7.4 Designated Managers |
Designated Managers are managers who have delegated authority to approve certain decisions or who must be notified in certain circumstances.
AMENDMENT
This chapter was updated in September 2018, to reflect the current structure of the Department.
Contents
1. Authorisations
NOTE
This section outlines the circumstances where managers have delegated authority to approve certain decisions.
These arrangements do not replace the line management communication or authorisation structure; in all cases, it is assumed that managers and line managers will be consulted or notified as appropriate.
Designated Managers are those managers who should additionally be consulted or notified.
- Access to Records
- Adoption: Agency Decision Maker
- Adoption: Panel
- Adoption: Support
- Bed and Breakfast Accommodation
- Care Plan
- Change of Name of Looked After Child
- Child Protection Matters
- Child Protection Conferences
- Children in Need
- Children with Disabilities
- Complaints
- Contact with Parents, Approval of Extended Contact Arrangements Pending Post Care Proceedings Meetings
- Contact - Suspension/Termination of
- Decision to Look After
- Fostering Panel
- Foster Carer Allegations
- Foster Carer Approval and Review
- Fostering Placement - Approval of Exemptions to Exceed the Usual Limit
- HIV/AIDS
- Housing Priority for all Children
- Independent Visitors
- Kinship Carers for Looked After Children - Approval
- Legal Advice
- Marriage of a Looked After Child
- Medical Treatment of a Looked After Child
- Passports
- Pathway Plans/Leaving Care Approval
- Permanence Plans/Agency Decision-Maker
- Placements Outside England and Wales
- Placement with Connected Persons
- Placement with External Provider
- Placements with Parents
- Placements: Secure Accommodation
- Placements: Semi-Independent Accommodation
- Private Fostering
- Residence Order/Child Arrangements Order Allowances
- Review of Foster Carers
- Revocation of Care Order
- School or Educational Trips/Holidays Abroad/Outdoor Activities for Looked After Children
- Secure Accommodation (Criteria) Reviews
- Special Guardianship Support
Access to Records |
See Access to Records/Subject Access Requests Guidance The Manager who must authorise the refusal of a request for access to records and/or a request by an agent for access to records. Designated Manager(s): Caldicott GuardianHead of Service Quality Assurance |
Adoption: Agency Decision Maker |
See Adoption chapters in Section 3.10 of this handbook which can be accessed via the Contents Button. The Agency Decision-Maker who may approve recommendations of the Adoption and Permanence Panel Designated Manager(s): Head of Service Permanence |
Adoption Panel |
The Manager who appoints the Chair and Vice Chair and deals with associated Panel membership matters Designated Manager(s): Head of Service Permanence |
Adoption Support |
See Adoption Support Services Procedure The Manager who approves Adoption Support Plans Designated Manager(s): Head of Service Permanence |
Bed and Breakfast Accommodation |
The Manager who may authorise bed and breakfast accommodation for Looked After Children. Designated Manager(s):Head of Service The Manager who may authorise bed and breakfast accommodation for children who are not Looked After. Designated Manager(s): Service Manager |
Care Plan |
See Decision to Look After and Care Planning Procedure The manager who must authorise a Care Plan in relation to an Accommodated child and a child the subject of Care Proceedings. Designated Manager(s): Service Manager |
Change of Name of a Looked After Child |
See Change of Name of a Looked After Child Procedure The Manager who may authorise the change of name and the taking of Court Proceedings where parental agreement is not forthcoming Designated Manager(s): Director Children’s Social Care via Head of Service |
Child Protection Matters |
See Protocol for Single Assessments (Agreed with Southwark Safeguarding Children Partnership) The Manager who may authorise a Child Protection Enquiry Designated Manager(s): Team Manager The Manager who may authorise a social worker to stop a Child Protection Enquiry before its completion. Designated Manager(s): Team Manager The Manager who must endorse a recommendation to hold or not to hold a Child Protection Conference. Designated Manager(s): Team Manager The Manager who may authorise a search for a child on the List of Children with a Child Protection Plan who is missing Designated Manager(s): Team Manager in consultation with the Quality Assurance Unit who will notify other authorities as required by the London Child Protection Procedures. |
Child Protection Conferences |
