Referring cases for consideration of a Serious Case Review or Learning Review
June 2017
The Telford & Wrekin Safeguarding Children Board’s (TWSCB) Safeguarding Review and Learning Sub-group is responsible for carrying out Serious Case Reviews (SCRs) and other Learning Reviews in order to learn lessons and make improvements to safeguarding systems to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.
The different types of reviews are as follows:
a) Serious Case Reviews:
The TWSCB has a statutory duty to carry out a SCR for every case where abuse or neglect is known or suspected and either:
· A child dies; or
· A child is seriously harmed and there is cause for concern as to the way in which the authority, their Board partners and other relevant persons have worked together to safeguarding the child;
b) Learning Reviews:
The TWSCB will carry out a review of a child protection incident or safeguarding concern that falls below the threshold for an SCR where:
· There are on-going concerns about the way in which organisations or professionals are working together and following the TWSCB escalation procedures has not resolved these.
· There is a serious incident or near miss by which lessons can be learnt.
· There are elements of good practice within a case that can be shared.
c) Audits of practice:
Audits of practice in one or more agencies will be carried out where:
· The criteria above have not been met so the case does not warrant an in-depth multi-agency review, however lessons could be learnt in relation to certain aspects of the case.
· Themes are emerging across a number of cases.
d) Other agency reviews:
The Safeguarding Review and Learning Sub-group should also be informed of any single agency reviews that are been undertaken such as Domestic Homicide Reviews (Safer, Stronger Communities Partnership), Critical Learning Reviews (Youth Offending Service), Child Death Overview Panel Reviews, Root Cause Analysis Reviews (Health) and Multi-agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) Reviews.
This will enable the group to consider any wider multi-agency issues and identify any themes.
How can I refer a case for review?
· Any professional can refer a case in to the Safeguarding Review and Learning Sub-group. If you know of a case that meets any of the above criteria then you should first discuss a possible referral with your Designated Lead for Safeguarding in your organisation.
· Cases that have potential for a Serious Case Review and notification of any single agency reviews should be referred immediately using the attached form.
· For all other cases you should firstly make sure that you have followed the TWSCB escalation process where appropriate. Where this has not resulted in a resolution then you should complete the attached form.
· The form will need to be signed by your Designated Lead for Safeguarding and sent securely to:
TWSCB Business Manager
Organisational Delivery and Development
1st Floor Addenbrooke House
Ironmasters Way
Telford
TF3 4NT
Email:
· You should inform all agencies known to be working with the young person and family that you have made this referral for consideration of a case review.
· You will be expected to present the case to the Safeguarding Review and Learning Sub-group and you will be sent an invite to attend the meeting once it has been scheduled.
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Telford & Wrekin Safeguarding Children Board
www.telfordsafeguardingboard.org.uk
Adapted from Shropshire Safeguarding Children Board procedures. Updated Jan 2017 by SC. Due for review Dec 2017.
Safeguarding Review and Learning - Case for Consideration for Review
This form is for the purpose of referring a case to the Safeguarding Review and Learning Sub-group for consideration to undertake a Serious Case Review or a Learning Review as outlined in Chapter 4 of Working Together to Safeguard Children 2015.
For cases that do not immediately meet the SCR criteria this form should only be completed when the TWSCB Escalation Procedures have been followed and have not resulted in an outcome in the best interests of the child, or where it is clear that there are lessons to be learnt for future practice. This form can also be used to refer cases with a positive outcome for review in order to learn from examples of good practice.
SECTION 1 - TO BE COMPLETED BY THE REFERRING AGENCY
Referrer’s name , agency and contact detailsName(s) and date(s) of birth of child(ren)
Address(es) of child(ren)
Name(s) and date(s) of birth of parents and other significant adults
Ha s a Serious Incident Notification been logged with Ofsted?
Click to Link to Ofsted Website. / If Yes, please detail the reference number and who by.
If No, why has it not been reported?
Explain why the case is being referred to the Learning and Improvement sub group.
Refer to Working Together 2015, Chapter 4 to explain:
· What serious harm has come to the child(ren)
· What are the concerns about how local services have safeguarded the child(ren)
· What attempts have been made to escalate concerns with those involved?
· What elements of good practice were there that could be highlighted and shared?
