Guidance on case note content

[Coventry FGC service 2]

Hello,

does anyone have any guidance on content of case notes, level of detail etc?

We understand the principles and aim to ensure that notes are not overly detailed and only contain information that is relevant to the FGC process. We have also experienced difficulties if a coordinator takes unexpected medical leave for example, because sometimes notes are so brief that the coordinator the referral is reallocated to doesn't have enough detail which is stressful and leads to family repeating information they have already shared.

I'm interested to know how other services approach this and whether there is anything you could share please?

Thanks, Janet

[Kent Family Group Conference Service 1]

hi we had exactly the same issue - with lots of case and then is someone is suddenly off sick the new worker needs to know where case is at. Who has been visited, did they agree to be part of the process. Also for Accreditation i have asked coordinators to note that they have explained the FGC process - that the person know its it voluntary and they can withdraw their consent. That they left them a leaflet explaining the process and that they signed the consent form.

We would never detail anything related to assessment e.g. state of the home, how a person appears etc. but would write in it there was a safeguarding concern and what we did about it.

Also a new coordinator would need to understand any risks - either physical or around dynamics. We do that via a risk assessment.
Hope that helps
Clare