Standard Operating Procedure 5 (SOP 5) Why we have a procedure? Escalation Escalation is the course of action that should be taken by professionals where there are concerns that the child or young person s safety is compromised and the current action of other agencies does not support effective safeguarding of the child or young person. Occasionally situations arise when workers within one agency feel that the decision made by a worker from another agency on a child protection or child in need case is not a safe decision. Disagreements could arise in a number of areas, but are most likely to arise around: Levels of Need Roles and responsibilities The need for action Communication The safety of individual children is the overriding consideration in any professional disagreement and any unresolved issues should be addressed with consideration given to the risks that might be present for the child. All workers should feel able to challenge decision making and to see this as their right and responsibility in order to promote the best multi-agency safeguarding practice. The escalation SOP provides workers with the means to raise concerns they have about decisions made by other professionals or agencies by: a) Avoiding professional disputes that put children at risk or obscure the focus on the child b) Resolving the difficulties within and between agencies quickly and openly c) Identifying problem areas in working together where there is a lack of clarity and to promote the resolution via amendment to protocols and procedures Effective working together depends on an open approach and honest relationships between agencies. Problem resolution is an integral part of professional co-operation and joint working to safeguard children. Resolution should be sought within the shortest timescale possible to ensure the child is protected. Disagreements should be resolved at the lowest possible stage, however if a child is thought to be at risk of immediate harm discretion should be used as to which stage is initiated. What overarching policy the procedure links to? Safeguarding Children Policy Escalation Page 1 of 10 Version 1.0 October 2016
Which services of the trust does this apply to? Where is it in operation? Group Inpatients Community Locations Mental Health Services all Learning Disabilities Services all Children and Young People Services all Who does the procedure apply to? All Staff When should the procedure be applied? At any point where a practitioner identifies an intra or interagency professional disagreement ] Escalation Page 2 of 10 Version 1.0 October 2016
How to carry out this Professional Disagreement Escalation Procedure Practitioner disagrees with a decision/ response from Children s Social Care (CSC) or a concern has been identified that the practitioner feels has not been actioned effectively by CSC therefore a professional disagreement arises Practitioner to discuss concerns with Social Worker to seek resolution Matter Resolved Yes No Practitioner to discuss the case with their Line Manager/Team Leader and inform them that there has been no resolution Practitioner to discuss concerns with Team Manager in CSC Both to take place within 2 working days of raising concerns with social worker Matter Resolved Yes No BCPFT Practitioners: Complete a datix Safeguarding Concern (see Appendix 1 for guidance) Shropshire School Nurses: Complete the Professional Escalation Notification (P.E.N) (see Appendix 2) and email securely to Safeguarding Children Team (sam-ctr.safeguarding-children@nhs.net) To be completed within 1 working day of raising concerns with Line Manager/Team Manager (CSC) Named Nurse will contact practitioner within 2 working days of receiving the P.E.N to discuss case if required. Named Nurse will contact relevant professionals in CSC to attempt resolution e.g.: SW, Team Manager, IRO, Service Lead Matter Resolved No Yes Practitioners will receive update: BCPFT Practitioners: via datix Shropshire SHN: via email If no resolution within 4 working days Named Nurse to discuss case with Head of Safeguarding Children or Associate Director of Safeguarding who will then follow Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) Escalation Procedures at the relevant point in the process Escalation Page 3 of 10 Version 1.0 October 2016
