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1.6.1 Role and Expectations of Allocated Workers

All workers should be aware of and adhere to:

The allocated worker should complete the following in respect of:

  • Initial Assessment - The child and parents should be visited and spoken to as part of the assessment. Permission should be sought for agency checks to be made. This should be completed within 7 working days and highlight objectives for the child / family. Relevant family support options should be identified to achieve the objectives. The assessment should be shared with the family. The case will, as appropriate be transferred to the appropriate Neighbourhood Office, once a plan of intervention has been implemented (See Allocation of work and Transfer Protocol)

    For further details, see Initial Assessment Procedure
  • Section 47 Enquiries /Core Assessment - Only qualified social workers who have undertaken the departmental training in respect of investigating child abuse should act as investigating / lead worker. For detailed procedures, see Core Assessments (Including Section 47 Enquiries) Procedure. .

    A Strategy Discussion/Meeting should be held in line with the Interagency Child Protection Procedures. This should be recorded on ICS and include a record of the discussion, list of action points / time scales identifying who is responsible and a mechanism for reviewing agreed action. The investigation should be completed within time-scales and on completion should be given to the Rota Manager to sign off. If proceeding to an Initial Child Protection Conference, a report should be prepared and recorded on ICS. This should make recommendations regarding any proposals to make the child or children concerned subject to a Child Protection Plan. This should be shared with parents and children at least 24 hours prior to the conference. The report should be presented at the Child Protection Conference. The Core Assessment should then be completed in line with the Assessment Framework and in collaboration with other agencies. For detailed guidance see Universal Assessments Guidance.
  • Looked After Children - In general, children's best interests are not served by being Accommodated and therefore all efforts should be made to meet children's needs at home. If there is a request that a child becomes Looked After, all alternatives should be explored but when it is considered appropriate that the child becomes looked after, approval should be sought from the Intensive Case Support Panel prior to admission, unless accommodation is required in an emergency - see Decision to Look After and Care Planning Procedure.  A referral should be made to the Integrated Placement Service to seek a placement - see the relevant Placement Procedure chapter in this manual. The child's electronic record should be updated with details of the child's legal status (including any Court order) and the child's placement details. All LAC documentation should be completed and a Core Assessment completed and recorded on ICS. The child should be given as much information about the prospective placement and the carers and should be settled into foster home. Contact arrangements should be negotiated and recorded. Consideration of rehabilitation and family support package to facilitate return home should always be given if appropriate as should the use of a Family Group Conference. Placement Planning Meetings should be held - see Placement Planning and Disruption Meetings Procedure. . A Looked After Review should be set up within first month of placement - see Looked After Review Procedure..
  • Communication Considerations.

    It is crucial at all times to work in partnership with parents and children and ensure effective communication is established. This will include use of interpreters (where English is not first language) and use of sign language where the service users have hearing impairment.

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