Children's Trust Arrangements (CTA)
Lead Professional
The lead professional is the one practitioner who will take a 'lead role' to ensure that front-line services are coordinated, coherent and achieving intended outcomes. This way all children and young people who require integrated support from more than one practitioner should experience a seamless and effective service.
Every Child Matters: Change for Children (2004) sets out an agenda for integrated working and front-line services, including the role of the lead professional.
The statutory guidance on the Children Act 2004 sets out clear expectations for the implementation of the role, under section 10 (interagency cooperation) and section 11 (safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children)
Evidence from practice suggests that the introduction of a lead professional role is central to effective front-line delivery of integrated children's services. It ensures that professional involvement is optimised, co-ordinated and communicated effectively. Most importantly, it provides a better experience for children, young people and families.
FAQ's
What is the role of a lead professional?
The lead professional is not a new role. Instead they will deliver three core functions as part of their work;
- Act as a single point of contact for the child or family
- Co-ordinate the delivery of the actions agreed
- Reduce overlap and inconsistency in the services received
A lead professional is accountable to their home agency for their delivery of the lead professional functions. They are not responsible or accountable for the actions of others.
Who will lead professionals work with?
Lead professionals work with children and young people with additional (including complex) needs who require an integrated package of support from more than one practitioner.
Who should be the lead professional?
This role can be taken on by different types of practitioners in the children's workforce. This is because the skills and knowledge required to carry out the role are similar, regardless of professional background or job.
What skills & knowledge are required in a lead professional?
Lead professionals need the knowledge, competence & confidence to;
- Develop a successful and productive relationship with the child and family, and be able to communicate without jargon
- Organise meeting and discussions with different practitioners
- Use the Common Assessment Framework and develop support plans based on the outcomes
- Work in partnership with other practitioners to deliver the support plan