Appendix 1: Escalation Datix Reporting BCPFT Practitioners Only Please follow details below on when assisting you on completing the datix: Section 1: I am reporting an.. Tick Safeguarding Concern Section 2: What Happened? Describe What Happened-Brief description only as your full details will be in the Escalation form. What actions were taken- Escalation completed to safeguarding team and any other points you want to add My safeguarding concern is about- Tick Child or Adult - depending on person involved Safeguarding Actions- Tick all boxes that apply ensure that the escalation form completed is ticked Referral to Local Authority made- Tick No Section 3: Safeguarding Details.. Abuse or Vulnerability- Tick all boxes that apply Type of Abuse or Vulnerability- Tick all boxes that apply Form of Alleged Abuse or Vulnerability- Tick all boxes that apply Child s Area of Residence- Click the drop down box and select the area the child resides in Where did or does the abuse or vulnerability take place- Tick the box that is most relevant Section 4: People /Property Involved.. Is/was anyone affected- Tick No Is there an alleged assailant/perpetrator-tick No Section 5: Who is reporting this..? Complete the boxes with all your details Section 6: Who is responsible for managing this? Complete with your manager/team details Escalation Page 4 of 10 Version 1.0 October 2016
Are there any documents to attach- Tick the box New Document Link as Click the drop down box and select Escalation Description- Type on Escalation Form Attach this file- Click Browse and attach the Escalation Form from your desktop. Once you have completed the datix, attached the Escalation form click: SUBMIT Professional Escalation Notification (P.E.N) Family Details First Name Surname D.O.B Parent/Carer: Parent/Carer: Details of who concerns were discussed with in Children s Social Care Social Worker: Name Tel Number Base Email (secure) Date Team Manager: Independent Reviewing Officer: Other: Escalation Page 5 of 10 Version 1.0 October 2016
Describe professional disagreement, include dates and times where applicable Details of Practitioner completing P.E.N Form (Name / Designation/Tel. Number) Date P.E.N completed and sent to Safeguarding Team Escalation Page 6 of 10 Version 1.0 October 2016
Appendix 2 Shropshire SHN Escalation Reporting- Professional Escalation Notification (P.E.N) Individual Completing P.E.N Name: Designation: Service: Base/Address: Tel Number: Secure Email: Line Manager Name: Details of who concerns were discussed with in Children s Social Care Social Worker: Name Tel Number Base Email (secure) Date Team Manager: Independent Reviewing Officer: Other: Family Details First Name Surname D.O.B Parent/Carer: Parent/Carer: Describe professional disagreement, include dates and times where applicable Escalation Page 7 of 10 Version 1.0 October 2016
Date P.E.N Completed: Date P.E.N Emailed to Safeguarding Children Team: Update from Safeguarding Children Team (To Be Completed by Safeguarding Team Practitioner) Name of practitioner completing update and date: Date P.E.N Emailed to Practitioner: Escalation Page 8 of 10 Version 1.0 October 2016
Where do I go for further advice or information? Safeguarding Children Team Trust Safeguarding Leads Dudley - Professional Resolution and Escalation Procedure Wolverhampton Multi Agency Escalation Policy Sandwell Resolution and Escalation Protocol Walsall - Resolving Professional Disagreements Training Staff may receive training in relation to this procedure, where it is identified in their appraisal as part of the specific development needs for their role and responsibilities. Please refer to the Trust s Mandatory & Risk Management Training Needs Analysis for further details on training requirements, target audiences and update frequencies Monitoring / Review of this Procedure In the event of planned change in the process(es) described within this document or an incident involving the described process(es) within the review cycle, this SOP will be reviewed and revised as necessary to maintain its accuracy and effectiveness. Equality Impact Assessment Please refer to overarching policy Data Protection Act and Freedom of Information Act Please refer to overarching policy Escalation Page 9 of 10 Version 1.0 October 2016
Standard Operating Procedure Details Unique Identifier for this SOP is State if SOP is New or Revised BCPFT-SAFE-SOP-09-5 New Policy Category Executive Director whose portfolio this SOP comes under Policy Lead/Author Job titles only Committee/Group Responsible for Approval of this SOP Month/year consultation process completed Safeguarding Executive Director of Nursing, AHPs and Governance Dudley Named Nurse Children and Adult Safeguarding Steering Group September 2016 Month/year SOP was approved October 2016 Next review due October 2019 Disclosure Status B can be disclosed to patients and the public Review and Amendment History - to be completed by Corporate Governance Version Date Description of Change 1.0 Oct 2016 New SOP developed to support overarching Safeguarding Children Policy Escalation Page 10 of 10 Version 1.0 October 2016