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Contents

1. Purpose of Secure Accommodation Reviews
2. Timing of Secure Accommodation Reviews
3. Secure Accommodation Review Panel
4. Arranging a Secure Accommodation Panel
5. Invitations
6. Preparation for Secure Accommodation Reviews
7. Conducting the Secure Accommodation Review
8. Following the Review

1. Purpose of Secure Accommodation Reviews

The Purpose of a Secure Accommodation Review is to consider the following:

• whether the criteria for keeping a child in Secure Accommodation continue to apply, on the day of the review;
• whether such a placement continues to be necessary and
• whether or not any other form of accommodation would be appropriate.

See Keyword: Secure Accommodation Order.

2. Timing and Chairing of Secure Accommodation Reviews

Secure Accommodation Reviews must be convened within one month of a child being placed in Secure Accommodation, and then at intervals not exceeding three months.

The review must be chaired by an Independent Reviewing Officer, Reviewing Manager or equivalent.

3. Secure Accommodation Review Panel

The Secure Accommodation Panel is responsible for listening to the views of those who attend/contribute, and coming to a decision about whether they believe the criteria for secure accommodation are still met. The Panel cannot come to a decision about whether the child should remain or leave secure accommodation; it can only make a recommendation on this to the Director of Children and Families.

The Panel consists of three people: the Chair, a Team Manager and representative from an independent advocacy service.

4. Arranging a Secure Accommodation Panel

As soon as possible after the child is placed within secure accommodation, the Placements Service must notify the Reviewing Manager or equivalent to arrange the review. In consultation with the IRO and staff at the Secure Unit, the social worker will be responsible for organising the review and all attendees.

5. Invitations

Apart from those who form the Secure Accommodation Panel, the following people should be invited where appropriate:

1. The child and parent(s)/Carers
2. The child’s social worker and line manager
3. Those who previously have had or may have care of the child upon discharge
4. The children’s Guardian
5. The child’s Independent Visitor or Advocate, if appointed
6. The Link/Keyworker for the child from the Secure Unit

6. Preparation for Secure Accommodation Reviews

Prior to the Secure Accommodation Review, the Chairperson will liaise with the social worker to ensure the following is undertaken:

• Invitations are extended to those who should be invited (other than the Panel members); or that they are asked to contribute.
• The child and parent(s)/Carers are clear about the purpose of the Secure Accommodation Review and are given adequate support to prepare for it; which may include arranging for an independent person to assist them.
• The social worker has prepared an up to date Care Plan and report for the review, and ensures that the child’s Placement Plan/ Placement Information Record is available for the review.
• The social worker will prepare a report for the review outlining why the child was originally placed in secure accommodation, demonstrating that the criteria were met at that time, and the extent to which it is felt the criteria still apply, whether the child should continue to remain in secure accommodation and whether any other description of accommodation would be appropriate.
• Arrangements have been made for the staff in the secure placement to prepare a report, taking account of the progress made with the child and stating their view as to whether the criteria still apply and whether any other description of accommodation would be appropriate rather than remaining in secure accommodation.

7. Conducting the Secure Accommodation Review

The Review can be conducted in one of two ways:

• in the form of a meeting which everyone attends and may hear the views of the other participants;
• in the form of the Panel hearing the views of each person, separately.

In any case, the Chairperson must ensure that those who contribute understand the purpose of the Review; which is to consider whether the criteria for keeping a child in secure accommodation continue to apply, on the day of the review.

The Secure Accommodation Panel is responsible for listening to the views of those who attend/contribute, and coming to a decision about whether they believe the criteria are met. Before the review, the Independent Panel Member should meet with the child. The secure unit needs to be made aware of this by the social worker, so that they can facilitate the meeting.

The key questions that must be considered are:

• Whether the criteria continue to apply on the day of the review, and even if they do
• Whether the placement in secure accommodation continues to be necessary
• Whether any other description of accommodation would be appropriate.

In considering these matters the Panel must have regard to the child’s welfare.

Evidence that the criteria was sufficiently met, originally to place the child in secure accommodation is valid; however, where it is proposed that the child remain in secure accommodation, the social worker and secure unit staff must be able to demonstrate that the criteria still apply and that no other description of accommodation would be appropriate, even if the criteria apply.

It is not sufficient, simply, to retain a child in secure accommodation to complete an assessment or treatment programme or whilst other accommodation is sought. Regard must be given to the fact that it is unlawful for the liberty of a child to be restricted unless the criteria are met, no matter how short the period of security.

Having given due regard to the views and contributions of those who attend or were invited, the Secure Accommodation Panel should retire to consider their decision, in private.

Once the Panel has made a recommendation, it should be recorded, together with reasons, and communicated to the other participants at the Review. If the panel recommends that the criteria are not met, this must immediately be reviewed by the Team Manager with the Director of Children and Families and a decision made about whether to accept the recommendation of the panel. If the recommendation of the panel is accepted, it will be necessary to consider the need for an alternative placement. Legal advice should be sought in coming to this decision. The child must remain in the Secure Accommodation during this process.

Where relevant, a date for the next Review Panel should also be fixed.

If the child requests further explanation, the Chairperson and/or social worker should see him or her immediately after the Review in order to provide this.

8. Following the Review

If the parents are not in attendance, the social worker must take steps to inform them immediately of the outcome of the meeting.

The minutes should be written up and circulated within a week of the review. They need to contain a specific statement confirming or not that the criteria were met. They must be signed by the chair of the panel and the social worker’s manager. They must be circulated (translated where necessary) to all those invited to the meeting, including the child.

If the recommendation of the panel is that the criteria no longer apply, this must immediately be reviewed by the Team Manager with the Director of Children and Families and a decision made about whether to accept the recommendation. Advice from Legal Services/Social Care Legal Team should be sought in coming to this decision.

End