1.2.11 Transfer Policy |
Contents
Part 1 Transfer of Cases Between Knowsley Borough Council Children's Social Care Teams
1. Team Criteria
All teams within Knowsley Borough Council's Children's Services have the overall aim of providing quality services for children and young people that meet their assessed needs in a timely way. However different teams perform different functions within the framework of Children's Services and it is important to understand the different criteria of the teams in order to effectively manage the movement of work between them.
Standby Services
Duration of involvement: Emergency only
The Knowsley Standby Service consists of Knowsley Borough Council Children's Services staff working on a rota basis to provide an out of hours emergency service. The team will respond to new cases or emergencies that arise on known cases out of hours, in conjunction with other emergency agencies, and will then pass the case either to the responsible worker or to the relevant assessment team when day services resume operation. The Standby Service involvement ceases at this point.
Assessment Teams
Duration of Involvement: 1 - 10 weeks
The area assessment teams complete Initial Assessments and Core Assessments (See Initial Assessments Procedure and Core Assessments Procedure) on new cases, and take any actions that may result from that assessment:
- Section 47 enquiries (see SCB Procedures Section 4.6, Section 47 Procedures);
- Child Protection Conference if indicated (see SCP Procedures Section 4.10, The Initial Child Protection Conference);
- Accommodate child (See Decision to Look After and Post Placement Arrangements Procedure);
- Initiate legal proceedings;
- Initiate specialist assessments;
- Put in place services to meet assessed needs.
If the assessment concludes the child and family has Level 4 Needs within Knowsley's Family Support Framework, they develop a Plan to meet the assessed needs of the child working closely with partner agencies, which may be a Child in Need, Child Protection or a Child Care Plan. The Assessment Teams' involvement concludes at this point.
If the assessment concludes there are needs at Level 3 or below within the Family Support Framework, they will develop a plan to meet the identified need and:
- Transfer the case to the Family Support Service or an appropriate Social Work Team for ongoing support;
- Refer the case for completion of a CAF if one has not already been completed or to the Lead Professional if a Team Around The Child already exists for ongoing support;
- Signpost to relevant services in the community.
If the assessment concludes there are no continuing needs, the case will be closed.
Safeguarding Teams
Duration of involvement: Up to 2 years
The Safeguarding Teams implement Child in Need and Child Protection Plans and Child Care Plans for those Children Looked After who will be returning to family or living under some legal order within the community.
They also undertake the development of Permanence Plans for:
- Children in care proceedings where the Permanence Plan has not been identified at an early stage and manage the case up to the point a Care Order is obtained;
- Children accommodated under Section 20 and manage the case until the Permanence Plan is agreed - normally at the second statutory review.
Child in Need
Child in Need Plans will be time limited and outcome focused. Every review of the case should consider not only whether the objectives of the Child in Need Plan are being achieved but also whether the needs of the child/ren would be better met within an alternative Plan such as a Child Protection Plan or a Child Care Plan. If the outcomes are not achieved within a maximum period of 6 months, the Child in Need Plan will be reviewed by the Service Manager in supervision with the Children's Social Care Manager to consider the appropriateness of the Plan. See Child in Need Plans and Reviews Procedure.
Child Protection
Child Protection Plans (see SCB Procedures Section 4.14, The Outline Child Protection Plan B) will be time limited and outcome focused. If the outcomes are not achieved within 12 months, each review of the case after a 12 month period will consider whether the needs of the child/ren can be met at home or whether the child/ren should be accommodated. Any Child Protection Plan continuing at 18 months will be reviewed by the Service Manager to consider the appropriateness of the Plan.
Child Looked After
The Safeguarding Team will keep children looked after cases if:
- The child is returning home in which circumstance the case will revert to Child in Need status if the child was accommodated under Section 20 and the criteria for Child in Need cases will apply or the case may be closed, or will be supervised under the Placement of Children with Parents etc. Regulations 1991if the child is subject of an Interim or full Sec 31 Care Order;
- There is a plan for special guardianship/residence order with a family member in which circumstance the case will revert to Child in Need status following the making of the order and the criteria for Child in Need cases will apply or the case may be closed. There should be discussions and agreements with the Adoption Team with regard to the provision of a post - Special Guardianship support plan.
Placement with Parent cases will be time limited. By the time of the third statutory review after the child has returned home (12 months), a decision should be made as to whether the placement is successful in which case application should be made for discharge of the Order with clear timescales, or if not successful, whether the Contingency Plan for Permanence should be implemented. If the Contingency Plan is to be looked after away from home by the local authority on a permanent basis, the Safeguarding Team's involvement would cease on transfer of the case to the Children Looked After Team.
All other Children Looked After cases will transfer to the Children Looked After Team when:
- A full Care Order is obtained for those cases in Care Proceedings where the final Plan for the child is for permanent care by the local authority or adoption;
- A Plan for Permanence ( See Permanence for Children Looked After Guidance) is established for those children accommodated under Section 20 and that plan is for permanent care by the local authority or adoption.
