D/1 A Strategy Discussion must be held
- immediately when there is reasonable cause to suspect that a child is suffering or is likely to suffer significant harm, and
- as soon as possible where risk of significant harm is suspected but not immediate. This may not be apparent at referral. (ACPC 2002: 6.2)
D/2 The Strategy Discussion will always include representatives, who are managers,
- from social care (e.g. team manager or service manager),
- from the police Child Protection Team (CPT) (e.g. sergeant or inspector) and
- from health eg a Community Paediatrician
- other professionals with significant information, for instance a mental health professional. (ACPC 2002:6.3)
D/3 A Strategy Discussion can take place over the phone. Face-to-face discussions should take place in complex cases or where the number of professionals involved would make a phone strategy impracticable. Where the case involves professionals from more than one geographical area, a face-to-face strategy is recommended. (ACPC 2002: 6.4)
D/4 Where a face-to-face strategy is required, the convening social care manager will consider which venue will best facilitate the attendance of all of the invited professionals. For instance a face to face strategy involving hospital staff, on duty, should take place at the hospital.
D/5 The decision not to gain parental permission or to override a parent's refusal to contact other agencies, should be discussed, where possible, in a Strategy Discussion, or taken by the team manager.
D/6 The child's welfare must take precedence over the need to secure evidence for a criminal prosecution.
D/7 The Strategy Discussion Record should be distributed to the participants within twenty-four hours of the meeting. (ACPC 2002: 6.8)
D/8 When the decision of a Strategy Discussion is to take further action, the review of the Strategy Discussion must take place within a maximum of 15 working days.
ProcedureD/9 The social care team manager convenes and chairs the Strategy Discussion. Should the strategy group decide that s.47 Enquiries are required, the team manager will also commission a Core Assessment.
D/10 The social care manager authorises s.47 Enquiries to be undertaken, as appropriate.
D/11 The social care manager sets a review date for the Strategy Discussion with the other participants and records it unless a Child Protection Conference is convened.
D/12 The social care manager completes a Strategy Discussion Record for each child who was the subject of discussions,
D/13 The social care manager authorises the Strategy Discussion Record on PARIS.
D/14 The social care manager authorises the s.47 Enquiries on PARIS, if the outcome is to convene a Child Protection Conference
D/15 The social care manager arranges a paper copy of the Strategy Discussion Record from PARIS for the other participants, if required.
D/16 The social care manager makes a copy of the authorised Strategy Discussion Record for each of the participants and notifies the service manager, via PARIS or E-mail.
D/17 The social care manager distributes the Strategy Discussion Record to the participants within twenty four hours of the meeting.
Guidance
D/18 In most situations, it may be appropriate for a strategy meeting/discussion to consider all children living in a household. Where this occurs, a separate record should be completed for each child.
D/19 There may be a series of strategy discussions, which will take place as the investigation proceeds. A Strategy Discussion Record must be completed for each separate discussion.
D/20 When the alleged abuser is a child (under eighteen years of age),
- a separateReferral and Information Record must be completed,
- an additional Strategy Discussion should be held; and
- a separate of Strategy Discussion Record should be completed
regarding that child.
D/21 A decision to convene a child protection case conference should always be confirmed via a Strategy Discussion, after which the conference should be convened within fifteen working days.
D/22 A Core Assessment should be commenced when, following a Strategy Discussion, s.47 Enquiries are initiated (paragraph 3.11, Assessment Framework).
D/23 Where there are allegations of abuse made against a professional, a foster carer or a volunteer, s.47 Enquiries, a police investigation and disciplinary procedure may take place concurrently (paragraphs 6.13-6.22, Working Together).
See: A CPC April 200 2: Section 7: People who commit offences against children and young people by using the link on the right
D/24 All strategy meetings and discussions should involve four basic steps:
- The sharing of relevant information between the participating agencies, including previous registration on the CPR
- A list of action points must be drawn up each with an agreed time-scale and the identity of the person responsible for carrying it out, including who will see the child, and when.
- A clear record of the discussion or meeting must be circulated to all those present and to all those with responsibility for an action point.
- A mechanism for reviewing completion of the agreed actions must be specified.
D/25 The date on which the first such review is to take place is to be agreed and documented. Where there is to be a Child Protection Conference the review of the Strategy Discussion is undertaken by the conference chair. Where there is no Child Protection Conference arranged the review is conducted by the social care manager with the appropriate assistance of the other participating agencies.