9.4.5 Notification of Significant Events |
Contents
1. Context and Scope
The Children's Homes Regulations 2011, Regulation 30, is the relevant Legislation and Guidance covering the notification of significant events. This is set out within Regulation 30 in a table format and this format should be used as a guide by all residential childcare units.
2. Procedure
| 1.0 | All significant events relating to the protection of children and young people Accommodated within residential care should be notified by the Children’s Homes Manager to the Residential Services Manager (RSM), Placement Services Manager (PSM) and Service Director, using the headings in the Table: "Events and Notifications" as guidance for what needs to be reported. |
| 1.1 | It is the responsibility of the Children’s Homes Manager following discussions with the RSM or PSM to ensure that notification of significant events is given to the appropriate authorities, as detailed in the Table for Regulation 30. |
| 1.2 | It is the responsibility of the Children’s Homes Manager to ensure that, unless the young person’s welfare would be compromised, parents are notified about any significant events that occur within a young person’s life. |
| 1.3 | It is the responsibility of the Children’s Homes Manager to ensure that the young person’s social worker is kept informed about any significant events. |
| 1.4 | Significant events must be promptly and accurately recorded, including the outcomes from any action and/or investigation that take place. These written records should be read and signed by the Children’s Homes Manager, within 24 hours of the event taken place. |
| 1.5 | Following any incident reported under Regulation 30, The Children’s Homes Manager should consider to request a meeting to discuss and decide any action necessary in order to provide greater safeguarding and/or respond to the young person’s Care Plan and Placement Plan. |
All notifications must be made without delay but within one working day at the latest.
| Event | Who to Notify |
| Death of a resident | Outside Agencies: Ofsted (National Business Unit: Tel 08456 40 40 40)The Health and Safety Executive The Secretary of State for Children |
| Referral to the Secretary of State pursuant to section 2(1)(a) of the Protection of Children Act 1999(a) of an individual working in the home | Outside Agencies: Ofsted (National Business Unit: Tel 08456 40 40 40) |
| Serious illness or serious accident sustained by a resident or employee. This includes serious or persistent self harming or attempted suicide | Outside Agencies: Social Worker Ofsted (National Business Unit: Tel 08456 40 40 40) The Health and Safety Executive *If a medical practitioner considers it to be notifiable under RIDDOR |
| Allegation that a resident Accommodated at the home has committed a serious offence | Outside Agencies: The Police Social Worker |
Involvement or suspected involvement of a resident in sexual exploitation See Local Safeguarding Children Board Procedures which will have a chapter about children in these circumstances |
Outside Agencies: Ofsted (National Business Unit: 08456 40 40 40) The Police Social Worker |
| Any incident necessitating calling the Police or Emergency Services (e.g. absconding, Fire Brigade, ambulance etc.) | Outside Agencies: Social Worker Ofsted (National Business Unit: 08456 40 40 40) |
| Any serious complaint about homes or employees | Outside Agencies: Social Worker Ofsted (National Business Unit: 08456 40 40 40) |
| Instigation and outcome of any Protection Enquiry involving a Resident | Outside Agencies: Social Worker Local Safeguarding Children Board Ofsted (National Business Unit: 08456 40 40 40) |
| Outbreak of any infectious disease which in the opinion of a registered medical practitioner is sufficiently serious to be so notified | Outside Agencies: Social Worker Ofsted (National Business Unit: 08456 40 40 40) |
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