The Manager who may agree not to invite a carer to a Child Protection Conference or part of a Conference and who may agree not to invite a child of 12 years or over to a Child Protection Conference or decide to which part to invite the child and how it should be managed. Designated Manager(s): Conference Chair (on the recommendation of the Team Manager) The Manager who may authorise the discontinuation of a Child Protection Plan after the making of an Interim Care Order. Designated Manager(s): Service Manager Quality Assurance. See also Children subject to Dual Planning Process - Looked After Reviews and Child Protection Conferences Procedure The Manager who may agree that a Child Protection Conference may proceed notwithstanding that it is inquorate. Designated Manager(s): Conference Chair - following consultation with other agencies. The Manager who may authorise the discontinuation of a Child Protection Plan when a Child Protection Conference is inquorate Designated Manager(s): Conference Chair The Manager who may authorise a decision that a child requires or does not require a Child Protection Plan. Designated Manager(s): Conference Chair The Manager who may authorise the cancellation or postponement of a Child Protection Conference. Designated Manager(s): Conference Chair in consultation with Service Manager Quality Assurance |
Children in Need |
See Protocol for SIngle Assessments (Agreed with Southwark Safeguarding Children Partnership) The Manager who may authorise seeking emergency day nursery provision. Designated Manager(s): Service Manager The manager who may authorise seeking services from agencies with Service Level Agreement. Designated Manager(s): Service Manager |
Children with Disabilities |
See Children with Disabilities Procedure Approval of care packages for child with disabilities; decision to look after child with disabilities. Designated Manager(s): Head of Service |
Complaints |
See Representations, Complaints and Claims Procedure and Complaints and Representations Guidance The Manager who is the Designated Complaints Officer Designated Manager(s): Investigator, Social Care Complaints, Housing and Modernisation |
Contact With Parents/Siblings, Approval of Extended Contact Arrangements Pending Post Care Proceedings Meetings |
See Legal Planning Meetings and Care Proceedings in Southwark: Practice Guidance Procedure The Manager who may authorise extended contact between Looked After Children and Parents pending a Post Care Proceedings Meeting Designated Manager(s): Team Manager/Service Manager |
Contact - Suspension/termination of |
See Contact with Parents and Siblings Procedure Suspension or termination of contact between a Looked After Child and Parents; the Manager who may authorise termination Designated Manager(s): Service Manager in consultation with Legal Services |
Decision to Look After |
See Decision to Look After and Care Planning Procedure and Legal Planning Meetings and Care Proceedings in Southwark: Practice Guidance Procedure. The Manager who must endorse any decision to accommodate a child. Designated Manager(s): Head of Service The Manager who may authorise an application for an Emergency Protection Order and/or a Recovery Order Designated Manager(s): Head of Service The manager who may authorise initiating Care Proceedings. See Legal Planning Meetings and Care Proceedings in Southwark: Practice Guidance Procedure. Designated Manager(s): Head of Service |
Fostering Panel |
Appointment of the Chair and Vice Chair of the Fostering Panel and associated matters: Head of Service Permanence |
Foster Carer Allegations |
See Allegations against Foster Carers, Prospective Adopters and Adopters Procedure Allegations against Foster Carers; the Manager who may authorise the recommendation of a Strategy Discussion that no further action is taken against a Foster Carer. Designated Manager(s): Head of Service Permanence in conjunction with the LADO |
Foster Carer Approval and Review |
See Assessment and Approval of Foster Carers Procedure, Review and Termination of Approval of Foster Carers Procedure and Persons Disqualified from Fostering Procedure Approval of Foster Carers: the Manager who may approve the recommendations of the Fostering Panel Designated Manager(s): Service Manager Review of Foster Carers: the Manager who may approve the outcome of the reviews of foster carers Designated Manager(s): Team Manager Adoption and Fostering. |
Foster Placement - Exemption To Exceed Usual Limit |
See Extensions and Exemptions / Variations to Foster Carers Approval Procedure Approval to exceed upon recommendation of Fostering Panel; the Manager who may approve the recommendations of the Fostering Panel to exceed the usual limit. Designated Manager: Service Manager and Head of Service permanence (requires 2 signatures) Approval for an interim exemption, in an emergency; the Manager who may approve an interim exemption. Designated Manager: Service Manager, Adoption and Fostering |
HIV and AIDS |
HIV and AIDS; the Manager who may authorise test for Looked After Children/authorise sharing of an alleged perpetrator's HIV status Designated Manager(s): Service Manager |
Housing Priority for All Children |
See Protocol for Joint Work between Housing and Children's Services The Manager who may authorise this Designated Manager(s): Service Manager |
Independent Visitors |
See Advocacy and Independent Visitors Procedure Independent Visitors; the Manager who may authorise the appointment of an Independent Visitor Designated Manager(s): Team Manager |
Kinship Carers for Looked After Children: Approval |
See Placements with Friends and Family Foster Carers (also known as Connected Persons carers) Procedure The Manager who may approve Kinship Carers on the recommendation of the Fostering Panel Designated Manager(s): Head of Service |
