Joint Protocol: The Local Commitment Local Commitment: Eden District FINAL: December 2014
Contents 1. Background 3 2. Fit with the County Protocol 4 3. Definition of Success 4. Local Arrangements: Approach & Flowchart 6 4 5. Details of Local Provision 14 6. Local Partners 15 7. Future Plans 18 8. Conflict Resolution 19 Photo supplied by Impact Housing Association: Eden Rural Foyer Residents Page 2
1. Background 1.1 Young People in Cumbria who are vulnerable and homeless receive an inconsistent service. In their own words, the process is often unclear and the outcome unsatisfactory for them 1. However, that service is equally unsatisfactory for many of the professionals involved- there are gaps in provision, there are unclear working relationships and there is often a feeling that we can do better within the resources we have available. 1.2 In the past, agencies have often got caught up in deciding which body has the statutory lead for assessment and for providing a service. This is a common problem across the country, which has resulted over the years in a number of circulars and clarifications from government and, indeed, major case law 2. Working in this way has been generally unsatisfactory, such that Cumbrian statutory agencies have tried to pin down accountability within several successive Protocols that have all had mixed success. 1.3 In this latest Protocol, we have taken a different tack. There have been several key aspects to our approach which have been different to what has gone before: i) We have based our proposals on the feedback from young People who have been homeless ii) We have concentrated on the Pathway that the young Person takes from homelessness to success iii) We have defined success as what the young Person describes as a successful outcome for them iv) We have involved Young People, front line staff, Managers and senior politicians in the process that we have gone through to produce this Protocol 3 1 See Appendix III of the Protocol: Feedback from Young People Interviews in Cumbria May 2013 2 RV Southwark 3 See Appd 1 Our Approach Page 3
2. Fit with the County Protocol As outlined in the main protocol document, we share a number of principles and beliefs about Young People and their transition to independent adulthood. It is the responsibility of all agencies to help protect our young people and keep them from harm. i) The parents of, or those with parental responsibility for, 16 and 17 year olds are responsible for their children s welfare. Our key commitment is to keep families together in their homes wherever possible because this is best for the child. ii) There is excellent preventative work taking place at a local level which sits outside of the Protocol. This work supports the principle outlined above; namely that, for most young people, staying in their family home (with support) is usually the best outcome for them. iii) It is the responsibility of all agencies to keep children safe. iv) bed and breakfast accommodation is not suitable for use by children s services or housing authorities to accommodate 16 and 17 year old Young People on a temporary basis: this principle is re-emphasised by the statutory joint guidance. v) the experience of homelessness is damaging to Young People and to their life chances: the statutory joint guidance states that it is in the best interests of most Young People aged 16 or 17 to live in the family home, or, where this is not safe or appropriate, with responsible adults in their wider family and friends network. vi) Young People should be given every opportunity to have a realistic understanding of the options available to them, and to make informed choices about their future. vii) Sometimes and despite everyone s best efforts, the pathway agreed with the young person breaks down. There is an absolute commitment on behalf of the signatories to the Protocol to ensure that in such cases the pathway is rebuilt, the young person can go back to the appropriate stage, re-engage and be reassessed by Children s Services, as appropriate. In all cases, a successful outcome will be defined by the young person and the sorts of involvement by professional agencies will be agreed with the young person. Agencies will share information about a young person and their family, subject to their consent. i) A young person in crisis should receive a consistent, practical and immediate response, which focuses on preventing homelessness in the first place, from whichever agency they first approach and a script has been developed to facilitate this (see Section 6). ii) One element of the dialogue that will take place at a local level when the young person first presents, will be the offer of access to independent advocacy through the National Youth Advocacy Service (NYAS). 4 4 http://www.nyas.net/ Page 4
iii) In all cases the outcome from the response will be a referral to Children s Services Safeguarding Hub Team. iv) The Children s Services Safeguarding Hub Team will take responsibility for a desktop assessment leading to a decision on further action. v) Once the decision has been made the responsibility for further support will either i. stay with the County Council; ii. transfer to the District Council; iii. transfer to an agency who is an identified provider of early help; iv. or, come to an end; vi) Regardless of the decision, services will be delivered at a local (District) level and may be delegated to a third party. Page 5
