Child Protection Guidance 2021

Part 3: Identifying and responding to concerns about children 120 National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland 2021 Version 1.0 September 2021 • it is recognised that a full comprehensive risk assessment may not be achievable within the timescales of the first CPPM, or the first Core Group. Therefore, it should be recognised that the early Child Protection Plan may need to be provisional until a fuller assessment can be undertaken 3.167 Restricted access information • restricted access information is information that cannot be shared freely with the child or parent/carer, or anyone supporting them. The information will be shared with the other participants at the CPPM, where it is proportionate to do so. Such information may not be shared with any other person without the explicit permission of the provider. If it is necessary to have a segment of the CPPM without parents present for this reason, the Chair will prepare them for this and explain the reasons why this has to occur • restricted information includes sub judice information which could compromise legal proceedings; information from a third party that could identify them if shared; information about an individual that may not be known to others, even close family members, such as medical history and intelligence reports; and information that, if shared, could place any individual(s) at risk, such as a home address or school which is unknown to an ex-partner 3.168 Reaching decisions in the CPPM • all participants at a CPPM with significant involvement with the child and family have a responsibility to contribute to a view of the level of risk, the need for a Child Protection Plan, and the decision as to whether or not to place the child’s name on the child protection register • where there is no consensus, the Chair will use their professional judgement to make the final decision, based on an analysis of the issues raised • a summary of key decisions and agreed tasks , as approved by the Chair, should be circulated within one day of the CPPM. Participants should receive a copy of the agreed Child Protection Plan within five working days of the CPPM Dissent, dispute and complaint 3.169 Local guidelines should define the mechanisms by which dissent and dispute or complaint will be resolved and decisions approved. This could include challenges about the inter-agency process, decision-making and outcomes, challenges by children/ young people or their parents/carers about the CPPM decisions, or complaints about practitioner behaviour. 3.170 Pending dispute resolution process: • if actions are required to ensure the child’s immediate safety, they should be prioritised and progressed without delay • the child’s name will be added to child protection register • the Child Protection Plan should be developed as required • the agencies and services involved in child protection work have complaints procedures, which should be followed where there is a complaint about an individual practitioner