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Core Groups

The core group is formed at the conference with the purpose of developing the child protection plan from the outline generated in the conference and ensuring that it is implemented. Although a very significant part of the process, core groups are often wrongly seen to play a lesser role to conferences, despite meeting more regularly and being responsible for implementation.

A good core group will ensure that recent events since the last meeting are discussed and that progress of otherwise in relation to the actions on the child protection plan are discussed. It is important to ensure that the wider picture analysed in the core groups, as opposed to a check box exercise of ensuring that all have done their actions. Maintaining the broader view should also ensure that information that may have significant bearing is not overlooked or explained away.

It is the responsibility of the social worker to chair the core group, with support provided by their manager if they do not feel that they have the necessary skills to do this.

Booking a core group

It is the social worker's responsibility to ensure that core groups are held within the required timeframe (see below). It is the responsibility of the social worker to arrange the venue for the Core Group Meeting and to record a brief minute of the meeting.

Actions

No.

Action

Person responsible

Timescale

1.

First core group set at the initial conference - to be held within 10 working days of initial conference

Chair of conference

At end of conference

2.

Frequency of future core group meetings to be set

Chair of conference

At end of conference

3.

Outline plan to be developed into Child Protection Plan

Core Group members

At first core group

4.

Date of next core group to be set - to be held within six weeks of initial conference

Social worker

At first core group

5.

Minutes and updated child protection plan to be passed to manager for approval

Social worker

***Timescale required***

6.

Manager to sign off minutes and updated child protection plan

Unit Manager (First line social work manager)

***Timescale required***

7.

Once signed off by manager minutes and updated child protection plan to be circulated to all core group members

Social worker / Business support

***Timescale required***

8.

Child Protection Plan to be signed by all core group members to signify their agreement with the plan

Social worker

At second core group meeting following conference

9.

At first core group following review conference, dates of future core groups up to next review to be set.

Social worker

At first core group following each review

10.

Plan from review conference to be developed into Child Protection Plan

Core Group

At first core group following each review

Steps 5, 6 and 7 to be repeated for each core group held.

Step 8 to be repeated at the second core group following each review.