Terms and acronyms

ACERS - Alternative and Complementary Education and Residential Service.

ADM - agency decision maker.

AFFT - Assessment of Family and Friends Team (AFFT) - previously known as – Placement with Family and Friends Team, PWFFT or PWFF(T).

AIM

Is about assessing an offender. The person has to have been convicted or have to have admitted/accepted offence.

Age Assessment

It determines a child's access to education and support, effects the way in which their asylum claim is processed and can even be a decisive factor in a claim for asylum. Adult asylum seekers and families are entitled to support, including accommodation and essential living needs, from the Home Office.

ASYE – assessed and supported year in employment.

ASW – allocated social worker.

BAAF – British Agencies for Fostering and Adoption.

CAA - Children Awaiting Adoption Team.

CAAP – Children’s’ area allocation panel.

CAF – Common Assessment Framework - a tool for assessing children and young people's support needs in Lancashire. It could be used by anyone who works with children and young people and was for children of all ages.

CAFCASS – Child and Family Court Advisory and Support Service - the government agency responsible for reporting officers, children's guardians and other court officers appointed by the court in proceedings involving children.

CAMHS – Children’s and Adolescent Mental Health Services.

CAO – Child Arrangement Order.

Care Plan – Every Looked After child must have a Care Plan completed and updated by the social worker. The overall purpose of the plan is to safeguard and promote the interests of the child, prevent drift and focus work with the child and the family. The Care Plan must be regularly reviewed at Child Looked After Reviews.

Case Management Conference - Outlines the proposed timetable and assessments throughout the care proceedings.

CC - Connected carer - a friend or relative (someone who has an existing link to the child) who is assessed as a foster carer to look after them.

CCE - Child Criminal Exploitation.

CSW – Child's social worker.

CDOP - Child Death Overview Panel - The child death overview panel is responsible for collecting and analysing information about the death of every child under 18 years in Lancashire.

CFWS – Children and Family Wellbeing Service.

CG - Children's Guardian.

Child and Family Assessment (C and F) - the assessment used by children's social workers to understand the presenting issues and the impact on the child/ren in the context of the whole family. The assessment informs support and planning for the child/ren and their family.

Child Assessment Order - A 28-day Order which tends to be medical specific. Parents must assist the Local Authority in the Assessment of the child/ren i.e., victim of induced harm such as Fictitious Illness.

CIN – Child In Need.

CIOC - Children in Our Care.

CLA – Child/Children Looked After.

CMH – Case Management Hearing.

Contact order - This is usually granted in situations where parents have separated, or the child is in public care. It will state what contact the non-resident parent will have and under what circumstances.

CON - Continuum of need.

CO – Care Order - grants Parental Responsibility for the child to the local authority specified in the Order, to be shared with the parents.

Court Orders

Residence Order (RO)
Contact Order
Prohibited Steps Order
Family Assistance Order
Specific Issue Order
Special Guardianship Order
Child Assessment Order
Interim Care Order
Care Order
Police Protection Order
Interim / Supervision Order
Emergency Protection Order
Placement Order
No Order Principle
Secure Placement Order
No Contact Order (S34.4)
Interim care order
Interim/Supervision Order
No Contact Order

Court Hearings

Directions Hearing
Case Management Conference
Issues Resolution Hearing
Final Hearing
Fact Finding Hearing
Initial hearing
Contested hearing

CPB – Corporate Parenting Board.

CP – Child Protection - Refers to the activity that is undertaken to protect specific children who are suffering, or are likely to suffer, Significant Harm.

CPP – Child Protection Plan.

Is formulated to protect the child. A Core Group of Professionals, including the Lead Social Worker, are responsible for keeping the Child Protection Plan up to date and co-ordinating inter-agency activities within it.

CPR – Child Permanence Report.

Presented to the Adoption Panel where the Panel's recommendation is sought that the child should be placed for adoption.

CSAP – Children's Assurance Safeguarding Partnership (formerly LSCB) consists of senior representatives from all the key agencies concerned with the safeguarding of children, including Children’s Social Care, The Police, Primary Health Trust and Education.