3. Our Definition of Success Where it is safe for them to do so, we will work with and support a young person to remain at home or within their family network thereby preventing homelessness. A young person who is vulnerable, homeless and 16/17 years old will receive an efficient and seamless service which results in a successful outcome for them. That successful outcome, as defined by our Young People, will be to be settled in independent and sustainable housing. To achieve this outcome, support agencies will adopt a Pathways approach, which means that they will work collaboratively together to make the process clear, seamless and effective. Following extensive consultation with Young People who are currently experiencing or have experienced homelessness, a number of key points emerged; these are: Young People want: o A single point of contact, not to be passed pillar to post. o Clarity about what will happen next, about what they can expect or limitations of what can happen. o To be listened to and helped to make informed choices (where appropriate). o Their wishes to be heard, they want someone to talk to who can explain what is going to happen and what could happen. o Support. o Suitable emergency accommodation. As professionals we want: o Decisions to be made in the best interest of each young person. o Prevention of homelessness, where it is safe to do so, based on the judgement of the professionals involved. o Relevant agencies to work together to support young people. Page 6
4. Local Arrangements: Approach & Flowchart Key principles by which we will operate in Eden are: Our starting point is that young people are better off living at home or within their family network, as long as it is safe for them to do so. Homelessness at a young age should be avoided wherever possible. An integral element of the approach in Eden will be joint meetings/visits between Housing and Children s Services/Youth Offending Service (YOS) (for young people who are not open already to Children s Services/YOS, this visit would be undertaken by the homeless 16-17yr old case officers) to the young person and/or their family. We recognise that this is an important part of homeless prevention. We will support young people to present as homeless at the place that is most appropriate for them. Where there is a presenting unmet need that a single agency cannot manage on their own, an Early Help Assessment should be undertaken. Eden has a unique geography which presents service challenges, we will work together to minimise the impact of these for young people on a case by case basis. Local arrangements in place are: If a young person presents (other than to Children s Services) and it appears they are homeless that day, then the organisation to which they have presented will have an initial dialogue with them (using the script). If there are no safeguarding issues, the organisation to which the young person has presented, should contact the young person s parents and mediate to encourage the young person remaining in their family. If this is unsuccessful or deemed fragile, the organisation should complete the Single Referral Form and send this through to Safeguarding Hub. Safeguarding Hub will undertake a desktop assessment and, if they feel that the young person requires a Child and Family assessment, the case will be passed to the local Child and Family Support Team or YOS social worker where YOS are involved. If the mediation is unsuccessful, and a referral to Safeguarding Hub has been made and identified YOS are not involved, then the referring organisation will call the Eden Child and Family Support team to notify them directly of the need for joint same day action..if the young person has presented in Penrith, then where possible/appropriate, the referring worker will accompany the young person to the local Child and Family Support team office so joint work can speedily occur. The child and family support team will provide a response (within office hours). The responsible team manager can always be contacted if a timely response is not forthcoming so that suitable arrangements can be made.. If a young person presents to an organisation other than Children s Services out of hours, then then the Emergency Duty Team should be contacted. If a young person is homeless that night, then the organisation to which the young person has presented will make a referral to Nightstop. Page 7
If a young person is accommodated in temporary accommodation (especially over the weekend) then the referring organisation will notify the local PCSO with the intention that the PCSO would establish contact with the young person to check on their welfare If a young person presents to an organisation other than Children s Services late in the day, then contact will be made as soon as possible with either Safeguarding Hub or the Emergency Duty Team (EDT) on 0333 2401727. The referring organisation will update Safeguarding Hub/EDT of actions taken, phone calls made and inform them of where the young person is staying that night (if possible seeking authorisation from EDT to find suitable temporary accommodation). Food parcels are available in the area. Contact details for the Food Bank, provided by the Salvation Army can be found in Section 6. Financial arrangements: if a young person is ineligible to claim benefits and becomes looked after/is accommodated for the period of a Child in Need assessment, then financial support (equivalent to benefits) will be provided by Children s Services. The provider of supported accommodation for young people in Eden is Impact Housing Association through the Central Access Point (CAP). For young people who are in need of accommodation, Impact can be contacted directly to establish whether