Recording incidents guidance for those working in the PVI sector
Staffordshire County Council in conjunction with Staffordshire Safeguarding Children Partnership (SSCP) have revised the Recording of Incident documents for those working with children in the private and voluntary sector (PVI).
This guidance covers the general principles of keeping accurate and up-to-date records in relation to incidents involving children.
This guidance aims to assist practitioners in providing clarity over the following:
- Who records can be shared with and why
- How to effectively transfer records in relation to safeguarding
- Assist in supporting practitioners to write a clear picture of what is happening in a child’s life.
Introduction
This following guidance covers the general principles of keeping accurate and up-to-date records in relation to incidents involving children sustained outside the organisation to promote their safety and welfare. This guidance aims to assist practitioners in providing clarity over the following:
- who records can be shared with and why
- how to effectively transfer records in relation to safeguarding
This guidance is not a stand-alone document and should be read in conjunction with the following documents:
- Working together to safeguard children, this document covers the legislative requirements and expectations on individual services to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. It also underpins legislation that is pertinent to a particular sector for example, early years.
- Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework Group and school provision and Childminders.
Upon completion of an incident record form, the practitioner should then have a discussion with their designated safeguarding lead/line manager/childminder. This discussion should look to review the information gathered in relation to the incident alongside any historical information i.e., previous concerns/ incidents whilst being proportionate and balanced. Careful consideration should also be given with regards to the context of the child’s own development and capabilities alongside a good understanding of the care they are receiving at the hands of their parents/carers. If your concern does not relate to a child at significant harm, then you can discuss your concerns with ESAS.
Consider the following points:
- Does the explanation for the injury match the child’s developmental capability and likely behaviour? Was the child developmentally capable of causing these injuries to themselves?
- Does this pattern of bruising match the developmental capabilities of a child of this age with these particular developmental needs?
- For a child who is otherwise meeting developmental milestones, might a parental explanation for injuries be too readily accepted?
- Is there a full understanding of the caregiving the child receives at home?
- Is there a full understanding of the family’s culture, the cultural norms and first language?
- Has the parent/carer got a disability, and do they need support to tell what happened about the injury or incident in a different way?