Children Looked After Team
Duration of involvement: Until child is 14 years of age
The Children Looked After Team is responsible for children looked after subject to a Plan for permanent care or adoption under the age of 14 years. This criteria excludes looked after children with a disability who will remain the responsibility of the Children With Disabilities Team.
The Children Looked After Team will:
- Complete care proceedings on those cases transferred directly from the Assessment Team with a plan for permanence;
- Complete adoption procedures in respect of children with a plan for Adoption;
- Undertake statutory responsibilities in respect of looked after children;
- Promote good outcomes for looked after children working closely with partner agencies.
Young People's Team
Duration of Involvement: From 14 - 24 years of age
The Young People's Team is responsible for children looked after subject to a Plan for permanent care over the age of 14 years. This criteria excludes looked after children with a disability who will remain the responsibility of the Children With Disabilities Team until such a point that eligibility for Care Leaver Support input from the Young People's Team is negotiated between the relevant Children's Social Care Managers.
The Young People's Team will:
- Undertake statutory responsibilities in respect of looked after children;
- Promote good outcomes for looked after children working closely with partner agencies.
Children with Disabilities Team
Duration of Involvement: From 0 - 19 years
The Children with Disabilities Team is responsible for assessments in respect of children with disabilities 0-18 years whose daily lives are substantially impaired by one or more of the following:
- A hearing impairment;
- A visual impairment;
- A learning disability defined in an Education Statement;
- A physical disability;
- A chronic/life threatening or life limiting physical illness;
- A communication disorder (including autism);
- A consciousness disorder (e.g. epilepsy).
Substantial impairment is defined as lasting, or likely to last, more than 6 months.
Provision of services for children with disabilities is made by the Children with Disabilities Team at Level 4 of Knowsley's Family Support Framework. The Children with Disabilities Team therefore provides services for children and young people with:
- Severe learning difficulties;
- Multiple or severe disability;
- Life limiting illness;
- Complex physical disability.
All referrals in respect of children with disabilities will be passed to the Children with Disabilities Team for assessment, and the development and implementation of relevant Plans. These Plans include Child Protection and Child Care Plans as well as plans for Children in Need.
The Children with Disabilities Team will maintain responsibility for the full range of needs of children with disability, including children in need of protection and looked after children for the duration of their involvement with Children's Services or until agreement is reached for transfer of careleavers with disabilities to the Young People's Team.
Family Support Centres
Duration Of Involvement: 0 - 6 months. Longer term involvement may continue beyond 6 months subject to Service Manager review.
The Family Support Centres provide specialist targeted support services to referred children and families for an initial period of 3 months. On review this may be extended for a further period of up to 3 months. Any involvement continuing at 6 months must be reviewed by the Service Manager to consider the appropriateness of the continuing Family Support Service involvement and whether the needs of the child/ren and family should be re-assessed by the relevant Assessment Team.
2. Transfer of Cases from the Standby Service
If the Standby Service receives information or has involvement with a case open to an allocated worker on one of the social work teams, a contact will be recorded and a standby log/case notes created which will be sent the following day to
- The allocated worker's work tray;
- The relevant manager's work tray;
- The EDT/duty in tray.
If the Standby Service receives information or has involvement with a case that has been closed during the previous 4 weeks, a contact will be recorded and a standby log/case note created which will be sent to the relevant Children's Social Care Manager (CSCM) who will decide whether re-allocation on the team is required or whether the case should remain closed.
In respect of other referrals/information the following actions will be undertaken:
| Type of Involvement | Action | Swift/ICS |
| New referral received by Standby Service on which no action has been taken |
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| Referral received by Standby Service and Initial Assessment started but not completed |
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| Referral received by Standby Service and Initial Assessment completed |
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| Sec 47 referral received by Standby Service but enquiry not progressed |
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| Sec 47 referral received by Standby Service and enquiry completed |
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| Child accommodated by Standby Service |
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If any information/actions are passed to the Standby Service, the Standby Service must be provided with all relevant paperwork and an observation placed on Swift/ICS to record the transfer of information/responsibility for the action.
3. Transfer of Referrals from the Duty Point
The criteria for accepting Contact information are that the information must as a minimum relate to the needs of a specific child at levels 2 to 4 of the Knowsley model of children in need. See Contacts and Referrals Procedure.
All initial contacts during normal working hours to Children's Social Care in respect of children and young people either previously known to Children's Social Care and subsequently closed, or not previously known, will be routed through the Duty Point.
Any referrals from professionals should be on the basis of a completed CAF, unless there are safeguarding concerns in which case a direct referral may be made without first completing a CAF. Professionals making an initial contact where a CAF has not been completed, and where there are no presenting safeguarding concerns, should be advised to seek professional advice within their own agency about first completing a CAF assessment and putting in place a Team Around the Child to meet the child and family's assessed needs.
