Understanding child protection thresholds

Thresholds of need and response in Salford

In order to address some immediate issues around how to make a referral into Children's Services and the use of the secure upload facility, we have amended the 'Thresholds of need and response in Salford' document. We've not changed the process, merely re-edited the document to give clearer messages. This is intended as an interim release, a full release will be done later in the year, taking into account previous feedback during the consultation which ran to the end of December last year.

The processes detailed in the document aim to provide effective working practices in safeguarding children in Salford. The bespoke referral form will lead to better and clearer information being collected; this will greatly assist the Referral and Initial Assessment team (RIAT) in their assessment tasks.

Having listened to colleagues in education a new referral form is now to be used when there are attendance problems.

The CAF forms will be uploaded as before but will arrive at the CAF team where an operational locality manager will discuss any CAF forms that may indicate a higher level of intervention is required. Otherwise the CAF referral system is unchanged. CAF co-ordinators will be on hand to help and support partner agencies to complete CAF forms and to assist in chairing some meetings. The procedure on uploading CAF forms is detailed below.

The case transfer between teams and services has been designed to ensure children and families move up and down the continuum of care as seamlessly and safely as possible.

Finally, the new structure in the RIAT team will lead to a more responsive service in relation to referrals. The single point of entry will ensure that every referral is seen by a duty manager at point of entry and a decision swiftly made. If we receive a referral on the new bespoke form that has the information requested then an initial assessment will be undertaken with the caveat that if it is identified to be at CAF level then it will be returned with a revised plan and the use of a CAF co-ordinator to chair the first meeting.

For SSCB training on thresholds please go to the SSCB training information. For all other multi agency training, please visit the Integrated Working Training Courses page.

Please destroy all previous copies of the threshold document and materials (posters, Z-cards, mouse mats etc) relating to the old threshold circulated before March 2011.

If you need to submit documentation, visit the secure upload page.