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2.1 Child in Need Plans and Reviews

SCOPE OF THIS CHAPTER

This chapter does not apply to children who are the subject of a Child Protection Plan. Where the child is subject to a Child Protection Plan, this will be drawn up in outline at the Initial Child Protection Conference and in detail at the Core Group meeting(s).  It will be reviewed by a Child Protection Review Conference. For the detailed procedures go to the Coventry Safeguarding Children Board Manual which can be accessed via the button on the left hand side of the screen.


Contents

  1. Child in Need Planning Meetings
  2. Child in Need Plans
  3. Reviews of Child in Need Plans


1. Child in Need Planning Meetings

1.1 Child in Need Planning Meetings will follow either an Initial Assessment or a Core Assessment, where the assessment has concluded that a package of family support is required to meet the child's needs under Section 17 of the Children Act 1989.
1.2 The Planning Meeting provides an opportunity for a child and his or her parents/carers, together with key agencies, to identify and agree the package of services required and to develop the Child in Need Plan.
1.3 All Child in Need Planning Meetings should be attended by the child (depending on age and understanding), parents/carers and those agencies whose potential/actual contribution is recommended as an outcome of an assessment.
1.4 The relevant social worker should discuss potential attendees for the Planning Meeting with the child and the parents/carers prior to arrangements being made for the meeting.
1.5 It will be important that an appropriate venue suitable for the child and his or her family are used for the meeting. Consideration must be given to transport, timing and any child care issues.  Where a child is attending a meeting and is of school age the meeting should be held outside of school time, wherever possible.
1.6 The first Planning Meeting resulting from the completion of a Core Assessment for a Child in Need (Section 17) will usually be chaired by the social worker.
1.7 If the Child in Need Plan is recommended as an outcome of an initial Child Protection Conference or a Child Protection Review Conference then the first planning meeting will usually be chaired by the social worker's line manager or a senior practitioner.
1.8 Children's Social Care will be responsible for convening the meeting and drawing up the Child in Need Plan.


2. Child in Need Plans

2.1 A Child in Need Plan will be developed in a Child in Need Planning Meeting (see Section 1 above).
2.2 Most Child in Need Plans will envisage that Children's Social Care intervention will end within twelve months. However, some children and families may require longer term support, for example children with disabilities.
2.3 The Child in Need Plan must identify the Lead Professional, any resources or services that will be needed to achieve the planned outcomes within the agreed timescales and who is responsible for which action and the time-scale involved.
2.4

In particular, the Child in Need Plan should:

  • Describe the identified developmental needs of the child, and any services required;
  • Include specific, achievable, child-focused outcomes intended to promote and safeguard the welfare of the child;
  • Include realistic strategies and specific actions to achieve the planned outcomes;
  • Include a contingency plan to be followed if circumstances change significantly and require prompt action;
  • Included timescales that are not too short or unachievable;
  • Not be dependent on resources which are known to be scarce or unavailable;
  • Clearly identify the roles and responsibilities of professionals and family members, including the nature and frequency of contact by professionals with children and family members;
  • Lay down points at which progress will be reviewed and the means by which it will be judged.
2.5 The allocated social worker is responsible for the distribution of the Child in Need Plan.  A copy of the Child in Need Plan should be provided to the parents, child (if old enough) and the agencies or other professionals involved in the provision of services under the Plan.
2.6 The Lead Professional will be responsible for implementing the plan including making referrals to appropriate agencies for services as described in the plan.
2.7 Where it becomes necessary to make minor adjustments to the plan and services provided, any changes to the plan must be made in consultation with the parents and the child (where appropriate) and key professionals from other agencies. 


3. Reviews of Child in Need Plans

3.1 Reviews will be conducted at intervals agreed with the Lead Professional’s line manager, which will be at least every three months, unless there are exceptional circumstances when timescales can be longer e.g. in the case of disabled children.
3.2 If there are significant changes in the family circumstances, an early review should take place.
3.3 Any child protection or safeguarding issues which arise during the course of a Child in Need Plan must be responded to in line with the Coventry Local Safeguarding Board Procedures.
3.4 The Review will usually be carried out by the Lead Professional, who should invite or seek the views of the child, parents and any service providers.  The responsible team will administer all Child in Need Reviews. 
3.5 The Review will generally take place within a meeting, unless the manager agrees otherwise.  The line manager or senior practitioner will usually chair the meeting.  If the case is not allocated, the manager of the responsible team must undertake the review or arrange for it to be undertaken on his/her behalf.
3.6 The purpose of the Review is to ensure that the services provided are contributing to the achievement of the objectives within the time-scales set.
3.7 Where it is proposed that a complex package of support being provided under a Child in Need Plan should continue beyond 12 months there should be a specific review chaired by the manager of the responsible team. Exceptions to this will be those cases where the plan acknowledges the need for longer term support, for example in relation to children who meet the criteria for the Children with Disabilities Team.
3.8 All decisions made should be recorded on the child’s electronic record, together with reasons, and dated.
3.9 A copy of the record should be sent to the child (if old enough), parent and all other participants in the Review process.
3.10

The outcome of a Review will be:

  1. That the child is no longer a Child in Need requiring Children's Social Care intervention, which may result in a recommendation to the team manager that the case be closed or that ongoing support is provided in the CAF/Multi-Disciplinary Team arena;
  2. That the child continues to be a Child in Need requiring the same level of services, resulting in the continuing provision of services and minor amendment, as necessary, of the Child in Need Plan;
  3. Where an Initial Plan is in place and the child's needs are sufficiently complex and/or s/he requires additional services to safeguard and promote his or her welfare, a Core Assessment should be undertaken;
  4. That the child appears to be at risk of Significant Harm, resulting in the need for a Strategy Discussion/Meeting and possible Section 47 Enquiry as part of a Core Assessment. For the detailed procedures go to the Coventry Safeguarding Children Board Manual which can be accessed via the button on the left hand side of the screen.
3.11 Where the outcome of the Review is an amendment to the Child in Need Plan, the Lead Professional should circulate a copy of the amended Plan to the child, parents, and other agencies/professionals involved in providing the services set out in the amended Plan, including any new services to be provided.

End