Local Dispute Resolution Process for Quality Assurance Reviewing Officers
SCOPE OF THIS CHAPTER
The QARO has a statutory duty to monitor the performance by the local authority of their functions and to resolve problems arising out of the planning process. Challenge and resolution are an integral part of the QARO role. Informal and formal resolution form part of the same continuum, which needs to celebrate the achievements of resolution as well as highlighting the problems that require resolution.
This policy provides the guidance and process for the QARO's regarding what they need to escalate and the levels and stages required to achieve a positive outcome for the child or young person regarding their care plan.
Ideally resolution processes are there to resolve any problems at the lowest level and as quickly as possible. Through the process the QARO should be able to demonstrate to the child that they are taking action on their behalf and they should be able to evidence their own work in resolving the issue.
Where appropriate, the child/young person should be informed by the QARO that they are seeking resolution to a concern on their behalf, and they should be kept informed of how the resolution is progressing. Where an QARO has raised any challenge in relation to a child's case, this should be clearly recorded on the child's electronic file/ICS.
There will be times when the QARO may be advised that obstacles in the way of resolving the issue are outside or beyond the control of the local authority, for example in relation to staffing, inter-agency or resources issues. However, if these are impacting on the ability of the department to meet the needs of a child as identified in the child's care plan, the QARO should continue to escalate the issue.
See also: Appendix 1: The Local Dispute Resolution Protocol Flowchart.
AMENDMENT
This chapter was revised in March 2025 when the term (QARO) replaced IRO.1. Process
There are two stages to the dispute resolution process for the IRO's:
- Informal resolution - It is expected that the IRO will raise concerns with the social worker and their supervisor/manager informally, telephone call or direct conversation. The details of these concerns and their outcome will be recorded by the QARO on a Case Note. It is expected that this matter will be resolved within five working days It is expected that this matter will be resolved within five working days;
- Formal resolution - If there has not been a satisfactory conclusion at the informal stage, the QARO has a duty to escalate the matter to the formal dispute resolution stage, which has four levels.
It is the responsibility of the QARO to monitor and track the progress of the concern. It is also the team manager/service manager role to ensure the outcome is achieved in a timely manner. During the formal stage, at each level, the immediate line manager should be copied in and depending on the level, the Service Manager, Quality Assurance and Review and the relevant Operational Service Manager/ heads of service should also be alerted.
Full details of the stages and levels are shown in Table 1 below:
Table 1: Stages and Levels of the Dispute Resolution Process
Level | Professional/s with whom matter will be addressed * | Timescale for action to be completed / resolution |
Informal Resolution Stage | ||
Practitioner, social worker and their supervisor/manager | 10 working days | |
Formal Resolution Stage | ||
Level 1 | Team manager A copy must also be provided to:
|
5 working days |
Level 2 | Operational Service Manager A copy must also be provided to:
(From this stage onwards, the IRO may seek their own independent legal advice) |
5 working days |
Level 3 | Director of Social Work A copy must also be provided to:
|
5 working days |
Level 4 | Corporate Director for CF&CH A copy must also be provided to:
|
5 working days |
The QARO may also bypass any stage and progress the concern to the level he or she considers most appropriate.
From Level 2 the QARO in consultation with their manager may seek their own independent legal advice. A reciprocal arrangement for this with another Local Authority is in place and will be arranged via Swindon Local Authority Legal Department.
2. Issues to be addressed through Dispute Resolution
As part of the monitoring function, the QARO has a duty to identify patterns of concern emerging, not just about individual children, but also more generally in relation to the collective experience of it's looked after children and the services they receive.
Table 2 below identifies the four key theme areas that need to be identified and recorded on ICS and provides some examples of the type of issues that may be covered within them as part of the Dispute Resolution process. The examples quoted are not exhaustive. The accurate recording of issues and themes is an important part of quality assuring practice and enables learning and improvement.
Table 2: Issues and Themes
1. General issues |
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2. Failure to meet statutory requirements for the child |
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3. Care plan implementation |
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4. Provision of service |
|