Independent Lead Reviewers Open Framework

CONTEXT: INDEPENDENT LEAD REVIEWERS FRAMEWORK The Scottish Government published Learning Review Guidance for public protection in 2022 and Learning Reviews are monitored, analysed and quality assured by the Care Inspectorate. Commissioning external Independent Lead Reviewers will improve the quality and efficiency of local Learning Reviews. The economic cost of harm caused in the context of child and adult protection in East Ayrshire is challenging to quantify – learning from occurrences of harm is essential to reduce the human and economic impacts for the future. Externally appointed Independent Lead Reviewers will support transparent and impartial learning and improvement actions. Commissioning through a framework arrangement supports contractual, financial and quality assurance consistency and efficiency. Development of a commissioning framework will facilitate flexibility to respond to fluctuating and unpredictable levels of demand. OBJECTIVES OF THE SERVICE Independent Lead Reviewers will:

1. Lead on all aspects of undertaking a full public protection Learning Review for a child or adult in East Ayrshire
2. Work to a Terms of Reference and timescales for the Learning Review already agreed by the Learning Review Panel
3. Chair and lead the Review Team for the duration of the Learning Review
4. Lead on multi-agency case information review activities, practitioner and manager workshops and family / carer liaison (if appropriate)
5. Deliver a Learning Review report identifying strengths, learning and areas for improvement
6. Be accountable and report to the Learning Review Panel and Chief Officer Group
7. Be supported by the relevant APC or CPC Chair and Lead Officer SERVICE DELIVERY External Independent Lead Reviewers will only be appointed once a Learning Review has been agreed through the respective Learning Review Panel, the Adult or Child Protection Committee and the Chief Officer Group in East Ayrshire. When a Learning Review has been agreed as requiring an external Independent Lead Reviewer, information about the required service will be sent to all Reviewers on the Framework. It is anticipated that there may be up to four Learning Reviews requiring Independent Lead Reviewers per year, however, this is unpredictable and demand may therefore fluctuate. It is also estimated that each Learning Review may take between 3-6 months to complete, however, depending on the complexity this may also vary. Information about individual Learning Reviews and estimated timescales will be provided at the point of commission. Independent Lead Reviewers will be contracted by East Ayrshire Council on a consultancy contract for the duration of the Learning Review work being undertaken. The Lead Reviewer will be contracted by the Senior Manager – Protection & Learning but report to the respective Learning Review Panel and APC / CPC Chair for the duration of the review period. The Terms of Reference for the Learning Review and Learning Review Team will have been identified and agreed by the start of the contract and will be shared with the Independent Lead Reviewer through a Briefing Meeting at the commencement of the contract. Independent Lead Reviewers will be supported through the Protection & Learning Team and access all information required for the Learning Review through an East Ayrshire Council networked and secure device.