The Partnerships Case and Conflict Resolution Procedure was updated and re-launched in June to ensure that all members of the partnership are aware of the process and expectations on them when a conflict occurs in a case they are dealing with.
 
Effective safeguarding of children is based on practitioners and front-line staff wanting the very best for children. They need to be ready to stand up in the best interests of children to enable collective responsibility for problem solving, even if this brings them into disagreement with other practitioners, with other organisations or with their own managers and employing bodies.
 
Escalating concerns about a child is an expected part of partnership working. There is often no right or wrong answer when it comes to safeguarding children and judgements and decisions should be made by way of robust challenge, discussion and debate about the most effective way forward to ensure the child receives the best possible outcome.

Children’s cases can only be successfully escalated or conflicts resolved if those involved are willing for that to happen and genuinely want resolution to be the outcome.
 
Below you will find a number of documents to assist you in dealing with a conflict that may arise.

The below link contains the full partnership case / conflict resolution procedure, here you will find the full procedure including the process for resolving a conflict, potential areas of conflict, timescales, expectations of practitioners and recording / communication between partners. It is recommended that all practitioners read and have an awareness of this procedure. Below also contains quick links to the flowchart and reporting form contained within the procedure.

In addition to the full procedure the partnership has produced a tea break guide to accompany the procedure. Partners are encouraged to download the tea break guide and display it in any communal areas of your organisation. The tea-break guide is also a great tool to use in a team meeting to begin a discussion on the procedure and for frontline practitioners to take away with them.
 
Click here to view and download the tea break guide

Two anonymised case studies have also been produced to show how the procedure can be successfully used to resolve a disagreement in a case. The case studies also show the information expected on the reporting form to inform the partnership when a conflict has been resolved. As with the tea break guides these case studies are ideal to use in a team meeting to discuss the procedure and how you may need to use it in your own organisation.
 
Click here to view and download the case studies

The below document contains a number of frequently asked questions and common misconceptions practitioners have when using the procedure. These questions are by no means an exhaustive list, if you have any additional questions please e-mail the Business Office who will endeavour to answer the question and add it to the document for others to benefit from.
 
Click here to read the frequently asked questions