Reporting Format
Name of Board/ Group attended : NSCB Neglect Strategy Group
Date of meeting: 22 July 2016
Chair of meeting: Abigail McGarry
VSF representative: Clare Peak
VSF Contact details
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 01760 720302 or 07944609655
Main agenda , discussion points and agenda actions:
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The main discussion was whether the Neglect strategy was having an impact on practice. There was a
discussion about the number of Neglect Champions and where in the county they were. I pointed out that
there are very few (only 9) Neglect Champions from the voluntary sector which concerned me. I wondered
too whether schools were aware of the strategy and WHO in school is aware?
Concerns were expressed that the Graded Care Profile (GCP used for assessing Neglect) is not being
used. Concern had been expressed that it does not ‘fit’ with the Signs of Safety model but the NSCB have
given assurances that it does. It is because practitioners are too busy? Is there too much else to do? An
example was given of a Social Worker who delegated the task of completing the GCP to a Family Support
Worker who had not been trained to use it and this raised concerns. North Lincolnshire use but the GCP
and SoS so Sharon Moore was asked to make contact with the LSCB there to see how they manage it.
There were long discussions about whether Norfolk should introduce the GCP2 when the role out of GCP1
is not yet complete and further training sessions have already been booked. People who have been trained
in the use of the GCP1 would need to retrain to use the GCP2. There are therefore implications for
people’s time and of cost. However, the GCP2 is potentially shorter and more straightforward and the
language used is more user friendly. It was agreed that Sharon Moore (had has now done the training for
GCP2) would contact a LA who now use this version to see what practitioners think of it.
It was agreed that no more Awareness Plus sessions (which I believe are delivered by Neglect Champions)
would be planned until a decision has been made about which version of the GCP is going to be used.
It is planned that the NSCB will try to collect data (using CP Plan data0 to map whether there are areas of
the county where there are more cases of Neglect and this is still a work in progress. The NSCB need too
to overlay with this data how many FSP are being initiated by schools. This initiated another discussion
about whether schools are doing FSPs and if not, why not?
The next NSCB Best Practice event is on 29 September and will be looking at ‘Neglect and Disability’ and
another workshop ‘Neglect and Early Help’ was suggested for January and I was keen that the voluntary
sector are involved in this..
Key Issues for the Voluntary and Community Sector:
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I was surprised at the low number of Neglect Champions from the Voluntary Sector and wondered
why this was. The majority of those already Neglect Champions (6 of the ) were from Action for
Children.
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The training for the GCP is not being rolled out to the voluntary sector, presumably due to the cost.
For those practitioners working closely with families where they suspect neglect and want to refer
to Children’s Services this might be a useful tool.
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The other issue for me is the cost of implementing the GCP2 when the roll out of GCP1 is not yet
complete and all those who have done the training for GCP1 will need have additional training.
Actions for The Voluntary & Community Sector (include dates for actions to be completed)
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I agreed to go back to the forum and to circulate an appeal for more Neglect Champions from
voluntary sector organisations. This has now been done and 8 people responded positively and
have been linked to Sharon Moore at the NSCB. These people will be invited to attend events and
further training and it’s important that we take these opportunities.
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The Voluntary sector (particularly Neglect Champions) to be encouraged to attend the ‘Neglect
and Disability ‘ Best Practice event on 29 September.
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Ensure voluntary sector are involved in the Best Practice event planned for January ‘Neglect and
Early Help’
Date & Location of next Board/ Group meeting: Thursday 13th Oct 2016 - 10.00am -12.00 pm,
Colman Room, County Hall
Date report completed: 5 September 2016
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