What is the multi-agency concerns resolution process
In Leeds, we expect that our workforce will act
restoratively, and where there are differences of opinion about how to respond to an identified concern about a child, young person or family they will use positive, restorative approaches with each other to discuss these differences.
Disagreements can be a sign of developing thinking, and the value of exchanging ideas from different perspectives should not be under-estimated. However, disagreements may disadvantage the child or family involved if they are not resolved constructively and in a timely manner. Throughout our work, the safety and wellbeing of the child or young person is the primary concern, and professional disputes must not obstruct this.
If a practitioner feels that another worker or an agency is not acting in the best interests of the child, young person, or family, they have a responsibility to respectfully challenge that practitioner or agency. In Leeds, the
Leeds Safeguarding Childrens Partnership (LSCP) has developed the
Concerns Resolution Process external link to support practitioners to carry out that challenge.
How does it work
There are clear steps to follow when concerns arise, as set out below.
This process should always start with practitioners openly discussing their concerns restoratively with each other. However, some disagreements may need to be escalated up to first line managers or safeguarding leads (and beyond if appropriate).
- Step one - Discuss with your line manager, safeguarding lead and other colleagues to clarify thinking and seek advice before contacting the relevant practitioner to attempt to resolve any disagreement as soon as possible. Should disagreements be in relation to processes whereby there is a lead professional/
Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO)/ chair of a multi-agency meeting involved, they should be informed in writing for information and monitoring. Outcomes should be clearly recorded. If there is no resolution from this discussion, inform your line manager and/ or safeguarding, along with any lead professionals/ IRO/ Chair of multi-agency meeting who has been previously informed.
- Step two – if the concern is not resolved, refer to your line manager who should contact their equivalent in the other agency and seek to resolve restoratively. If there is still no resolution following this stage, the LSCP must also be notified.
- Step three a) – if the concern remains unresolved, your line manager should escalate through the management hierarchies of the agencies involved.
Step three b) – if the concern remains unresolved, your line manager should escalate through the management hierarchies of the agencies involved. - Step 4 - If the disagreement cannot be resolved within the three step process set out above, this should be referred to the LSCP Executive who will take action with both parties to resolve. If the LSCP Executive is unable to agree a way forward and resolve the situation, they will involve the LSCP Chair.
What are the principles of concerns resolution
When trying to resolve disagreements practitioners should work within the following principles:
The safety and wellbeing of the child or young person is paramount. If the child is considered to be at risk of significant harm, Children’s Services
Duty and Advice Team should be contacted.
Keep the child, young person, and their family at the centre of all professional discussions.
Ensure that the right conversations are had with the right people at the right time, taking place face to face where possible
Use a restorative approach which includes appropriate challenge/
Disagreements must be resolved in a timely manner.
Concerns, actions, responses, and outcomes must be recorded.
In addition, clear written records should be kept by everyone at all stages, which must include written confirmation between the parties about agreed resolutions and the proposed follow-up of any outstanding issues.
How long should the process take
Timescales for resolution for each step of the process should be agreed with the practitioner raising the concern, and a timescale for response from the other line manager should also be agreed.
Where possible this should not exceed 10 working days between stages and one month for the whole process to be completed.
Key contacts and more information
You can contact the LSCP and the LSCP Independent Chair at:
LSCP.Info@Leeds.gov.uk.
Practitioners can phone the
Duty and Advice Team at the Front Door on: 0113 376 0336 and the Emergency Duty Team out of hours on: 0113 535 0600.
Printable version
