MULTI-AGENCY WORKING WHO AND WHY FD STL YR 2 MULTI-AGENCY WORKING WHO AND WHY

Working together for children, G Walker, 2008 “Multi-agency work is full of complexity, potential pitfalls, failings and tensions between services” “MAW takes place within a fundamentally important framework of legislation and guidance”

Importance of ensuring that children are protected from harm As adults in positions of responsibility we should Be aware of child protection Ensure health and safety Understand safeguarding procedures Carry out safeguarding procedure, if required Undertake safety on school trips Monitoring and awareness of internet safety Supporting teaching and learning in schools (Burnham and Baker, 2010)

Importance of ensuring that children are protected from harm Who would you trust to ensure your child is protected from harm? 1987 Increased number of referrals to Cleveland Social Services – child abuse – 505 compared to 288 previous year 2 consultant paediatricians diagnosing using unproven medical diagnosis methods Children removed from home in unannounced ‘raids’ Parents gained media attention Public enquiry – Butler-Sloss 80% of cases dismissed – allegations false Enquiry believed that the social workers did not pay sufficient attention to what children were telling them and parents being ignored

Outcome and impact Rights of children and parents not upheld by social workers Introduction of new order – Emergency Protection Order – lasts only 8 days and can be challenged by parents after 72 hours Some children left in care for up to 2 years after the scandal

WHO MIGHT BE INVOLVED IN MAW? Education – School staff Teachers Teaching assistants Nursery Nurses Lunch time supervisors Caretakers Learning mentors

WHO MIGHT BE INVOLVED IN MAW? Education Services Experts in different special needs e.g. autism Educational psychologist Behaviour specialists Speech and language professionals Educational welfare – attendance monitoring

WHO MIGHT BE INVOLVED IN MAW? Children’s Social Services Social workers Family support workers Key workers Looked after children service

WHO MIGHT BE INVOLVED IN MAW? Health Doctors School nurse Midwives Health visitors Mental health workers for children

WHO MIGHT BE INVOLVED IN MAW? Police Child protection units School links staff

WHO MIGHT BE INVOLVED IN MAW? Police Child protection units School links staff Youth offending team The Probation service Housing

Policies and Procedures to protect children and young people and adults working with them Policies for safe working need to include – explain what and why Working in an open and transparent way Listening to children Duty of care Whistle blowing Power and position of trust Propriety and behaviour Physical contact Intimate personal care Off-site visits

LEGISLATION 1989 Children’s Act 2004 Children’s Act ECM Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006

Children’s Act 1989 Drawn up during a Conservative government (MT and JM). Came after the events of the Cleveland abuse scandal – attention raised by hospital doctors and subsequent raids on homes and children removed. Based on 8 Ps – Paramountcy of the child, Parental responsibility, Prevention, Protection, Partnership, Participation, Planning and Permanency (see G Walker, p30-32) Also wanted agencies to work together

Children’s Act 2004 Gave legal framework for ECM Focus on the development of MAW Creates the function of Children’s commissioner Does not replace the 1989 act it is in addition Active engagement with other agencies Development of Lead Professional Development of CAF Location of some services in schools

ECM Victoria Climbie – 2000 Laming report 2003 ECM 2003-4 Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006

ECM 2003-4 It is a programme of system change to improve outcomes for all children Government (Labour) vision for reform for children and families but with no absolute guarantee “we all desperately want to see people, practices and policies in place to make sure that the risk is as small as is humanly possible” (Tony Blair, DfES, 2003:2) Constructed around 5 outcomes – seen as desirable for all children in our society

Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 was passed as a result of the Bichard Inquiry (2004) arising from the Soham murders in 2002, by a school caretaker The Inquiry questioned the way employers recruit people to work with vulnerable groups, and particularly the way background checks are carried out. Report highlighted the need for a single agency to vet all individuals who want to work or volunteer with children or vulnerable adults and to bar unsuitable people from doing so.

TASK List all 5 outcomes of ECM Indicate what each five might include Evaluate the Parent role School role Tensions arising from the 5 outcomes?