The Duty Officer will receive initial contacts and:
- Search Protocol to check if the case is known or currently open. If the case is already open, the Duty Officer should record new information as a Contact if it appears likely to lead to a reassessment of the child's needs e.g. an allegation of abuse, or a request for the child to be accommodated and should then alert the allocated worker and/or manager for them to respond to the Contact;
- If not known, record the initial contact and the time of the contact and all the basic information relating to the child, young person and their family;
- Screen initial contacts to make a decision about whether to accept the contact as a referral. The decision about whether to progress to a referral must be made by the Duty Manager. Knowsley's threshold criteria will be applied in making this decision with only contacts at Level 3 or 4 being accepted as referrals. The Duty Manager may consult with the CAF Manager about those contacts not progressed to a referral to consider;
- Signpost to relevant services in the community for those contacts that do not meet the threshold for acceptance as a Children's Social Care referral;
- Complete further background and agency enquiries on child protection referrals.
Following completion of the referral, the referral will be submitted to the Duty Manager who will:
- Scrutinise the referral to ensure all necessary information has been obtained and actions undertaken;
- Authorise the referral;
- Transfer the referral to the relevant Assessment Team or Children With Disabilities CSCM for allocation.
The Duty Manager's decision and actions in respect of the referral must be completed within 24 hours of receipt of the referral.
The relevant Assessment Team will be determined by the home address of the child.
Referrals in respect of Children with Disabilities should be forwarded direct to the Children with Disabilities Team Manager.
If any cases require immediate action and transfer, the Duty Manager will make direct contact with the relevant Assessment Team Manager to effect speedy transfer and allocation.
It is the responsibility of the Assessment Teams to draw up and maintain a duty rota for response to urgent referrals and to provide a copy of the rota to the Duty Point. In the absence of the relevant Assessment Team CSCM, the Duty Manager will allocate the referral for action using these duty rotas.
Responsibility for the Duty Point Rota and resolution of any difficulties in respect of it lies with the Assessment Team Manager South.
If a contact is received on a new child in a family where there is already social work involvement e.g. a new child is born to the family or a new child joins the family, the contact should be recorded, progressed to a referral, and the referral transferred to the responsible team manager.
A standard letter acknowledging receipt of the information that has formed the content of the Contact/Referral should be produced from the Forms tab on Protocol and sent to the referrer signed by the Duty Team. For those contacts/referrals closed within 24 hours, this letter should also include the outcome of the referral.
4. General Principles for Transfer of Cases
All documentation on case files and ICS, identified in the Documentation Checklist, and all recording, should be fully up to date when a case is transferred with the file audited (as identified in the File Audit Documents Procedure and signed by the Children's Social Care Manager.
All cases should have a completed ICS Transfer Form, which includes clear information about tasks to be undertaken, contact and financial arrangements, dates of meetings arranged, court dates, the last statutory visit undertaken and details of any associated cases.
Each transferred case will have:
- A completed assessment;
- A transfer summary;
- An up to date chronology;
- A genogram;
- Other relevant paperwork e.g. LAC documentation, Sec 47 enquiry documentation.
A discussion should take place between the relevant Children's Social Care Managers to agree the transfer of case responsibility and the date of transfer.
For all transfers except those from the Standby Service and the Duty Point, a multi-agency Planning Meeting should be held to plan the arrangements for transfer of cases between teams. This planning may be included in a Core Group Meeting, CLA Review or Child in Need Review where appropriate.
The child/family and relevant agencies should be informed in writing of the change in social worker when a case is transferred.
Introductory joint visits of the existing and new worker to the child and family should take place.
The transfer of cases should not be delayed by dispute over the appropriateness of the transfer. Where the transferring and receiving Managers do not agree on the case transfer or the proposed plan for the child/young person, a meeting between them must be arranged within 5 working days. Any disputed issues that cannot be resolved between the relevant Children's Social Care Managers must be speedily referred to the relevant Service Managers who will then review the assessment and associated documentation and make a decision about the transfer of the case. Where the Service Managers are unable to reach a decision, the matter will be referred to the Children's Services Manager within 2 days of the meeting the CSCM for final resolution.
5. Transfer of Cases from the Assessment Team
The Assessment Teams will complete an initial assessment on all allocated referrals within 7 working days of the referral. The CSCM will scrutinise the assessment and make a decision about what further action, if any, will be taken on the referral. The decision will be recorded on the Initial Assessment.
Further action may be:
- Provision of services based on initial assessment;
- Completion of a Core Assessment for Child in Need within 35 working days of completion of the initial assessment;
- Completion of a Core Assessment within a Section 47 Enquiry;
- Completion of a Core Assessment in respect of a looked after child;
- Initiation of care proceedings;
- No further action.
The Assessment Team's responsibility for the case will conclude when:
- The case is closed;
- The case is signposted to services in the community and closed;
- The case is transferred to the relevant Family Support Centre for ongoing support;
- A Child in Need, Child Protection or Child Care Plan has been developed based on the core assessment and arrangements have been made for transfer of the case for implementation of the Plan to the relevant Children's Services team.
No case will be transferred from the Assessment Teams without the completion of an initial/core assessment and a Plan being put in place for the provision of services to meet the assessed needs.
It is essential that cases are transferred speedily from the Assessment Teams to ensure ongoing capacity for assessment. If any dispute arises in respect of a case transfer the dispute resolution process outlined in 4.8 must be immediately implemented.
