Where information is received by police, or social work that a child may have been abused or neglected and/or is suffering or is likely to suffer significant harm, an INTERAGENCY REFERRAL DISCUSSION (IRD) must be considered and convened as soon as reasonably practicable. An IRD will co‑ordinate decision-making about such investigation and action as may be needed to ensure the safety of children Argyll and Bute along with IRD recording form are below.
The Inter-Agency Discussion should generate an interim safety plan as one of it’s outcomes, however there may have been actions to ensure safety of the child prior to IRD, this would then be discussed and amended at the IRD.
The purpose of an interim safety plan is to ensure a child’s safety as immediately as necessary until such times as a Child Protection Planning Meeting (CPPM) is held. this plan is about safety right now and is operational immediately.
The plan must include how the child is seen and heard during the period the plan is in place and how the child is supported in understanding any family contact arrangements and reasons for their current circumstance.
It is recommended that a child’s version is developed and shared with the child to enhance their understanding and minimise the possibility of confusion and stress.
The plan must be recorded and shared and be completed using plain language and no jargon.
Any plan must be communicated to each professional, child and family.
Following notification of a child protection concern, this is the next critical phase in risk assessment and response.
The national Child Protection guidance reference points and Argyll and Bute IRD protocol and recording form below provide guidance on the decision to hold an IRD, purpose, processes and template for recording the IRD discussion.
Additional resources below provide guidance to support assessment and decision making.
Resources to use at this stage
| Title | Summary |
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| National guidance for child protection in Scotland 2021 - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) |
Section 3.15 – 3.47: Inter-agency referral discussions (IRD) Section 3.114 – 3.125: Involving children and families in child protection processes. Section 3.68 – 3.91 Health assessment and medical examination |
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A&B Guidance on the decision to hold an IRD; purposes, components and process along with IRD. |
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A&B paperwork for recording IRD discussion |
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From National Risk Assessment Framework
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Types of Health Assessment in Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect with Timeframes
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Information and timescales for undertaking medicals for suspected child abuse and neglect |
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Children Affected By Domestic Abuse Argyll & Bute Referral Pathway
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Pathway to follow when incidents or allegations of domestic abuse involve or could impact on children |
| Young Person’s support and protection protocol |
Protocol outlines interagency arrangements for the assessment and management of risk for people young people still at school, and for young people under the age 26 who are receiving support as a previously looked after child, who are at risk of significant harm or of causing significant harm to themselves and others, where Adult or Child protection procedures do not apply
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Recognition and Management Of Maltreatment In Infants (Children Under the Age Of 1 Year)
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Professional guidance for practitioners working with young children on responding to injuries including bruises to young children
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Responding to concerns where children are engaged in underage sexual activity
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Protocol for how practitioners and agencies should respond when they become aware of underage sexual activity. |
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Joint guidance for practitioners working with children, young people and their parents on understanding and responding to the impacts of parental substance misuse
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Multi Agency Practice Guidance Child Sexual Exploitation A&B Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) Screening Tool
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Guidance and screening tool for assessing and responding to children and young people who may be at risk from sexual exploitation |
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Responding to children and young people displaying sexually harmful behaviours
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Protocol for practitioners and agencies in responding to allegations that a child or young person has displayed sexually harmful behaviours - usually towards another child |
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Argyll and Bute Child trafficking guidance
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Guidance for professional to help identify an respond to concerns that a child or young person may be involved in trafficking
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Argyll and Bute Female Genital Mutilation protocol
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Guidance for professionals on the identification and how to respond when concerned that an adult or child may be at risk of or suffered genital mutilation. |
| Joint Guidance On the Interface Between Child Protection And Adult Protection |
Guidance outlining when the Child protection and adult protecting procedures will apply and on transition arrangements for young people at risk becoming adults
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