Resolving professional differences

Professional Escalation and Dispute Resolution

Why Escalation Matters

Professional disagreement is a normal and healthy part of child protection work. Differences in interpretation of risk, thresholds, or planning can arise because child protection is complex and multi-faceted.

Escalation is not adversarial- it is a professional responsibility. It ensures that concerns about a child’s safety are addressed promptly and that decisions are transparent, evidence-based, and collaborative.

Escalation is about safeguarding children—not winning arguments. Stay calm, respectful, and solution focused.

Underlying Principles

• Child-Centred Practice: Every discussion must keep the child’s safety and wellbeing at the forefront.
• Respectful Challenge: Constructive disagreement strengthens safeguarding systems.
• Confident Humility: Balance confidence in your professional judgment with openness to other perspectives.
• Evidence-Based Dialogue: Share clear reasons and risks when raising concernsand be preapred to share why decisions were made.
• Be Collaborative: What can you or your agency do to solve the problem.
• Timeliness: Disputes must not delay protective action.

When to Escalate

• Any disagreements concerning the welfare of a child. Examples include but not limited to insufficient action or response to a concern, Looked After Children, Risk management plans, thresholds, IRD, CPPM, CARM, ACRA, Vulnerable Young People and transitions.
• Concerns about immediate protective action.
• Disputes over Child Protection Register decisions or risk assessments.

Stages to Escalation

Escalation should never delay safeguarding or safety planning

Stage 1 – Informal Resolution

• Speak directly with the professional involved.
• Use reflective questions:
  “Can you help me understand why that decision was made?”

• Aim for collaborative problem-solving.

Stage 2 – Internal Escalation

• If unresolved, raise the concern through your own line management.
• Document the issue and actions taken.

Stage 3 – Multi-agency Escalation

• Contact senior managers from relevant agencies for urgent discussion.
• Ensure protective planning continues during resolution.

Stage 4 – Independent Review

• If consensus cannot be reached, refer to the CPC-appointed Independent Reviewer.
• Reviewer provides impartial oversight and a decision within 3–5 working days.

Key Fife Contacts

Agency	First Manager Contact	Second Manager Contact	Third Manager Contact	Head of Service
Health	Health Service Locality Team Leader/Senior Charge Nurse Tel: VHK Switchboard 01592 643355	Health Service Lead Nurse/Midwife Tel: VHK Switchboard 01592 643355	Lead Nurse Child Protection/Lead Paediatrician Child Protection Tel: 01592 648114	Children’s Services Senior Manager/Health Service Senior Manager Tel: VHK Switchboard 01592 643355
Social Work	Social Work Team Manager Tel: Contact Centre	Service Manager (For Respective Area) Children and Families Tel: Contact Centre	Service Manager (For Respective Area) Children and Families Tel: Contact Centre	Head of Education & Children’s Services (C&F/JSW and CSWO) Tel: 03451 555555 - Ext 441189
Education	First Manager contact: Tel: Email:	Development Officer Tel: 03451 555555 Ext 430257 Email:	Quality Improvement Officer Tel: 03451 555555 Ext 430292 Email:	Head of Service, Education & Children’s Services Tel: 03451 555555 Ext 480217.Email:
Police	Detective Inspector Public Protection Unit Email: FifeIRD@scotland.police.uk	Detective Chief Inspector Public Protection Unit Email: FifeIRD@scotland.police.uk		Detective Superintendent Email: FifeIRD@scotland.police.uk
Third Sector	Triage Manager Email: triage@fva.org Tel: 0800 389 6046	Children’s Services Development Manager Email: childrens.services@gva.org Tel: 0800389 6046	CEO Fife Voluntary Action Email: ceo@fva.org Tel: 0800 389 6046

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