4.3.4 Secure Accommodation (Criteria) Review |
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 is 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
For emergency reviews in relation to children placed in secure accommodation in an emergency, see also Emergency Reviews Procedure.
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 will be chaired by the Service Manager, Safeguarding and Quality Assurance.
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 (Secure Accommodation Placement).
The Panel consists of three people, one of whom must be independent of the local authority and the authority managing the secure unit. The other two people will be an elected member (or if not available, a senior manager from the Children's Social Care Department). This manager should not have line management responsibility for the decision to place the child the secure unit) When a secure accommodation review and a Looked After Review are being held consecutively, the Looked After Reviewing Officer can be the third panel member.
5. Arranging a Secure Accommodation Panel
The social worker will be responsible for convening a date for the Initial Secure Accommodation Review in consultation with the relevant secure unit.
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 or Advocate, if appointed
- The Link/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 must also ensure that the Consultation papers are given to the child and parents as appropriate and, after completion, are available for the Review. The social worker must also ensure that the consultation papers are given to the child and to the parents as appropriate, and, after completion, are available for the review. Alternatively the child may prefer to contribute via the 'Viewpoint' consultation software
- The social worker has prepared an up to date Care Plan and report for the review
The report must address:
- The reason for the secure placement and the criteria applied
- The other options explored, why these were not considered appropriate and on what basis they have been rejected
- The extent to which the criteria are still met and the risks faced if the child does not continue to be held in secure accommodation
- The child’s previous placement history (including, in the case of a child remanded to local authority accommodation, details of previous convictions and sentences)
- How the current placement is meeting the child’s needs (this should include education arrangements and if appropriate any medical assessments or treatment being considered or undertaken)
- The Care Plan for the child (including what consideration has been given to how the secure placement will meet the child’s cultural, linguistic and religious needs)
- The child’s views
- The views of the child’s parents or others holding Parental Responsibility
- The views of the current placement and the views of the Independent Visitor for the child
- The social worker’s recommendation to the Review Panel as to whether the child should continue to be held in secure accommodation
- Arrangements have been made for the staff in the secure placement and others involved in the young person’s care 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 Care Plan and reports must be forwarded to the Panel Chairperson and members of the Panel by the social worker at least 3 working days before the Review date.
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 can be conducted in one of two ways:
- In the form of a meeting which everyone attends and may hear the views of the other participants
- In the form of the Panel hearing the views of each person, separately
In any case, the Panel Chairperson must ensure that those who contribute understand the purpose of the Review; which is to consider whether the criteria for keeping a child is secure accommodation continue to apply, on the day of the review.
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 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
In considering these matters the Panel must have regard to the child’s welfare.
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.
Having given due regard to the views and contributions of those who attend or were invited, the Secure Accommodation Panel should retire to consider their decision, in private.
Once the Panel has made a decision, it should be recorded, together with reasons, and communicated to the other participants at the Review.
Where relevant, a date for the next Review Panel should also be fixed.
If the child requests further explanation, 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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