Role and Responsibilities of Children's Social Care
The SEND Code of Practice states that where a child or young person has been assessed as having social care needs in relation to their SEN or disabilities, social care teams should do the following:
- Secure social care provision under the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act (CSDPA) 1970 which has been assessed as being necessary to support a child or young person's SEN and which is specified in their EHC plan.
- Supply early years providers, schools and colleges with a contact for social care advice on children and young people with SEN and disabilities.
- Undertake reviews of children and young people with EHC plans where there are social care needs.
- Make sure that for looked after children and care leavers the arrangements for assessing and meeting their needs across education, health and social care are co-ordinated effectively. This must be done within the process of care and pathway planning in order to avoid duplication and delay. All planning should include liaison with the Virtual School Head (VSH) for looked after children.
- Where children or young people with SEN or disabilities also have a child in need or child protection plan, the child's social worker should ensure the statutory timescales for social care assessments are met and any assessments are aligned with EHC needs assessments wherever possible.