Discussion has taken place between the field worker and service providers about the pattern of service, which will best meet the needs;
• A clear picture is available of the priority of the referral and the availability of resource;
• There is joint ownership of resources;
• Understanding of the pressures that each arm of the service has to operate under becomes shared knowledge.

It is also the role of the Panel to evaluate the areas in which clarity is required in Child Care Planning (Assessment Framework) such as: 

• The objective of the plan, for example, to provide and evaluate the efficiency of therapeutic interventions;
• What service will be provided by which professional group or designated agency;
• The purpose of services and professional contact;
• Specific commitments to be met by professional workers, for example, the provision of culturally sensitive services;
• The care afforded to a child.

The Accommodation Panel when identifying service options will consider those which:

1. Meet the child's needs as identified with their Care Assessments and Care Plan;
2. Are suitable;
3. Represent value for money;
4. Are affordable; and
5. Are comparable to provision given to other families with similar needs.

If the Social Worker considers that the child should be accommodated they should discuss this with their CSCM Manager, who will then discuss the situation with the Service Manager. If agreement is reached that the child must be accommodated or in emergency procedures has already been placed, the Social Worker must book the next available space on the Accommodation Panel by sending form C47 and the Care Plan to the administration staff for the Management Team.

3. Meeting Arrangements

The Accommodation Panel meets the second Tuesday of each month in Kirkby Municipal Building. It would assist if the documents could be prepared by the end of the previous week, but information must be presented on Monday morning prior to the Panel. In some cases the Social Worker may feel they would prefer to present the information personally, in which case they must inform admin. they will be present.

Where relevant, it is essential that current reports from other agencies including health or education which form part of the assessment document are available to panel.

It should be remembered that parents always have a copy of the statement of educational needs for their child and this statement should be consulted for all school age children.

It is important that any clinical diagnosis (such as autism) be accompanied by the name of the diagnosing doctor and the date of the diagnosis.

Where an assessment has been completed by health concerning the child's needs, the report on this must form part of the overall assessment presented to panel. It is essential that all current medical treatment is noted and medication referenced.

Where the child in question already receives a service, evidence of consultation with the service provider must be made available.

4. Decisions of Accommodation Panel

Decisions will be made on the day in most cases, but where this is not possible clear time-scales for a decision will be made.

Confirm the decision that a child in need under section 17 of the Children Act 1989 requires to be accommodated by the Department.

Endeavour to provide the most suitable placement i.e. either Residential or Fostering service where a series of short-term placements are in line with the assessed need.

Agree the provision of, or continuation of, high cost externally placements.

Set targets and time-scales, monitor and review these placements

The outcome of the Panel will be recorded on the CF 36 and returned to the respective CSC Manager and Service Manager to file on the child's records. This will normally occur on the same day of the Panel.

5. Accommodation Panel Members (Roles and Responsibilities)

Attendance

All members of the Panel will attend each meeting other than Team Managers who will attend on a rotational basis.

Chairperson - CSC Service Manager

Chair Panel meetings, ensuring the views of all the members are brought to bear on how best to meet the assessed needs as presented by the presenting worker.

Agree the recommendations, proposals and action plans which promote best practice within the resources we have available.

Offer constructive questioning and challenge to the proposed care plan in order to see whether there is a better, or more effective, or more economic way to provide the service, whilst achieving the desired outcome.

CSC Manager 

Contribute to ensuring that processes and compliance issues associated with the implementation of the Assessment Framework are met by presenting social workers.

Provide expertise on the proposed care plan (existing or emerging) that will promote more successful outcomes.

CSCM Team and Foster Team

Contribute to the analysis of the assessment material brought to Panel.

Consider the child’s needs and advise Panel on the current options available.

Advise Panel on the suitable options available and pending in the Fostering Service.

Residential Unit Manager

Contribute to the analysis of the assessment material brought to Panel

Education - Education Support Officer

Ensure that relevant educational information (such as statement of educational needs or educational review information) regarding children discussed is available to panel members

Advise on issues concerning schooling for the child. PEP (if applicable) and actions to take to the school.

Ensure that the CF36 decision sheets are recorded and returned to the social worker. 

Ensure there is an effective information point for booking and agenda planning.

Ensure that notes from the panel meetings are distributed to Divisional Managers.

End