Legal Advice |
See Children's Services Policy, Values and Principles The Manager who may authorise the taking of legal advice Designated Manager(s): Team Manager |
Marriage of a Looked After Child |
See Marriage of a Looked After Child Procedure Marriage of a Looked After Child; the Manager who may authorise it Designated Manager(s): Head of Service |
Medical Treatment of a Looked After Child |
The Manager who may authorise it Designated Manager(s): Team Manager Where the medical treatment involves surgery and/or general anaesthetic: Designated Manager(s): Service Manager in consultation with the treating doctor Where significant and permanent medical intervention is required e.g. termination, sterilisation, organ transplant: Designated Manager(s): Director Children’s Social Care |
Passports |
See Holidays and School Trips Outside the UK Passports for Looked After Children, the manager who may authorise passports Designated Manager(s): Director Children’s Social Care |
Pathway Plans/Leaving Care |
See Support for Care Leavers – Succeeding into Adulthood Procedure Pathway Plan; the Manager who should approve them, including any amendments Designated Manager(s): Team Manager |
Permanence Plans/Agency Decision Maker |
See Placement for Adoption Procedure See Placement in Foster Care Procedure Permanence Plan; the Manager who can approve the recommendations of the Adoption or Fostering Panel in relation to Permanence Plans, including matching. Designated Manager(s): Agency Decision Maker: Head of Service Permanence |
Placements Outside England and Wales |
See Placements outside England and Wales Procedure Placements outside England and Wales, the Manager who may authorise the placement, including Emigration, of a child outside England and Wales Designated Manager(s): Head of Service |
Placement with Connected Persons |
See Placements with Friends and Family Foster Carers (also known as Connected Persons carers) Procedure Immediate Placement with Kinship Carers: the Manager who may authorise such placements Designated Manager(s): Head of Service |
Placements with External Provider |
See Placements in Foster Care Procedure and Placements in Residential Care Procedure External Placements, the Manager who can authorise external Placements of children. Designated Manager(s): Director Children’s Social Care |
Placement With Parents |
See Placement with Parents Procedure Placement with Parents, Planned; the Manager who may authorise such placements Designated Manager(s): Director Children’s Social care Placement with Parents, Unplanned; the Manager who may authorise such placements Designated Manager(s): Head of Service |
Placements: Secure Accommodation |
See Placements in Secure Accommodation Procedure Secure Accommodation; the Manager who may authorise that a child be placed in secure accommodation for up to 72 hours and/or that an application for a Secure Accommodation Order be made Designated Manager(s): Director Children’s Social Care |
Placements: Semi-Independent Accommodation |
See Placement in Semi-Independent Accommodation Procedure Semi-independent Accommodation: the Manager who may authorise that a young person be placed in semi-independent accommodation Designated Manager(s): Service Manager |
Private Fostering |
See Private Fostering Procedure The Manager who may authorise approvals and other matters in relation to Private Foster Carers Designated Manager(s): Service Manager |
Residence Order/Child Arrangements Order Allowances |
The Manager who must approve the payment of Residence Order/Child Arrangements Order Allowances Designated Manager(s): Service Manager |
Review of Foster Carers |
See Review and Termination of Approval of Foster Carers Procedure The Manager who will approve the recommendations of the Fostering Panel in regard to the review of Foster Carers. Designated Manager(s): Head of Service Permanence |
Revocation of Care Order |
The Manager who must approve the revocation of a Care Order before an application is made. Designated Manager(s): Head of Service - calling of Child Protection Conference to be considered |
School or Educational Trips/Holidays Abroad/Outdoor Activities for Looked After Children |
See Holidays and School Trips Outside the UK Procedure See Leisure and Recreation Procedure School or Educational Trips/Holidays Abroad or Outdoor Activities:; the Manager who may authorise such trips for Looked After Children. Designated Manager(s): Service Manager for period of less than 1 month |
Secure Accommodation (Criteria) Reviews |
See Secure Accommodation (Criteria) Reviews The Manager who should be informed of the outcome of these reviews Designated Manager(s) Director, Children's Social Care or his/her nominated deputy |
Special Guardianship Support |
See Applications for Special Guardianship Procedure The manager who must approve Special Guardianship financial support: Designated Manager(s): Service Manager |
2. Notifications
NOTE
This section outlines the managers and agencies who must be notified in certain circumstances; usually after serious incidents or events.
