Declan Hugh Hainey

I am unclear as to whether a ‘lead individual’ is identified at the same time as ‘the lead agency’. If this is not the case, then it is recommended that it should be, and that all councils adopt this system.

Management must ensure that there is regular and ongoing assessment of the staffing levels necessary to achieve at all times best practice in relation to the needs of the service which is provided.

Where a Notification of Concern in relation to an ‘unseen child’ is made to any social work department, such notification should be treated as deserving of the utmost priority and resources put in place immediately to assess the situation and take all necessary steps to locate and protect such a child.

General Practitioners should ensure that all relevant medical information on a substance misusing parent or carer is collated and provided timeously to social work and health staff involved in decision-making in relation to child protection/supervision.

It should be mandatory for all staff, whether social work or health professionals involved in the care of the children of substance misusing parents to be trained in the latest guidance and protocols concerning child protection.