4.13.2 Managing Offending Behaviour of Looked After Children |
Contents
- Relationships with the Police and Planning for Change
- Managing Serious Disruption
- Theft or Damage to Property
- Violence/Assaults
- Notifications and Recording
1. Relationships with the Police and Planning for Change
Everyone involved in looking after Young People must develop co-operative relationships with the Police and should seek their advice on matters of concern, security and crime prevention.
Illegal behaviour should not be condoned, but it is important to be mindful of our duty to consider the overall welfare of Young People; which may mean recognising that illegal activity is taking place and working to minimise risks and consequences.
Unless otherwise set out in writing, for example in a child’s Placement Plan any suspicion on the part of staff/carers that a child has or is likely to commit an offence must be discussed with the manager or carers supervising social worker; who should consult the child’s social worker if the behaviour is persistent or serious.
Reporting Incidents to the Police
Any decision to report matters to the Police or consult them should normally only be taken in consultation with the manager of the placement / senior care manager of the foster placement and the Senior Care Manager of child’s social worker.
If staff or carers are considering contacting the Police at times when social work offices and they cannot contact their manager or supervising social worker, they must contact either the on-call manager for the home or the Emergency Duty Team.
Where there are concerns that a child is engaged or likely to be engaged in offending behaviour, measures must be adopted to reduce or prevent it. Where the behaviour is persistent or serious, the child’s Placement Plan must include a summary of the concerns and the strategies being adopted to change the behaviour.
In this respect, other relevant agencies, including the Police, may be consulted and involved.
If necessary the Placement Plan should indicate whether and in what circumstances the Police should be contacted should suspicions arise about offending behaviour.
2. Managing Serious Disruption
Staff/carers are expected to do all that is reasonable to manage the behaviour of Young People Looked After by them, which includes the management of confrontational and disruptive behaviour.
As a Last Resort, Physical Intervention can be used to prevent Young People or others being Injured or to prevent Damage to Property.
If the potential injury is significant or the potential damage is serious, Restraint can also be used but if this is not possible or control is lost and the risks of injury or damage escalate, the Police may be called for assistance.
If possible, the child’s social worker’s Senior Care Manager should give authorisation to such action, but if this is not possible, staff/carers should act as they see fit and then inform the child’s social worker as soon as possible thereafter.
3. Theft or Damage to Property
If there is a suspicion that a child may be engaged or likely to be engaged in any criminal activity including theft or malicious damage, staff/carers must act to reduce or prevent the behaviour.
This may include taking steps to recover, repair or restore the property rather than contacting the Police.
If the offending behaviour is persistent or serious, the Police may be contacted. However, unless there are immediate risks that a serious offence may be committed, the Senior Care Manager or the child’s social worker should be consulted before a decision is taken.
4. Violence/Assaults
If a child is known to be violent, the concerns and Strategies designed to reduce or prevent the behaviour must be set out in his/her Placement Plan.
Apart from individual Placement Plans, staff/carers must do all they can to create a safe and positive living environment for Young People. However, staff/carers must take what action is immediately necessary to prevent violence or assaults from occurring.
This may include the use of Restraint or other forms of Physical Intervention.
The Police will not normally be contacted unless the violence is serious, persistent or the victim wishes to make a complaint to the Police.
If victims wish to make such a complaint they should be encouraged only to do so after having given consideration to the implications and consequences for all concerned.
If victims do decide to contact the Police they should be offered support and advice by a manager/supervisor.
5. Notifications and Recording
If the Police are called to provide assistance in managing an Incident of any kind in a home, the child’s social worker and manager must be notified as soon as practicable afterwards.
There are a number of records that must be completed in the event of an Incident, whether or not the Police were called for assistance, which are summarised in Incidents Guidance.
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