5.1 Transfer to the Family Support Centres
If the initial assessment concludes that the child and/or family has low level needs that require ongoing intervention by Social Care Services but that the needs are not of such complexity as to require a core assessment and intervention by a qualified social worker, the assessing social worker will complete a Child in Need Plan detailing the nature of any services required and the outcomes to be achieved, where these services will be provided and the timescales applying to the service to be provided.
The assessing social worker should contact the relevant Family Support Centre to alert them to the proposed transfer. The Family Support Centre Manager will then consider the assessment and Plan on ICS to decide whether the case is appropriate for Family Support Centre involvement.
Once accepted by the Family Support Centre, the Child in Need Plan developed from an initial assessment will be allocated to the appropriate support worker.
| Type of Involvement | Action | Swift/ICS |
| Family Centre to provide ongoing support |
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5.2 Transfer to the Safeguarding Teams
Child in Need Cases
The Assessment Teams will transfer complex child in need cases to the Safeguarding Teams following the completion of a core assessment and the development of a Child in Need Plan.
The relevant Safeguarding Team will be determined by the home address of the child.
The Assessment Team CSCM will ensure the case is ready for transfer by auditing the case file and records and will contact the relevant Safeguarding CSCM to inform them that a case is to be transferred. The Assessment Team CSCM will provide sufficient detail for the Safeguarding CSCM to make an allocation decision. Such detail will include:
- Name and address of child;
- Type of case;
- Plan/Required actions.
The Safeguarding CSCM will interrogate the records on ICS and identify a social worker to whom the case will be allocated. The Safeguarding CSCM will inform the Assessment Team CSCM of the name of the social worker.
Arrangements should be made between the two managers about the timing and process of the case transfer.
The Assessment Team social worker will prepare the case for transfer complying with the requirements set out in Section 4, General Principles for Transfer of Cases.
The Transfer Summary must be authorised by the Assessment Team CSCM.
Child Protection Cases
The Assessment Teams will undertake Section 47 enquiries on new referrals. If concerns are substantiated and require the continuation of safeguarding procedures, the Assessment Teams will be responsible for undertaking all actions up to the first Core Group. The case will be transferred at the first Core Group. (Assessment team will finalise all documents, including Child Protection Plan, after core group within 5 days. The receiving Safeguarding team will take case responsibility from date of core group).
If concerns are not substantiated, any subsequent case transfer will be effected following the relevant transfer procedure.
The Assessment Team CSCM will contact the relevant Safeguarding CSCM on the day the Initial Case Conference is booked to inform them that a case is to be transferred and provide sufficient detail for the Safeguarding CSCM to make an allocation decision. Such detail will include:
- Name and address of child;
- Type of case;
- Plan/Required actions.
The Safeguarding CSCM will interrogate the records on ICS and identify a social worker to whom the case will be allocated. The Safeguarding CSCM will then inform the Assessment Team CSCM of the name of the social worker.
A Planning Meeting should be held to plan the transfer of the case between the teams.
The Safeguarding Team Manager and the allocated social worker will be invited to the Initial Case Conference and will be provided with all reports at least 3 days prior to the Conference. They will contribute to the formulation of any Child Protection Plan and will assume case responsibility immediately following the first core group.
The Assessment Team social worker is responsible for completion of the core assessment. It is expected that this will be within 5 days of first core group. The CSCM will audit file prior to transfer and ensure core group minutes are included, finalise case note and record file audit as case note.
The Assessment Team social worker will prepare the case for transfer complying with the requirements set out in Section 4, General Principles for Transfer of Cases.
The prepared file and documents must be audited by the Assessment Team CSCM prior to transfer to ensure all documentation and records are complete and up to date. The Transfer Summary must be authorised by the Assessment Team CSCM following completion of the audit.
Children Looked After Cases
The Assessment Teams will keep children looked after cases until the first Interim Care Order for those cases in care proceedings and until the first statutory review when a Care Plan is established for those children who are accommodated under Section 20 Children Act 1989. Completion of a core assessment on a Looked After case is the responsibility of the allocated social worker. Conversation should be held between the relevant CSCM's if timescales become an issue.
Children looked after cases will transfer to the relevant Safeguarding Team if :
- The Care Plan agreed by Children's Social Care is a community focused option i.e. rehabilitation, time-limited care placement, special guardianship or residence order with family members; or
- If further assessment is required to determine the Plan for the child; or
- If the courts make a decision to place a child at home with parents on an Interim Care Order.
The Assessment Team CSCM will contact the relevant Safeguarding CSCM when:
- The date of the first statutory review is known;
- Care proceedings are initiated;
- to inform them that a case is to be transferred and provide sufficient detail for the Safeguarding CSCM to make an allocation decision. Such detail will include:
- Name and address of child;
- Type of case;
- Plan/Required actions.
The Safeguarding CSCM will interrogate the records on ICS and identify a social worker to whom the case will be allocated. The Safeguarding CSCM will inform the Assessment Team CSCM of the name of the social worker.
A Planning Meeting should be held to plan the transfer of the case between the teams and the case should then be transferred within 10 days of the first Interim Care Order being made or immediately following the first review.
