Whenever there is reasonable cause to suspect that a child is suffering or is likely to suffer significant harm there should be a strategy discussion which involves local authority children’s social care (including the residential or fostering service, if the child is looked-after), the police, health, and other bodies such as the referring agency.
This might take the form of a multi-agency meeting or phone calls and more than one discussion may be necessary. A strategy discussion can take place following a referral or at any other time, including during the assessment process and when new information is received on an already open case.
(Working Together to Safeguard Children: A guide to inter-agency working to safeguard and promote the welfare of children 2023).
This helpful checklist is for multi-agency practitioners to assist when undertaking strategy discussions.