a vacancy is available, after which Cumbria Advice and Support Team (CAST) or the Local Area Coordinator should be alerted via telephone or email to complete the CAP referral process. For all contact details see section 5. The implementation of the protocol and how we can best work together to respond to young homeless people in Eden, will be held by the Protocol Implementation Group, meeting on the first Tuesday afternoon of each month; this will be reviewed after 3 months. As far as possible attendance at this meeting will be consistent by: Eden Housing Association (Liz Taylor), Eden District Council (Graham Tomlinson), Impact Housing Association (Becky Shields), Inspira (Nicky Jackson), Children s Services, Leaving Care (Lisa Dixon), Children s Services, Child and Family Support Team (Yvonne Eardley), Children s Services (Diane Harrison), Children s Services, Case Officer for Homeless 16-17 yr olds (Emmie Sutherland), YOS (Richard Thompson), Focus Families, Adam Henderson, Cumbria Police, Dave Mattinson. Page 8
Inspira School Housing A N Other Opening conversation with Young Person using the script. Outcome of conversation recorded in triplicate. Copies to the young person, Safeguarding Hub, presenting organisation. Young Person has no existing relationship with Children s Services/Youth Offending Team. Safeguarding Hub desktop assessment within 24 hours. Safeguarding Hub decision: Housing Need only: CAP referral submitted (underpinned by agreed information. Young Person supported to secure suitable accommodation. I have a Home/Return to Home Children s Services Young Person has existing relationship with YOS or is known to or actively working with within last 3 months. Young Person has an existing relationship with Children s Services. Children s Services Safeguarding Hub decision: Early Help Assessment requested. Co-ordinator identified and tasked with progressing. 1. Young person prevented from homelessness, returns home. 2. Young Person prevented from homelessness, returns home with support looking at longer term planned move. 3. Young Person moves into supported accommodation with a Team around them. 4. Additional support required, step back up to Hub and potentially Child and Family Assessment. Member of District based CFST makes contact with Young Person within 24 hrs. (worker to put contact on ICS stated issue as Homeless). If YOS client/ previous client within 3 months, CFST makes contact with YOS Social Worker and joint working arrangements agreed on a case by case basis. CFST/YOS Social Worker to check with referrer that NYAS referral been submitted. Statutory assessment starts. Child in Need plan created (updated and signed by Young Person, CFST or YOS Social Worker and Manager). If YOS client/previous YOS client within 3 months, joint meeting held between YOS Practice Manager and CFST Manager to determine the most appropriate lead professional moving forward. Child in Need plan review to be convened within four weeks to review support. Young Person declines. NYAS conversation to ensure Young Person understands the implications of the decision. Young Person offered support under S17. I have a Home/Return to Home If Young person Homeless and no suitable connected person identified, CS accommodate. If referrer not completed, NYAS referral submitted CAP referral submitted on basis of CIN Plan. CFST decision S20. Young Person accepts. CLA process starts, after central placement panel decision making Accommodated
First Contact Script The First Contact is effectively a script of the actions to be taken and the questions to be asked in the first stages of a young person s homeless presentation, including an application form that is shared between the Safeguarding Hub Team, the housing team and the young person. These questions are the minimum we would expect to be asked of a young person when they present as homeless. The purpose of this is to ensure a consistent response and experience, regardless of whose front door the young person presents to and regardless of where in the county they present. I am going to need to ask you a few questions to find out more about you and understand your situation. I will need to ask some personal questions so that we can work out how best to help you and I ll have to make some notes. I m going to use to notes to fill in a form that will start the process of getting you some help, are you ok with that? Can you tell me your name, DOB and current address? Context The first thing we need to do is to establish where you have been living and why you can t live there any more: Can you tell me where you have been and what has been going on? Do you feel safe at home (where you have been staying)? Can you tell me a bit more about why/why not? What is going on at home (where you have been staying) that means you can t go back? If there are no safeguarding issues. What could we do to help you to resolve the difficulties you are having at home (NB this needs to be used only where there are no safeguarding issues. Do you know about what the housing options are for young people? It is very difficult to live by yourself and most young people aged 16/17 do not have their own place, as they cannot hold a tenancy by law in their own right. (Spell out what the REALISTIC options are including limited choice, the reality of minimal social housing and it being in areas they may not want to live in and the other option being sharing in the private rented sector.) If the YP still feels safe, carry on to: If we phoned your parents and asked them if you could go back home, what do you think they would say?
