5.3.1 Implementation of the Child Protection Plan

1. Introduction

This section explains how the Child Protection Plan is put into action and who is responsible for making sure it works effectively.

The Child Protection Plan is designed to keep the child safe, support their health and development, and help the family make positive changes. It should be clear, practical, and focused on outcomes.

The principles of an effective Child Protection Plan are:

• based on a clear assessment of the child and their family’s needs, strengths and safeguarding risks;
• focused on specific actions, outcomes, and timescales;
• written in plain language and shared with family and practitioner network;
• reviewed regularly and updated as needed.

Throughout the process, families should be supported to understand the plan, contribute to decisions, and raise concerns. Advocacy and interpreters are used where appropriate to ensure full participation.

2. Responsibilities

2.1 Lead social worker

A Lead Social Worker coordinates the plan and arrangements for the Review Conference.

They will:

• partner with the family and practitioner network between Conferences to monitor progress and adjust the plan as needed;
• visit the child regularly (minimum of every ten working days – announced visits by appointment as well as ad hoc or unannounced visits);
• see the child alone (where appropriate, depending on age and needs of child). Babies should be awake and viewed both dressed and undressed as necessary;
• ensure the plan is shared and understood by all involved;
• convene Core Group and Review Conferences as required, ensuring the most recent Core Group meeting takes place no more than 3 weeks before the next Review Conference;
• update the Chair of the need to end the plan when the child is no longer at risk of significant harm, or when they move to another area, turn 18, or leave the UK (believed to be permanently).

2.2 The family and practitioner network

The family and practitioner network meets regularly to:

• share updates and concerns;
• review progress of the plan;
• make decisions about next steps;
• ensure the child’s lived experience, voice and family views inform ongoing review and planning.

The practitioners are expected to:

• keep accurate records of visits, decisions and a running chronology of significant events;
• carry out agreed actions;
• contribute to planning and decision-making between Conferences;
• alert the Lead Social Worker of any significant changes or issues.

The family is expected to:

• share updates, views and concerns about next steps;
• carry out agreed actions;
• alert the Lead Social Worker of significant changes, concerns or issues.