Occasionally situations arise when workers within one agency feel that the actions, inaction or decisions of another agency do not adequately safeguard a child or an adult with care and support needs. The purpose of this protocol is to ensure that in such situations issues between agencies are resolved in a timely manner. 

Click here for the WST Escalation Policy

Examples of some of these situations are as follows (please remember this list is not exhaustive)

 • Where one professional disagrees with the action of another in relation to a particular course of action, such as closing involvement with a child, or adult with care and support needs or family. 
 
• Where one worker or agency considers that another worker or agency has not completed an agreed action for no understandable or acceptable reason. 
 
• Where one agency considers that the threshold for action is inappropriate to support the needs of a child or adult with care and support needs and /or places an individual at further risk.  
 
• A disagreement as to whether a particular agency needs to be involved in the safeguarding process. 
 
• Where a member of staff or an agency considers that the safeguarding needs of the child or adult with care and support needs are better met by a Child Protection Plan/adult safeguarding plan and have requested that a Child Protection Conference/safeguarding meeting be called and feel that this has been refused. 
 
• Where a range of professionals have concerns about an agency’s response to safeguarding concerns relating to a specific child or adult with care and support needs.
 
• There is disagreement over the sharing of information and/or provision of services.

The WST Escalation Policy aims to assist workers and organisations to resolve disputes without causing any unnecessary delay, or in any way compromising the safety and well-being of the child(ren) or adult with care and support needs concerned.