5.2.3 Secure Accommodation |
Contents
- Purpose of Secure Accommodation Reviews
- Timing of Secure Accommodation Reviews
- Chairing Of Secure Accommodation Reviews
- Secure Accommodation Review Panel
- Arranging a Secure Accommodation Panel
- Preparation for Secure Accommodation Reviews
- Conducting the Secure Accommodation Review
- After the Secure Accommodation Review
1. Purpose of Secure Accommodation Reviews
The Purpose of a Secure Accommodation Review is to consider the following:
- Whether the criteria for keeping a child is secure accommodation continue to apply, on the day of the review
- Whether such a placement continues to be necessary and
- Whether or not any other form of accommodation would be appropriate.
2. Timing of Secure Accommodation Reviews
Secure Accommodation Reviews must be convened within 28 days of a child being placed in secure accommodation, and then at intervals not exceeding three months.
Where it is determined by the social worker and Team Leader that a further application should be made to the Court to keep the child in Secure Accommodation beyond the expiry of the current Order, then the social worker must request that the Secure Accommodation Review Panel meets to consider the application.
3. Chairing of Secure Accommodation Reviews
Secure Accommodation Review Panels, chaired by an elected member of the County Council, will conduct the Reviews.
4. Secure Accommodation Review Panel
The Secure Accommodation Panel is responsible for listening to the views of those who attend/contribute, and coming to a decision about whether they believe the criteria for secure accommodation are still met. The Panel cannot come to a decision about whether the child should remain or leave secure accommodation; it can only make a recommendation on this to the Designated Manager (Secure Accommodation).
The Panel consists of the Chairperson and two other people, one of whom will be independent of the local authority and the authority managing the secure unit. The other person will be a manager from the Children and Young Peoples Directorate who has no management responsibility for the case.
5. Arranging a Secure Accommodation Panel
The administrative staff will convene Secure Accommodation Reviews in consultation with the relevant manager. Notification will be sent to the child's social worker, Panel members and the relevant secure unit. An agenda and criteria to be considered at the review will be sent.
The Review Panel will meet at the relevant secure unit.
6. Preparation for Secure Accommodation Reviews
Prior to the Secure Accommodation Review, the social worker will ensure the following are undertaken:
- The social worker will prepare a Report for the Review (a Pro-Forma is available), which has been endorsed by the Team Leader and incorporates the views of all those consulted about the placement (see Section 2, Consultations and Planning in Placements in Secure Accommodation Procedure), the child's Independent Visitor, Children's Guardian and the provider of the secure accommodation.
- Written invitations are sent to the parent and those with parental responsibility, and any other persons whose attendance is agreed
- The child and parent(s) are clear about the purpose of the Secure Accommodation Review. The social worker should go through the contents of the Report and proposed Care Plan with them.
- The parents and child are given adequate support to prepare for the Review, which may include arranging for an interpreter and/or advocate to assist them.
- The secure unit is aware of the Review date and arrangements have been made for the staff in the secure placement to prepare a report, taking account of the progress made with the child and stating their view as to whether the criteria still apply and whether any other description of accommodation would be appropriate rather than remaining in secure accommodation.
The social worker should send his or her Report to the secure unit and to the Panel Chairperson and other Panel Members at least one week before the Review date.
7. Conducting the Secure Accommodation Review
The Secure Accommodation Review does not take the place of a Looked After or other review; it is distinctly different.
In all cases, the outcome of the Secure Accommodation Review must be reported to the Looked After Review.
The Panel will consider the social workers Review Report, the notes and decisions of the most recent Looked After Review and the views of the following:
- The child and parent(s)
- The child's social worker and manager
- Those who previously have had or may have care of the child upon discharge
- The Children's Guardian
- The child's Independent Visitor or Advocate
- The Link/Keyworker for the child from the Secure Unit
- The local authority managing the secure accommodation in which the child is placed if that authority is not the authority looking after the child.
In many cases the independent member of the Review Panel will interview the child to ascertain his or her views and the parent will usually attend the Review.
The Secure Accommodation Panel is responsible for listening to the views of those who contribute, and coming to a recommendation about whether they believe the criteria are met.
The key questions that must be considered are:
- Whether the criteria continue to apply on the day of the review, and even if they do
- Whether the placement in secure accommodation continues to be necessary
- Whether any other description of accommodation would be appropriate.
In considering these matters the Panel must have regard to the child's welfare.
It is not sufficient, simply, to retain a child in secure accommodation to complete an assessment or treatment programme or whilst other accommodation is sought. Regard must be given to the fact that it is unlawful for the liberty of a child to be restricted unless the criteria are met, no matter how short the period of security.
Once the Panel has made a recommendation, it should be recorded, together with reasons, and communicated to the participants at the Review. The recommendation may be accompanied by recommendations on related issues, for example as to mobility and visiting arrangements.
Where relevant, a date for the next Review Panel should also be fixed.
Minutes will be prepared and sent to all those in attendance.
8. After the Secure Accommodation Review
The recommendation of the Panel will be submitted immediately to the Designated Manager (Secure Accommodation) for consideration.
The social worker will be told the outcome of the Review and will immediately arrange to see the child to explain the decision to him or her.
The social worker will also inform all those whose views have been taken into account of the outcome of the Review, what action, if any, the Local Authority proposes to take in relation to the child in the light of the Review, and their reasons for taking or not taking such action.
All communications should be confirmed in writing.
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