This protocol aims to minimise disputes and encourages open and respectful dialogue. Conflicts may arise between professionals from the young person’s initial assessment between any professional who is part of the team around the young person. The young person, Local Housing Authority and Children’s Services may escalate their concerns about the decision or practice of any other agency.
- A dispute may be escalated through the stages below to seek resolution:
- Discussion between operational front-line practitioners.
- Discussion between direct-line managers to explore strategic solutions and compromise.
- Where there are concerns around a placement provision for our 16–17-year-olds this will through a discussion between partners which would be arranged by the Placements Team: placement.unit@staffordshire.gov.uk
If a resolution cannot be reached, a discussion will take place between the relevant service leads.
Staffordshire Safeguarding Children Partnership ‘Escalation Procedure (2019) will be utilised to take forward the most serious concerns or intractable problems.
