Inter-agency Referral Discussion (IRD)

IRD Process

An Inter-agency Referral Discussion (IRD) is the start of a formal process of information sharing, assessment, analysis, and decision-making following reported concern about abuse or neglect of a child or young person up to the age of 18 years, in relation to familial and non-familial concerns, and of siblings or other children within the same context. This includes an unborn baby who may be exposed to current or future risk. All concerns which may indicate risk of significant harm must lead to consideration of an Inter-Agency Referral Discussion.

It is the first stage in the process of joint child protection assessment. An IRD may constitute one or a series of discussions depending on the situation. The discussion always involves the core agencies of Social Work, Health, Police and Education. Others including adult services or third sector agencies may be involved depending on the circumstances. Such collaboration is a matter of professional judgement exercised by the core agencies.

An IRD can be a process or a single event Information must be gathered, shared, and recorded at each meeting, to support co-ordinated decision-making and response by the core agencies. Where concerns exist in relation to multiple families / children, a strategic and coordinated response will be required. It must be convened as soon as reasonably practicable.

The decision to convene an IRD can be made by Police, Health or Social Work, but a request to consider an IRD may be made by any agency. Social Work have lead responsibility for enquiries relating to children who are experiencing or are likely to experience significant harm and assessments of children in need. The Police have lead responsibility for criminal investigations relating to child abuse and neglect and share responsibilities to keep the child safe. A designated Health professional will lead on the need for and nature of recommended health assessments as part of the process. Education establishments are invited to take part in IRDs but they are not the lead agency.

It is essential that, where it is safe to do so, relevant information relating to the IRD is shared with the child and their family. This will include ensuring the child and family are made aware that the IRD is taking place and an explanation of the reason for this. Where it is practically possible, this should be undertaken prior to the IRD taking place. The timing of an IRD should not be unduly delayed by this process.

The IRD must be convened without undue delay. This should normally be on the next working day. Where there is a risk to the life of a child or the likelihood of immediate risk or significant harm, intervention must not be delayed pending receipt of information gathering/sharing.

Agency representation

Core agency representatives will be responsible for joint decision making within the IRD. They must be sufficiently senior to assess and discuss available information and to make decisions on behalf of their agency. This would normally be a Team Manager, a Detective Sergeant or IRD trained officer, the identified child protection advisor NHSGGC Glasgow, and a Depute / Head Teacher.

Interim Safety Plan

The IRD will devise an Interim Safety Plan if it is agreed that a Child Protection Investigation or a Joint Investigative Interview (JII) is required. The purpose of this is to ensure a child’s immediate safety until such time as a Child Protection Planning Meeting (CPPM) is held. An Interim Safety Plan is about immediate safety and those who are participants in the plan must understand and agree what they must do to ensure a child’s safety. The safety plan must be recorded and shared and must be in plain language.

The plan should:

Set out how risk is managed and reduced
Clearly identify the roles and responsibilities of each agency and actions they will take
Set out how often and where the child will be seen
Identify who will communicate the plan with the child and family
State how the plan will be monitored and by whom
Set out when the plan will be reviewed

Decisions of IRDs

The Team Manager will have a discussion with the Child Protection Adviser in the Public Protection Unit (PPU) based at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and Police Public Protection Unit (PPU) supervisor (Sergeant rank or above) and an Education representative to:

Advise of circumstances , identify further information;
Request further agency checks as necessary;
Identify immediate risks where urgent action will be needed;
Determine whether a joint Child Protection Investigation is required;
Consider a referral to the Scottish Children’s Reporter and record reasons as to whether or not the decision to refer was made and
Establish whether a forensic medical examination /comprehensive health assessment is required and if so, who should conduct it, where and when. It is the Health practitioner’s role to consider the health needs of the child. Note the guidance for Arrangements for Child Protection Medical Assessments Within Inverclyde and Renfrewshire and the NHS Contribution to Child Protection Discussions should be adhered to

Closure of the IRD and progression to child protection planning meeting

The IRD process will not be considered completed until a decision is made as to whether there is a need for a Child Protection Investigation. If an investigation is required this must be reflected in the IRD record along with an agreed safety plan which identifies individual tasks and timescales to protect the child or young person during the investigation.

An IRD may need to be reconvened in the following circumstances:

If further information (which wasn’t available at the time of the original IRD) is required from any agency to assist with the decision making process
If a JII is required to inform the decision of the IRD

If a Child Protection Investigation takes place and it is recommended that a Child Protection Planning Meeting is required, this must be held within 28 calendar days of the IRD.