These arrangements do not replace the line management communication or authorisation structure; in all cases, it is assumed that managers and line managers will be consulted or notified as appropriate.
In ANY EVENT, where an incident or event is likely to have significant public, political or legal implications for the authority the Designated Managers and agencies listed below are those who should additionally be consulted or notified without delay:
- Abduction or Attempted Abduction
- Absent Children
- Attempted Suicide
- Child Protection
- Child Protection Enquiry - Looked After Child
- Death or Serious Injury of a Looked After Child
- Police Assistance
- Prostitution or Sexual Exploitation
- Protection of Children
- Serious or Malicious Damage Caused
- Serious Illness, Serious Accident or Outbreak of any Infectious Disease
- Serious Issues
- Serious Offence
Abduction, or Attempted Abduction |
Abduction or attempted abduction of a child receiving services, the Manager who should be notified Designated Manager(s): Head of Service |
Absent Children |
See Children Missing from Care Procedure. The Manager who must be notified if a Looked After Child has been absent for five days Designated Manager(s) Head of Service Care, Head of Quality Assurance |
Attempted Suicide |
Attempted suicide of a child receiving services, the Manager who should be notified Designated Manager(s): Head of Service and Head of Quality Assurance |
Child Protection |
Where a social worker is unable to see a child on the Child Protection Plan, the Manager who should be notified Designated Manager(s): Head of Service and Service Manager Quality Assurance |
Child Protection Enquiry - Looked After Child |
Where a Child Protection allegation is made in relation a member of staff the Manager who must be notified Designated Manager(s): Head of Service, Head of Quality Assurance and LADO Where a Child Protection allegation is made in relation to a child in receipt of a service; the Manager who must be notified Designated Manager(s): Service Manager and Quality Assurance Service Manager If the child is placed in a Children's Home or Foster Home, see additional managers/agencies that should be notified. Other Agencies: If the child is placed in a Children's Home or Foster Home, the Regulatory Authority must be notified. |
Death or Serious Injury of a Child |
Death or serious injury of a Looked After Child, or any child receiving services, or any child resulting from Significant Harm, the Manager who should be notified. Designated Manager(s): Director Children’s Social Care Head of Service and Head of Quality Assurance In the event of the death or serious injury of a Looked After Child, the following agencies must also be notified. Other Agencies: Department for Education, the Regulatory Authority, and the relevant Health Trust. |
Police Assistance |
Where an Incident results in the police being called to provide assistance in a Children's Home or Foster Home, the Manager must be notified Designated Manager(s): Head of Service Other Agencies: It will also be necessary to notify the Regulatory Authority. |
Prostitution or Sexual Exploitation |
Involvement or suspected involvement of a Looked After Child in prostitution or sexual exploitation Designated Manager(s): Director Children’s Social Care and Head of Quality Assurance Other Agencies: Also, if the child is placed in a Children's Home or Foster Home, the Regulatory Authority and Police must be notified. |
Protection of Children |
Referral to the Secretary of State under Sec 2 (1) (a) of the Protection of Children Act 1999 (a) of an individual working at the home, the people/agencies who should be notified Designated Manager(s): Director Children’s Social Care Other Agencies: If the Child is placed in a Children's Home or Foster Home, the Regulatory Authority must be notified and the Manager, Placements Team. |
Serious Malicious Damage Caused to a Children's/Foster Home |
Where an Incident results in serious damage being caused to a Children's Home or Foster Home; the Manager who must be notified. Designated Manager(s): Head of Service Other Agencies: If the Police are called for assistance, the Regulatory Authority must also be notified. |
Serious Illness, Accident or Outbreak of Any Infectious or Notifiable Disease |
Serious illness or serious accident sustained by a Looked After Child; Outbreak of any infectious or Notifiable disease relating to a Looked After Child that, in the opinion of a registered medical practitioner, is sufficiently serious to require notification. Designated Manager(s) for both: Head of Service Other Agencies: If the child is placed in a Children's Home or Foster Home, the Regulatory Authority must be notified. The Health Authority must additionally be notified if there is an Outbreak of an Infectious Disease. |
Serious Issues |
See Need to Know - Informing the Director Children's Social Care about Serious Issues. Designated Manager(s): Director Children’s Social Care via Head of Service |
Serious Offence |
Allegation of a serious offence committed by a Looked After Child Designated Manager(s): Head of Service and Head of Quality Assurance Other Agencies: Also, if the child is placed in a Children's Home or Foster Home, the Police must be notified. |
End