The Safeguarding CSCM and the allocated social worker should be invited to the first review/initial hearing.
The Assessment Team social worker will prepare the case for transfer complying with the requirements set out in Section 3, Transfer of Referrals from the Duty Point.
The prepared file and documents must be audited by the Assessment Team CSCM prior to transfer to ensure all documentation and records are complete and up to date. The Transfer Summary must be authorised by the Assessment Team CSCM following completion of the audit.
| Type of Involvement | Action | Swift/ICS |
| Transfer of Child in Need Case to Safeguarding Team |
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| Transfer of Child Protection Case to Safeguarding Team |
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| Transfer of Child Care case to Safeguarding Team |
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5.3 Transfer to the Children Looked After Team
Children looked after will transfer direct to the Children Looked After Team if the Care Plan agreed by Children's Social Care is for:
- Permanent care by the local authority;
- Adoption.
Procedures as set out in Section 5, Transfer to Safeguarding Teams (Children Looked After Cases) should be followed.
| Type of Involvement | Action | Swift/ICS |
| Transfer direct to CLA Team |
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5.4 Transfer of Relinquished Babies to Adoption Team
Initial involvement with a parent who expresses a wish to relinquish their child for adoption will be with the Assessment Team for completion of an initial and core assessment; this should be undertaken in partnership with the Adoption Team.
The initial involvement and assessment will focus on:
- The needs of the child. The child may have additional needs or present challenges that the birth parent feels unable to meet either because of their own circumstances/emotional state or because of their worries about being able to cope long term with responsibility for a child;
- The needs of the parent. The parent may have their own difficult circumstances to overcome that they feel prevent them from parenting;
- The social context of the parent and child. There may be environmental or social network factors that the parent feels unable to overcome at that time.
If the decision is made to proceed with relinquishing the child after full consideration of all possible alternative options, the case will be transferred for allocation to a worker from the Adoption Service following signed consent being given to adoption which can only be given after the baby is 6 weeks old. The Adoption Service will then undertake all actions required in respect of the adoption.
6.
Transfer of Cases from the Safeguarding Teams
6.1 Transfer to Children Looked After Team
The Safeguarding Team CSCM will contact the CLA Team CSCM:
- One month before the date of the second statutory review, or the date of the statutory review at which the Plan for Permanence will be confirmed for those children accommodated under Section 20; or
- One month before the date of the final hearing in Care proceedings to inform them that a case is to be transferred and provide sufficient detail for the CLA Team CSCM to make an allocation decision. Such detail will include:
- Name and address of child;
- Type of case;
- Plan/Required actions.
The CLA CSCM will interrogate the records on ICS and identify a social worker to whom the case will be allocated. The CLA CSCM will inform the Safeguarding Team CSCM of the name of the social worker.
A Planning Meeting should be held to plan the transfer of the case between the teams and the case should then be transferred within 10 days of the making of the final Care Order or immediately following the review at which the Plan for Permanence is confirmed.
If the Permanence Plan is adoption the CLA Team social worker will complete the Child's Permanence Report to be presented to the Adoption Panel within 2 months of the statutory review or the final hearing.
The CLA Team CSCM and the allocated social worker should be invited to the statutory review/final hearing.
The Safeguarding Team social worker will prepare the case for transfer complying with the requirements set out in Section 4, General Principles for Transfer of Cases
The prepared file and documents must be audited by the Safeguarding Team CSCM prior to transfer to ensure all documentation and records are complete and up to date. The Transfer Summary must be authorised by the Safeguarding Team CSCM following completion of the audit.
| Type of Involvement | Action | Swift/ICS |
| Transfer to CLA Team |
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| Family Centre to provide ongoing support |
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6.2 Transfer to Family Support Centres
To support the re-alignment of Children’s Social Care services into a specialist service model a transfer policy/procedure was developed and is now included in the operational procedures. The principals of which are as follows;
All cases should have a completed ICS Transfer Form, which includes clear information about tasks to be undertaken, contact and financial arrangements, dates of meetings arranged, court dates, the last statutory visit undertaken and details of any associated cases.
Each transferred case will have:
- A completed assessment;
- A transfer summary;
- An up to date chronology;
- A genogram;
- Other relevant paperwork e.g. LAC documentation, Sec 47 enquiry documentation.
A discussion should take place between the relevant Children's Social Care Managers to agree the transfer of case responsibility and the date of transfer.
The same principals apply with regard to the transfer/request for services from the Family Support Service (family centres).
Where there is ongoing involvement from a Social Work team, the responsibility for monitoring and review of the child’s CIN/CLA/Child Protection Plan lies with the allocated Social Worker and their Manager.
- With regard to ongoing review/monitoring of Children in need cases where there is no allocated Social Worker, the principals to which the 3 Family Centres work are as follows;
- Family Support Services Manager/Senior review cases; record decisions/discussion within ICS;
- Children in Need Placements are chaired by Family Support Services Manager/Senior;
- On closure, all Children in Need cases are discussed between the Family Support Services and the area based Children’s Social Care Manager who had referred the child(ren) for a service. The decision to cease Children’s Social Care involvement is then made together and recorded in the child’s ICS record.
