The Medway Safeguarding Children Partnership (MSCP) Escalation policy also includes the provision for partnership practice alerts.

Escalation

Generally there is a good working relationship between agencies, but sometimes there may be a difference of professional views. 

Recent reviews completed by the MSCP found that in some cases there was a lack of escalation of concerns and challenge when plans for children were not progressing as they should. 

The safety of individual children is the priority consideration in any professional disagreement. Any unresolved issues should be addressed with consideration given to the potential risks for the child. 

Professionals should be aware that we’ve published the Escalation Policy to give you clear routes to escalate concerns so agencies can agree a way forward. 

Professionals should use the Escalation Policy if they have concerns about decisions made by other professionals or agencies that may be getting in the way of keeping a child safe. 

Partnership Practice Alerts

A Partnership Practice Alert supports professionals to raise concerns to the MSCP that are not case related but if left unaddressed may risk the safeguarding and welfare of children going forward.  The MSCP will request the Strengthening Professional Practice group members to consider the alert and respond on behalf of their agency. The Strengthening Professional Practice group will be responsible for the oversight of any actions as a result of the alert. 

The partnership practice alert referral is in the escalation policy.

Download our Challenge and Escalation Policy