Example scenario for Child Protection Health Team - time ordered flow chart
Child protection health team informed by Emergency Department of SUDI
Child protection health team should be informed by Emergency Department staff of SUDI. The advisor or paediatrician involved with the case will examine/explore further the level of engagement with antenatal and postnatal health services, background history including any previous child protection concerns.
Child protection health team interacts with relevant hospital and primary health colleagues, police and social work, as needed.
Agree with relevant staff as to who makes contact with the following:
- Lead paediatrician for the area
- Clinical Director for children’s services
- Executive Director with responsibility for child protection
- Nurse consultant for vulnerable children
- Designated doctor for vulnerable children
- The child health commissioner
- Chief nurse for the area
- Family health visitor for pre-school children
Instigate further interactions with relevant hospital and primary health colleagues, police and social work as appropriate.
Provide support to primary care colleagues regarding access to medical notes, interviews with members of the police, etc.
Gather all the relevant background information from the appropriate health systems.
Paediatric pathologist to forward final post-mortem examination report to the area Procurator Fiscal.
The child protection team will remain involved with the case until the outcome of the post-mortem examination is known.
Child protection involvement may run parallel to the SUDI toolkit guidance but at any time the toolkit may become inappropriate if child protection issues are deemed of significance to the case.
If any child protection procedures are necessary such as a Significant Case Review the meeting will not take place and the local child protection pathway will be followed.
If any child protection procedures are necessary such as a Significant Case Review, the SUDI Review meeting will not take place.
It is important for professionals to still promote parent support and offer to refer to support organisations.
The staff support leaflet and local staff support should still be made available to any staff involved in a SUDI regardless of the outcome of the case.
Area Procurator Fiscal confirms with Healthcare Improvement Scotland that SUDI review meeting can proceed. Healthcare Improvement Scotland informs the NHS board who co-ordinate the SUDI review meeting.
SUDI review meeting arranged. Ideally, this meeting should take place approximately 16 weeks following the death and will involve: pathologist, paediatrician, GP, health visitor, community midwife and social services (if involved with the family).