SECTION 11 AUDIT TEMPLATE
Acknowledgement:
This document has been derived from a Pan-Cheshire Safeguarding Section 11 template and shared by Salford LSCB for use across Greater Manchester
PLEASE ENSURE THAT THIS SECTION OF THE TEMPLATE IS COMPLETED:
Organisation completing this template:Name of person completing this template: / Name of substitute contact:
Contact Tel. No. / Substitute contact Tel. No.
Contact e-mail address: / Substitute contact e-mail address:
Date of return of template:
NOTE: This template needs to be read in conjunction with the Section 11 Audit Guidance document
Key Standard 1: Leadership and Accountability
Standard / Link to Health Audit / Evidence(List and reference all evidence) / Areas for improvement / Deadline
(for completion of improvements) / Assessment Score
Self Assessment Score (0-3) / Moderated Score
(0-3)
1.1 Who is the named strategic lead for safeguarding? / 1.1
1.2 The organisation is linked into the Local Safeguarding Children Board, including contributing to the work of the Board and sub-groups
The representative(s) understand their role and how to communicate messages from/to the organisation / 1.2, 18.5
1.3 There is a named or designated person(s) with a clearly defined role and responsibilities to champion safeguarding and child protection including:
-Maintaining a sound knowledge of legislation & guidance
-Communicating to staff
-Holding managers to account
-Ensure effective working relationships are in place
-Responding to identified safeguarding training needs
This person has sufficient time and support to carry out their responsibilities. An annual appraisal reviews the job role. / 1.3, 18.1, 18.2
1.4The organisation has in place a programme of internal audit and review that enables them to continuously improve the protection of children and young people from harm or neglect. / 2.3 & 2.1
1.5 The organisation has a clear written accountability framework. All staff understand to whom they are accountable and what level of accountability they have. / 10.2
1.6All staff are aware of their own roles & responsibilities and those of the organisation for safeguarding and protecting children. Business/Service plans and reports incorporate staff responsibilities for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children including objectives, where appropriate, for staff members / 3.15, 8.2, 11.2
1.7Staff working with children receive regular management supervision on an individual basis and can access further support when required. / 10.1
1.8All appropriate staff understand the need for accurate, clear and on-going case-work recording. Your agency has arrangements for auditing the quality of recording. / 9.1
1.9Contractors to the organisation who work with children and are delivering statutory services are Section 11 compliant and have been audited. Other contracts require the organisation to achieve Safeguarding Standards, which are the same as those for Section 11. / 18.7, 18.8
Key Standard 2: Policies and Procedures
Standard / Link to Health Audit / Evidence(List and reference all evidence) / Areas for improvement / Deadline
(for completion of improvements) / Assessment Score
Self Assessment Score (0-4) / Moderated Score
(0-4)
2.1The organisation has written policies, and where applicable a procedure, for safeguarding and protecting children that is accessible to all staff. / 3.1, 3.10
2.2 These policies and procedures are in line with and make reference to the LSCB multi-agency Child Protection policies manual / 3.1, 3.10
2.3 The policy and procedures are reviewed on a regular basis to maintain compliance with new national and local legislation and guidance, and service and personnel changes. / 3.1
2.4 Your organisation/ service clearly communicates any changes to policy and procedures to all relevant staff and ensures they are implementing current practice
2.5 There are clear procedures for recording and reporting concerns or suspicions of abuse of children which all staff are aware of. All have access to a copy of ‘what to do if you are a worried a child is being abused’ (DfES, 2006) / 3.2, 3.12, 13.1, 17.2
2.6 There is clear guidance on how to respond to a disclosure of abuse from children, which includes a confidentiality policy and procedure / 3.4
2.7The policy and procedures help staff to recognise the additional vulnerability of some children against the categories defined in Working Together and these are in line with those of the LSCB / 3.1 (3.8, 3.9, 3.10, 3.11, 3.14, 15.6, 17.1)
2.8All staffworking with parents or carers are aware of the impact of issues such as substance misuse, mental health issues, domestic abuse and learning disabilities on parenting capacity and always give consideration to the needs of the children and where necessary ensure that these are assessed and appropriate referrals made or Common Processes instigated. / 4.1, 15.1, 15.5,
2.9Relevant staff are aware of the importance of appropriate challenge in case conferences and reviews. Staff understand how to escalate concerns as appropriate, both internally to their own agency and externally to the Safeguarding Unit. / 3.3, 10.2
Key Standard 3: Recruitment and Selection
Standard / Link to Health Audit / Evidence(List and reference all evidence) / Areas for improvement / Deadline
(for completion of improvements) / Assessment Score
Self Assessment Score (0-4) / Moderated Score
(0-4)
3.1 The organisation has recruitment and selection procedures for all personnel, including volunteers, which is in line with the LSCB’s Safer Recruitment guidance. / 8.1
3.2 The organisation’s recruitment and selection procedures include methods for exploring candidates’ attitudes to children and perception of acceptable behaviour. / 8.1
3.3The organisation’s recruitment policy ensures professional and character references (one of which must be from current or most recent employer) are received and verbally checked. / 8.1
3.4 Enhanced or standard CRB checks are completed on all staff and volunteers (including their managers) who have contact with children and young people. You should make reference to the statutory or non-statutory guidance applicable to your sector. / 8.1
3.5Employees involved in the recruitment of staff to work with children have received training as part of a ‘safer recruitment’ training programme. / 8.3
3.6 New employees undertake a specified induction and review period during which time they are supported and assessed as to their suitability for the role.
