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Learning briefing: Ricki – adolescent’s safety and care

The Incident

Ricki, a 15-year-old, had been in care since March 2024. They experienced inconsistent parenting and had been placed in a number of different homes. They had started to go missing, often returning to their family home which exposed Ricki to risk and illegal activity. In January 2025, Ricki was found with a registered sex offender and talked about being exploited by their mother. The police arrested those involved, and Ricki was moved to a new, safer home.

Good practice

  • Return Home Interviews: Practitioners demonstrated a clear understanding of risks and factors influencing Ricki’s behaviour.
  • Educational Support: Schools provided flexible timetables, trauma-informed practices, and strong relationships to support Ricki’s educational needs.
  • CAFCASS Involvement: Ricki’s guardian built a strong relationship with them, supporting them to understand their involvement in care proceedings.
  • Multi-Agency Collaboration: The Navigator housing team and other agencies worked effectively to support Ricki and their mother.

Messages for practice

  1. Risk Assessment: There is a need for more robust assessments of extra-familial harm and intervention plans for Ricki’s drug use and sexual activity.
  2. Communication and Challenge: Improved multi-agency communication and professional challenge are needed to influence decisions and advocate for the child’s best interests.
  3. Consistency in Care: Frequent changes in social workers hinder the development of meaningful relationships and understanding of cumulative harm.
  4. SMART Planning: Child protection plans should be specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and timely (SMART) and communicated effectively across agencies.
  5. Risk Management: Clear risk assessments and safety plans are essential, especially regarding Ricki’s contact with their mother.

What can we do next?

  • Training: Promote and ensure SMART planning training for all practitioners to enhance child protection planning and risk assessment.
  • Promote Professional Curiosity: Encourage staff to be inquisitive about children’s safety and wellbeing through multi-agency Best Practice Events and training.

 

If you think that the child is at risk of significant harm, contact our Front Door directly by calling 0345 155 1071. In an emergency call 999.


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