Our safeguarding trainer, Latoya Maynard has kindly put together some case studies which enable us to share a different insight as to why preventative measures are necessary and early intervention is needed.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

Year 9 Male - 2 academic years of violent behaviour continuing to escalate (towards peers and staff);
numerous meetings with parents (seperated) and now social care as subject to a Child protection Plan and in interim care planndue to being “out of parent/s control). Year 9 Male believed to be using drugs regularly and there has been a significant deterioration in his mental health. He is frequently missing in education. School does not believe they can meet his needs.

CHALLENGES, IMPACTS AND OBJECTIVES:

● Violent child risking safety of himself, students and staff.
● Drug use
● Balance of sanctions VS support
● Frequent missing episodes - Can not effectively put any agreed plans in place
● Concerns around mental health

Year 9 Male needs to be able to access support and with current freedom of movement is not willing / able to. Mental health needs to take priority to allow him to be in a place to access education safely.

HOW THE MANAGEMENT OF THE CASE HELPED ARRIVE AT THE SOLUTION:

Agreed by all agencies involved, the management over the 2 years of Year 9 Male had been poor. At this point his mental health was severely impacted and this was the driving factor of the solution.

OUTCOME: 

PEX - Placement in a residential clinic to assess mental health needs and ensure no risk of absconding.

Social care drove the outcome as child in care at the time; Year 9 Male was going to be removed from
mainstream education regardless for in-patient care - decision made following an urgent reassessment on their side.

SUPPORTING GUIDANCE, CASE LAW, VISUALS AND QUOTES USED IN THE CASE: 

“Mental health needs to be at the forefront of any decisions”

Children Act

KCSIE

WTTSC

Information sharing: Guidance for practitioners providing safeguarding services
Promoting the education of looked after children and previously looked after children

REFERRAL/RECOMMENDATION: For the client/the student/the school 

Year 9 Male referrals:

● In-patient placement for mental health

Recommendations:

● Better lines of communication between School / Social Care / Police - to ensure full picture and timelyactioning of appropriate support.