Whilst it expected there will be regular discussions between the Family Support Services and Children’s Social Care Managers. The Family Support Services Manager is to attend the weekly transfer meetings between the Children’s Social Care Manager for assessment & referral and safeguarding teams this will afford Family Support Services to access advice/support to discuss any concerns in relation to a child’s welfare who is receiving a service from the Family Support Service and who does not have an allocated Social Worker; agree the allocation of a social worker as appropriate.
7. Transfer of Cases from the Safeguarding and Children Looked After Team to the Young People's Team
Cases will transfer from the Safeguarding Teams to the Young People's Team:
- For those children accommodated under Sec 20, at the point of the second statutory review where there is no agreed plan for the child to return home for all children aged over 14 years;
- Within 10 days of the making of the final Care Order for all children aged over 14 years.
Cases will normally transfer to the Young People's Team from the CLA Team at the statutory review following the young person's 14th birthday. Where there is an identified need and capacity for a more gradual transfer process, the Young People's Team worker will co-work the case with the CLA Team worker.
The relevant CSCM will contact the YPT CSCM:
- One month before the date of the relevant statutory review;
- One month before the date of the final hearing in Care proceedings to inform them that a case is to be transferred and provide sufficient detail for the YPT CSCM to make an allocation decision. Such detail will include:
- Name and address of child;
- Type of case;
- Plan/Required actions.
The YPT CSCM will interrogate the records on ICS and identify a social worker to whom the case will be allocated. The YPT CSCM will inform the relevant Team CSCM of the name of the social worker.
A Planning Meeting should be held to plan the transfer of the case between the teams and the case should then be transferred within 10 days of the making of the final Care Order or immediately following the statutory review.
The YPT CSCM and the allocated social worker should be invited to the statutory review/final hearing.
The relevant social worker will prepare the case for transfer complying with the requirements set out in Section 4, General Principles for Transfer of Cases.
The prepared file and documents must be audited by the relevant CSCM prior to transfer to ensure all documentation and records are complete and up to date. The Transfer Summary must be authorised by the CSCM following completion of the audit.
If in care proceedings, case would remain with safeguarding team until plan for permanence completed. Age is not definitive factor in these circumstances.
| Type of Involvement | Action | Swift/ICS |
| Transfer of Child Care Case from Safeguarding Team to YPT Team |
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| Transfer of Child Care Case from CLA Team to YPT Team |
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8. Transfer of Children with Disabilities
For young people where disability is a significant factor, case responsibility will rest with the Children with Disabilities Team from the point of initial assessment and throughout their involvement with the Directorate. This includes children subject to a Child Protection Plan and Children Looked After. The point where they become eligible for Care Leaver Support input or transfer to the Young People's Team will be negotiated between the relevant CSCMs.
If an assessment completed by the Children with Disabilities Team concludes the child's level of disability does not meet the criteria for provision of service within the Children with Disabilities Team but the child has continuing needs that require provision of services within a Child in Need, Child Protection or Child Care Plan, the case will be transferred to the relevant team or Family Support Centre following the procedure as for Assessment Teams.
9. Transfer of Cases from the Children Looked After Team to the Safeguarding Teams
Supervision Orders
If a supervision order is made at the conclusion of care proceedings for which the CLA Team is responsible, the case should be transferred from the CLA Team to the Safeguarding Team for implementation of the supervision order and provision of ongoing support in accordance with the procedures for a Child In Need.
The process for the case transfer/allocation of a Safeguarding Team social worker to implement the supervision order is:
- The CLA CSCM will contact the relevant Safeguarding CSCM to inform them the supervision order has been made;
- The Safeguarding CSCM will identify a social worker from the Safeguarding Team to whom the case will be allocated;
- All the procedures outlined in Section 4 will be completed.
Children returning home on a Care Order
If a child on a Care Order who has been under the supervision of the CLA Team is returned home under a planned rehabilitation, the CLA Team will maintain responsibility for supervision of the placement and either the implementation of the Contingency Plan or the discharge of the Care Order. The case will not be transferred to the Safeguarding Team.
Sec 20 Children Returning Home
If a child has been returned to live at home permanently following a period in care for which the CLA Team has been responsible, is not subject to a Care Order and there is a plan for ongoing support of the child and family by Children's Social Care, the CLA Team social worker should develop a Child in Need Plan and the case should be transferred from the CLA Team to the relevant Safeguarding Team for implementation of a Child in Need Plan if the level of need is of such complexity as to require allocation of a qualified social worker following the procedures set out in Section 4, General Principles for Transfer of Cases, or to the Family Support Centre where lower level support needs have been identified within the Child in Need Plan following the procedures set out in Section 5.2, Transfer to Safeguarding Teams.
10. Transfer of Cases from the Children Looked After Team, Young People's Team and Safeguarding Team to the Adoption Team
Adoption Orders
Some cases will require ongoing annual review when all other social work involvement has ceased. These cases include children/young people subject to Adoption Orders and in receipt of financial and other support services.