Please tick which Working Together 2015 criteria Chapter 4, supports the suggestion that an SCR or another type of multi-agency review should be considered / The criteria (Please tick all that apply)
abuse or neglect of a child is known or suspected; and either — (i) the child has died; or (ii) the child has been seriously harmed and there is cause for concern as to the way in which the authority, their Board partners or other relevant persons have worked together to safeguard the child.
a child has died in custody, in police custody, on remand or following sentencing, in a Young Offender Institution, in a secure training centre or a secure children’s home, or where the child was detained under the Mental Health Act 2005. Regulation 5(2)(b)(i) includes cases where a child died by suspected suicide.
child protection incident which falls below the threshold for a serious case review
Please ensure you tick any of the following questions if they apply to the case.
Was there clear evidence of a child having suffered, or been likely to suffer, significant harm that was:
not recognised by organisations or professionals in contact with the child or perpetrator; or
not shared with others; or
not acted on appropriately?
Was the child abused or neglected in an institutional setting (for example, school, nursery, children’s or family centre, YOI, STC, immigration removal centre, mother and baby unit in a prison, children’s home or Armed Services training establishment)?
Was the child abused or neglected while being looked after by the local authority?
Was the child a member of a family that has recently moved to the UK, for example as asylum seekers or temporary workers?
Did the child suffer harm during an unauthorised absence from an institution, or having run away from home or other care setting?
Does one or more agency or professional consider that its concerns about a child’s welfare were not taken sufficiently seriously, or acted on appropriately, by another?
Does the case indicate that there may be failings in one or more aspects of the local operation of formal safeguarding children procedures which go beyond the handling of this case?
Was the child the subject of a child protection plan at the time of the incident, or had they previously been the subject of a child protection plan?
Does the case appear to have implications for a range of agencies and/or professionals?
Does the case suggest that the LSCB may need to change its local protocols or procedures, or that protocols and procedures are not being adequately understood or acted on?
Are there any indications that the circumstances of the case may have national implications for systems or processes, or that it is in the public interest to undertake a SCR?
Upheld complaints where children have not properly been protected.
Please list other agencies that are involved and inform them that you are making this referral.
These agencies will be requested to check their records for information prior to the case for consideration meeting so it is important that this list is accurate.
Was the child(ren) currently or previously on a Child Protection Plan or a looked after child?
Give details.
Any other information relevant to decision about whether or not to instigate a SCR?
If this is a notification following another review please provide more details about that review: / Domestic Homicide Review Critical Learning Review
MAPPA Review CDOP Report
Root Cause Analysis
Other: ………………………………………
Date review commenced: ......
Date review completed: ......
What is your expected outcome from this referral?
The Designated Lead for Safeguarding in your agency should sign below if they are in agreement for this referral to be made to the TWSCB Safeguarding Review and Learning Sub-group.
Signed:………………………………………. Print name:………………………………….
Designated Safeguarding Lead
Date:………………………………………..
Please send this form to:
TWSCB Business Manager
Organisational Delivery and Development
1st Floor Addenbrooke House
Ironmasters Way
Telford
TF3 4NT
Email:
SECTION 2 - TO BE COMPLETED BY THE SAFEGUARDING REVIEW AND LEARNING SUBGROUP
After reviewing the information from all agencies it has been agreed that this case:
a) Meets the threshold for a Serious Case Review
b) Does not meet the threshold for a Serious Case Review
c) Warrants an alternative Learning Review
d) Warrants a Single Agency Practice Review
e) Warrants a Single Agency Audit
f) Warrants a Multi Agency Audit
Definition of terms
Review: Is an evaluation designed to identify potential service delivery, practice and procedural improvements.
Audit: The process of systematic examination carried out to assess how successfully processes have been implemented.
It is recommended/not recommended that this case is subject to a Serious Case Review for the following reasons:
If the case does not meet the criteria for a Serious Case Review and another review process has been agreed, please give details below:
Signed: ...... Printed name: ......
Date: ......
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Telford & Wrekin Safeguarding Children Board
www.telfordsafeguardingboard.org.uk
SECTION 3 - TO BE COMPLETED BY THE INDEPENDENT CHAIR OF LSCB
My decision is that a Serious Case Review should/should not take place for the following reasons:
If the decision is that the case meets a Serious Case Review, the following issues should be considered in the Terms of Reference:
Signed: ...... Printed name: ......
TWSCB Independent Chair
Date: ......
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Telford & Wrekin Safeguarding Children Board
www.telfordsafeguardingboard.org.uk