Appendix 2 - Sharing / Recording Concerns
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Sharing / Recording Concerns
An individual with concerns about a child records these and shares these with the Designated Safeguarding Lead DSL Lynn McMahon or the deputy DSL Laine Waite as soon as possible.
Consideration
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The DSL will consider the information, in the context of any other concerns / disclosures, and decide on next steps. Where possible this should be done in consultation with others in the safeguarding team. Parents / carers should be involved at this stage, unless to do so may place the child at increased risk of significant harm, in which case advice should be sought from Family Contact Point.
Referral to Children’s Social Care
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The DSL will make a telephone referral in the first instance to Family Contact Point/ MASH
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This must be followed up within 24 hours with a written referral, using form RF1.
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The RF1 form must be signed and dated by the referrer.
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If a child discloses physical or sexual abuse, where the alleged abuser is either a family member or someone resident within the household, the setting must consult the Duty Social Worker before informing parent(s).
No Referral to Children’s Social Care
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Actions will be agreed to monitor the child and support the child / family where needed.
An Early Help Record and Plan (EHRP) should also be considered at this stage.
Children’s Social Care Consideration
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Children’s social care decides within 1 working day what action will be taken, including if an assessment is needed and will feedback to the referrer. This decision will be made using the Swindon LSCB threshold document, The Right Help at the Right Time.
Assessment
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Children’s social care completes the assessment within 45 working days of the referral; it could be a section 17 or section 47 assessment. All schools and colleges should allow local authorities access to facilitate arrangements.
No Assessment
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If the information supplied in the referral does not meet the threshold, an EHRP should be started and/or onward referral to other specialist or universal services; children’s social care will feedback to the referrer.
If the child’s situation does not appear to be improving
the referrer should press for re-consideration.