Scheme of Delegation

Scope of this chapter

Note: Consent to life-ending withdrawal of medical support for a child will require an application to the High Court even if all relevant parties are in agreement. Legal advice must be sought as a matter of urgency.

Related guidance

Delegation of Authority to Foster Carers and Residential Workers

Amendment

This chapter was updated in November 2024.

November 4, 2024

1. Children’s Social Care: Decision Making Matrix

Children’s Social Care: Decision Making Matrix
Task	Who makes the decision / signs off work	Notes
Child/ren in Need
Contact / Referral	Team Manager
Section 47 investigation	Team Manager
Strategy discussion/meeting with Police	Team Manager
Allocation of case	Team Manager	Allocation to suitably qualified and/or experienced worker
Single Assessment	Team Manager
Override Parental Consent in assessment process	Team Manager
Child in Need Plan	Team Manager
Section 17 Payment	Social Worker/Advanced Social Work Practitioner Team Manager Service Manager
Child Protection Case Conference	Team Manager
Child Protection Conference report	Team Manager
Child Protection Review Conference report	Team Manager
Public Law Outline	Area Manager	Area Manager confirms progression to care planning panel
Request for funding for Treatment / Assessment	Service Manager
Section 37 reports for court in private law proceedings	Team Manager	Team manager signs report alongside social worker Area manager has oversight and endorses on Azeus
Regulation of Investigation Powers	Head of Service

Looked After Child/ren
Emergency placement requests / Agency	Service Manager	All agency placements require Executive Director approval. Agreement to search is Head of Service. Agreement to place is Director with exec director agreement to finances.
Section 20 Accommodation	Area Manager
Care Proceedings	Area Manager	Area Manager for Care Planning Panel, Head of Service for outside of panel
Emergency Protection Order	Area Manager
Temporary approval of placement with connected person	Service Manager	Papers provided need Area Manager approval
Placement with Parent/s approval	Service Manager
Care Plan in Court Proceedings	Team Manager Area Manager	Team Manager will check and sign off plan before this goes to Area/ Service Manager for sign off
LAC Care Plan	Team Manager
LAC Review report	Team Manager
Commissioning Panel - Request for Resource	Team Manager Area Manager Service Manager Head of Service
Joint Commissioning Panel	Team Manager Area Manager Service Manager Head of Service
Medical Consent for Treatment	Team Manager Area Manager	Refer to Medical consent procedures
Request for funding for Treatment / Assessment as part of care proceedings	Service Manager	Papers provided need Area Manager approval
Child Arrangements Order report for Permanence Panel	Team Manager Area Manager
Child Arrangements Order Allowance	Head of Service	Request has to be recommended at Permanence Panel
Special Guardianship report for Permanence Panel	Team Manager Area Manager
Special Guardianship Allowance	Head of Service	Request has to be recommended at Permanence Panel
Child’s Permanence Report for Adoption Panel	Team Manager Area Manager
Approval for
Life Work including life book and later in life letter	Advanced Social Work Practitioner	This is a task to quality assure the work involved
Regulation 44 Children’s Homes	Service Manager Resources
Foster Carer exemptions/out of category approval	Service Manager Resources
Placement change at Key stage 4 requires approval of nominated officer	Service Manager

Last Updated: November 4, 2024

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