Appendix 6: Vulnerability Matrix - Peterborough |
SCOPE OF THIS CHAPTER
The Vulnerability Matrix brings together information which will help the agencies in Peterborough to meet the needs of children and young people. It provides a structure for consultation, co-ordination and co-operation between agencies and organisations to promote children's welfare and to identify when a child may be at risk of poor outcomes such as truancy, bullying, exclusion, substance misuse, early antisocial behaviour, teenage pregnancy and mental health problems. The matrix helps practitioners communicate using a common language and understanding of different levels of need.
It will also help practitioners work with families who access universal services and assist them in identifying when a child may have additional needs: this means they are unlikely to meet the 5 outcomes without additional support or intervention.
REVIEW
This document has been endorsed by the PSCB and will be monitored and reviewed as required.
Contents
1.
Using the Vulnerability Matrix
The Vulnerability Matrix gives specific examples of indicators of need based on the three dimensions of the Common Assessment Framework: the child's development; the capacity of parents and carers and family and environmental factors.
The matrix can be used to support early assessment and provision of appropriate services in order to meet the needs of a child or young person and to prevent the escalation of need. Any assessment should also consider where the child would be without any input.
The indicators are not an exhaustive list of all likely or possible concerns, and are merely indicative. They are not a substitute for assessment and judgement of practitioners who will need to consider the combination of many factors. Children and young people may move between different levels and may simultaneously present concerns at different levels.
The Vulnerability Matrix will be mainstreamed across Peterborough for all Peterborough children and young people - it will be included in safeguarding training, information sharing guidance, CAF guidance, inter-agency working procedures etc.
2. Children at Risk of Significant Harm
Peterborough's Specialist Services focuses on providing services to children and young people whose situation falls in level 4 of the 'triangle of need' and children and young people who have a combination of needs falling into level 3. The matrix can be used to identify criteria that trigger Initial Assessment and Core Assessments and the criteria that trigger longer term allocation either via child protection, for a Child in Care or a Child in Need with a Child in Need Plan.
Working Together to Safeguard Children (2010) states that Local Safeguarding Children Boards (LSCBs) should set out the criteria that should be used when deciding whether or not to refer to Children's Social Care. The Vulnerability Matrix has been cross referenced with Peterborough Safeguarding Children Board's "deciding when to refer". Professionals are reminded that they need to use their professional judgement when using these criteria and if in doubt to consult with a designated senior officer/manager to decide what action to take.
Where an assessment under the CAF has been completed, this should provide the basis for referrals and information sharing between agencies. However, where practitioners have concerns about significant harm during the course of a common assessment they need not complete their assessment before contacting Children's Specialist Services as any delay could be potentially damaging for the child or young person.
3. The Vulnerability Matrix
Click here to view Matrix
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