Transfer of Information

1. The transfer of information must be considered as part of good practice enabling information to be made available to those agencies and Local Authorities who need to know. It is important that the family is made aware of information e.g. change of address in relevant circumstances when the child/young person would not be placed at risk
2. There are two main areas where the transfer of information is particularly important:
   1. In relation to safeguarding - i.e. children/young people who are subject to a Child Protection Plan.
   2. Looked after children.

1. Change of Address within the East Riding of Yorkshire

   Where a change in circumstances concerns a child/young person's change of address into another social work team's district within East Riding of Yorkshire, a copy of the change in circumstances form must be sent to the relevant District Manager for information.

   The Manager of the List of Children with a Child Protection Plan must also be immediately informed by telephone.

2. Change of Address outside the East Riding of Yorkshire

   When a child/young person who is subject to Child Protection Plan moves to a known address outside the Authority, the keyworker will;

   • Immediately inform the Manager of the List of Children with a Child Protection Plan for the child/young person's new address. The Manager of the List of Children with a Child Protection Plan in the new Authority will be informed for the child's temporary inclusion on the List pending a Child Protection Case Conference.
   • Produce and send a transfer summary, clearly stating the reason for the child's Child Protection Plan to the Children's Social Care Services responsible for the child's new address - this should be sent within 21 days.
   • Provide written information, including the new address, to all agencies in order to facilitate the rapid transfer of all agency records.
   • When a child/young person moves to an unknown address outside the East Riding of Yorkshire
     
     The Manager of the List of Children with a Child Protection Plan must be immediately informed.
   • Steps must be taken to trace the child/young person through other agencies, e.g. Family Practitioner Records, Education Welfare Records, Benefits Agency Records, other Social Care Services Departments, Probate and Health Authorities as appropriate, Police records, NSPCC.
   • When a child/young person with a Child Protection Plan moves into this Authority the child/young person's name must be transferred onto East Riding of Yorkshire List of Children with a Child Protection Plan immediately.
     
     The District Manager should ensure that the child is included on the List by telephoning the Manager of the List of Children with a Child Protection Plan with the details from the previous local authority (if received) and arranging for the List of Children with a Child Protection Plan Card to be forwarded within 3 working days.
   • For any period of time that a child with a Child Protection Plan moves to another District in East Riding of Yorkshire, e.g. holidays, women's refuge, the Manager of the List of Children with a Child Protection Plan must be immediately informed.

1. When a child/young person is placed by the East Riding of Yorkshire Council in the area of another local authority area in England and Wales information must be provided to that local authority in order to complete their register in accordance with Regulation 10.
   • If an arrangement to supervise the child/ young person has been made the Local Authority or organisation who has agreed to carry out the functions must provide the Local Authority with:-
     • Reports on each visit to the home
     • Reports following each review
     • Consultation regarding the child

In addition the East Riding of Yorkshire Children's Social Care Services will provide a supervising authority or organisation with:

• Referral and Information Record
• Placement Plan
• Care Plan.
• Review Document (most recent one - if available).
• Assessment and Action Record (most recent one - if available).
• These requirements also apply to short-break placements as long as
  • All the placements occur within 1 year.
  • No single placement lasts more than 4 weeks.
  • The total duration of placements does not exceed 90 days.
• The Local Education Service must be informed of the proposed placement.
• The Local Health Trust must be informed of the proposed placement.
• The Local Children's Social Care, Education Service and Health Trust must also be informed when the placement ceases.
• If the local authority where the child/young person is placed is to take on a supervisory role and is to act as an agent for the East Riding Social Care Services essential material has to be released, refer to (ii, Looked After Children (I) (i) to (v). The main file is not sent to the other local authority but is retained at District Team office.