7.1 Implementation of CP plan - The Role of the Lead Social Worker

Each child who is subject of a Child Protection Plan should have a named Lead Social Worker. The named Lead Social Worker should be a qualified and experienced social worker from Children's Social Care.

Having the lead role among members of the Core Group, the Lead Social Worker is responsible for ensuring that the Outline Child Protection Plan is developed into a more detailed plan and written agreement, by the Core Group.

The Lead Social Worker should ensure that a Single Assessment is completed, with contributions as appropriate from other members of the Core Group.

The Lead Social Worker should also:

• Maintain regular contact with relevant agencies whether they are members of the Core Group or not;
• Act to co-ordinate the actions of professionals and family members in implementing the plan;
• Act as a focal point for the communication of information between members of the Core Group;
• Together with the Core Group, but also on a continuous basis, review the progress of the Child Protection Plan in relation to increased likelihood of suffering Significant Harm against the objectives set out in the plan.

The Lead Social Worker has specific responsibilities to see the child at a minimum of once every four weeks, unless specified as more frequent in the Child Protection Plan, and to maintain contact with and visit other family members on a regular basis. This must include seeing the child alone or a baby when awake at least every 4 weeks between each Child Protection Conference.

The Lead Social Worker should regularly ascertain the child's feelings, and keep the child up to date with the Child Protection Plan and any developments or changes.

As part of the ongoing review of the Child Protection Plan, the child should be seen at home and the Lead Social Worker should be satisfied that the child is being suitably cared for in the home environment. For example the child's sleeping arrangements should be viewed, along with other aspects of the home such as cooking facilities and the availability of food, to ascertain whether a child's basic needs are being met.

The Lead Social Worker should record:

• Contact and discussion with professionals and agencies;
• Details of all visits made to family members by the Lead Social Worker;
• Confirmation that the Lead Social Worker spoke with the child (including if alone), or providing a clear reason why not;
• What the child is saying

The Lead Social Worker, rather than any co-working social worker, is responsible for notifying members of the Core Group, other agencies and the Safeguarding Unit of any change of circumstances such as changes to the household, change of address and any temporary or permanent change to the child's placement, as soon as possible.

The Lead Social Worker is immediately responsible to and supervised by a Team Manager. The Lead Social Worker should keep the Team Manager informed of any difficulties in implementing the plan, visiting the family or seeing the child. If the parents are not willing to co-operate in the implementation of the plan, the local authority should consider what action, including the initiation of family proceedings, it should take to safeguard the child's welfare.