Procedures & Guidance

HSCB Pan-Cheshire Procedures

HSCB Escalation Policy

If  in the process of multi-agency working professional disagreement are encountered when determing levels of need when working with children and families, professionals should follow the Escalation Policy:

Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) Procedures

These procedures relate to the management of allegations made against adults who work with children in a paid or voluntary capacity. They specifically refer to the LADO process.

Step Up/Step Down Protocol: Interface between Early Intervention (Team Around the Family – TAF) and Children’s Social Care (CSC)

This protocol outlines the process where children move between levels 2 and 3 of the Halton levels of need framework.  The protocol details the processes and systems relating to:

i)  Cases which step up from Early Intervention to Children’s Social Care

ii) Cases which step down from Children’s Social Care to Early Intervention

Neglect Strategy

Modern Slavery

In support of the Pan Cheshire Modern Slavery Strategy agencies across Cheshire have signed up to the Cheshire Anti-Slavery Network Pledge.

National Guidance

National Referral Mechanism: guidance for child first responders

Child Trafficking is child abuse.  When an agency comes into contact with a child who may have been trafficked Children’s Social Care and the Police should be notified immediately.

This guidance, published by the Home Office, outlines the role of the first responder, the use of Children’s Services and how to refer a child who may have been trafficked into the National Referral Mechanism (NRM).  It also includes information on the steps after referral, including reasonable grounds test, decisions and reviews.

Care of Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Child Victims of Modern Slavery – Statutory Guidance for Local Authorities

Statutory guidance for local authorities and professionals who support unaccompanied migrant children who may be victims, or potential victims of Modern Slavery.

Female Genital Mutilation

Multi-agency statutory guidance for agencies and professionals involved in safeguarding and supporting women and girls affected by FGM published April 2016.

Child Abuse and Neglect NICE Guideline 76

A guideline for recognising and responding to abuse and neglect in children and young people under 18. This is for all practitioners whose work brings them into contact with children and young people; those with specific roles in assessing risk and need, providing early help and interventions to children, young people, parents and carers; commissioners and managers of services for children and young people.