When an Adoption Order is made on a case being managed by the CLA, YPT or Safeguarding Teams with ongoing provision of financial and other support services which are subject to annual review but no other Children's Social Care involvement is required, the case should be closed by the responsible team following the requirements set out in 'Child in Care' (Part 3 Section 1, Closures).
The closure summary should indicate the need for annual review of an Adoption Order Allowance and other Support Services.
The closed case should be passed to the Adoption CSCM who will ensure the inclusion of the case in the administrative system established for generating review of Adoption Order Allowance and other Support Services.
The annual reviews will be triggered and undertaken administratively within the Adoption Team. Any referrals generated on such cases will be allocated and assessed within the Assessment Teams.
11. Transfer of Cases from the Children Looked After Team, Young People's Team and Safeguarding Team to the Fostering Team
Some cases will require ongoing annual review when all other social work involvement has ceased. These cases include children/young people subject to Residence Orders and Special Guardianship Orders and in receipt of financial and other support services.
When a Residence Order or Special Guardianship Order is made on a case being managed by the CLA, YPT or Safeguarding Teams with ongoing provision of financial and other support services which are subject to annual review but no other Children's Social Care involvement is required, the case would be passed on to the relevant teams as detailed below.
The closure summary should indicate the need for annual review of a Residence Order Allowance or Special Guardianship Allowance and other Support Services.
The closed case should be passed to the Fostering CSCM who will ensure the inclusion of the case in the administrative system established for generating review of Residence Order Allowance or Special Guardianship Allowance and other Support Services.
The annual reviews will be triggered administratively within the Fostering Team and will be undertaken by means of a home visit, by the fostering team for Residence Orders and by the Adoption Team for Special Guardianship.
Any referrals generated on such cases will be allocated and assessed within the Assessment Teams by the fostering team for Residence Orders and by the Adoption Team for Special Guardianship.
Part 2
Transfer of Cases Between Local Authorities
1. Children Not Subject to a Child Protection Plan
Where a child known to Children's Social Care and causing concern moves to another local authority area, the responsible social worker should telephone the receiving local authority with all relevant details and specify whether there is a need for immediate action based on risk of significant harm.
This telephone referral must be followed up in writing within two working days and the receiving authority must acknowledge receipt of the referral in writing indicating their intended response.
The telephone referral and the subsequent written confirmation should be recorded on the child's case file detailing all the information/reports supplied to the receiving authority.
In the event of any disagreement over responsibility between the two local authorities, the matter should be referred through the social worker's line management until resolution is reached.
2. Children Subject to a Child Protection Plan
Where it is known that a child subject to a Child Protection Plan is to move or has moved to another authority whether on a temporary or permanent basis, the key worker must notify the receiving authority by telephone immediately and at the same time Knowsley Quality Assurance Unit must notify the Safeguarding Unit in the receiving authority. Both telephone referrals must be followed up in writing within two working days and include copies of all conference and review reports.
The telephone referral and the subsequent written confirmation should be recorded on the child's case file detailing all the information/reports supplied to the receiving authority.
The receiving authority should immediately record the child's name on their list of children subject to a child protection plan. The child will remain on Knowsley's list of children subject to a child protection plan and will remain an open case until a transfer conference in the receiving authority has confirmed their acceptance of full responsibility for the case. The Knowsley social worker should attend the transfer conference and notes of the conference should be sent to Knowsley's Quality Assurance Unit.
At the outset, agreement should be reached between the two Children's Directorates about who will be responsible for the case pending the transfer conference and these arrangements should be confirmed in writing by the receiving authority within two working days and recorded on the child's case file. Where a formal transfer of responsibility is being requested the transfer conference should be convened within 15 working days.
In the event of any disagreement over responsibility between the two local authorities, the matter should be referred through the social worker's line management until resolution is reached.
NB: Regardless of any disagreement between local authorities the local authority where the child is living, whether temporarily or permanently, is ultimately responsible for any immediate action required where there is a risk of significant harm. However, it should be noted that until transfer via a Child Protection Conference, for those children moving from Knowsley, Knowsley Council is responsible for their Child Protection Plan.
3. Child in Care
A child in the care of Knowsley Borough Council will always be the financial and legal responsibility of Knowsley Borough Council.
If a child in care moves to live with carers in another local authority area, that local authority must be notified of the child's placement in their area by sending the authority a notification document. The sending of this document is co-ordinated by Knowsley Quality Assurance Unit.
If the geographical location of the child facilitates continuing supervision and support of the placement by Knowsley Borough Council, Knowsley Children's Social Care will continue social work involvement with the child.
If however, the geographical location makes continuing supervision and support of the placement by Knowsley Borough Council difficult to sustain, the local authority where the child is living may be requested to undertake management of the case on behalf of Knowsley Borough Council.
There is no obligation on a council to undertake such responsibilities on behalf of another council and charges may be applied.
If such an arrangement is made Knowsley Borough Council will maintain involvement by having a named contact for the child who will
- Make any necessary management decisions;
- Liaise with the local authority as required;
- Receive and monitor regular reports from the local authority;
- Attend statutory reviews as required.
