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282 <h2>
282 Notifications of Significant Events
282 </h2>
284 </div>
287 <div id="scope_box">
288 <h3>
288 SCOPE OF THIS CHAPTER
288 </h3>
289 <p>
289 This chapter sets out who must be notified of specified events in relation to Looked After
children placed with Fostering Agencies or in Children's Homes.
289 </p>
290 <p>
290 <span class="bold">
290 Please note
290 </span>
290 – when a Looked After Child dies, any notifications required under this chapter are in addition to
the requirement for local authorities to notify the national Child Safeguarding Practice Review
Panel (using the Child Safeguarding Incident Notification System) within 5 days of becoming aware
that a child has died. See:
290 <a href="p_death_serious.html">
290 Death or Serious Injury to a Child (Looked After and Child in Need) Procedure
290 </a>
290 .
290 </p>
291 <p>
291 <span class="bold">
291 Important:
291 </span>
291 Any incidents that fall under this section will also require the Serious Incident Notification
policy to be followed. A referral may also be required to the LADO under the
291 <a href="http://www.bexleylscb.org.uk/page.php?section=section_4&id=299" target="_blank"
rel="noopener">
291 Bexley Safeguarding Partnership Allegations Against Staff
291 </a>
291 .
291 </p>
292 <h3>
292 RELEVANT GUIDANCE
292 </h3>
293 <p>
293 <a
href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/notify-ofsted-of-an-incident-form-for-childrens-s
ocial-care-providers" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
293 Tell Ofsted about an Incident - Online Forms and Guidance
293 </a>
293 </p>
294 <h3>
294 AMENDMENT
294 </h3>
295 <p>
295 This procedure was updated in April 2020 to reflect revised guidance issued by
295 <a
href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/notify-ofsted-of-an-incident-form-for-childrens-s
ocial-care-providers/childrens-home-providers-guidance-for-notifying-us-of-a-serious-incident"
target="_blank" rel="noopener">
295 Ofsted to Children's Homes Providers in August 2019
295 </a>
295 . The revised guidance sought to clarify what is meant by a 'serious event' in relation to a child
living in a Children's Homes with the aim of reducing the overall number of notifications made to
Ofsted, and in particular reducing the number of repeat notifications made as a result of
submitting additional / updated information.
295 </p>
296 </div>
297 <div id="sections">
298 <h3 id="sections_list">
298 Contents
298 </h3>
299 <ol>
300 <li>
300 <a href="#ch_place_fc">
300 Children Placed with Fostering Agencies
300 </a>
300 </li>
301 <li>
301 <a href="#ch_homes">
301 Children Placed in Children's Homes
301 </a>
301 </li>
302 <li>
302 <a href="#notifying">
302 Accidents or Illness - Notifying the Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
302 </a>
302 </li>
303 </ol>
304 <h3 id="ch_place_fc">
304 1. Children Placed with Fostering Agencies
304 </h3>
305 <p>
305 Regulation 36 and Schedule 7 of the Fostering Services Regulations 2011 set out the arrangements
for notifications in relation to significant events.
305 </p>
306 <p>
306 <a href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2011/581/schedule/7/made" target="_blank"
rel="noopener">
306 Click here to view Schedule 7 Events and Notifications table
306 </a>
306 .
306 </p>
307 <p>
307 Independent Fostering Agencies should use the
307 <a href="https://ofstedonline.ofsted.gov.uk/outreach/Ofsted_Statutory_Notification.ofml"
target="_blank" rel="noopener">
307 online notification form
307 </a>
307 to notify Ofsted of a specified event.
307 </p>
308 <p>
308 Fostering Agencies should have a system in place to ensure notifications are made within 24 hours
and that a written record of actions and outcomes is kept.
308 </p>
309 <p>
309 Whenever there is a serious injury or safeguarding concern, the Fostering Agency should notify the
placing/responsible authority and, where the placement is located in a different local authority
to the placing/responsible authority, the area authority should also be notified, (particularly
where there may be a need for ensuring appropriate enquiries are made under Section 47 Children
Act 1989).
309 </p>
310 <p>
310 <span class="bold">
310 Note also
310 </span>
310 that the National Minimum Standards (NMS 29.3) requires notification to the responsible
authorities, (the Responsible Local Authority and Clinical Commissioning Group), of any serious
concerns about the emotional or mental health of a child, such that a mental health assessment
would be requested under the Mental Health Act 1983.
310 </p>
311 <h3 id="ch_homes">
311 2. Children Placed in Children's Homes
311 </h3>
312 <p>
312 See:
312 <a
href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/notify-ofsted-of-an-incident-form-for-childrens-s
ocial-care-providers" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
312 Tell Ofsted about an Incident - Online Forms and Guidance
312 </a>
312 .
