Shannon Kennedy

In my current role in the Pre-Birth team, I have built upon my experience of Child In Need, Child Protection, Public Law Outline and Care Proceedings.

Conducted pre- and post-birth assessments and intensive interventions; supporting parents to enable them meet the needs of a child and evidence change where they have previously had children removed from their care.

Completed quick assessments, social work evidence templates and care plans for concealed pregnancies. Gathered information from multi-agency partners quickly in order to assess harm to children. Applied the law to inform care planning and decide on Child Protection thresholds.

This role required completing Child and Family assessments (section 17, provision of services) using the Signs of Safety Framework to identify past and present harm, strengths and safety and the impact this has on parenting capacity and ability to care for children.

Utilising a number of direct work tools including words and pictures, mapping, the three houses and safety house with children to help understand their lived experiences and the impact this has on them.

Analyse information to create the best child and family plans and consider threshold and next steps for children and their families.

Creating plans in a way that children, parents and carers understand the worries (danger statements), understand what we want to see to reduce the worries (safety goals) and the actions that need to be completed to help them achieve this.

Completing section 47 enquiries (single and joint) to consider whether children are at risk of continuing significant harm and progressed these matters to Child Protection Conference to consider whether a Child Protection Plan is required and preparing reports for Review Child Protection Conferences to consider whether children are at continuing risk of harm.

Experience of a varied and complex caseload dealing with issues such as domestic abuse, mental health, substance misuse, physical harm and non-accidental injury's to children, emotional harm, sexual harm, neglect, grooming and exploitation (sexual, criminal, county lines).

Seek legal advice when appropriate and progressing to Public Law Outline, Private and Public Law and applying legislation when considering what orders are to be used including section 20, section 31 and section 38 of the Children Act 1989.

Completing parenting assessments, Social Work Evidence Templates and Care Plans to determine long term plans for children including adoption, long term fostering, connected carers, special guardianship orders and reunification. Ensuring that care plans are ratified and brought to ADM in timescales.

Experienced in working with parents with Learning Disabilities and Difficulties, completed my PAMS training in November 2020 and have completed a number of assessments. Completed my ParentAssess training in May 2024; developing my knowledge, understanding communication with babies, making this a focus in my written work.