4.3.3 Secure Accommodation (Criteria) Reviews |
Contents
- Purpose of Secure Accommodation Reviews
- Timing of Secure Accommodation Reviews
- Chairing of Secure Accommodation Reviews
- Secure Accommodation Review Panel
- Arranging a Secure Accommodation Panel
- Invitations
- Preparation for Secure Accommodation Reviews
- Conducting the Secure Accommodation Review
1. Purpose of Secure Accommodation Reviews
The Purpose of a Secure Accommodation Review is to consider the following:
- Whether the criteria for keeping a child in secure accommodation continue to apply, on the day of the review
- Whether such a placement continues to be necessary and
- Whether or not any other form of accommodation would be appropriate.
2. Timing of Secure Accommodation Reviews
Secure Accommodation Reviews must be convened within one month of a child being placed in secure accommodation, and then at intervals not exceeding three months.
These are maximum timescales.
3. Chairing of Secure Accommodation Reviews
Secure Accommodation Review Panels, chaired by a senior manager, will conduct the Reviews.
4. Secure Accommodation Review Panel
The Secure Accommodation Panel is responsible for listening to the views of those who attend/contribute, and coming to a decision about whether they believe the criteria for secure accommodation are still met. The Panel cannot come to a decision about whether the child should remain or leave secure accommodation; it can only make a recommendation on this to the Designated Manager (Placements - Secure Accommodation).
The Panel consists of three people, one of whom must be independent of the local authority and the authority managing the secure unit. Besides the Chair, the other two people will be an Independent Reviewing Officer and a representative of The Voice of The Child In Care.
5. Arranging a Secure Accommodation Panel
Where a Review Panel is required, the social worker will be responsible for contacting a Chair and convening a date for the Initial Secure Accommodation Review in consultation with the Chair and the relevant secure unit. Thereafter, each Review Panel will agree dates for future Panel meeting.
The Review Panel will meet at the relevant secure unit.
6. Invitations
Apart from those who form the Secure Accommodation Panel, the following people should be invited:
- The child and parent(s)
- The child’s social worker and manager
- Those who previously have had or may have care of the child upon discharge
- The Children’s Guardian
- The child’s Independent Visitor and/or advocate, if appointed
- The Link Worker/Keyworker for the child from the Secure Unit
7. Preparation for Secure Accommodation Reviews
Prior to the Secure Accommodation Review, the social worker will ensure the following is undertaken:
- Invitations are extended to those who should be invited (other than the Panel members), or that they are asked to contribute.
- The child and parent(s) are clear about the purpose of the Secure Accommodation Review and are given adequate support to prepare for it, which may include arranging for an advocate to assist them.
- The social worker has prepared an up to date Care Plan and Report for the Review (a Pro-Forma for the Report is available).
- Arrangements have been made for the staff in the secure placement to prepare a report, taking account of the progress made with the child and stating their view as to whether the criteria still apply and whether any other description of accommodation would be appropriate rather than remaining in secure accommodation.
The reports and Care Plan (and, in the case of second and subsequent reviews, minutes of the previous Review) must be forwarded to the members of the Panel by the social worker at least 3 working days before the Review date. The reports must also be shared with the child and parents in advance of the Review.
8. Conducting the Secure Accommodation Review
The Secure Accommodation Review does not take the place of a Looked After Review or other review; it is distinctly different.
However, it is acceptable to conduct the Secure Accommodation Review on the same day as other reviews, so long as they are conducted separately.
The Review will be conducted in the same way as case conferences, namely with all persons present throughout.
The Panel Chairperson must ensure that those who attend understand the purpose of the Review and that the decision of the Review rests solely with the Panel members.
The Secure Accommodation Panel is responsible for listening to the views of those who attend/contribute, and coming to a decision about whether they believe the criteria are met.
The Review should so far as practicable take account of the wishes and feelings of:
- The child and/or the child’s advocate
- The child’s parents and any person with Parental Responsibility
- Any person who previously had care of the child
- The child’s Independent Visitor, if appointed
- The local authority managing the secure accommodation in which the child is placed if different
Once all the information has been heard, the Panel members will withdraw to make their decision.
The key questions that must be considered are:
- Whether the criteria continue to apply on the day of the review, and even if they do
- Whether the placement in secure accommodation continues to be necessary
- Whether any other description of accommodation would be appropriate.
The Panel should have access to legal advice, where considered necessary.
It is not sufficient, simply, to retain a child in secure accommodation to complete an assessment or treatment programme or whilst other accommodation is sought. Regard must be given to the fact that it is unlawful for the liberty of a child to be restricted unless the criteria are met, no matter how short the period of security.
Once the Panel has made a decision, it should be recorded, together with reasons, and the decision and reasons should be communicated to the other participants at the Review.
Where relevant, a date for the next Review Panel should also be fixed.
Where a decision is made that the criteria for secure accommodation no longer apply or that the placement in secure accommodation is no longer necessary or that other accommodation is appropriate, the placement must be immediately reviewed - this should take place at the secure placement.
If the child requests further explanation of the outcome of the meeting and its implications, the child’s social worker and/or manager should see him or her immediately after the Review in order to provide this.
If the parents are not in attendance, the social worker must take steps to inform them immediately of the outcome of the meeting.
All communications should be confirmed in writing.
Minutes will be prepared by the Chair and sent to the social worker for circulation to all participants and those who were invited but unable to attend.
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