Other supplementary questions may be asked dependent upon the conversation. What we need to establish is why if the YP believes they are no longer able to live at home, if it is possible to hold the position at home and prevent homelessness. If they are not at home, how long is it since they left home, how long have they been in an interim arrangement and why has that ended? The questions above are what we identified in conjunction with YP. Support Needs and Risk The next thing we need to establish is whether you are getting any help from anyone right now and that will help us work out if you need any extra support and who best can do that. We can offer you help to sort things out with your parent(s). Lots of young people fall out with their parents and it can take a bit of time, but its much better to be at home/ with your family and then plan your move out if that's what you need or want to do. Are there any other agencies you are involved with/are there any other people you see who help you or give you support? How are you feeling in yourself? If negative, then carry on with: Can you tell me more about what is making you feel like that? Is there anything that makes it better? Is there anything that makes it worse? Do you think that some extra support to help you live on your own would be useful? (CAP referral or use Support Map to identify alternatives). Before we can look at what happens next, we just need to build up as clear a picture as possible of you and identify anything that might help you or anything that might make things go wrong. Are there any offences you can tell me about or is there anything you are waiting to hear about? If yes, ask about involvement with YOS, the sentence, timing and generally get more detail. Immediate accommodation options Can you go home tonight whilst we try to support you and your family to resolve your difficulties (WHERE THERE ARE NO SAFEGUARDING CONCERNS)? Have you somewhere to stay tonight? Would you feel safe there? What about any friends or family members, is there anyone you could stay with where you would be safe? Can I help you sort that? Page 11
Identify what the local, emergency offer is. Dependent on the YP s circumstances, ask about food and benefits as part of this conversation or pick up under Action & Next Steps. Action & Next Steps What I would like to do now is talk you through what happens next, where this information goes and what happens to it but before I do that, I would like to hear about what you would like to see happen? We are looking for the young person to expand beyond I need somewhere to live to understand their desired outcome: is about a tenancy and support to manage, is it about support to return home, is it about living in supported accommodation etc? Use the Housing Pathway for your district to talk the young person through the options, being realistic about their level of choice. So, I said at the beginning that I was going to take some notes and fill in a form; I d like us to go through briefly what I have written on the form to make sure that you agree this is a fair record of what we have discussed. With your permission, I will now share this information with Children s Services or your YOS worker so that they can do an assessment of what your needs are and we can start to work out how best to help you. Are you happy for me to share this information? If your case is given to someone in the local Child and Family Support team, then they will be in touch with you as soon as possible, within a maximum of 24 hours. If your case is not passed to the local team, then I will be told and I will be back in touch with you, within 24 hours, to look at options for how we can help you. NB CFST office closed at the weekend so if the YP presents late on Friday, the response times will kick in from Monday morning. So if the form is passed to Safeguarding Hub late on Friday, they will undertake their assessment and if it is passed to the local team, they will be in touch the following Monday. In the meantime, contact the Emergency Duty Team Social Worker to jointly identify suitable options.. If out of hours: I will now contact the Emergency Team Social Worker and between us we will agree a solution for your immediate accommodation needs. On Monday, your details will be passed to Safeguarding Hub for them to look at your circumstances in more detail. If progressing to a Safeguarding Hub referral: I will copy the form so that I have a copy and you have a copy as well as the one I will send to Children s Services. Is there anyone you would like an extra copy of this information for, so someone you would like to be invited Page 12
to meetings alongside you to help you put your case across and make sure that your voice is heard? We call this person an advocate. If you haven t got someone you would like to come along, I can arrange for an independent person who can work with you to do this and who can make sure that your views are heard in any meetings or that you understand what is going on. Would you like me to do this? Our initial discussion is now complete. I will now contact Children s Services, to discuss with them how best to proceed and how to support you. They will carry out an assessment of your needs. Given you are homeless and have nowhere suitable to stay; we will work together to find suitable, temporary accommodation for you whilst this assessment is undertaken and we continue the dialogue about your longer term needs. Page 13
