4.08 Emergency Duty Team Responsibilities
4.8.1 If concerns regarding significant harm are raised out of hours, then the Emergency Duty Team member (EDT) taking the referral will consult with the EDT Manager or EDT Team Leader and will make enquiries of:
• any relevant agency that can be contacted
• any records or agency checking systems which are available
• if necessary, refer back to the source of the information to obtain as detailed a referral as possible.
4.8.2 The EDT member will consult with the EDT Manage/Team Leader on completion of the above enquiries, together they will agree a plan which takes the following actions:-
• Undertake any urgent investigation if necessary.
• Identify and action any immediate steps necessary to protect children.
4.8.3 The EDT Manager/Team Leader will:-
• authorize Section 47 enquiries, if necessary
• ensure the Police are consulted (using as guidance the issues outlined in Paragraph 5.9.2) and that joint action, if appropriate is arranged
• Authorize any immediate action necessary to protect children
• Ensure that any decision taken to handover the enquiries to Children’s Social Care is communicated to the other agencies involved.
4.8.4 The EDT Manager/Team Leader will ensure the appropriate paperwork is sent to the Children Services Team in order that they are able to continue with the enquiries. A copy will be sent to the Specialist Support Unit and the relevant Customer Relations Unit.
4.8.5 The EDT worker will:
• Inform the relevant Service Unit of information received and action taken at the start of the next working day.
• Be available to attend an initial Child Protection Conference where their involvement was significant, or to provide a written report if unable to attend.