Part 3 Closures and Cases Awaiting Allocation
1. Closures
Contacts and Referrals
Only contacts and referrals where the manager's decision is No Further Action will be closed at the contact/referral stage. Actions to complete the closure will take place within 24 hours of receipt of the referral.
A standard letter acknowledging receipt of the information that has formed the content of the Contact/Referral and the outcome of the Contact/Referral should be produced from the Forms tab on Protocol and sent to the referrer.
All other referrals will proceed to an initial assessment.
Assessments
The Initial Assessment should be completed within 7 working days of the date of the referral and the completed Initial Assessment Document submitted to the Assessment Team CSCM for authorisation.
The CSCM must authorise the assessment. Before agreeing an outcome of No Further Action, the CSCM must first ensure that:
- The child and the child's carer have been seen and spoken to;
- The dates and interviews are recorded;
- The child's future welfare is promoted or safeguarded through ongoing support by other providers or family. This ongoing support may be co-ordinated through TAC.
NB Laming Requirement: No assessment involving a vulnerable child or a child subject of allegations of deliberate harm will be closed until:
- The child has been seen and spoken to alone;
- The child's carer has been seen and spoken to;
- The accommodation in which the child lives has been visited;
- The views of all the professionals involved have been sought and considered;
- The arrangements for the ongoing promotion and safeguarding of the child's welfare have been agreed.
The family, referrer and other agencies must be informed of the outcome of the assessment and a copy of the completed assessment provided to the person(s) with parental responsibility providing direct care to the child within 10 working days of completion. Feedback to any referring professional must be made in writing.
Close the initial assessment event on Swift/ICS.
If a CAF had previously been completed and the initial assessment concludes that the threshold for continuing involvement and provision of services by Children's Social Care is not met, referral should be made back to the CAF lead professional for continuation of services through Team Around the Child (TAC).
Cases
All cases should have a closure summary indicating:
- The reason for involvement in the case;
- Actions undertaken;
- The dates the child and parent/carer were last seen and spoken to;
- The child's current situation and views;
- The parent/carer's current situation and views;
- That the living arrangements for the child are satisfactory;
- Other professional's involvement in the case and their views;
- The ongoing arrangements for the promotion and safeguarding of the child's welfare.
The manager must ensure the case is ready for closure by auditing the case file and records and must authorise the closing summary to indicate that all necessary actions on the case have been completed and satisfactory arrangements for the ongoing promotion and safeguarding of the child's welfare are in place.
The child/family and relevant agencies and family (who should also receive an end of service questionnaire) should be informed in writing when social work involvement ceases.
The manager must ensure that all actions required by ICS to close a case are fully completed.
Other agencies may continue providing services as part of the ongoing arrangements for the continuing promotion of the children's welfare. If a Review Meeting concludes that Children's Social Care will cease involvement, the Review Meeting should also consider whether 2 or more agencies will continue to be providing services and whether future planning and review should continue within the Common Assessment Framework. If the Review reaches this conclusion, the Review Meeting will convert to a Common Assessment Framework Meeting, a TAC Plan put in place and Lead Professional appointed.
2.
Cases Awaiting Allocation
There may be circumstances when it is not possible to identify a worker for a case and work is required to complete an assessment or to deliver services within a Child in Need Plan, Child Protection Plan or CLA Care Plan. In these circumstances Service Managers should exercise collective responsibility and discuss whether allocation can be made across the teams - either by allocating to staff in other teams or by moving staff from one team to another.
In circumstances where the workload exceeds allocation capacity, cases will need to be prioritised. This may mean that some lower priority cases will need to be closed to Children's Social Care to allow the allocation of higher ranked cases across all the teams.
The priority ranking of cases when considering closure is as follows:
- Section 47 investigations;
- Children subject to a child protection plan;
- Cases subject to Public Law Proceedings;
- Looked After Children with a plan for permanence not yet implemented;
- Looked after children in permanent placements;
- Children in need.
In all circumstances Children's Social Care Managers must ensure that statutory visits and reviews on children in care and child protection cases and Section 47 investigations are carried out.
The CSCM must:
- Notify the Service Manager when a case is awaiting allocation. The Service Manager will alert the Children and Family Services Manager who will in turn alert the Service Director;
- Inform the child and family in writing if the case is to be closed or is awaiting allocation and provide information for the child and family on what to do if emergency action is required or circumstances change and provide their contact details for any concerns or queries. A copy of the letter should be kept on the casefile;
- Inform involved agencies that the case is to be closed or is awaiting allocation and provide their contact details for the interim period the case is awaiting allocation;
- Identify any statutory or legal actions that need to be undertaken, including statutory visit and review, and assign responsibility for the actions within the team;
- Maintain oversight of the case.
Monthly returns must be made by the relevant CSCM to their Service Manager by the last Friday of every month. The Service Manager will ratify the return and forward it to the Children's Services Manager and the Service Director.
All unallocated cases will be subject to review and discussion between the CSCM and the Service Manager on a monthly basis. These discussions will be recorded.
The Service Director will discuss the returns of unallocated cases with the Children and Families Manager on a monthly basis and as appropriate will inform the Executive Director/s and Portfolio Member/s.
End