Gloucestershire Safeguarding Children Board Using the Escalation Policy

On the Search Function Type in Escalation Escalation Policy – what is it and Escalation Policy when to use it ? GSCB Website: www.gscb.o https://www.gscb.org.uk On the Search Function Type in Escalation IMPORTANT: All staff working with children and young people need to be aware of this guidance and understand how to apply it in their own professional setting. Occasionally situations arise when workers within one agency feel that the actions or inaction or decisions of another agency do not adequately safeguard a child/young person. Disagreement based on a passion to improve outcomes for children is healthy professional practice. Resolution of disagreement is an integral part of professional co-operation and joint working to safeguard children. Effective working together is dependent on an open and honest relationship between agencies and professionals. This is not a policy to complain about social care practice. We are encouraging Children Social Care to use it to challenge other agencies if they have concerns. Its about the consistent application in the raising of concerns and healthy agency challenge to get the best outcome for children. A joint agency approach and threshold for managing interagency discussion. – if we all speak the same language things wont get lost in translation Word of warning – use of the escalation policy doesn’t mean you get what you want! What it should mean is that you get a professional response and rationale to consider You have been heard, you have a voice in the safeguarding process and this formalises that voice You have a record of challenge and response When you escalate you MUST follow it through to the end, do not give up, do not assume someone else is taking your concern forward. This is a structure to help you take forward and conclude your concerns. About the guidance: Effective working together depends on a culture of open and honest relationships between agencies and professional differences are welcomed by professionals who want the best outcomes for children Problem resolution is an integral part of professional co-operation and joint working to safeguard children What it means for you: In considering escalation, restorative practice principles are essential – these are high support and high challenge. In addition, at all times the focus should always be on improving outcomes for children.

Escalation Policy Flowchart PRINT THIS OFF AND PIN ON YOUR WALL Level 1 – Professional discussion between practitioners It is ok to challenge Social Workers and others like Health Professionals if you disagree – (Appropriately and under restorative practice principles, “high challenge - high support”). The aim is to foster productive multi agency relationships to safeguard children, to achieve the best outcomes for children. It’s a policy that should shape our practice and deliver a consistency in the conversation we are having as professionals. Level 2 – Professionals have not managed to come to a consensus. Escalate to your line manager who will instigate level 2. This is still an agency to agency conversation. This is still an opportunity to resolve practice issues together. Manager to Manager discussion to negotiate and mediate a resolution. Its not personal – it’s about outcomes for children Try to empathise with the position of the partner agency – HOWEVER - the welfare of the child is paramount As with level 1 its ok to challenge a social work manager, a Lead nurse or a police Inspector guess what its also ok to challenge a Head Teacher Do so professionally and following the restorative practice principles Remember if the child you are concerned about is subject of a CP plan you MUST notify the CP Chair or if a child looked after you must notify the IRO Level 3 – Managers have not been able to resolve their differences. At this level the escalation must be communicated to the GSCB Business. Please use the Escalation monitoring form and complete in as much detail setting out what you’ve done already and what the unresolved problem is. Please note: It is still your agencies responsibility to hold the escalation – The GSCB Business Unit Manager will not be mediating or trouble shooting You must still look for the appropriate method of resolution, you may want to escalate upwards in your organisation. You may want to call a multi agency meeting to resolve What the GSCB Business Manager will do is contact the Professional escalating with a summary of the escalation, copying in the manager in the agency being challenged. They will also send the escalation to the relevant Board members responsible for the two agencies. This is to inform, Give opportunity to intervene and prep for a possible level 4. There is a 5 day turn around, or sooner if the child is at risk – the escalating agency is as responsible for communicating in that timescale as much as the agency receiving the escalation. If there is no movement in the 5 days the Business Manger will escalate to Level 4 if the Escalating agency does not. Level 4 – No Resolution within the agency structures Independent Chair will convene an agency resolution meeting with relevant directors to resolve the issue with the interests of the child in mind. This is the nuclear option and agencies should work vigorously at all levels to avoid this. This meeting pulls in Directors to oversee, look at the process that’s happened and finaly resolve the issue. SERIOUS Risk of HARM Second Nuclear option – Escalation can go directly to level 3 or 4 if the escalating agency believes a child is at risk of harm. Get a senior manager to speak to a senior manager and outline why youre jumping to Level 3, copy to the GSCB Business Manager.

Escalation Policy Monitoring Form Level 3 Monitoring Form https://www.gscb.org.uk On the Search Function Type in Escalation This is the form to use when escalating to Level 3 or above Do not just email Do not phone Your escalation will only be accepted on this form Recommendation: Schools - Keep a record of escalation at level 1 and 2 on CPOMS or similar Others – Email trail. Good practice would be to use this form from level 1 and update as you go along.

Statistics - April 2018 To Date