The National Interagency Referral Discussion (IRD) Learning and Development Project is a multiagency initiative led collaboratively Social Work Scotland, Police Scotland and NHS Education for Scotland. The Project is funded by Scottish Government to support implementation of a national approach to IRD.
As stated in the National Guidance for Child Protection (2021, updated 2023) an IRD is “the start of the formal process of information sharing, assessment, analysis and decision-making following reported concern about abuse or neglect of a child or young person up to the age of 18 years, in relation to familial and non-familial concerns, and of siblings or other children within the same context. This includes an unborn baby that may be exposed to current or future risk.”
The project aims to encourage consistency in IRD practice across Scotland through multiagency learning events; equipping learners with knowledge, confidence and the opportunity to develop skills to respond to concerns regarding child protection. Participants will work with their partners in other key agencies to consider the key aspects of decision making in IRD, develop safety plans and action plans, and, subsequently build a shared understanding of roles and responsibilities and the complexity of the IRD context to support effective decision making to ensure the safety and wellbeing of children. The training is grounded in trauma informed principles and is aligned with the National Guidance for Child Protection (2021, updated 2023).
The core of the project is a three-day intensive training course on IRD practice. This will be delivered by the multidisciplinary team and learners who attend will be from one of the three core agencies. The course has been created for agency decision makers from each of the three core agencies and will be beneficial to those with lots of experience and those new to IRD decision making. The training is based on The National Guidance for Child Protection and brings this to life in real world scenarios that learners can work through and discuss. The delivery team will engage in local areas to consider alignment with local practice. This will be delivered in local areas to partners with reference to the strengths and challenges that local areas encounter in their IRD practice.
The project delivery team is made up of two social work qualified Project Officers, a Practice Educator from NHS Education Scotland and two Detective Constables from Police Scotland, and a Project Coordinator.
The project has multiagency leadership and oversight by the three key agencies. The social work component of this project is hosted by Social Work Scotland.
For further information please contact: sharon.glasgow@socialworkscotland.org
Or for general enquiries contact: ird.team@socialworkscotland.org