The pathway will be followed only when all other options have been exhausted including extended family. 5. Details of Local Provision "I need a home..." Housing Pathway: Eden 1. Nightstop Contact Sharon Jackson 07958 447477 sharon.jackson@ depauluk.org. 1. Emergency 1. Nightstop (emergency provision). Nightstop Cumbria offers accommodation for young people in immediate housing crisis in the homes of trained and approved volunteer hosts. Placements are dependent on a satisfactory Risk Assessment and offered on a night by night basis. 2. Homestay Contacts Gaby Sanderson 01228 227079/ 07909928276 2. Homestay 2. Homestay: County Council run supported lodgings, with people offering a young person a room in their home and support to enable them to develop independent living skills on a respite basis. 3. Abbots Bank Contacts Becky Shields (Impact) 01768 861659; Cumbria Advice and Support Team (CAST). Tel - 01228 221548. 3. Next Step 3. Abbots Bank, Impact Housing: 6 units of shared accommodation. Access is via a referral & assessment form to CAST, and is dependent upon vacancies, appropriateness of the referral, and the needs of other residents as determined by the individual project. 4. Eden Rural Foyer Contacts Becky Shields (Impact) 01768 861659; Cumbria Advice and Support Team (CAST). Tel - 01228 221548.. 4. Next Step 4. Eden Rural Foyer, Impact Housing: 15 self-contained flats for young people in Education, Employment and Training. Access is via a referral & assessment form to CAST, and is dependent upon vacancies, appropriateness of the referral, and the needs of other residents as determined by the individual project. 5 Cumbria CBL: Eden Housing Association (HA) : 0800 1833948; Impact HA: 0344 8736290; Two Castles: 0800 085 1171/0300 123 1747; Home Group: 0345 141 4663. 5. Next Step 5. Cumbria Choice Based Lettings: www.cumbriachoice.org. uk Councils and housing associations across Cumbria advertise their properties and customers can choose the homes for which they want to be considered. You will normally need to be at least 18 to bid but there are exceptions and is it worth talking to your local housing association. 6. Private rented sector: various. Contact local estate agents and letting agencies. 6. Next Step 6. Private rented sector: Need to be aged 18+. Will need a deposit, rent in advance, admin fees etc. The maximum housing benefit claimable will be 62.15 per week unless the young person is a care leaver under 25. DiGS Accommodation Deposit Guarantee Scheme may be available via Eden District Council. My Home
6. Local Partners Contact/Partner Name Contact Details Services Provided Statutory Agencies Cumbria County Council: Children s Services Cumbria County Council: Children s Services Cumbria County Council: Children s Services Cumbria County Council: Children s Services Cumbria County Council: Children s Services Cumbria County Council: Children s Services Cumbria County Council: Children s Services Cumbria County Council: Children s Services Cumbria County Council: Children s Services Cumbria County Council: Children s Services Named contact: Tracey Thompson (Team Manager) Address: Children s Services, Penrith Children's Centre The Regent, Penrith, CA11 8ET Telephone: 01768 812630/ 07826 533651 Email: Tracey.Thompson@cumbria.gov.uk Named contact: Yvonne Eardley (Social Worker) Address: Children s Services, Penrith Children's Centre The Regent, Penrith, CA11 8ET Telephone: 01768 812116 / 0782 5783018 Email: Yvonne.Eardley@cumbria.gov.uk Named contact: Diane Harrison (16-17 year olds Homelessness Coordinator) Address: Cumbria County Council, Parkhouse Building Baron Way, Carlisle CA6 4SJ Telephone: 078 7665 0164 Email: diane.harrison2@cumbria.gov.uk Named contact: Emmie Sutherland (16-17yr olds Homeless Case Officer) Address: Cumbria County Council, Parkhouse Building Baron Way, Carlisle CA6 4SJ Telephone: 07825 313726 Email: Emmie.Sutherland@cumbria.gov.uk Named contact: Lisa Dixon (Advanced Practitioner) Address: Children s Services, Civic Centre, Rickergate, Carlisle CA3 8QG Telephone: 01228 221160 / 0782 4865923 Email: Lisa.Dixon@cumbria.gov.uk Named contact: Kath McCutcheon (Team Manager, Children and Families - Children Looked After) Address: Children s Services, Civic Centre, Rickergate, Carlisle CA3 8QG Telephone: 01228 227005 / 07768 044171 Email: Kath.McCutcheon@cumbria.gov.uk Safeguarding Hub and Emergency Duty Team Telephone: 0333 240 1727 Fax: 01228 221 572 efax: countysafeguardinghub.fax@cumbria.gov.uk Named contact: Richard Thompson (Team Practice Manager) Address: Carlisle East Community Fire Station, Eastern Way, Carlisle CA1 3RA Telephone: 01228 227090 / 07920297764 Email: Richard.Thompson@cumbria.gov.uk Named contact: Steve Searle(Team Practice Manager) Address: Carlisle East Community Fire Station, Eastern Way, Carlisle CA1 3RA Telephone: 01228 227090 / 07584213636 Email: Steven.Searle@cumbria.gov.uk Named contact: Pete Tuer(Social Worker) Address: Carlisle East Community Fire Station, Eastern Way, Carlisle CA1 3RA Telephone: 01228 221534 / 07901114940 Email: Pete.Tuer@cumbria.gov.uk Child and Family Support Team Child and Family Support Team 16-17 year olds Homelessness Coordinator Homeless 16-17 year olds Case Officer Children Looked After & Leaving Care Team Children Looked After & Leaving Care Team Safeguarding Hub and Emergency Duty Team Youth Offending Service Youth Offending Service Youth Offending Service
