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Contents

1. Criteria for Strategy Discussions 
2. Purpose of Strategy Discussions 
3. Timing of Strategy Discussions  
4. Convening and Chairing Strategy Discussions 
5. Outcomes and Recording of Strategy Discussions 

1. Criteria for Strategy Discussions

A Strategy Discussion must be held in the following circumstances:

1. If the outcome of an Initial Assessment or Core Assessment determines that a child has suffered or is likely to suffer Significant Harm
2. If a specific concern or incident arises and there is reasonable cause to suspect Significant Harm from information provided in a Referral or in respect of a child whose case is open
3. A child has been made subject to an Emergency Protection Order and a Strategy Discussion was not held previously
4. If a child has been made subject to Police Protection
5. If a child is in breach of a Child Curfew Order

2. Purpose of Strategy Discussions

The Purpose of a Strategy Discussion is to determine whether there are reasonable grounds to suggest that a child is suffering or likely to suffer Significant Harm and there may be a need for an Initial Child Protection Conference. If so, the Strategy Discussion will plan the initial stages of the Core Assessment incorporating a Child Protection Enquiry (see Core Assessments Procedure).

In carrying this out, the Strategy Discussion must:

• Share and evaluate information and confirm the need for a Child Protection Enquiry
• Agree the conduct and timing of any criminal investigation
• Decide what further information is required and how it should be obtained
• Decide on the scope of the Child Protection Enquiry including whether there are any other children at risk
• Consider the need for a paediatric medical or other specialist assessment
• Agree when the  child will be seen alone by the lead social worker (unless inappropriate for the child)
• Decide when, how and who will undertake interviews of the child and if video interviews will be used
• Decide on any action required where consent to an interview or medical assessment is refused
• Decide who else to interview
• Consider any other protective action or support services required
• Consider what information should and can be shared
• Consider any legal action required
• Decide the need for any further Strategy Discussion
• Decide the time-scales of the Child Protection Enquiry and which agency or individual is responsible for which action
• Decide the mechanism and/or date for reviewing the completion of agreed actions
• Whether relevant to involve adult services professionals where parents or adults in the household are experiencing problems such as domestic abuse, substance abuse or mental illness.

3. Timing of Strategy Discussions

If a decision is made to proceed from an Initial Assessment to a Strategy Discussion/Meeting, the Strategy Discussion/Meeting should be convened within three working days, except in the following circumstances:

• If the allegations or concerns indicate a serious risk of Significant Harm to the child, the Strategy Discussion or meeting should be held on the same day as the receipt of the Referral
• If the allegations or concerns indicate penetrative Sexual Abuse of a child has occurred, the Strategy Discussion or Meeting should be held on the same day as the receipt of the Referral if this is required to ensure forensic evidence
• Where immediate action has been required to protect a child, the Strategy Discussion should take place within one working day of the emergency action
• Where the concerns are particularly complex, the Strategy Meeting must be held within a maximum of 5 working days, but sooner if there is a need to provide immediate protection to the child

4. Convening and Chairing Strategy Discussions

Strategy Discussions by telephone will usually be adequate to plan a Child Protection Enquiry, but a face-to-face meeting will be more effective in complex cases.

For details as to who should be consulted whether a face-to-face meeting is appropriate, see the Bedfordshire and Luton LSCB Safeguarding Procedures.

The Strategy Discussion should involve the social worker who has undertaken the Initial Assessment and/or who will be undertaking the Child Protection Enquiry and the Police. In addition to the Police, other agencies should be involved as appropriate (for example education and health care representatives) and, in particular, any referring agency. 

Where a meeting is appropriate, they are normally convened, chaired and administered by the relevant social worker's manager.

Generally the meeting will be held in the local social services office but may be held elsewhere if appropriate, for example if the child is in hospital, the meeting may take place there to maximise attendance from hospital staff.

5. Outcomes and Recording of Strategy Discussions

The social worker or manager must record the outcome of a Strategy Discussion conducted by telephone and fax or e-mail copies to all those with whom the discussions took place.

The Manager must record the outcome of a Strategy Meeting and immediately circulate copies to those who attended or were invited to contribute, preferably at the end of the meeting. 

The outcome of the Strategy Discussion may be:

1. There are grounds to suggest the child is suffering or is likely to suffer Significant Harm. In these circumstances, a Child Protection Enquiry will be undertaken, and a Core Assessment will be commenced
2. There are no grounds to suggest the child is suffering or is likely to suffer Significant Harm but the child may still be a Child in Need and the manager may decide to initiate a Core Assessment and/or the provision of services from within the authority or from other agencies
3. The child does not appear to be a Child in Need; which may result in the provision of information, advice, signposting to another agency and/or no further action

End