Multi Agency Practitioner Forums Sub Group

Purpose of the sub group

The purpose of the sub group, is to meet the statutory responsibilities of Caerphilly Safeguarding Children Board as specified in Safeguarding Children: Working Together under the Children Act 2004 (2006), in particular to disseminate information, foster a relationship of partnership working between agencies and raise awareness about safeguarding in its area.

Objectives of the sub group

The sub group will establish and develop practitioner forums in the Caerphilly Borough that will be held every six weeks.  The aim of the Forums will be to:

  • Share learning and best practice
  • Develop inter-agency working
  • Aid communication between agencies
  • Identify areas of concern and develop mechanisms to address these concerns
  • Identify gaps in services
  • Develop and promote services to meet the local needs of children and their families
  • Meet with various members of teams and develop professional relationship
  • To discuss referral processes and access to services
  • Contribute to professional development
  • Promote the work of the Caerphilly Safeguarding Children Board

Membership of the sub group

The membership will comprise:

  • Safeguarding Manager, Education
  • CSCB Co-ordinator
  • Child Protection Co-ordinator, Children’s Services
  • Senior Nurse, Public Protection, teaching Local Health Board
  • Lead Nurse Safeguarding Children, Gwent Healthcare Trust
  • Children’s Services Manager, NSPCC
  • Senior Solicitor, Legal Services
  • Senior Education Welfare Officer
  • Representative from Housing
  • Representative from Probation
  • Representative from Caerphilly MAC
  • Representative from Adult Services
  • Independent Reviewing Officer
  • Team Managers, Children’s Services
  • Health Visitor

The Chair of the group will be Children’s Services Manager, NSPCC and this will be reviewed annually.

The Vice Chair of the group will be the Lead Nurse Safeguarding Children

Frequency of meetings

The sub group will meet initially on a 6 weekly basis.  This will be reviewed following the first three events and may thereafter be less frequent.

Governance arrangements

The sub group will provide an annual report to the Caerphilly Safeguarding Children Board and the Caerphilly Safeguarding Board Co-ordinator will provide verbal feedback to every CSCB meeting.

Costs for refreshments and venues for the forums will be met by the Caerphilly Safeguarding Children Board.

Administration support for the meetings and forum events will be provided by the CSCB Administrative Officer.