Cumbria LSCB Cumbria County Council: Adult & Local Services Cumbria County Council: Adult & Local Services Eden District Council Eden District Council Eden Housing Association Eden Housing Association Contracted Agencies Inspira National Youth Advisory Service (NYAS) Named contact: Steph Smithson (Early Help Officer) Address: Early Help Team, Parkhouse Building Baron Way, Carlisle CA6 4SJ Telephone: 07812972905 Email: steph.smithson@cumbria.gov.uk Named contact: Joanne Kent (Senior Local Area Co-ordinator) Address: Health & Care Services, Cumbria County Council, Kraemar Building, The Courts, Carlisle CA3 8NA Telephone: 01228 221100 / 07825 273030 Email: Joanne.Kent@cumbria.gov.uk Named contact: (Local Area Co-ordinator) Address: Health & Care Services, Cumbria County Council, Skirsgill Depot, Skirsgill Lane, Penrith CA10 2BQ Telephone: Email: Named contact: Graham Tomlinson (Housing Services Manager) Address: Eden District Council, Mansion House, Penrith, Cumbria CA117YG Telephone: 01768 817817 Email: graham.tomlinson@eden.gov.uk Named contact: Pamela Wrenn (Housing Officer) Address: : Eden District Council, Mansion House, Penrith, Cumbria CA117YG Telephone: 01768 212451 Email: Pamela.Wrenn@eden.gov.uk Named contact: Liz Taylor (Homeless Prevention Officer) Address: Eden Housing Association, Blain House, Bridge Lane, Penrith, Cumbria, CA11 8QU Telephone: 01768 861428 Email: Liz.Taylor@edenha.org.uk Named contact: Lisa Hewitson (Homeless Prevention Officer) Address: Eden Housing Association, Blain House, Bridge Lane, Penrith, Cumbria, CA11 8QU Telephone: 01768 861428 Email: Lisa.Hewitson@edenha.org.uk Named contact: Nicky Jackson (Area Manager North) Address: Carlisle Office, 28 Lowther Street, Carlisle, Cumbria, CA3 8DH Telephone: 01228 596272 Mobile: 07725678982 Email: Nichola.Jackson@inspira.org.uk Named contact: Victoria Wharton Address: Carlisle Office, 28 Lowther Street, Carlisle, Cumbria, CA3 8DH Telephone: 01228 596272 / 07725678936 Email: Victoria.Wharton@inspira.org.uk Named contact: Helpline Address: NYAS, Egerton House, Tower Road, Birkenhead, Wirral, CH41 1FN Telephone: 0808 808 1001 (helpline) Early Help Team Supporting People & Prevention Team Supporting People & Prevention Team Housing Team Housing Team Housing Provider Housing Provider Advocacy Page 16
Independent Agencies Impact The Salvation Army Named contact: Becky Shields (Young People North Manager, North & Eden) Address: Eden Rural Foyer, Old London Road, Penrith, CA11 8ET Telephone: 01768 861659 / 07715 002355 Email: beckys@impacthousing.org.uk Named contact: Jayne Lomas (Service Co-ordinator, Youth People s Services North & Eden Address: Eden Rural Foyer, Old London Road, Penrith, CA11 8ET Telephone: 01768 861650 / 07739 951793 Email: jaynel@impacthousing.org.uk Named contact: Captain's Jenny & Stuart McPhee Address: Penrith Corps, Hunter Lane, Penrith, CA11 7UY Telephone: 01768 866732 Email: Stuart.McPhee@salvationarmy.org.uk Supported accommodation provider Supported accommodation provider Food Bank Page 17
7. Future Plans Objectives Timescales Short Medium Long Page 18
8. Conflict Resolution Legislation, Case Law and Government guidance emphasise the importance of the Protocol as the means by which the statutory services will be held to account to Homeless and Vulnerable Young People for the service that they provide. The most likely place where conflicts will arise is over the young person s initial assessment. This is why our Protocol has concentrated so much on the First Contact. There are three parties to that assessment the County, the District and the Young Person. Any one of these can escalate the disagreement to a formal conflict. We have agreed to use the Conflict Resolution process as published by the Cumbria Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSBC) in January 2013, with the proviso outlined above that we recognise 3 parties in this process and the young person can also escalate an issue through conflict resolution. This process with be reviewed by the LSCB in January 2015. Introduction Case review evidence both nationally developed through serious case reviews and locally developed in single agency and serious incident reviews has evidenced a need for a process to be agreed by the LSCB to manage disputes between agencies. The main themes arising from the evidence are: Where an agency has concerns about how safeguarding issues are being evaluated and the response. Where an agency is withdrawing from providing a service that other agencies feel that to do so would engender the return of, or create further safeguarding concerns. Where there are practice concerns or other communication difficulties where one agency is of the view that the communication difficulties may be impacting upon the child. This protocol will provide the process for the resolution of disputes between agencies that will be expected across all LSCB agencies and will set out the parameters for both informal and formal conflict resolution providing timescales, management level and contingencies where appropriate. Informal Conflict Resolution When in the normal course of either referring a case, working within a multiagency safeguarding or looked after children framework or in developing a child in need or child protection plan any agency has concern about decision/practice/thresholds of another agency then the following process is to be followed. Level 1 1. A discussion between operational front line practitioners. Typically these can be defined as those providing direct and face to face service provision. i.e. Social workers, Health Visitors, Police Officers, Teachers etc. 2. The expectation is that disagreements can be ironed out without the need for management involvement. Page 19
