Children who move from one authority’s area to another

10. Child leaving Care

This is the subject of national guidance. This can be found on the National Care Advisory Service (NCAS) Leaving Care website www.leavingcare.org.

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11. Allegations Made By Children from One Local Authority Who Are Placed In Establishments / Placements in another Local Authority

11.1 This applies to child-to-child allegations and all allegations against adults. All allegations in respect of adults who work with children must be reported to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) in the county where the establishment/placement is based within one working day.

11.2 In all circumstances, case responsibility for a LADO referral will be held by the Local Authority where the adult works. Strategy meetings or initial evaluation meetings will be chaired by a designated manager. Responsibility for managing enquiries will lie with the authority where the allegation is made. If information emerges during the course of the enquiry that the individual against whom an allegation is made additionally works with children in another Local Authority, that authority must be promptly informed and information shared as appropriate. That Local Authority will have case responsibility in respect of the individual's role in their area, but close working together with the originating authority will be necessary. The police authority where the alleged crime has been committed will investigate as appropriate. The placing authority will be immediately informed - initially verbally with written confirmation to follow. The social worker for the child will attend strategy meetings or initial evaluation meetings as required. Case responsibility for the child will remain with the placing authority.

11.3 In the event there is evidence of multiple abuses the authority where the establishment/placement is based will be responsible for providing the resources to instigate the enquiry but will include all other relevant authorities. The procedures for dealing with complex abuse enquiries will apply. Where there is an allocated social worker for a child in these circumstances they or their manager must remain involved in the investigation as appropriate in terms of attending strategy meetings and providing support to the child and their family. The actual investigation process may need to be independently conducted.

11.4 A series of strategy meetings may be required. In all circumstances there must be an action plan and this must be agreed between all agencies involved.

11.5 The final strategy meeting should ensure all agencies are clear that the actions that led to the investigation have been dealt with. Minutes must be taken and circulated within 3 working days.

11.6 In addition to the above all of the requirements of chapter 5 of Safeguarding Children and Safer Recruitment in Education 2007 must be met.