2.3 Children in Need Moving In and Out of Knowsley (North West Regional Protocol)

This protocol has been written in order clarify arrangements between Local Authorities in the North West when children who are being dealt with as children in need by Social Work / Social Care Services move from one area to another.

It is intended to update and replace the Greater Manchester protocol agreed in 2003 following the Victoria Climbie Inquiry.

This section was added to the manual in June 2010.

LEGISLATION, REGULATION, GUIDANCE AND LINKS TO OTHER DOCUMENTS

Children Act 1989
Children Act 2004
Victoria Climbie Inquiry 2003

Knowsley Safeguarding Children Board Procedures.

Also see: Notifications and Transfer of Children subject to a Child Protection Plans Moving from/to other Local Authority Areas

Purpose of the Protocol
Child in Need Moving Into Knowsley
Child in Need Moving Out of Knowsley
Action to be Taken where there is a Dispute regarding CIN Transfer

Child in Need Transfer Form

1. Purpose of the Protocol

To establish the procedure to be followed for Children referred by other local authorities who move into Knowsley MBC and who are not subject to a Child Protection Plan who are subject to a Child in Need Plan.
To establish the procedure to be followed for children who are currently subject to a Child in Need Plan who move to live in other local authority areas.
To establish the action to be taken in cases where there is dispute or delay in case transfer.

2. Child in Need Moving Into Knowsley

Procedure to be followed for Children referred by other local authorities who move into Knowsley MBC who are subject to a Child in Need Plan

For children who are subject to a Child Protection Plan of other local authorities and who move into Knowsley MBC. See Handling Individual Cases, Section 4.27, Children Moving Across Boundaries of the Knowsley Safeguarding Children Board Procedures.	Any professional who receives information from another agency that a child who is known to the Children’s Social Work (Social Care) Service of another local authority has moved to stay in Knowsley MBC, whether on a permanent or temporary basis, should take the following action:	Personal Responsible	Timescale Immediate
	The information should be brought immediately to the attention of the Duty Manager for the area into which the child has moved.	Referrer	Immediate
	Consult records to ascertain whether the child was previously known to (Knowsley MBC) Children’s Social Care.	Team Manager	Immediate
	The Duty Social Worker / Duty Manager should telephone the relevant social work office in the child’s referring local authority and discuss the case with the team manager in order to determine whether any immediate action is necessary.	Team Manager	Immediate
	If following this initial enquiry there is an indication that a child or children is/are at immediate risk of significant harm, the relevant Child Protection procedures should be followed.	Team Manager	Immediate
	If a child or children is/are not at immediate risk of significant harm the Duty Manager should request that the referring local authority provides a case transfer summary. A letter confirming this request should be sent to the referring local authority within 2 working days. The request should state that the case transfer summary is required in order to allocate the case and the case will not be accepted until this is received. The attached form Child in Need Transfer Form should be used.	Team Manager	2 days
	In the event that the referring Local Authority does not provide written information about the child or children within the above timescales, a further letter should be sent from the Service Manager to the Service Manager in the relevant Local Authority, requesting the information is supplied immediately. However if the information is not forthcoming, an Initial Assessment of the family’s circumstances should be carried out, to ascertain whether the child/children continue to be Children in Need and whether services are required. This should take place within 7 days of the initial referral being received.	Service Manager	7 days
	The general expectation is that agreement is sought from the family regarding the referral and provision of information. Where agreement cannot be reached and there are historical or current child protection concerns, then the protection of the child is paramount and the referral must be made. If there are any doubts, advice is to be sought from legal services or the Caldicott Guardian.
	On receipt of the case transfer summary, the Team Manager should consider whether an Initial Assessment or Core Assessment should be carried out or whether the case warrants no further action.	Team Manager	On receipt of transfer summary
	A letter acknowledging the receipt of the transfer summary and informing the referring local authority of the decision whether the case would be allocated should be sent within 5 working days of receipt.	Team Manager	5 days after receipt of transfer summary
	The referring Local Authority is responsible for convening a CIN meeting or conference call discussion involving both Local Authorities.	Team Manager	10 days
	The child and his/her parents should be kept informed of the progress of case transfer.	Social Worker in originating LA

3. Child in Need Moving Out of Knowsley

Procedure to be followed for children who are currently subject to a Child in Need Plan in Knowsley MBC who move to live in other local authority areas

For children who are the subject of a Child Protection Plan see Handling Individual Cases, Section 4.27, Children Moving Across Boundaries of the Knowsley Safeguarding Children Board Procedures.	When it is known that a child who has a current Child in Need Plan is to move, or has moved to another local authority area, the keyworker must:	Personal Responsible	Timescale Immediate
	Inform the appropriate Children’s Social Work / Social Care office within the other local authority of the move, and of any relevant details, and confirm this information in writing.	Keyworker	Immediate
	Inform their own Team Manager	Keyworker	Immediate
	Provide a written case transfer summary within 5 working days and request that written acknowledgement that the case has been accepted by the receiving local authority is provided.	Keyworker	5 days
	The child will remain subject to a CIN Plan in Knowsley MBC caseload and must continue to visit and oversee the plan until written notification has been received from the receiving local authority confirming that the case has been accepted.	Team Manager
	A transfer meeting or conference call will be arranged including the receiving LA.	Team Manager	10 days
	The Social Worker should keep the child and family informed of the progress of case transfer.	Social Worker

4. Action to be Taken where there is a Dispute regarding CIN Transfer

Action to be taken in cases where there is dispute or delay in case transfer

Where there is dispute about case responsibility or delay in the receiving authority accepting responsibility for the case, which is likely to impact on the child, the Team Manager should inform their Service Manager.

Personal Responsible

Team Manager

Timescale Immediate

Within 10 days of the child's move

The Service Manager will contact the Service Manager in the relevant local authority in order to reach agreement about case responsibility.

Service Manager

Immediate

If within 10 days of the child’s move, agreement has still not been reached, the Assistant Director / Head of Service in the originating Local Authority will contact the Assistant Director / Head of Service in the receiving LA (this is intended to refer to the individual who is a member of the North West Strategic Leads for Safeguarding and Vulnerable Children Group) and agreement will be reached about case responsibility.

Assistant Director / Head of Service