Level 2 3. If the point of disagreement cannot be resolved at the practitioner level then issue is to be discussed and resolved at the first line or direct line manager to line manager level. For example a social work Team Manager to Named Nurse/Head of Year etc. Level 3 4. If resolution cannot be reached then a discussion between the relevant service leads should take place; for example, Head teachers, Service Managers, Designated Nurses, Designated GPs and Doctors. The length of time a case can remain in the informal stages is determined by the professional agency who has the concern. Formal Conflict Resolution If the agencies and their managers cannot resolve the issue informally through the above process then the agency with concern is to inform the relevant Executive Manager/Lead, e.g. for Cumbria County Council Children s Services this will be the Assistant Director - Children & Families and in other agencies the strategic equivalent. The Executive Leads of the two agencies will speak with each other within two working days and seek to reach agreement. If agreement cannot be reached then the formal process should be activated. An assessment about the degree of urgency will be determined by the Executive Manager/Lead and an appropriate timescale lasting no longer than 7 working days to be applied. If the issue relates to child protection then this should be determined within 24 hours. The Executive Lead will e-mail the LSCB Chair, copy the LSCB Business Manager setting out the issue and what has been done to try and resolve it at an informal stage. The LSCB Chair will identify an LSCB member who is not from either of the two agencies whose role will be to review the information and speak to the two Executive leads. They will then make a decision drawn from this information and any other supporting information they request. This information is the final stage. The LSCB Business Manager will report the formal use of the procedure to the Board in order that any learning can be identified and actions agreed to address this. Page 20
First Contact Script (notes version) The First Contact is effectively a script of the actions to be taken and the questions to be asked in the first stages of a young person s homeless presentation, including an application form that is shared between the Safeguarding Hub Team, the housing team and the young person. These questions are the minimum we would expect to be asked of a young person when they present as homeless. The purpose of this is to ensure a consistent response and experience, regardless of whose front door the young person presents to and regardless of where in the county they present. I am going to need to ask you a few questions to find out more about you and understand your situation. I will need to ask some personal questions so that we can work out how best to help you and I ll have to make some notes. I m going to use to notes to fill in a form that will start the process of getting you some help, are you ok with that? Can you tell me your name, DOB and current address? Name: D.O.B: Address: Post Code: Contact number: Context The first thing we need to do is to establish where you have been living and why you can t live there any more: Can you tell me where you have been and what has been going on? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Do you feel safe at home (where you have been staying)? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Can you tell me a bit more about why/why not? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Page 21
If there are no safeguarding issues. What could we do to help you to resolve the difficulties you are having at home (NB this needs to be used only where there are no safeguarding issues). ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Do you know about what the housing options are for young people? It is very difficult to live by yourself and most young people aged 16/17 do not have their own place, as they cannot hold a tenancy by law in their own right. (Spell out what the REALISTIC options are including limited choice, the reality of minimal social housing and it being in areas they may not want to live in and the other option being sharing in the private rented sector.) If the YP still feels safe, carry on to: If we phoned your parents and asked them if you could go back home, what do you think they would say? ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other supplementary questions may be asked dependent upon the conversation. What we need to establish is why if the YP believes they are no longer able to live at home, if it is possible to hold the position at home and prevent homelessness. If they are not at home, how long is it since they left home, how long have they been in an interim arrangement and why has that ended? The questions above are what we identified in conjunction with YP. Support Needs and Risk The next thing we need to establish is whether you are getting any help from anyone right now and that will help us work out if you need any extra support and who best can do that. We can offer you help to sort things out with your parent(s). Lots of young people fall out with their parents and it can take a bit of time, but its much better to be at home/ with your family and then plan your move out if that's what you need or want to do. Page 22
