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Rapid Review Referrals

How to make a referral for a Rapid Review/notification of Statutory Reviews

The Guidance for the Rapid Review process should be read before considering whether or not to make a rapid review referral.

1. The Referral

Any agency can notify Bracknell Forest Safeguarding Board (BFSB) of a serious incident they think should be considered for a Safeguarding Adult Review (SAR) and / or Local Child Safeguarding Practice Review (LCSPR) by using the form SB1. This process can also be used where cases do not meet the specific criteria for an adult/child review, but Safeguarding Partners consider there is an opportunity for learning in respect of multi-agency working using alternative methodology. In all cases, a Rapid Review (RR) will be undertaken to determine the most appropriate response.

 2. Decision-making

On receipt of the notification form SB1, BFSB’s Business Unit will share this information with designated members of the Board, who will make the decision as to whether:

  • The referral is appropriate
  •  The case appears to meet the criteria for a RR and requires information to be gathered in order to determine whether BFSB should commission a:
    • Local learning review (LLR)
    • Safeguarding Adult Review (SAR) and/or
    • Local Child Safeguarding Practice Review (LCSPR)

If the Board requires a RR to be undertaken, all agencies that have had involvement with the individual and their family / significant others will be required to contribute information. Within 2 working days BFSB will issue the form SB2 and will require this to be completed and returned to the BFSB Business Unit within 5 working days.

The purpose of the form SB2 is to:

  • Gather basic facts about the case, including determining the extent of any individual or organisation’s involvement
  • Inform decisions as to the need for immediate action required to ensure the safety of individuals
  • Identify learning and any improvements to strengthen safeguarding
  • Inform decisions as to what steps they should take next, including whether or not to commission a Safeguarding Adult Review and / or Local Child Safeguarding Practice Review, or in cases not meeting criteria, whether a local learning review would help identify any areas requiring improvement.

The RR must be completed within the timescales detailed in guidance published by the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel. These currently require that reviews are completed within 15 working days of the incident being notified. This flow chart sets out the timescales for the Rapid Review and details the stages of decision making.

3. Setting the Date of the Rapid Review Meeting

The date of the RR meeting will be set when the template form SB2 is sent out. This will be scheduled for between 7 and 13 working days after receiving the notification. The SB2 requires analysis of an individual/agency’s involvement and to establish the key events in the child’s / adult’s life that will help inform the RR. The BFSB Business Unit will ensure a RR meeting is convened within the established timescales and that safeguarding members of the Board oversee the process in order that areas requiring improvement are swiftly identified and planning commences to agree actions required.

4. The Rapid Review Meeting

The Rapid Review meeting should:

Review the facts about the case as presented in the SB2 forms

  • Discuss whether there is any immediate action needed to ensure the safety of an individual and to share any learning appropriately
  • Consider the potential for identifying improvements to safeguard individuals
  • Consider examples of good practice
  • Where a review does not recommend a SAR and / or LCSPR, it should agree what form of learning review, if any, is appropriate. In some cases, the RR process may identify key local learning that can be quickly acted upon, removing the need for any further review.

The Rapid Review Template (Form SB3) will be completed following the meeting. Representatives of BFSB will consider, endorse and record the outcome of Rapid Review.