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Explore the key learning and messages derived from the Triennial Review of Serious Case Reviews 2011-14, shedding light on the importance of safe organizational cultures, professional curiosity, and accountability. Learn how to respond effectively to vulnerable young people and prevent future harm.
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Alex Walters-Independent Overview Author • Welcome opportunity to share learning • Recognition of the significant harm experienced by children who were victims of adults who abused their positions of trust and our thanks to those who responded to the public appeal • Purpose of any Serious Case Review- to focus on learning and improvement-not blame
Voices heard by the Serious Case Review • Victim- their desired outcome “I want to make sure things change” • Perpetrators- described by victims as important and respected and they felt no one would listen • Victims and practitioners wanted recognition that children’s behaviour ie absconding/challenging seen by professionals as troublesome not troubled and no one asks the question –why?
National context • National spotlight and media interest remains high on SCRs- ie, Rotherham, Bristol, Baby P, Daniel Pelka, Poppi Worthington • WT 13/15-New systems methodologies introduced to undertake SCRs more flexibly • National SCR Panel of Experts established- July 13 and 3 Annual reports published • New Children and Social Work Bill will differentiate national SCRs and local case reviews but no criteria • Triennial Review of SCRs 2011-14 by UEA/Warwickshire published 2016
Learning from Triennial Review of SCRs-2011-14 • Because of, and in spite of, their challenging behaviours, vulnerable youngpeople must feel that someone is ‘there for them’ and that they are heard • Young people with damaging early histories coupled with the impact of theseexperiences on their self-esteem have little reason to trust those in authority and may present challenging and disruptive behaviours
Key SCR national and local messages • Failure to revise judgements in light of new information • Rule of Optimism • Lack of Professional Curiosity • Lack of Professional Challenge within and between agencies- escalation and whistle blowing.
WEST BERKS -SCR PROCESS • Highly complex SCR given breadth of organisations involved and not focused on a family • Learning identified for all organisations involved • SCR Panel established to provide oversight • 6 Individual Management Reviews (IMRs) and 8 Information and Analysis Reports (IARs) plus chronologies provided and discussed together • Public Appeal and discussion with victims and practitioners
KEY LEARNING • Key learning identified in this SCR for all involved: • A) Organisations/institutions • B) Statutory agencies who respond to allegations • C) National learning
KEY LEARNING-A-Safe organisational cultures Evidence is required of: • Escalation, challenge and whistle blowing procedures and their use and outcome • Safe recruitment practice irrespective of role and status • Safeguarding training undertaken of key roles and refreshed and monitored
SAFE ORGANISAL CULTURE • Responding to low level concerns about staff to enable a full picture to emerge • Responding to concerns involving senior staff/positions of trust must be undertaken –”the myth of a pillar of the community cannot be an abuser must be tackled-CEOP 2013” • Ensuring all disciplinary processes conclude irrespective of status or if left organisation.
KEY LEARNING-education settings • Need for independence in governance arrangements in schools particularly Academies as less LA oversight • Role of school governors to provide independent scrutiny and challenge and to evidence this through S.11 assessment.
B-STATUTORY PARTNERS • Function of the LADO –role of oversight and management of allegations and capacity to follow up internal organisational processes and escalate. • Criminal Justice agencies- focus on victims in child sexual abuse allegations and make use of public appeals • Adult services -need to appropriately respond to historical allegations of sexual abuse .
C- NATIONAL LEARNINNG • National learning on omissions of positions in the Sexual Offences 2003 legislation ie non LA youth workers • Clarity required on the national responsibility for the Quality Assurance and oversight role for safeguarding within Academies
KEY MESSAGES • Listen to children- ensure that you have robust systems to facilitate this including access to independent people which is transparent and publicised. • Retain and practice professional curiosity –ask more questions/follow up and escalate.
SCR Recommendations:LSCB • Relaunch programme of safer recruitment and safe organisational culture training/awareness • Review the Section 11/Section 175 audit tool to include evidence ie outcomes of disciplinary processes • Continue to review the pan Berks escalation policy • Audit all existing whistle blowing policies and their use.
SCR Recommendations-LSCB • Consider how to raise awareness of need for vigilance and professional curiosity • Recommend to all organisations that disciplinary procedures conclude irrespective of the status of the employee or if they have left.
SCR Recommendations- Faith sector • Further active engagement in the LSCB work and proportionate S.11 processes. • Activities undertaken by Church/youth work settings adhere to same safeguarding policies and procedures and recognise inherent risk • Request Diocese of Oxford share their learning with wider faith sector and LSCBs.
SCR Recommendations- Education settings • School governors, especially safeguarding leads engage in training and understand roles and responsibilities including S.11. • Schools involved in this SCR act as champions and share learning with wider school community • All schools to consider how to provide children with access to a trusted independent person which is clearly publicised.
SCR recommendations-Local Authority • Review the statutory LADO function and the capacity to undertake its strategic oversight function • The Local Authority to re-instate the Designated Leads Forum for safeguarding leads in schools.
SCR Recommendations-Criminal Justice agencies • All agencies to recognise the impact of proceedings on child victims and their welfare paramount • Investigations of historical sexual abuse to consider potential other victims and ensure use of public appeals • LSCB to monitor impact of delays in review of indecent images on partner agencies ability to conclude HR processes.
SCR Recommendations-National • Highlight omissions from Sexual Offences legislation • Request DfE, Regional Schools Commissioners and the Education Funding Agency review the effectiveness of current arrangements for the national governance and accountability of safeguarding within academies.
KEY Messages for today • Thanks and recognition for the work you do every day to protect children and young people • Reflect on the presentations/workshops and how the learning will impact on your practice • Enjoy the day- provides the chance to network with colleagues and space to reflect .
Final thought • How can you ensure that you personally and we collectively achieve the outcome of the victim who said he wanted “things to change” for children. • Any questions/ comments??