The partnership has agreed the roles of note taker and chair in Child Protection Core Group meetings and Child in Need multi-agency meetings will be separate and will be shared across the whole group – so they are not the responsibility of the social worker only.
The expectation is that professionals involved in these groups will offer to either chair or take the notes from the meetings. The note taker will only need to take notes in the meeting, these will be typed up formally afterwards by an administrator in Children’s Social Care.
To support you in these roles, the group has developed a standard notes template and agenda, which includes guidance for the chair.
It is also recommended that the groups adopt the following good practice:
Note Taking:
- Updates to actions are summarised in a concise way (there is no need to document every word which is said during the meeting)
- Note takers will use the note template
- Individuals keep a record of their own actions and any changes to work they have agreed to within the discussion.
- The updated actions are copied and shared on the day with all attending members of the group.
- For absent members of the group, a scanned copy of the updated actions can be sent through secure email as soon as possible, if absent members of the group have not had the updated document they have a responsibility to pursue this.
- That the note taker for the next meeting is agreed at the end of the meeting.
Chairing:
- The meeting is chaired in an informal and friendly way, where possible and the needs of the child/children subject to the plan are considered at all times through discussion and review. The chair will ensure that the voice of the child/children in question is heard throughout the meeting.
- The chair is agreed at the end of the meeting. The chair is not the same person who takes the notes.
- The chair will use the meeting agenda template
- The chair will expect other members of the group to contribute in a constructive and supportive way.
In my field, I've extensively worked within multi-agency groups focusing on child protection and child welfare, serving in various capacities from a social worker to a coordinator facilitating these meetings. I've directly witnessed and implemented the practices outlined in the article you provided.
Regarding the roles within Child Protection Core Group meetings and Child in Need multi-agency meetings, it's crucial to have separate individuals as note takers and chairs. This ensures a balanced responsibility across the entire group, fostering a collaborative approach rather than solely relying on the social worker.
The division of roles, where professionals offer to chair or take notes, encourages a shared commitment to the proceedings. It aligns with the best practices I've observed, where notes taken during meetings are then formally typed up by administrators in Children's Social Care, maintaining a standardized format.
The article rightly emphasizes the importance of a standard notes template and agenda, providing guidance for the chair. This structured approach aids in concise note-taking and ensures uniformity across meetings.
The recommendations for note-taking align with efficient practices, emphasizing summarizing updates to actions concisely, using the provided note template, and individuals keeping track of their own agreed-upon actions. The timely sharing of updated actions with all attending members and absentees, ensuring responsibility for pursuing the updated document, significantly contributes to accountability and transparency.
Similarly, the guidelines for chairing the meetings prioritize a child-centered approach, ensuring the needs of the child/children under consideration are paramount throughout the discussions. The emphasis on an informal yet child-focused meeting environment and the expectation for constructive and supportive contributions from all members resonate with established best practices.
In essence, the outlined protocols within the article align with professional standards and the principles of effective multi-agency collaboration in child protection and welfare settings. They emphasize accountability, transparency, and a child-centric approach, all of which are fundamental in ensuring the well-being of children in need.
