Raising a Notification of Concern: Child Protection Service guidance for staff

• When a NOC is raised the person doing so should inform local SWS and/or Police Scotland initially by telephone (if possible) clearly stating they are raising a possible Child Protection concern. (Appendix 1 – SWS telephone numbers, including out of hours contacts).

• If a child or young person is in immediate danger staff should contact Police Scotland on 999.

• A NOC must be completed and submitted within 48 hours following initial telephone call where possible. Support, if required, can be sought from their Line Manager and/or the Child Protection Service (CPS 0141 451 6605).

• Staff should provide relevant and proportionate information about the child and family members known to them in relation to the concern being raised. Where information is not known, this should not prevent or delay the NOC being made.

• The form is available electronically via Clinical Portal, EMIS and an electronic word document via staff net on the Child Protection Service website, accessed via the Corporate Services tab. This is the preferred process for sharing information.

• Concerns and actions should be documented at the earliest opportunity within the child/young person’s health record and within the chronology of significant events.

• Upon completion of a NOC form please:-
  • Retain one copy in the child’s record, i.e. on Portal and/or EMIS.
  • Email a copy to SWS (Appendix two).
  • Notify CPS     Admin Team   – either by Email (ggc.cpadmin@nhs.scot), via Task (for EMIS Users) or by telephoning: 0141 451 6605 (providing CHI number).

• Only in exceptional circumstances would a family not be informed of a NOC being raised, for example, if staff felt at personal risk, or by doing so places the child/young person at additional risk.

• When raising a NOC, if the referring practitioner disagrees with decisions made following submission then they should communicate further with key professionals e.g. Duty Senior Social Worker, Line Manager and/or Child Protection Service.
  
  
• Children and Families Social Work have a responsibility to inform the person making the NOC of the outcome.

Following initial screening of the NOC received an Initial Referral Discussion

(IRD) may be undertaken by Social Work, Police Scotland and NHSGG&C Child Protection Service to share relevant information and make decisions in relation to the requirements for a Child Protection and/or Police investigation and consider if a medical assessment/examination is required.

Advice and support is available from NHSGGC Child Protection Service

Tel: 0141 451 6605        Monday-Friday: 09.00-17:00

* Either by Email (ggc.cpadmin@nhs.scot ), Via Task (for EMIS Users) or by telephoning: 0141 451 6605 (providing CHI number).

Typically SW offices are open-

• Monday to Thursday inclusive: 8.45 am - 4.45 pm
• Friday: 8.45 am - 3.55pm

Out with these times staff should contact Glasgow and Partners Emergency Social Work Service (Standby) on 0300-343-1505