A Welsh council's plans to set up a multi-agency child protection
unit looks set to test out some of the ideas expected to appear in
the children's green paper.
Rhondda Cynon Taf Council aims to set up a community safety unit
combining the police child protection and domestic violence units
with child protection co-ordinators from children's services and
education, key health personnel and the youth offending team.
It is hoped that the "one-stop shop" method will see an improvement
in communication and co-ordination between the police, the council
and health services.
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The action plan is linked to the Wales Programme for Improvement
but is in line with some of the recommendations that are thought
likely to be included in the green paper expected to be published
next week.
The draft of the government's response to the Victoria Climbi'
Report and the joint chief inspectors' report Safeguarding
Children, leaked to Community Care in July, makes several
recommendations including closer integration of front-line workers
through multi-disciplinary teams, adequate training for staff, and
more effective electronic communications.
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Rhondda Cynon Taf Council plans to develop a multi-agency
management training programme in care planning and decision-making,
and provide additional training to all fieldwork teams.
Cabinet member for child development, schooling and culture at the
council, Rebecca Winter, said: "This is another step in ensuring
that all professionals working with children can liaise with each
other in a swift and complete manner for the benefit of any child
at risk."
