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Contents

1. Death of a Child in Need
2. Serious Illness/Injury Regarding a Child in Need

1. Death of a Child in Need

Where information comes to notice of the death of a Child in Need, the following actions are required, depending on the legal status of the child.

1.1	Death of a Looked After Child
1.2	Death of Other Children in Need

1.1 Death of a Looked After Child

If a Looked After Child dies, the child’s social worker will:

1. Immediately inform their line manager;
2. Notify the parent(s) immediately and in person, if possible;
3. Discuss with the parent(s) and reach agreement regarding the arrangements for the funeral (in the event of sudden, unexplained deaths arrangements for the funeral may need to be delayed);
4. Obtain as much information as possible on the circumstances surrounding the cause of death and pass this to their line manager;
   
   and
5. Discuss with the manager any necessary expenditure including reasonable travel expenses to assist the family in attending the funeral where it appears there is financial hardship.

The social worker’s line manager will:

1. Immediately inform the Designated Manager (Death or Serious Injury of a Child in Need) by telephone and provide follow up information in writing as soon as possible afterwards;
2. Advise Legal Services initially by telephone, then confirm details in writing;
3. Contact the Insurance Section of the Finance Department, initially by telephone and then in writing.

The Designated Manager (Death or Serious Injury of a Child in Need)  will:

1. Inform the Director of Children's Services and Culture, who will notify members;
2. Consider whether it is appropriate to conduct a Management Review.  For Guidance in relation to Management Reviews, see Incidents - General Guidance;
3. Consider whether a Serious Case Review is required (see Section 19, Serious Case Reviews of the London Child Protection Procedures);
4. Inform the Secretary of State for Education;
5. Inform the OFSTED and other agencies as required in Notifiable Events Procedure using the Notification Form for Serious Childcare Incidents.

1.2 Death of Other Children in Need

If a Child in Need who is not Looked After dies, the social worker should inform his/her manager, who should notify the Designated Manager (Death or Serious Injury of a Child in Need) who will decide what further action is required.  This may include the following:

1. Notifying the Director of Children's Services and Culture, who may notify members
2. Consider whether it is appropriate to conduct a Management Review.  For Guidance in relation to Management Reviews, see Incidents - General Guidance.
3. Consider whether a Serious Case Review is required (see Section 19, Serious Case Reviews of the London Child Protection Procedures).

2. Serious Illness/Injury Regarding a Child in Need

Where a Child in Need is seriously injured or suffers from a serious accident, illness or the outbreak of any infectious of Notifiable Disease, the following actions are required, depending on the legal status of the child.

2.1 In Regard to a Looked After Child

Where a Looked After Child is seriously injured or suffers from a serious accident, illness or the outbreak of any infectious of Notifiable Disease, the following actions are required:

The child’s social worker will:

1. Immediately inform their line manager;
2. Notify the parent(s) immediately and in person, if possible;
3. Arrange with the parent(s) to visit the child in hospital;
4. Obtain as much information as possible on the circumstances surrounding the injury/illness and pass this to their line manager;
   
   and
5. Discuss with the manager any necessary expenditure including reasonable travel expenses to assist the family in visiting the child where it appears there is financial hardship.

The social worker’s line manager will:

1. Immediately inform the Designated Manager (Serious Illness/Accident/Notifiable Illness) by telephone and provide follow up information in writing as soon as possible afterwards;
2. Advise Legal Services initially by telephone, then confirm details in writing;
3. Contact the Insurance Section of the Finance Department, initially by telephone and then in writing .

The Designated Manager (Serious Illness/Accident/Notifiable Illness) will:

1. Inform the Director of Children's Services and Culture, who will notify members;
2. Consider whether it is appropriate to conduct a Management Review.  For Guidance in relation to Management Reviews, see Incidents - General Guidance;
3. Consider whether a Serious Case Review is required (see Section 19, Serious Case Reviews of the London Child Protection Procedures);
4. If appropriate, notify the OFSTED and other agencies as required in Notifiable Events Procedure.

2.2 In Regard to Other Children in Need

If a Child in Need who is not Looked After is seriously injured or suffers from a serious accident, illness or the outbreak of any infectious of Notifiable Disease, the social worker should inform his/her manager, who should consult the Designated Manager (Serious Illness/Accident/Notifiable Illness) and decide what further action is required. This may include the following:

1. Notifying the Director of Children's Services and Culture, who may notify members;
2. Consider whether it is appropriate to conduct a Management Review.  For Guidance in relation to Management Reviews, see Incidents - General Guidance;
3. Consider whether a Serious Case Review is required (see Section 19, Serious Case Reviews of the London Child Protection Procedures).

End