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CHAPTER 22: Looked After Children (LAST REVISED AUGUST 2011)

AMENDMENTS

Section 2, Reviews, Care Planning & Conferences was amended in August 2011 to take account of the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010, in that it emphasised the need to synchronise the reviewing processes for the Child Protection Plan and the Care Plan.


Contents

  1. Section 47 Enquiry
  2. Reviews, Care Planning & Conferences (REVISED AUGUST 2011)
  3. Discontinuation of the Child Protection Plan


1. SECTION 47 ENQUIRY

1.1 In any situation in which there is reason to suspect that a 'looked after' child is suffering, or is likely to suffer, Significant Harm a formal Section 47 Enquiry must be initiated.


2. REVIEWS, CARE PLANNING & CONFERENCES (REVISED AUGUST 2011)

2.1

A looked after child who remains the subject of a Child Protection Plan will have both Looked After Reviews (LAC Reviews) and Child Protection Review Conferences; the aim should be for the child to be the subject of a single reviewing process, led by the child’s Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO).

A looked after child who remains the subject of a Child Protection Plan will have both Looked After Reviews (LAC Reviews) and Child Protection Review Conferences; the aim should be for the child to be the subject of a single reviewing process, led by the child’s Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO).
2.2

LAC Reviews and child protection conferences are separate meetings with different purposes. The plans made at LAC Reviews must be consistent with the Child Protection Plan and consideration must be given to ensuring that the multi-agency contribution to the review of the Child Protection Plan is addressed within the review of the Care Plan as the LAC review, in reviewing the child protection aspects of the child’s Care Plan, should consider whether the criteria continue to be met for the child to remain the subject of a Child Protection Plan.

 
2.3 Where a LAC Review or other local authority planning meeting proposes any change which might significantly affect the level of risk of a child subject to a child protection plan e.g. return home to parents, the decision must not be implemented until it is considered by a review conference, unless it is part of the existing protection plan.
2.4 Where there is disagreement within the subsequent child protection conference about the proposed change suggested by the LAC Review, the situation must be brought to the attention of the operational service manager, who in consultation with the safeguarding manager, will decide whether or not to proceed with the change.
2.5 Where a child is subject to a child protection plan and is removed from accommodation by parents or where a child in care is returned to parents or carers in court proceedings, against the recommendation of the local authority, a child protection review conference must be convened to consider the risks to the child and the implications for the protection plan.
2.6 If necessary the local authority must take action to protect a child prior to a conference. This must not be delayed until a child protection review is convened if an enquiry or assessment indicates it is required sooner.
2.7

For relevant related procedures see:


3. DISCONTINUATION OF THE CHILD PROTECTION PLAN

3.1 When a looked after child is no longer living in the situation which gave rise to the decision to make her/him subject of a child protection plan and there is no current plan for her/him to be returned, her/his name may be removed (by means of a child protection conference decision) from the list of those for whom such a plan exists. In these circumstances the LAC Care Plan must include any elements of the child protection plan that remain valid.
3.2 Should the care plan subsequently include returning the looked after child to the situation that previously resulted in a decision to make her/him subject of a protection plan, a child protection conference must be held first to consider if a child protection plan is required.

End