4.4.1 Notifiable Events |
OUTCOME STATEMENT
Prompt and accurate notifications are essential in order that other agencies involved in the welfare of young people are given information to determine whether children’s welfare continues to be safeguard and promoted.
AMENDMENT
This chapter was entirely revised May 2012 and should be re-read in full.
Contents
- Definition of Notifiable Events and Timescales for Notifying
- Fostering Events and Notifications
- Children’s Homes Events and Notifications
- Recording of Notifiable Events
- Post Notification Review
1. Definition of Notifiable Events and Timescales for Notifying
Any incident, for example, accident or injury, serious or persistent bullying, a child being missing form placement; substance misuse or suspicion that a child is being abused must be reported immediately by the foster carer or residential worker to the manager of the residential unit or supervising social worker or in their absence any senior manager in the Children’s Specialist Services Division. They should also inform the child’s social worker. Any officer receiving such a notification must inform their manager immediately of the incident. Where applicable, the London Child Protection Procedures must be followed. Where the incident is serious, managers will ensure that the Assistant Director (Children’s Specialist Services) is notified without delay.
Some Incidents are also defined as ‘Notifiable Events’ and must be notified to other agencies as set out in the following schedules in respect of Fostering and Children’s Homes.
All notifications must be made without delay.
All notifications must initially be made verbally, and confirmed in writing (see Section 4, Recording of Notifiable Events).
2. Fostering Events and Notifications
SCHEDULE 7 of the Fostering Service (England) Regulations 2011.
3. Children’s Homes Events and Notifications
SCHEDULE 5 - Children’s Homes Regulation 2001 /2011.
4. Recording of Notifiable Events
The Council’s Notification forms and procedure must be completed in the case of an injury or accident to a child looked after.
The fostering service and the adolescent resource centres are responsible for completing the notifications for other statutory bodies and these should be passed to the Residential, Fostering and Placements manager without delay. The residential, Fostering and Placements manager is responsible for forwarding the notifications to Ofsted and health authorities and for liaison with the Council’s Insurance Section. The Departmental Personnel section are responsible for notifying the Health and Safety Executive.
5. Post Notification Review
The Residential, Fostering and placements manager, in consultation with the Assistant Director, will decide which notifications require a Management Review.
End