Key Standard 4: Staff Induction, Training and Development
Standard / Link to Health Audit / Evidence(List and reference all evidence) / Areas for improvement / Deadline
(for completion of improvements) / Assessment Score
Self Assessment Score (0-4) / Moderated Score
(0-4)
4.1 The organisation has an induction process for all staff and volunteers that includes familiarisation with safeguarding policies and procedures including a copy of the safer working practices policy. / 3.13, 11.2
4.2 Safeguarding Children training is included in induction programmes for all new staff and volunteers. / 11.2
4.3 The organisation is confident that relevant front line professionals can recognise signs of abuse and neglect and know how to respond. / 3.2 (3.8, 3.14), 16.2, 18.10
4.4Staff understand the when and how to make a referral to Children’s Services or when instead to initiate Common Processes including CAF. / 7.1, 16.2
4.5All staff and volunteers receive on-going trainingon their individual and the organisation’sroles and responsibilities with regards to safeguarding children. This includes LSCB-delivered multi-agency training to help staff understand their roles and those of colleagues in other agencies. / 11.1, 11.2
4.6 All staff who work with children receive regular refresher safeguarding training at least once every 3 years. / 11.2
4.7 Senior staff are kept up-to-date with changes in statutory requirements and new, evidence-based, ways of working
4.8 Training enhances staff awareness of race, culture and disability and the impact they have on family life
4.9 All new policies, guidance and legislation regarding safeguarding children is incorporated into training and briefings. / 11.2
4.10Outcomes and findings from reviews & inspections are disseminated to appropriate staff and volunteers. / 11.2
4.11 There is an annual appraisal process which includes a review of each member of staff’s role and their skills, competencies and knowledge around safeguarding children
4.12 Training managers ensure that any safeguarding training gaps identified in the appraisal process are filled. / 11.1
Key Standard 5: Complaints, Allegations and Whistle-blowing
Standard / Link to Health Audit / Evidence(List and reference all evidence) / Areas for improvement / Deadline
(for completion of improvements) / Assessment Score
Self Assessment Score (0-4) / Moderated Score
(0-4)
5.1 The organisation has effective policies & systems in place to manage concerns and complaints as well compliments fromservice users or other professionals. / 3.6
5.2 The organisation has effective policies & systems in place to enable whistle blowing on an organisational and individual level. / 3.6
5.3 The organisation operates procedures for dealing with all allegations of abuse made against people who work with children. This includes an understanding of the role of the LADO and when and how to refer to them. / 3.5
5.4 The Organisation has a named senior officer and senior manager(s) with responsibility for ensuring the organisation follows these procedures effectively / 3.5
5.5 The senior manager(s) in your organisation are trained to handle allegations and complaints about individuals who work with children. This includes allegations made by children.
5.6All complaints and allegations of abuse are recorded, monitored and available for internal and external audit. / 3.2
Key Standard 6: Information Sharing, Communication & Confidentiality
Standard / Link to Health Audit / Evidence(List and reference all evidence) / Areas for improvement / Deadline
(for completion of improvements) / Assessment Score
Self Assessment Score (0-4) / Moderated Score
(0-4)
6.1 All staff work to key principles for Information Sharing: Guidance for practitioners and managers. / 6.1
6.2Your organisation understands its duty to share information, even without user consent, when there are child protection concerns. / 6.1
6.3Staff participate in multi-agency meetings, reviews and forums to consider individual children / families / 6.1, 7.2, (16.3)
6.4 There is good communication between members of the Organisation about children for whom there are concerns and where relevant, a system for ‘flagging’ these children. / 17.3, 17.4
6.5Relevantdata is made available to LSCB for inclusion in their annual report.
6.6Your organisation can ensure information on children and their family, which is of a personal and sensitive nature, is accurate, up to date and kept confidential when appropriate.
6.7Your organisation has a statement on the security of personal records.
Key Standard 7: Listening to Children and Young People
Standard / Evidence(List and reference all evidence) / Areas for improvement / Deadline
(for completion of improvements) / Assessment Score
Self Assessment Score (0-4) / Moderated Score
(0-4)
7.1 Business/Service plans are informed by the views of children and families, including groups who are often excluded eg. disabled / Looked After Children / 18.6
7.2The service design and review process takes into account the views of young people and their families.Consideration is given to the way in which a service can be improved to ensure children’s safety and welfare.
7.3Children are made aware of their right to be safe from abuse. This is achieved through information made available, for children, young people and parents about where to go for help in relation to maltreatment and abuse.
7.4Children are listened to, taken seriously and responded to appropriately, including during individual case decision-making.
7.5As a minimum the organisation evaluates outcomes from the perspective of the child or young person.
Key Standard 8: Equality of Opportunity
Standard / Link to Health Audit / Evidence(List and reference all evidence) / Areas for improvement / Deadline
(for completion of improvements) / Assessment Score
Self Assessment Score (0-4) / Moderated Score
(0-4)
8.1 Your organisation can demonstrate a commitment to equality and diversity. / (17.1)
8.2All staff understand the value of an equality and diversity policy in contributing to improved outcomes for ALL children including, for example, those with disabilities, who do not have English as a first language, who are Looked After or who are young carers. / 18.3
8.3Information provided is in a format and language that can be easily understood by all service users.
8.4 Services and staff are accessible to all users. Eg. location, accessibility and contact methods.
8.5 Your organisation monitors the extent to which it provides fair and equal access to services and has strategies to tackle discrimination.
8.6 It is ensured that all records and assessment documentation (including the CAF) have a record of ethnicity and diversity. This is considered within the assessment processes and delivery of services.