CSC - Children's Social Care.

CSE – Child Sexual Exploitation.

CSS – Community Support service.

CWD –Children with Disabilities.

CYJS – Child and Youth Justice Service.

DA – Domestic Abuse.

DC – Detective Constable.

DCAM – Disabled Children’s Allocation Meeting.

Panel makes decisions about the allocation of resources for disabled children where they are supported in a home environment.

DOLs – Deprivation of Liberty.

Used to restrict liberty when a person cannot legally consent to the restriction or does not have capacity to consent. Often used to help us restrict our young people who go missing a lot.

Adults use them to for adults with learning disabilities. We would use it for things like locking doors/windows, preventing a young person from going out on free time, preventing mobile phone/internet use etc.

DS – Detective Sergeant.

DSL – Designated Senior Lead.

DSP – Designated Safeguarding Person (within a school or nursery).

DV – Domestic Violence.

EDT – Emergency Duty Team.

A Countywide service of social workers providing out of hours emergency advice and support to users of adult and children's social care services in Lancashire.

EH - Early help.

EHC plan or EHCP - an education, health and care (EHC ) plan is for children and young people aged up to 25 who need more support than is available through special educational needs support. EHC plans identify educational, health and social needs and set out the additional support to meet those needs.

EHM - Early help module.

ELCAS – East Lancashire Child and Adolescent Services.

EPO – Emergency Protection order - under Section 44 of the Children Act 1989, the local authority, the NSPCC, a Police Officer or any other person can apply for an Emergency Protection Order (EPO) where there is an immediate risk of Significant Harm to a child. Under the Order, the local authority acquires Parental Responsibility for the child

ESLAC – Education Support for Looked after Children.

Fact Finding Hearing - this takes place when the parents disagree with the concerns that led to going to Court. Various evidence will be discussed and then a decision will be made about whether the parents have placed their child/ren at risk.

FGC - Family Group conference.

Held between professionals and family members, which aim to achieve the best outcomes for children through a collaborative approach.

Family time - contact with family.

FARY - Fostering, Adoption, Residential and Youth Offending Team.

FS – Family Safeguarding.

FCO – Full Care Order / Final Care Order.

FGM – Female Genital Mutilation.

Final Statement – Looks at all evidence presented before the Court and makes judgement of our interpretation of evidence. Conclusion and recommendation for the future. May be requested to provide updated statements if new issues need resolving.

FII – Fabricated and Induced Illness.

FIND - Information database for Families with children and young people with disabilities.

FC - Foster Carer - a person approved to care for a child or young person who is looked after by the local authority.

Foster Care - an approved placement for a child or young person being looked after by the Local Authority

FSW – Family Support Worker.

HPA – Home placement agreement.

HoS - Head of Service.

HV – Health Visitor.

HBV – Honour Based Violence.

ICO – Interim care order. Gives the Local Authority Parental Responsibility (PR) which is shared equally with parents. It gives the Local Authority the ability to place a child in care if parents do not agree. An ICO lasts for 8 weeks but are usually automatically renewed. These are granted during Care Proceedings.

ICPC – Initial Child protection Conference.

IDVA - Independent domestic violence advisor.

IHA - Initial Health Assessment - identifies existing health problems and deficits in previous healthcare and. provides a baseline for managing the child's future health needs. The forms must be raised as soon as the. child becomes Looked After to ensure that Statutory Guidance is met.

IV - Independent visitor.

IEP – Individual education plan.

IHA – Initial Health Assessment. Every Looked After child must have a Health Assessment I/SO - Interim/Supervision Order A child will remain at home but outlines that the Local Authority will work with the family and essentially ‘supervise’ the family. There would be a Child in Need or Child Protection Plan running alongside the order to assist, advise or befriend.

IRH – Issues Resolution Hearing These are held prior to Final Hearing to ensure evidence is all in.

IRO – Independent Reviewing Officer.

LA - Local Authority.

