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5.8.1 Transfer of Cases

AMENDMENTS

This chapter was slightly amended in November 2010; See Section 2, Transfers for Referral and Assessment to FSI


Contents

  1. Transfer of Cases to Children with Disabilities Service
  2. Transfers from Referral and Assessment to FSI
  3. Transfers to the LAC Service
  4. Transfers into the Adoption and Fostering Service


1. Transfer of Cases to Children with Disabilities Service

All children with a permanent and substantial disability who need an ongoing care package from Children’s Social Care will be dealt with by Disabled Children’s Service.

The majority of cases will be referred directly to Children with Disabilities Service. If cases are open to other teams where they become aware that the child has a permanent and substantial disability these cases can be transferred to Children with Disabilities Service.

For cases to transfer from Referral and Assessment to Children with Disabilities Service, the Children with Disabilities Service will require a copy of the Initial Assessment including any medical evidence that supports the diagnosis. The Team Manager in Referral and Assessment should contact the Team Manager in Children with Disabilities Service to arrange transfer. It is not expected that there will be a hand over visit.

For cases in Family Support and Intervention a discussion will take place about which is the most appropriate service to hold the case. This discussion should be between the Team Managers for the case. Any unresolved issues should be referred to the Service Managers. It will not be expected that any cases will be transferred whilst Court Proceedings are ongoing. Children with Disabilities Service will however be able to provide support and assistance to the Social Worker in FSI for children with disabilities. When cases are transferred to Children with Disabilities Service from FSI it will be an expectation that a hand over with the child/young person and their family will take place.


2. Transfers from Referral and Assessment to FSI

The following types of cases can be transferred from Referral and Assessment to FSI :

  • All LAC
  • All children subject to a Child Protection Plan
  • Children in Need with a Children in need Care Plan that indicates need for a social work service (not Assessment)

Transfers should only take place after the case has been discussed at the Transfer Meeting which takes place every Tuesday at 2pm.

For Looked after Children, these children should be transferred at the first looked after child review or if the case is in Care Proceedings  the transfer will be at the first Court Hearing  It will be expected that the R & A Service would have completed all the Looked After Children paperwork and liaise with the FSI Team Manager to arrange the date for the first LAC Review so that arrangements can be made for allocation and attendance by FSI at the Review.

For children subject to a Child Protection Plan, these case should be discussed at the Transfer Meeting prior to the Initial Child Protection Conference. The appropriate FSI Team Manager should be invited to the CP Conference. The case should transfer at the first Core Group Meeting which must take place within 10 days of the ICPCC.

For Children in Need cases, there must be a written Child in Need Care Plan that indicates the need for ongoing social work service. Cases should not be transferred to FSI for Assessments. If a Core Assessment is required this should be completed by the R & A Service.


3. Transfers to the LAC Service

All LAC with a permanency plan which does not include rehabilitation Home to Parents should be transferred to the LAC Service.

For Transfers to take place, discussion should take place between the Team Managers prior to the end of any Care Proceedings. An appropriate date should be sorted out between the Team Managers. It is agreed good practice that the Team Managers in FSI should consult with the Team Managers in LAC about the contents of the final Care Plan.


4. Transfers into the Adoption and Fostering Service

Children on full Care Orders with a plan of special guardianship or adoption should be transferred to the Adoption and Fostering Service. These cases may come from FSI, LAC or Children with Disabilities Service. In order to transfer cases to the Adoption and Fostering Service the Team Manager for the child needs to contact the Team Manager in Adoption Service to arrange transfer.

End