Directors consider national protocols

The
Association of Directors of Social Services is carrying out a survey of area
child protection committees to see how they deal with unexplained child deaths.

In
its submission to the last of the five seminars in phase two, the ADSS says the
survey will help determine "whether there are protocols or proposals which
might be implemented nationally to address this issue".

The
move follows concerns, cited in the submission, that there is no one agency
with overall responsibility for unexpected child deaths and no standard
procedure for responding to them.

The
ADSS submission calls for consideration of a national system for standardising
part 8 reviews and for the Social Services Inspectorate to have a stronger
evaluating and monitoring role.