LAC – Looked after child (no longer used but may be in old documentation).

LADO – Local Authority designated officer.

LARM – Locality allocation and referral meeting.

LCS – Liquid Logic Children's System. This is an electronic record system for casework within children’s social care.

Locality Teams and Divisions - groups of districts, managed by a head of service, who provide joined up responsive services for children and families living in their area.

MAPPA – Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements.

MARAC – Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference.

MARMM – Multi Agency Risk Management Meeting.

MASH - Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub.

MFH – Missing from home.

MFHRI – Missing from home return interview.

MHA or MH(A) - Mental Health Act.

MI - Motivational Interviewing.

Mind of my Own - app for young people to communicate.

MOSI – Model of staged intervention – tool that is used by professionals from different disciplines or occupations.

NAI - Non accidental injury.

NCMA – National Child-Minding Association.

NFA – No further action or No Fixed Abode.

No Contact Order - This stops contact if it is not safe for the child.

NOP – No order principle.

This is relevant if parents are working together with the Local Authority. It is possible to go through Care Proceedings without obtaining an Order.

NPS – National Probation Service.

NSPCC – National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.

NWAS – North West Ambulance Service.

NYAS – National Youth Advocacy Service.

OH - Occupational Health.

OT - Occupational Therapist.

PAMS/Parenting Assessment - a specific assessment done by a suitability PAMS qualified professional to assess parenting capacity.

Parenting Assessment - a parenting assessment is designed to work out what knowledge a parent has about their child's needs until they are grown up and analyses their ability to give the child/children 'good enough' care. During the assessment, parents will be asked questions about their personal history and their attitude towards parenting.

PC – Police Constable.

PEP – Personal Education Plan.

PEPSA – Personal Education Plan Support Allowance.

PIM – Practice Improvement Meeting.

PIR – Placement information record.

Placement Order - This gives the Local Authority the authority to place a child for adoption where there is no parental consent for adoption. Also gives the Local Authority Parental Responsibility removing the consent of the parents, and allows the adopters to make decisions regarding the child/ren

PL1 - Placement request form.

PLO - Public Law outline.

Statutory guidance for Local Authorities in relation to the issue of applications for Care Proceedings and the work that should be undertaken before such applications are made.

POVA – Protection of Vulnerable Adults.

PF - Private Fostering - Arrangements made between parents/adult who is not a close relative, to care for their child for longer than 28 days. (Grandparents, stepparents and siblings don't count as Private Fostering but aunts/uncles, cousins and great grandparents would do.)

PPO – Police Protection Order - Although known as an Order this is not actually an Order that can be granted. This action can be used by a police officer using their PPP (Police Powers of Protection) if a child is at risk of imminent harm (life and limb) which allows the child to be removed by the police for 72 hours and placed in a place of safety by the Local Authority if considered at risk of significant harm. Can also be used to prevent the removal of a child from a place of safety, for example hospital.

PP – Placement Plan - Sets out how on a day-to-day basis the child will be cared for, and their welfare safeguarded and promoted, and the arrangements for matters such as contact, medical care, education/training, details of the Social Worker, Independent Reviewing Officer and Independent Visitor if one is appointed.

PPA - Professional Personal Advisors.

PPU – Police protection Unit.

PR – Parental Responsibility - this means all the duties, powers, responsibilities and authority which a parent has by law in relation to a child. Parental Responsibility diminishes as the child acquires sufficient understanding to make his or her own decisions.

Pre-birth assessment -When an assessment is carried out in relation to an unborn baby, it is called a pre-birth assessment. It is carried out in much the same way as other social work assessments but is completed before the birth. It will include the social worker speaking with the mother's midwife and other relevant health practitioners.

PRU – Pupil Referral Unit - Education facilities for pupils who have very specific needs and are unable to attend school. Usually either part-time or temporary placements, often following several exclusions from school, but also to include children with mental health problems.

PSO – Prohibited steps order - Made under section 8 of the Children Act 1989 and prohibits a person with Parental Responsibility from carrying out a particular act in relation to a child. (ie taking child out of the Country).

