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Core Groups
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. |