Strategy discussions are multi-agency forums which involve all relevant agencies for the purpose of sharing information and making a decision about whether there is an immediate need to safeguard a child under Section 47 enquiries.
The Step In process is used when a Team Around the Family requests the presence of another professional, such as family intervention worker or a social worker, to assist in the discussion of worries, strengths, and the support plan moving forwards.
The Step Up process is used where a service are considering whether another specialist service is required, alongside the existing multi-agency network, to meet the identified needs of the family going forward, e.g. step up to children’s social work teams from the family intervention service.
The Step Down process is used where specialist services are no longer required to meet the child’s needs and to identify which services will support the family on their plan moving forwards.