Margaret Dennison Thresholds for access to services and neglect practice guidance

Introducing Thresholds What are thresholds Why do we need them Who are they for How they will be applied Communication and learning When to start using them

Thresholds are not……. A substitute for a common assessment A substitute for a social work or specialist assessment A means to secure a service Any form of guarantee ……….BUT ARE A guide More explicit about when to refer to the local authority Children and Young Peoples Services Assessment and Intervention Team

Why? As an aid To clarify roles and responsibilities To increase awareness and understanding of layers of service To support the implementation of ECM policy To implement the legal framework To mandate the Children’s Trust Partnership in its commissioning agenda prevention To increase consistency of decision making

Children’s Services Strategy Universal Services Targeted Services Specialised Services DANGER Partner agencies form a ‘safety net’ between each stage Behavioural Strategy Parenting Strategy r

Section 17 s.17. Provision of services for children in need, their families and others. (10) For the purposes of this Part a child shall be taken to be in need if— (a) he is unlikely to achieve or maintain, or to have the opportunity of achieving or maintaining, a reasonable standard of health or development without the provision for him of services by a local authority under this Part; (b) his health or development is likely to be significantly impaired, or further impaired, without the provision for him of such services;

Section 47 s.47. Local authority's duty to investigate (1)Where a local authority (b) have reasonable cause to suspect that a child who lives, or is found, in their area is suffering, or is likely to suffer, significant harm [.]22

BENEFITS Open statements Useful in training Clearer about ACCOUNTABILITIES throughout the Children’s Trust Allows LSCB to monitor more effectively Capable of further development Bottom line on child protection referrals where Section 47 enquiries are necessary

Communication Start using them now Hard copies of the thresholds are on tables The full guidance is available on Children’s Trust and LSCB websites

Further learning A practice guidance booklet is being drafted and should be available within next few weeks Models of “grading tools” for “neglect” from other areas are receiving active consideration