One Minute Guide
The Role of IRO and Child Protection Conference Chair in relation Practice Alerts
One of the key functions of the IRO/ CP Chair is to resolve problems arising out of the care
or child protection planning process. It is expected that IROs/CP Chairs
n establish positive working relationships with the social workers of the children for whom they are responsible
n Where problems are identified in relation to a child’s case, for example in relation to planning, the implementation of the plan or decisions relating to it, resources or poor practice, the IRO/CP Chair will, in the first instance, seek to resolve the issue informally with the social worker or the social worker’s managers
n This informal stage should be used to check out facts, areas of agreement/disagreement, prevent misunderstandings and attempt resolution
n The IRO/ CP Chair should place a record of this initial informal resolution process on the child’s file.
n If the matter is not resolved in a timescale that is appropriate to the child’s needs, the IRO should consider taking formal action under Barnet’s Dispute Resolution Process
Dispute Resolution Process
n Involves escalating the matter in dispute through a number of levels of seniority within the department with identified timescales for a response at each stage that should not exceed 20 working days in total
n The IRO may bypass any stage and progress the dispute to the level s/he considers most appropriate including to CAFCASS (for children in care only).
n All actions taken by the IRO/CP Chair in an attempt to resolve a dispute must be recorded in the child’s case record
n The first stage of the dispute resolution process involves the issue of Practice Alert
The Practice Alert Process
n Practice alerts are completed on ICS under Forms as part of the child’s record. Once resolved these will be closed by the IRO/CP Chair.
n The Team Manager has a maximum of five working days to explore the issue and they must not enter text into the form unless the issue is resolved.
n If the matter is not resolved or timescale not adhered to the IRO/CP Chair will refer this issue to the Head of Service. The Head of Service has five working days to respond and if necessary chair a Dispute Resolution Meeting within this time frame to address the practice issues and prevent the Practice Alert escalating. The outcome of this meeting will be recorded on the Practice Alert form. If the issue remains unresolved the AD will be alerted.
n In respect of looked after children the IRO can at any point consider whether it is appropriate to take independent legal advice or make a referral to CAFCASS for a resolution. This process can be commenced in tandem with Barnet’s Dispute Resolution Process. Before an IRO refers to CAFCASS they will alert the Head of Service for Safeguarding and Quality Assurance.
Examples of Criteria for issuing a Practice Alert
n Decisions of previous looked after review/CP conference not completed
n Drift/delay in CP or care planning
n Statutory visits not undertaken within required frequency
n Missing/incomplete/poor standard documentation or case recording
n Social work report to CP conference not shared with parents prior to meeting
n Core Groups not held in timescales
n PEP/Health assessment not done or of a poor quality
n Safeguarding inadequate eg re CSE, gang involvement or missing status
The list above is not exhaustive and the issuing of practice alerts will determined by the professional judgment of the IRO/ CP Chair.
Learning from Practice Alerts and celebrating good practice
The Dispute Resolution Process is necessary to ensure that service delivery meets required standards and so that managers are alerted about difficulties at the earliest possible stage so that these can be addressed. Practice Alerts are a valuable source of information about how the service is functioning and trends and patterns identified will be linked to further service improvement work. This in turn will support staff in delivering the best possible service to children and young people.
The practice alert process is currently under review to consider using these forms to capture good practice as well as when things go wrong, so that acknowledgment of what works and improves outcomes for children is part of the learning cycle.