312 </p>
313 <p>
313 Regulation 40 (safeguarding notifications) of the Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015 sets
out the arrangements for notifications by the registered person in relation to serious events
which should be shared with Ofsted.
313 </p>
314 <p>
314 Notifications to Ofsted should be made by using the
314 <a href="https://ofstedonline.ofsted.gov.uk/outreach/Ofsted_Statutory_Notification.ofml"
target="_blank" rel="noopener">
314 online notification form
314 </a>
314 .
314 </p>
315 <p>
315 In urgent situations, Ofsted can be contacted by telephone (0300 123 1231). You will need your URN
(Unique Reference Number) and full postal address when completing a form. If you are not able to
submit the form online, it can printed and sent to Ofsted at:
315 </p>
316 <p>
316 Notifications
316 <br>
317 Ofsted Business Unit
317 <br>
318 Piccadilly Gate
318 <br>
319 Store Street
319 <br>
320 Manchester
320 <br>
321 M1 2WD
321 </p>
322 <table title="table showing Other Agencies">
323 <tr class="table_header">
324 <td style="width:50%">
324 SERIOUS INCIDENT
324 </td>
325 <td>
325 WHO TO NOTIFY
325 </td>
326 </tr>
327 <tr class="table_row_even">
328 <td>
328 Death of a child.
328 </td>
329 <td>
329 <p>
329 <a
href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/notify-ofsted-of-an-incident-form-for-child
rens-social-care-providers" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
329 Ofsted
329 </a>
329 ;
329 </p>
330 <p>
330 The placing authority;
330 </p>
331 <p>
331 The Secretary of State for Children (if the Secretary of State is not the placing
authority);
331 </p>
332 <p>
332 The local authority in whose area the children's home is located (if different to the
placing authority);
332 </p>
333 <p>
333 The Clinical Commissioning Group for the area in which the home is located;
333 </p>
334 <p>
334 If the child was accommodated in a secure children's home, the Prisons and Probation
Ombudsman for England and Wales ("the PPO"); and
334 </p>
335 Any other relevant person.
335 <span class="tiny_text">
335 [1]
335 </span>
335 </td>
336 </tr>
337 <tr>
338 <td>
338 There is a referral of a person working in the home pursuant to Section 35 (Regulated activity
providers: duty to refer) of the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
338 </td>
339 <td>
339 <p>
339 <a
href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/notify-ofsted-of-an-incident-form-for-child
rens-social-care-providers" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
339 Ofsted
339 </a>
339 ;
339 </p>
340 <p>
340 The placing authority; and
340 </p>
341 <p>
341 Any other relevant person.
341 </p>
341 </td>
342 </tr>
343 <tr class="table_row_even">
344 <td>
344 Child is involved in, or subject to, or suspected of being involved in or subject to sexual
exploitation.
344 </td>
345 <td>
345 <p>
345 <a
href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/notify-ofsted-of-an-incident-form-for-child
rens-social-care-providers" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
345 Ofsted
345 </a>
345 ;
345 </p>
346 <p>
346 The placing authority;
346 </p>
347 <p>
347 The local authority in whose area the children's home is located (if different to the
placing authority) which will have responsibility for ensuring appropriate enquiries are
made under Section 47 of the Children Act 1989;
347 </p>
348 <p>
348 The Police;
348 </p>
349 <p>
349 Any other relevant person.
349 </p>
349 </td>
350 </tr>
351 <tr>
352 <td>
352 Any allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there.
352 </td>
353 <td>
353 <p>
353 <a
href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/notify-ofsted-of-an-incident-form-for-child
rens-social-care-providers" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
353 Ofsted
353 </a>
353 ;
353 </p>
354 <p>
354 The placing authority;
354 </p>
355 <p>
355 The local authority designated officer (LADO) for the area where the home is located;
355 </p>
356 <p>
356 Any other relevant person.
356 </p>
356 </td>
357 </tr>
358 <tr class="table_row_even">
359 <td>
359 Instigation or conclusion of any Child Protection Enquiry involving a child resident in the
children's home.
359 </td>
360 <td>
360 <p>
360 <a
href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/notify-ofsted-of-an-incident-form-for-child
rens-social-care-providers" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
360 Ofsted
360 </a>
360 ;
360 </p>
361 <p>
361 The placing authority;
361 </p>
362 <p>
362 The local authority in whose area the children's home is located (if different to the
placing authority) which will have responsibility for ensuring appropriate enquiries are
made under Section 47 of the Children Act 1989;
362 </p>
363 <p>
363 Any other relevant person.
363 </p>
363 </td>
364 </tr>
365 </table>
366 <p class="tiny_text">
366 [1] "relevant person" means any person, body or organisation that the registered person considers
to be relevant in relation to the care, protection or safeguarding of a particular child in all
the circumstances.
