Agenda Item 3.2 Appendix 2
EAST AYRSHIRE CHILD PROTECTION COMMITTEE
SELF EVALUATION PLAN 2011-2013
The East Ayrshire Child Protection Committee (EACPC) is committed to ongoing
self-evaluation, and has promoted the use of the quality indicators as a framework
for evaluating practice since they were published by HMIe in 2005. The Committee
has adopted a rigorous approach to self-evaluation, with reflection, learning and
improvement being central to this activity. Our approach is that self evaluation is a
targeted, proportionate and integrated program that leads to improvement. We
recognise that self-evaluation is an evolving process which takes place at all levels –
at a strategic level, at a management level and at an operational level. For this
reason, we have a multi method approach to self-evaluation; with a strong focus on
change, process and service outcomes, all of which contribute to improved
outcomes for children. The performance and quality subgroup leads on this work for
EACPC.
Our approach consists of these distinct elements:

Multi Agency Self Evaluation Activity in respect of Specific Areas of Focus
 Multi agency self-evaluation activity takes place on a continuous basis
in respect of specific areas of focus. These reflect the priorities for the
Committee as they are focused on our improvement activity.

Multi Agency Self Evaluation using Quality Indicators
 Multi agency self-evaluation also takes place across the range of
quality indicators, but with a specific focus on the quality indicators
where a need for improvement has been identified, either through
external scrutiny or through organisational learning at local level.

Single Agency Self Evaluation using Quality Indicators
 Single agency self-evaluation continues to ensure that individual
agencies are aware of the quality of their own practices and how this
impacts and enhances partnership working. This will continue to be
central to our self-evaluation approach, with each agency evaluating in
a proportionate way, recognising existing strengths and needs.
A key element of self assessment is the need for evidence. EACPC continues to be
committed to demonstrating improvement and development, with clear evidence
which: 

confirms that the improvement is delivering results;
confirms that the results are contributing to/achieving improved outcomes
for children and young people.
EACPC Self Evaluation Plan 2011-2013
Thematic considerations
pre birth

Long term neglect- HMIe inspection report 2010

Problematic drug use
Wellbeing
Indicator
Safe
Healthy
Included
Desired/Expected
Outcome
Area for Improvement
Linked
QI
What are we going to do?
Lead
Target
Date
Source
Children and
young people get
the right help they
need at the right
time.
Involvement of health
staff in early stages of
planning the response to
CP concerns- need to
monitor the consistent
use of the ‘Tripartite’
process
2.3
Management action in SW to monitor
the use and recording of the process.
Tripartite to be recorded explicitly in
CP1
Martin
Egan
June 2012
HMIe inspection
report 2010
Arrangements in place
for medical examination
for children during child
protection process
5.3
Views of children and
young people in the child
protection process
2.1
Children and
young people feel
involved in
decisions being
5.2
5.3
Further file audit –to build on
information from previous audit to
map progress in the involvement of
health at point of initial referral.
5.1
Evaluation medical examination
process.
Establish a short life working group to
consider
 How do we seek the views of
children in East Ayrshire
November
2012
DB
DB (MB)
April 2012
(attached
report
March
2012)
December
2012
EACPC Plan
2011-2015
File audit
February/March
2011
HMIe inspection
report 2010
EACPC Plan
2011-2015
Respected


made about them
and why.
Children’s plans
evidence clear
outcomes and
contingency
planning
arrangements
where appropriate
Ensure children’s plans 5.4
are
SMART,
clearly
detailing the outcomes 2.4
for the child
Children’s plans reflect
the involvement of
children of ALL ages in
the assessment,
planning and evaluation.
Safe
Increasing
practitioners
competence and
confidence in
improving
outcomes for
children
2.1
5.1
What tools do we use
How effective – impact on
outcomes for children
File audit activity to sample children’s
plan to ensure that they are SMART
and outcome focused
Joyce C
File audit activity to sample children’s
plan to ensure that they reflect the
involvement of the child
HMIe inspection
report2010,
Outcome
Framework
Action Plan, File
audit
February/March
2011
December
2012
Chronologies should be 5.2
completed for each child
in a consistent manner
and detailing the source
of the information
Further file audit –to build on
information from previous audit to
map progress in the quality and
consistency of chronologies in
children’s files
Dianne
Burns
May 2012
To develop clearer links
between learning and
development
and
practice
Review process of evaluating the
impact of learning and development
on practice.
Learnin
g and
develop
ment
sub
group
March
2013
File audit
February/March
2011
Medical Examinations
EAST AYRSHIRE CHILD PROTECTION COMMITTEE
(Appendix to Self Evaluation Plan 2011-13 for CPC meeting 6th March 2012)
Child Protection Medical Examinations for ALL presenting circumstances
Decision to undertake an examination
The decision whether or not to undertake an examination is a joint decision taken by
involved professionals from police, social work and health with the final agreement
being made involving the Designated Paediatrician for Child Protection or a Consultant
Paediatrician.
Timing
The timing of the examination is agreed by the medical examiner(s) and communicated
to the social worker with lead responsibility for the investigation. In deciding the timing
the following are considered in the order listed:


What is in the best interest of the child?
When is the optimum time for gathering of forensic evidence?
Facility for the examination
Joint paediatric forensic examinations take place in one of the appropriately equipped
paediatric health facilities:
 Ward 1A – the Paediatric Assessment Suite Crosshouse Hospital
 Rainbow House – Paediatric Community Assessment Unit, Ayrshire Central Hospital
Both these facilities have the necessary equipment including a colposcope:
Video-colposcopy facilities are available at Crosshouse Hospital and still photographic
imaging facilities are available at Rainbow House.
Other, single doctor, examinations can take place in a health environment which is child
friendly and causes least disruption to the child such as the Paediatric suite of the A&E
department or the Paediatric In-patient or assessment ward.
Consent
It is the examining doctor’s responsibility to obtain informed consent including specific
consent to record findings by photographs or video/DVD and the provision of a report
for the police and social work services. The principles of the Age of Legal Capacity
(Scotland) Act 1991 should be applied when gaining consent, thus consent may be
given by:


The child
A parent who are parental rights and responsibilities in accordance with section 3 of
the Children (Scotland) Act 1995.
Support for the child
Support for the child is available throughout the examination. The child’s wishes are
considered when identifying support.
Medical Staff
Medical staff available to undertake child protection examinations are as follows:




Consultant Paediatrician- Lead Responsibility for Child Protection
Designated Paediatrician for Child Protection
Consultant Paediatricians (General) – Eight in total in Ayrshire
Child Medical Examiners (CME)
Forensic Examinations
Forensic examinations for ALL cases of child sexual abuse and for other examinations
where the child cannot corroborate the cause of the injury are undertaken by two
doctors, as detailed below:
Consultant Paediatrician- Lead Responsibility for Child Protection
Designated Paediatrician and a CME
The on-call Consultant Paediatrician and a CME
Roles & Responsibilities of Paediatric Medical Staff
(Designated and Lead Consultant Paediatrician for Child Protection and Consultant
Paediatrician)
Within normal working hours the Designated and Lead Consultant Paediatrician for
Child Protection who have specialist skills in Child Sexual Abuse examinations are the
first choice to undertake forensic examinations.
The role and responsibility of the Designated and Lead Consultant Paediatrician is to:

Undertake the Paediatric examination of the child’s health and development


Assist in interpreting and corroborate the forensic findings
Corroborate the examination process
Outwith normal working hours or when the Designated and Lead Consultant
Paediatrician are unavailable the on-call Consultant Paediatrician participates in the
examination.
The role and responsibility of the Consultant Paediatrician is to:




Undertake the Paediatric examination of the child’s health and development
Corroborate the examination process
Child sexual abuse - Corroborate the examination findings but NOT the
interpretation of these
All other forensic examinations - Assist in interpreting and corroborate the forensic
findings
Corroboration of the examination process can be defined as:



Confirming the identity of the CME
Confirming the date, time and venue of the examination and the identity of the child
Confirming the process for gathering the forensic samples by the CME
The Police have one CME on a 24/7 rota, this CME Rota covers the West of Scotland
and standard practice is for the CME to contact the On call Paediatrician to participate
in the Forensic Child abuse medical examination, as described above
In situations of acute sexual assault in young people 13 years and over NHS A&A has a
service level agreement with Archway (Glasgow) where young people will be examined.
Non-Forensic Examinations (Comprehensive Medical Examinations)
These examinations may be undertaken by a single doctor.
Medical staff available to undertake Comprehensive Medical Examinations are as
follows:
The Designated Paediatrician for Child Protection – available Monday-Friday 9am –
5pm
or
The On-call Consultant Paediatrician (available 24/7)
Supporting Evidence:





Examination facilities available to view
Minutes of meetings of the MCN and Regional Planning Group for Children’s
Services
Proposal for tertiary service
Notes from the stakeholder event
Practice Guideline