Are there any other agencies you are involved with/are there any other people you see who help you or give you support? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ How are you feeling in yourself? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ If negative, then carry on with: Can you tell me more about what is making you feel like that? ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Is there anything that makes it better? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Is there anything that makes it worse? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Do you think that some extra support to help you live on your own would be useful? (CAP referral or use Support Map to identify alternatives). --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Before we can look at what happens next, we just need to build up as clear a picture as possible of you and identify anything that might help you or anything that might make things go wrong. Are there any offences you can tell me about or is there anything you are waiting to hear about? If yes, ask about involvement with YOS, the sentence, timing and generally get more detail. Page 23
Immediate accommodation options Can you go home tonight whilst we try to support you and your family to resolve your difficulties (WHERE THERE ARE NO SAFEGUARDING CONCERNS)? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Have you somewhere to stay tonight? Would you feel safe there? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- What about any friends or family members, is there anyone you could stay with where you would be safe? Can I help you sort that? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Identify what the local, emergency offer is. Dependent on the YP s circumstances, ask about food and benefits as part of this conversation or pick up under Action & Next Steps. Action & Next Steps What I would like to do now is talk you through what happens next, where this information goes and what happens to it but before I do that, I would like to hear about what you would like to see happen? --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We are looking for the young person to expand beyond I need somewhere to live to understand their desired outcome: is about a tenancy and support to manage, is it about support to return home, is it about living in supported accommodation etc? Use the Housing Pathway for your district to talk the young person through the options, being realistic about their level of choice. So, I said at the beginning that I was going to take some notes and fill in a form; I d like us to go through briefly what I have written on the form to make sure that you agree this is a fair record of what we have discussed. With your permission, I will now share this information with Children s Services so that they can do a first assessment of what your needs are and we can start to work out how best to help you. Page 24
Are you happy for me to share this information? If your case is given to someone in the local Child and Family Support team, then they will be in touch with you as soon as possible, within a maximum of 24 hours. If your case is not passed to the local team, then I will be told and I will be back in touch with you, within 24 hours, to look at options for how we can help you. NB CFST office closed at the weekend so if the YP presents late on Friday, the response times will kick in from Monday morning. So if the form is passed to Safeguarding Hub late on Friday, they will undertake their assessment and if it is passed to the local team, they will be in touch the following Monday. In the meantime, contact the Emergency Duty Team Social Worker to jointly identify suitable options.. If out of hours: I will now contact the Emergency Team Social Worker and between us we will agree a solution for your immediate accommodation needs. On Monday, your details will be passed to Safeguarding Hub for them to look at your circumstances in more detail. If progressing to a Safeguarding Hub referral: I will copy the form so that I have a copy and you have a copy as well as the one I will send to Children s Services. Is there anyone you would like an extra copy of this information for, so someone you would like to be invited to meetings alongside you to help you put your case across and make sure that your voice is heard? We call this person an advocate. If you haven t got someone you would like to come along, I can arrange for an independent person who can work with you to do this and who can make sure that your views are heard in any meetings or that you understand what is going on. Would you like me to do this? Our initial discussion is now complete. I will now contact Children s Services, to discuss with them how best to proceed and how to support you. They will carry out an assessment of your needs. Given you are homeless and have nowhere suitable to stay; we will work together to find suitable, temporary accommodation for you whilst this assessment is undertaken and we continue the dialogue about your longer term needs. Page 25