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Reform Implementation Team - Children's Services

The Reform Implementation Team was established by the then Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety, to drive forward the comprehensive change agenda for child protection services in Northern Ireland, based on a Care Pathway approach.  The Team is led by Mrs Fionnuala McAndrew, Director of Social Services, Southern Health and Social Services Board supported by Mr Tony Rodgers, Assistant Director of Social Services.



Key areas of responsibility include:

  • ensuring the implementation of reform, including:
  • the development, piloting and implementation of a single assessment framework, including risk assessment and mental health needs component, for Children in Need across Northern Ireland (UNOCINI;
  • the development of common regional thresholds to determine when services are needed and standards of practice that underpin the Children's Pathway model and associated guidance;
  • the establishment of common roles within the Children's Services structures in the 5 HSC Trusts;
  • the development of a common model for the delivery of high quality supervision within the Children's Services structures in the 5 HSC Trusts and oversight of the recruitment and induction of Principal Practitioners;
  • the establishment of a common format for case records and an agreed standard for recording practice;
  • identification of the range of information required to facilitate high quality performance amongst managers and practitioners and how it will be provided;
  • identification of the range of mechanisms to be used to ensure high quality performance in Children's Services;
  • undertaking a training needs analysis, developing training materials and beginning the implementation of a training programme; and
  • promoting effective engagement of all relevant disciplines and agencies.


Consultation on Information Sharing Policy, Standards and Criteria



Regional Policy and Guidance

The following key documents developed within the RIT process were endorsed by the Department and formally issued in April 2008:


Policy



Guidance

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