WINDHILL CHILDREN’S CENTRE NETWORK
Integrated Practice Policy & Procedures (Guidance)
Contents
Page
Responsibility for Maintaining the Policy
2
Review Date
2
Policy Statement
2
The Law
2
Aims of the Policy
3
Implementation of the Policy
3
Procedures
3
Common Assessment Framework
3
Multi-agency Meetings
3
Lead Professional
4
Partnership with Parents/Carers
4
Management Board/Committee
4
Manager/Leader/Senior Practitioner
4
Nursery Staff
5
Where to go for Help and Advice
5
Responsibility for Maintaining The Policy
This policy refers throughout to ‘additional needs’. This is not
referring to Special Needs (SEN or physical needs) but to any
other identified needs of the child e.g. emotional needs, basic
care etc.
Review date
E.g. October – Annually
Policy Statement
Integrated Practice is the co-ordination of good working practices and
relationships with parents/carers and other practitioners, to safeguard children
and identify additional support needs of children and their families. Windhill
Children’s Centre Network is committed to working with parents/carers and
children to ensure that each child benefits from the learning, personal and
social opportunities available to them during their time with us.
The young child, however, is dependent upon the adults in his/her life to meet
their needs. So the focus of Integrated Practice within nursery is to work with
parent/carers to ensure that their child is meeting the five outcomes described
in the Every Child Matters programme. These outcomes are:
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Being Healthy
Staying Safe
Enjoy and Achieve
Make a Positive Contribution
Achieve Economic Well Being
We are, therefore, committed to a whole Children Centre approach to
Integrated Practice and a partnership relationship with parent/carers.
If at any time you believe that a child is suffering or likely to
suffer significant harm you should refer to the Hertfordshire
Safeguarding Children Board Procedure
The Law
The Children Act 2004 (sections 10, 11 and 12) sets out very clearly that a
wide range of agencies are required to work together to promote well being
and safeguard children and young people. The ‘Every Child Matters: Change
for Children’ programme sets out in some detail what is expected of agencies
in local areas, with the local authority taking lead responsibility. Regulation,
Guidance and Inspection 4 regimes all make it clear that all children’s service
providers need to be able to clearly demonstrate an active engagement with
these processes. Further information is available at
http://www.everychildmatters.gov.uk/strategy/
Integrated Practice Policy
February 2012
Page 2
Aims of the Policy
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Clear procedures establishing Integrated Practice to promote
wellbeing and the safeguarding of children
To maximise early intervention, effective prevention and ongoing
support for those children with enduring additional needs to minimise
the need for specialist intervention
Ensuring parents and carers are informed about the procedures for
Integrated Practice and encouraging them to work in partnership with
practitioners to safeguard children
Ensuring all staff, volunteers and management board members
understand the procedures and their role within Integrated Practice
Implementation of the Policy
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The Manager will ensure that all relevant Children Centre staff are
briefed and trained in Integrated Practice
All relevant nursery staff will be informed of the whereabouts of the
policy
The Manager will ensure that all relevant new Children Centre staff (at
induction) receive information and are made aware of procedures in
respect of Integrated Practice
Procedures
Common Assessment Framework
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The Pre-assessment Checklist will be used where appropriate as a tool
for identifying the need for undertaking a Common Assessment. It is
good practice to work in partnership and share information with the
Health Visitor regarding your concerns at this stage following a
discussion with parents/carers. If an identified need is a child protection
or SEN issue, the appropriate procedures should be followed
The Children Centre Manager will ensure that a Common Assessment
is completed whenever it is appropriate to do so and that an
outcome/action plan is developed following the assessment
The completion of a Common Assessment (and practitioner
involvement) will be logged on the CAF enquiries line – 01438 737575
Multi-agency Meetings
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The Children Centre Manager will ensure that the nursery is
represented at multi-agency meetings where appropriate
The Children Centre Manager will ensure that nursery staff participate
in the development of multi-agency plans to support children with
additional or unmet needs where appropriate
Nursery staff will receive appropriate support from the Manager in
carrying out multi-agency working
Integrated Practice Policy
February 2012
Page 3
Lead Professional
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Children Centre staff may act as Lead Professional if appropriate and if
they have received appropriate training and support to do so.
The Children Centre Network Manager will ensure that the Centres
involvement with children identified as having additional needs is
logged on the CAF enquiries line and kept up to date and accurate.
The Children Centre Network Manager will ensure that following
completion of a Common Assessment or them being appointed as
Lead Professional, this is logged on the CAF enquiry line and a copy is
sent to ???????
Partnership with parents/carers
It is vital that parents/carers are involved in ensuring that the five outcomes
are achieved.
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Parents/carers are encouraged to make contact with the Centre to
discuss any issues impacting on their child’s well being. Issues arising
outside of the setting can significantly impact on the child’s well being
in the Centre
Any concerns or problems raised by parents/carers will be responded
to quickly and sensitively by the Centre staff
Management Board/Committee will
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Maintain an overview of Integrated Practice within the Children Centre
through reports and communications with the Manager (this could be a
standard agenda item)
Support the Manager in the implementation of Integrated Practice and
amend the policy as necessary
Ensure that all staff (including the Management Board) receive
information, training and support in relation to Integrated Practice
Manager/Leader/Senior Practitioner
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Has overall responsibility for Integrated Practice within the Children
Centre
Provides advice and support to Centre staff regarding Integrated
Practice issues
Maintain effective relationships with the Health Visitor(s), officers of the
Local Authority, the Safeguarding Children’s Service and Provider
Forums or other support agencies to implement Integrated Practice
strategies
Ensure Centre staff are aware of Integrated Practice Network
meetings and encourage to attend where possible
Ensure that Centre staff receive training and are briefed on the
Integrated Practice Policy and Procedures
Integrated Practice Policy
February 2012
Page 4
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Will support Centre staff involved with any Integrated Practice process
Works with other Extended Schools and agencies to promote
Integrated Practice within the Consortium e.g. joined up training,
sharing good practice, establish information sharing systems etc.
Children Centre Staff
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Receive training and support in Integrated Practice processes
Take responsibility for keeping up to date with Integrated Practice
developments
Promote Integrated Practice within the Children Centre
Where to go for help and advice
Integrated Practice Policy
February 2012
Page 5