Our policies and procedures

Strategy Discussions: A quick guide for families

Dear Parents/Carers,

We want to help you understand what a strategy discussion is and how it helps keep your child safe.

What is a Strategy Discussion?

A strategy discussion is where professionals who care about your child’s safety come together to share information and agree next steps.

Why Do We Have Strategy Discussions?

We have these discussions when we think a child might be suffering or is likely to suffer significant harm. This could be because of new worries or new information about your child’s safety.

Who Attends the Strategy Discussion?

  • Social workers
  • Police
  • Health professionals
  • Education professionals
  • Other professionals who know you or your child e.g. nursery worker, Probation Officer.

Strategy discussions are the only Children’s Social Care meetings where it is only professionals who participate. However, every effort will be taken to inform parents/carers that the meeting is taking place and the outcome.

What Happens at the Discussion?

  • Share Information: Everyone talks about what they know so we can have a shared understanding of the situation.
  • Make a Plan: A plan is developed which outlines what needs to be done to help keep your child safe now and how we can understand the situation more.  This could mean we start a Child Protection Enquiry or we may offer you a Child in Need or Early Help Assessment.
  • Agree on Actions: They decide who will do what and when including on who will make contact with you and how.

What Do We Talk About?

  • Your Child’s Safety: How to keep your child safe right now.
  • Health Checks: If your child needs to see a doctor.
  • Family Needs: How to understand and support your whole family.

What Happens After the Discussion?

  • Follow the Plan: Everyone does what they agreed to do, and the plan is explained to you.
  • Keep in Touch: Professionals will continue to share relevant information to promote your child’s safety.

Important Points:

  • We need to meet quickly if there is an urgent problem, so we often have more meetings after to talk more about your child’s safety.

We hope this helps you understand what a strategy discussion is and how it helps keep your child safe. If you have any questions, please ask your social worker.

If you are worried about the safety or wellbeing of a child or young person in Devon, please make a request for support or report a child safety concern.

 

In an emergency call 999.


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