Resource (Edge of Care / Placement) Panel
Terms of Reference
Purpose
The purpose of the Resource Panel is to strengthen the management and access of
multi-agency services for children, young people and their families where:
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there is a risk of a child becoming a child in care;
resources can be provided as an alternative to needing care;
when a child is in care and there is a possibility of the placement breaking
down if additional support is not provided
where additional support will enable a child to be reunified with their family.
The panel will provide a consistent and effective response to escalating need and
ensure that effective interventions are available to meet the needs of these children.
Aim
The aim of the Resource Panel is to ensure that practice in relation to children and
young people maintains a strong link with the Councils overall strategy and
Permanence Policy for Children in Care. This means:
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Achieving permanence for all children and young people based upon the
voice of the child; an up to date assessment and plan to meet their needs
and within the child’s timescale
Encouraging a shared understanding of permanence for children and young
people and the importance of effective and timely joint working and
communication between professionals.
Ensuring that only the children and young people who need to be looked
after come into our care
Enabling children and young people in care where possible to return home
quickly, safely and successfully;
Achieving permanence speedily for those who cannot return home or live
with family members;
Provide robust support plans to prevent disruption and enhance stability of
those in care or at home.
SD – 4th March 2016
Which Children and Young People?
Cases must be referred to the panel where children and young people are:
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On the edge of care who are at risk of family breakdown - children and young
people who are likely to become Looked After under Section 20 within a matter
of weeks if additional resources are not provided
Newly in care following emergency admission
Those with a plan to be rehabilitated home
Not in care but who live with family members and where there is a request for
Special Guardianship or Residence Order allowances
Remanded or bailed to reside as directed by the Courts
Placed in an emergency either by EDT or by social work teams even if a return
home has already been achieved
Where care placements are unstable, or deemed to be in need of additional
support
Where agency placements need to be extended beyond their original remit
Excluding Residential Placements which are to be considered at CYPERN
The Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) also has a crucial role in ensuring
that the agreed plan for a looked after child is progressed in a timely fashion.
If a return home is considered this should be brought to the panel to consider
what support could be provided to enable a successful transition.
Paperwork Required:
In order to make a fully informed decision panel must be given up to date information;
you will be expected to know the child and to have a clear view about what outcomes
you want for the child or young person. Panel will require:
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Completed panel pro-forma
Up to date assessment
Up to date care plan and copy of pathway plan if over 16 and in care
Key Responsibilities and Functions
The Panel will act as a gateway for referral to preventative services and resources in
particular:
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Gloucestershire Functional Families (FFT)
Family Group Conferencing (FGC)
Diversion & Placement Support Team (DPST). Only emergency referrals will be
accepted direct to the DPST team
CYPPS Early Intervention
SD – 4th March 2016
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Education Information and support from the Virtual School
Referrals to voluntary organisations such as A.F.C/ A+ Ability/ Barnardo’s and
CCP to coordinate the team around the child approach
Consideration of individual budgetary allocation to fund support packages
where the intervention may divert the child or young person from care
Consideration of additional support packages which can maintain placement
stability
Placement with a Home Hub foster carer
The Panel will also
1. Assess the need to commission additional services including intensive family
support.
2. Promote the availability of resources to support children to return home or
remain at home.
3. Ensure that the expertise & reflections of senior managers and colleagues in
other agencies are available to support front-line staff.
4. Identify solutions based on needs, not processes.
5. Encourage and promote creative and collaborative approaches to problem
solving
6. Ensure multi-agency ownership of cases relating to children on the edge of care
or in care, with each member able to commit to decisions (including their
resource implications).
7. Ensure multi-agency ownership and accountability for risk management relating
to children on the edge of care or in care by collective decision making.
8. Monitor the effectiveness of interventions and review the use of these as
necessary.
9. Ensure that all decision making in relation to children on the edge of care is
focused on the best interests and needs of children; this takes into account their
wishes and feelings, and is based upon an up to date assessment of their
needs.
10. Focus upon what needs to be done to keep particular children safe within their
family network by provision of appropriate support.
11. Track and monitor the outcomes of the Children and Young People who are
seen at panel to demonstrate and understand progress.
12. Record panel decisions and ensure they are placed on the child’s file.
SD – 4th March 2016
Membership
The membership of the Resource Panel is:
Name
Job Title
Sharon Davies
Strategic Lead Children in Care
Tammy Wheatley
Head of Service Fostering and Adoption ( Permanence)
Jane Featherstone
Head Teacher of the Virtual School
Gerard Harford
Service Manager Youth Support over 11’s CiC
Semonetta O’Connell
CYPCOMM
Pauline Edwards
Designated Nurse for Children in Care
Layla Betteridge
Functional Family Therapy Team Manager
Alistair Elliott
Diversion & Placement Support Acting Team Manager
Ruth George
Contact Service Team Manager
Jim Harris
Independent Reviewing Manager
Sarah Batten
Jeanette Carroll
CYPS Service Director - or psychologist to provide
clinical advice and consultation ( home hub
psychologist)
Fostering DTM
Rob Tyrrell
Team Manager Under 11s Children’s Permanence
Team
Amanda Henderson
Sarah Holtom
Service Leader Disabled Children & Young People
(DCYP)
Principal Social Worker (PSW) – Periodic attendance.
Where members of group are unable to attend in person they should seek to
nominate an appropriate person to deputise in their absence. There may be
associated members as required
Frequency of Meetings
Panel will meet fortnightly every Monday. Frequency of meetings will be kept under
constant review to ensure meetings have the capacity for effective professional
management of services to children at the edge of care and those looked after.
Review
Resource Panel will be reviewed annually in consultation with staff, manager’s,
partners and children and young people to evaluate what difference it has made to
children’s lives.
Sharon Davies Service Leader for Children in Care
8th March 2017: Finalised Version
SD – 4th March 2016