366 </p>
367 <h4>
367 Additional Notifications
367 </h4>
368 <p>
368 The Children's Homes Regulations also require notifications to be made to Ofsted, the placing
authority and other relevant persons in the following circumstances:
368 </p>
369 <ol>
370 <li>
370 An incident requiring Police involvement occurs in relation to a child which the registered
person considers to be serious; and
370 </li>
371 <li>
371 There is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be
serious.
371 </li>
372 </ol>
373 <p>
373 Deciding whether an incident is 'serious' and warrants notification to Ofsted will depend on many
factors, including the age of the child, the frequency of the incident(s), the nature of any
injuries sustained, any additional needs the child has and the context of the home. In some
instances the cumulative effect of frequent incidents may make a notification appropriate even if
the individual event would not warrant this.
373 </p>
374 <p>
374 Police involvement does not mean the Police have been informed of an incident; rather involvement
implies that they are actively doing something concerning the incident, for example making an
arrest or taking witness statements.
374 </p>
375 <p>
375 Incidents which are likely to be considered serious, and thus warrant notification to Ofsted as
well as the placing authority, include:
375 </p>
376 <ul>
377 <li>
377 A child being the victim or perpetrator of a serious assault;
377 </li>
378 <li>
378 A serious incident of self harm;
378 </li>
379 <li>
379 Serious concerns over a child's missing behaviour, such as where you consider the child to be at
grave risk due to their age or vulnerability or where they have been missing for a considerable
period of time and their whereabouts are unknown. (
379 <span class="bold">
379 Please note
379 </span>
379 - Ofsted do not need to routinely know about children going missing, even if the Police are
called out to help look for them. However, this information should always be shared with the
placing authority).
379 </li>
380 </ul>
381 <p>
381 A serious illness or accident would include matters such as fractured bones, when a child loses
consciousness or situations that require admittance to hospital for more than 24 hours. Ofsted do
not need to be notified about injuries such as sprains, strains or falls that have happened in the
course of regular childhood experiences. This is the case even if the child is taken to the local
accident and emergency department to have the injury checked out, unless it results in the child
being admitted to hospital for more than 24 hours. If the injury has been sustained as part of a
wider incident, for example a restraint or during a child running away, it may be appropriate to
notify Ofsted. However Ofsted do not need to know if a child becomes ill and is not admitted to
hospital.
381 </p>
382 <p>
382 Self-harm incidents that result in minor or superficial injuries do not need to be reported to
Ofsted. However, homes should have in place a system for notifying responsible authorities of any
serious concerns about the emotional or mental health of a child to the extent that a mental
health assessment would be requested under the Mental Health Act 1983.
382 </p>
383 <p>
383 This is not an exhaustive list, and each case must be assessed individually taking into account
any patterns of behaviour or unusual behaviour that may indicate an increased risk to the child.
383 </p>
384 <h3>
384 Sharing Information with the Placing Authority
384 </h3>
385 <p>
385 Regardless of whether Ofsted are notified, the home must always share any concerns about the child
or their behaviour with the placing authority, in order to safeguard the child and promote their
welfare.
385 </p>
386 <h3>
386 Sending Updates to Ofsted
386 </h3>
387 <p>
387 Ofsted do not need to be sent updates in relation to any notifications made, though it may be
appropriate to share updates with the placing authority and other relevant persons.
387 </p>
388 <p>
388 There may be occasions when an inspector will ask for an update following a serious incident
because this would be helpful in understanding what has happened and the action that you have
taken. In these situations, the inspector is likely to ask for additional information directly by
email rather than through a series of further notifications.
388 </p>
389 <h3 id="notifying">
389 3. Accidents or Illness - Notifying the Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
389 </h3>
390 <p>
390 Ofsted do not need to be notified of accidents or illnesses in Children's Homes.
390 </p>
391 <p>
391 Where a child or member of staff is involved in a serious accident in the home, the HSE should be
informed. The outbreak of any infectious disease (which in the opinion of a registered medical
practitioner is sufficiently serious to be so notified) should also be reported.
391 </p>
392 <p>
392 See
392 <a href="https://www.hse.gov.uk/forms/incident/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
392 HSE website
392 </a>
392 for forms to report incidents to the HSE.
392 </p>
393 <p>
393 For more information, see
393 <a href="https://www.hse.gov.uk/riddor/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
393 HSE – Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences
393 </a>
393 .
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