Constitution

 

Constitution

Last updated | 29/10/2008

1    Introduction

This Agreement sets out the framework for the Child Protection Committee for Perth & Kinross.  It incorporates the Constitution, statements of roles and responsibilities of the members of the Child Protection Committee and statements of the functions of the Child Protection Committee.

2    Aim

 There shall be established a Child Protection Committee for Perth & Kinross.  The Committee will contribute to promoting the care and welfare of children in this area by aiming to ensure that children are safeguarded and protected by working together to promote continuous improvement and best practice in Child Protection services.

3    Functions

The functions of the Child Protection Committee ("the Committee") shall be as follows:

3.1    Continuous Improvement

3.1.1    Policies, Procedures and Protocols

• To ensure that member agencies have in place their own policies and procedures in relation to child protection;
  
• To ensure that inter-agency guidelines on procedures to be followed in child protection cases are in place;
  
• To ensure that appropriate inter-agency protocols on confidentiality and information sharing are in place;
  
• To ensure that appropriate protocols are put in place in relation to key child protection issues;
  
• To ensure that all policies, procedures and protocols are regularly reviewed;
  
• To ensure that inter-agency policies, procedures and protocols are disseminated to all relevant agencies and staff within those agencies.

3.1.2    Management Information

• To ensure that relevant statistical information and analysis of trends in cases is received from member agencies;
  
• To ensure that any issues arising from such information are identified and addressed by member agencies;
  
• To ensure that any issues identified from such information are used to inform inter-agency strategic planning;
  
• To monitor and review the operation of the Child Protection Register.

3.1.3    Quality Assurance

• To agree, implement and review quality assurance mechanisms, including auditing for inter-agency child protection work which will contribute to the continuous improvement of services.

3.1.4    Practice

• To promote good inter-disciplinary practice in dealing with the causes and effects of child abuse;
  
• To assess issues of significance in collaborative working which arise from the handling of cases, and from Reports and Inquiries;
  
• To have in place mechanisms for disseminating information about lessons from past and current practice.

3.1.5    Training and Development

• To plan, implement and review an effective and relevant programme of inter-agency training on child protection;
  
• To monitor the effectiveness of such training through appropriate quality assurance mechanisms.

3.2    Strategic Planning

• To contribute to the strategic planning of services for children and young people in need of protection and support.
• To identify and address any issues between agencies which impact on the protection of children.
• To identify and take action in relation to issues which would benefit from joint working.
• To publish an Annual Report and Work Plan.
• To liase with other multi-agency partnerships and structures with an interest in Child Protection with a view to improving joint working and joint planning.

3.3    Public Information

• To raise public awareness of child protection issues.
• To promote the work of agencies in protecting children.
• To provide information in relation to what action to take when members of the public have concerns about a child.

4    Membership

 4.1    The following agencies will be represented on the Committee:

• Perth & Kinross Council, Education & Children's Services:
  • Head of Service, Children's Services
  • Service Manager, Children and Families
  • Service Manager, School Improvement
    
• Perth & Kinross Council, Housing and Community Care:
  
  • 3 Representatives (1 for Housing, 1 for Community Care and 1 for Criminal Justice Services)
    
• Perth & Kinross Council DAAT
  
  • 1 Representative
    
• Tayside Police
  
  • 2 Representatives
    
• Scottish Children's Reporter Administration
  
  • 1 Representative
    
• Chair of Children's Panel for Perth & Kinross
  
• NHS Tayside
  
  • 4 Representatives as follows:
    
    • Child Health Commissioner, delegated to Consultant Nurse Child Protection
    • Designated Doctor Child Protection, delegated to Lead Clinician Child Protection
    • Nurse Consultant Child Protection, delegated to Area Senior  Nurse Child Protection
    • 1 Representative from Perth & Kinross CHP
      
• Voluntary Sector
  
  • 1 Representative
    
• Independent Schools Sector
  
  • 1 Representative
    
• Procurator Fiscal Service
  
  • 1 Representative

4.2    The Committee may from time to time co-opt further members onto the Committee to assist in the discharge of its functions.

4.3    Membership of the Committee will be renewed annually.

5    Roles and Responsibilities

5.1    Member agencies will nominate a representative or representatives to serve on the Committee.

5.2    Member agencies will ensure that their nominated representative is able to contribute effectively to the agreed work plan and other business of the Committee.

5.3    Member agencies will ensure that their Representatives will:

• Have the necessary authority to take forward the business of the Committee.
  
• Represent the commitment of their agency to the protection of children.
  
• Facilitate communication between their agency and the Committee.
  
• Contribute their skill and expertise to the work of the Committee.

6    Accountability

6.1    The Committee is accountable to the Child Protection Strategic Forum, which is the Chief Officer Group responsible for child protection in Perth & Kinross.