Managing children's cases

On this page you will find links to the the policies and procedures which provide the framework for managing the cases of individual children receiving a service from children's social care. They are listed in alphabetical order.

NEW: THRESHOLDS GUIDANCE
Meeting the needs of Children and families in Suffolk: Social Care and Common Assessment Framework Thresholds Guidance Guidance to help professionals in the Suffolk children’s workforce to identify suitable responses to needs and issues regarding the children, young people and families they are working with.

Step-up / Step-down procedure

The Step-up policy details how a child or young person supported through the Common Assessment Framework (CAF) process will continue to receive support as needs escalate to require children's social care intervention. It also explains the role of members of the Team Around the Child (TAC) as children's social care takes on the lead role with a child or young person.
The Step-down policy describes how a Team Around the Child can be engaged by children's social care when they are bringing their support to an end.  The Step Up and Step Down Processes (PDF, 99Kb).
 

Adult and Children's services co-ordination ACCORD Protocol and practice guidance sets out the approach and requirements for services for children and adults to work together where a parent is disabled or has an additional support need.

Allocations Children in Need Case Allocation Policy (PDF, 32Kb)

Children with Additional needs Guidance for the specialist teams for Children with Additional Needs (PDF, 24Kb)
The Transitions Protocol between Children and Young People's Services and Adult and Community Services, including Mental Health and Sensory Service (PDF, 136Kb) provides a framework for practitioners and managers to work collaboratively when young people with additional needs are in transition to adulthood.

Children who run away Children who run away or go missing from home or care ( PDF 60Kb ).

Unaccompanied asylum seeking children This guidance (PDF 20Kb) outlines arrangements for responsibility and case transfer for this group of young people.

Core functions Core functions of Social Work teams (PDF, 137Kb ) gives the roles of the teams within children's social care services

Delegations Scheme of Delegations (PDF, 154Kb) shows who is authorised to make decisions and agree resources within children's social care services

Family Intervention Projects and Children's Social Care Services
This Protocol between the Family Intervention Projects and Children's Social Care Services sets out the agreed arrangements and responsibilities for effective joint interagency working

Information sharing The Suffolk Information Sharing Charter to improve outcomes for children, young people and their families ( PDF 192Kb ) is the agreement within the Children's Trust Partnership regarding sharing information. The  government Information Sharing Guidance  ( PDF 1.2Mb ) provides further information for practitioners and managers to sharing information legally and professionally . This  pocket guide to information sharing ( PDF 211Kb )is a quick reference to the full government guidance  

Supervision The Supervision Policy ( PDF 170kb ) for Children's Social Care Services sets out the policy framework, procedures and best practice guidance for supervision. All parts of the policy apply to all staff.
To support the policy are:  Model Supervision Agreement (42 Kb), Model supervision agenda ( 38 Kb), and Record of Practitioner supervision ( 43 Kb)  The case management audit tool  ( 38Kb) supports the supervision policy. The Supervision Planning matrix  ( 61Kb) is to is to plan, manage and evidence supervision sessions, case management auditing and related practice development activity. The At a glance guide to supervision  ( PDF 43Kb) in Children's Social Care is for quick reference and should be used in conjunction with the main policy

The role of the advocate in Suffolk CYP service complaints for children and young people  
( PDF 49Kb )

 Transport Policy gives guidance on transport matters regarding Children in Need.