4.9.3 Notifiable Events |
This is a new Chapter in July 2008
SCOPE OF THIS CHAPTER
This Chapter outlines the senior managers and external agencies that must be informed if a Notifiable Event occurs.
AMENDMENT
This chapter was amended to take account of the Children's Homes (Amendment) Regulations 2011, Associated Guidance (Volume 5) and National Minimum Standards (NMS) and the Fostering Agencies Regulations 2011, Associated Guidance (Volume 4) and National Minimum Standards (NMS).
Definition of Notifiable Events and Timescales for Notifying
Notifiable Events, which relate to Looked After Children, are defined in the table below.
If a Notifiable Event occurs in relation to a Looked After Child, the following people must be informed:
- The Home's Manager and Line Manager or Supervising Social Worker/Line Manager
- The Social Worker and his/her Line Manager
- The Divisional Manager*
*The Divisional Manager will come to a decision about informing other senior officers, but must ensure that the external agencies listed in the table are informed.
All notifications to external agencies must be made without delay, verbally and confirmed in writing.
Foster Carers
Notifications to the appropriate authorities must take place within 24 hours of the event- including weekends. A written record of the event must be maintained. The fostering agency should have a notification system if there are concerns about a child's mental health. All notifications must be shared with the responsible authority.
| EVENT | WHO TO NOTIFY |
| Death of a child | Outside Agencies: The Regulatory Authority, Secretary of State and Health and Safety Executive |
| Referral to the Secretary of State pursuant to section 2(1)(a) of the Protection of Children Act 1999(a) an employee or volunteer | Outside Agencies: The Regulatory Authority |
| Serious illness or serious accident sustained by a child or employee. This includes serious or persistent self harming or attempted suicide. | Outside Agencies: The Regulatory Authority and Health and Safety Executive. |
| Allegation that a child has committed a serious offence | Outside Agencies: The Police |
| Involvement or suspected involvement of a child in sexual exploitation | Outside Agencies: The Regulatory Authority, Police & Local Authority |
| Any incident necessitating calling the Police or Emergency Services (e.g. Fire Brigade). | Outside Agencies:The Regulatory Authority |
| Any serious complaint | Outside Agencies:The Regulatory Authority |
| Instigation and outcome of any Child Protection Enquiry involving a child | Outside Agencies:The Regulatory Authority |
| Instigation and outcome of any Child Protection Enquiry involving a child. | Outside Agencies:The Regulatory Authority |
| Outbreak of any infectious disease which in the opinion of a registered medical practitioner attending children is sufficiently serious to be so notified | Outside Agencies:The Regulatory Authority, Health and Safety Executive Incident Contact Centre. It is not necessary to notify the Primary Care Trust. |
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