2.1.1 Children in Need - Plans and Reviews |
RELATED CHAPTERS
For Guidance in relation to all reviews, see Children’s Reviews Guidance
Contents
1. Children’s Plans and Family Support Plans
A Children’s Plan is a plan setting out the services provided to a Child in Need, who is not Looked After; for example, family support or day care.
Children’s Plans are normally drawn up at the conclusion of an Initial Assessment or Core Assessment at a planning meeting convened by the social worker undertaking the assessment and/or allocated to the child’s case or responsible for making the arrangements for a child to receive services.
A Family Support Plan will be drawn up at a Family Support Meeting.
The Children’s Plan/Family Support Plan must identify who is responsible for which action and the time-scale involved.
A copy of the Children’s Plan/Family Support Plan should be provided to the parents, child (if old enough) and the agencies or other professionals involved in the provision of services under the Plan.
Where it becomes necessary to make minor adjustments to the plan and services provided, any changes to the plan must be made in consultation with the parents and the child (where appropriate) and key professionals from other agencies.
If there are significant changes in the family circumstances, a formal review should take place.
2. Children’s Plan Reviews
Children’s Plan Reviews will be conducted at intervals agreed with the manager, but at least every three months, by the child’s social worker, who should invite or seek the views of the child, parents and any service providers.
The Review will generally take place within a meeting, unless the manager agrees otherwise. The social worker or manager will chair the meeting. If the case is not allocated, the manager must undertake the review or arrange for it to be undertaken on his/her behalf.
The purpose of the Review is to ensure that the services provided are contributing to the achievement of the objectives within the time-scales set.
The outcome of a Review will determine:
- Whether the child is no longer a Child in Need, resulting in a recommendation to the manager that the case be closed.
- Whether the child continues to be a Child in Need, resulting in the continuing provision of services and amendment, as necessary, of the Plan; which must be circulated to the child, parent(s) and all other relevant people.
- In the case of a Children’s Plan drawn up following an Initial Assessment, whether a Core Assessment is required.
The outcome of the Review should be recorded and a copy of the record sent to the child (if old enough), parent and all other participants in the Review process.
Review outcomes should be recorded on the child's electronic recording system.
Where the outcome of the Review is an amendment to the Plan, the social worker should circulate a copy of the amended Plan to the child, parents, and other agencies/professionals involved in providing the services set out in the amended Plan, including any new services to be provided.
End