Multi-Agency Working

Child protection guidance states “everyone who works with children has a responsibility for keeping them safe… no single professional can have a full picture of a child’s needs and circumstances”. As such, multi-agency working is necessary when assessing a child’s wellbeing or meeting to draw up a child protection plan. Representatives may attend to offer their input about the best kind of care for the child, and those with a professional interest may include:

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Midwives or health visitors

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Paediatricians or school nurses

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Nursery or school staff

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The police or the probation service

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Local authority and social care staff

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NSPCC or other voluntary organisations

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Professionals representing the needs of the parents

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Professionals with expert knowledge of the situation

 Multi-agency working also has a distinct advantage for safeguarding policy design and day-to-day operations. Most Southend Safeguarding Partnership (Childrens) (SSPC) subgroups will be made up of a range of attendees from agencies such as:

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Local Authority departments such as social care, public health, housing, youth services and licensing authorities

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The local NHS, including Clinical Commissioning Groups, and named doctors, nurses, and midwives

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The police, the Police and Crime Commissioner, British Transport Police, and the UK Border Agency

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The Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS)

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The Probation Services and Youth Offending Teams

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Schools, colleges, and local training centres

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Local voluntary organisations that provide relevant services

Representing various groups in SSPC meetings ensures that the local community is best served by policies that are drawn up following advice from a range of viewpoints. The presence of the various agencies also allows the SSPC to co-ordinate services and ensure the effectiveness of the partner agencies’ policies and procedures.