Our Level 2 (sometimes known as Tier 2) teams work with children and families who are on the threshold of being at risk. After receiving referrals from the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH), it’s the job of Social Workers within Level 2 teams to assess the risk to the child (in terms of Child in Need criteria) and make sure the child’s needs are being met. They then work directly with the family and the community at the earliest possible stages, to provide effective help and support in order to seek resolution to the issues, risks or concerns raised.
This support might involve:
- Social Work input
- Assessment of need
- Parenting advice
- (Limited) financial assistance
What happens at Level 2?
Level 2 Social Workers only work with children who are deemed to be Children In Need. Work undertaken at Level 2 is largely within the CAF (Common Assessment Framework) or TAC (Team Around the Child) arena. As such, Level 2 Social Workers support colleagues within universal services in forming these early intervention and prevention plans (CAFs or TACs) in order to seek to avoid Level 3 action or involvement.
The team also:
- Provide a consultation service for professionals to discuss concerns about a child and agree an appropriate plan of action.
- Offer joint visits with other professionals when there are concerns that a child is ‘In Need’.
- Assist Social Work Team’s within Level 3 to ‘de-escalate’ cases where it is appropriate to do so.
- Work to reduce the number of children who are being re-referred to Level 3 services.
How does this fit with the Assessment Service?
All Child Protection cases are dealt with by the Assessment Team at Level 3. The Level 2 team offers advice to professionals within universal services relating to potential Child Protection cases, which if agreed, are then referred to MASH by the professional involved with the family. MASH grade the referral according to the level of urgency and risk to the child, and ensure the most appropriate course of action is then followed, within pre-set timescales.
By working to provide effective early help and support to families who need it, the Level 2 teams seek to reduce the number of cases which are escalated to Child Protection at Level 3.
Where are the Level 2 teams?
There are three Level 2 team areas in Devon: Northern, which has one office and Eastern and Southern, which have three each.
As a Social Worker within a Level 2 team, your days will be varied and busy, whether you are preparing for a Child in Need meeting, discussing a case with a colleague from health, or helping a family access the community services their child needs.