PSW – Principal Social Worker.

PVC – Police Vulnerable Child Report.

PVP – Police Vulnerable Person Report.

PWFFT or PWFF(T) – Placement with Family and Friends Team.

RA - Risk Assessment.

RAA – Regional Adoption Agency.

RCPC – Review Child Protection Conference - Child Protection Review Conferences are convened in relation to children who are already subject to a Child Protection Plan. The first review conference is normally convened three months after a Child Protection Plan is first drawn up, then at intervals of not more than six months.

Residential Care – 24-hour care provided in a residential setting other than a person’s own home.

Respite Care - Short, intermittent service provision which enables a carer to take a break from their caring duties.

Retention Period – Period of time which files/papers must be securely stored before destruction.

RO – Residence Order. This outlines where a child would normally live. This can be granted to either parent, or a relative/connected person that has been caring for the child. Parental Responsibility is then shared equally.

SAR – subject access requests, for example when you request to access your files.

SCR - Serious Case Review.

Carries out statutory functions relating to serious case reviews and child deaths.

SCAYT+ - Supporting Carers and Young People Together (Emotional Wellbeing Team).

SDQ- Strengths and Difficulties questionnaire.

SEND – Special Educational Needs and Disability.

SENCO – Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator.

SENDO – Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Officer.

SU - Service User - a person who is in need of social care services.

SGO – Special Guardianship Order - This gives the carer the majority of Parental Responsibility for the child, so that decisions can be made without consulting the parents. This could be given to the foster carer, where the child is residing, grandparents etc. If a previously looked after child is placed within our Local Authority on an SGO, it is the originating Local Authority’s responsibility to provide support for the family.

Short stay school - Education facilities for pupils who have very specific needs and are unable to attend school. Usually either part-time or temporary placements, often following several exclusions from school, but also to include children with mental health problems.

SIA – Safeguarding Inspection and Audit service. Part of the Children's Social Care family of services providing oversight and audit services along with a range of other central services.

Sibling Assessment - a “sibling assessment” must be attached to every Child Permanence Report (CPR) when a sibling group is presented to the Adoption Panel to make a recommendation about the permanent plan for each child's future.

SIO - Specific Issue Order. This could be done to ensure the child attends a specific school or medical appointment.

SM - Senior Manager.

SMT – Senior Management Team.

SLT – Senior Leadership Team.

SOVA – Safeguarding of vulnerable adults.

SWET – Social work evidence template (court report template).

STRAT – Strategy discussion / meeting.

SPO – Secure Placement Order.

Section 50 Order. Allows Local Authority to remove a child and place in a secure unit for reasons such as Sexual Exploitation. This can be reviewed every 3 months.

S7 – Section 7 Report - Where the Court asks the Local Authority to complete a welfare report outlining the child/ren’s wishes and feelings, giving a perspective on the child/ren’s situation, if Local Authority have had extensive involvement.

S17 – section 17 - Child in need - Authority given by statute to the Local Authority to provide services to Child/ren in Need such as child/ren lacking in something which prevents them from developing the same as any other child

S47 – Section 47 - Child protection - A duty placed on the Local Authority to investigate if the Local Authority has reasonable cause to suspect child/ren in their area are likely to be suffering significant harm. This would also include a Child Protection Report and Plan.

S20 – Section 20 child accommodated - Agreement by parents for a child/ren to be accommodated for reasons such as child/ren beyond parental control or if it is considered to be in the child/ren’s best interests.

S37 – Section 37 report - These are often requested when during a private law matter, the judge has concerns for the child/ren’s welfare. The Local Authority can be asked to complete a report to consider the actions, if any, that the Local Authority needs to take to safeguard the child.

TAC – Team around the child.

TAF – Team around the family.

TM – Team manager.

URF – Underlying Risk Factors.

WTTSC - Working together to safeguard children.

YJB – Youth Justice Board.

YOT – Youth Offending Team.

YPP – Young person's plan.