What Ask RESPOND Pro Does

• Supports complex decision-making – threshold analysis (S17 vs S47), LADO referral criteria, multi-agency coordination
• Provides frameworks for thinking – not just answers, but structured approaches to weighing competing factors
• Embeds advanced statutory knowledge – KCSIE 2025, Working Together 2023, Children Acts, court order pathways
• Offers contextual safeguarding analysis – 4Ps framework, extra-familial harm considerations, pattern recognition
• Supports defensible decision-making – language and reasoning that withstands scrutiny in reviews or inspections
• Respects your professional judgement – you remain accountable; the tool supports, not replaces, your expertise

Getting Started

Logging In

1. Go to the Ask RESPOND Pro URL (separate from the staff version)
2. Enter the Pro access password (provided by your safeguarding lead or administrator)
3. Tick the checkbox to confirm professional accountability
4. Click Access RESPOND Pro to enter

Note: Pro uses a different password than the standard staff tool to ensure appropriate access control.

Effective Consultation

Ask RESPOND Pro works best when you provide context. The more specific your question, the more targeted the response.

Example Consultations

• "I have a case with multiple vulnerabilities but no disclosure. How do I structure my threshold analysis?"
• "Staff member's behaviour may meet LADO criteria 4 (transferable risk). What factors should I consider?"
• "Parents are refusing to engage with early help. At what point does this become S47?"
• "I need to justify why I'm not referring to MASH despite concerns. Help me document the rationale."
• "Child Protection Conference in 3 days. What should my school report include?"
• "Multiple peer-on-peer incidents – how do I apply contextual safeguarding analysis?"

Key Features

Interface Features

Keyboard Shortcuts

What Ask RESPOND Pro Knows

Statutory Framework

• KCSIE 2025 – Key paragraphs for DSL duties, Part 4 (allegations), Part 5 (safer recruitment)
• Working Together 2023 – Multi-agency arrangements, threshold documents, information sharing
• Children Act 1989 – S17, S20, S31, S43, S46, S47 duties and powers
• Children Act 2004 – S10, S11, S14B-14D arrangements
• Education Acts – S175/S157 safeguarding duties

Embedded Knowledge

• Threshold decision framework (S17 vs S47 indicators)
• LADO referral criteria (all four behaviour categories)
• Court orders and pre-proceedings pathways
• Child Protection Conference process and DSL role
• Section 47 enquiry outcomes
• Immediate protection powers (EPO, PPO)
• 7 Golden Rules for information sharing
• Contextual safeguarding (4Ps framework)
• Professional optimism warning signs
• RAG risk assessment indicators

Professional Boundaries

What Pro Does NOT Do

• Make threshold decisions for you – it supports your thinking, you decide
• Give definitive legal advice – for specific legal questions, consult your legal team
• Replace multi-agency consultation – use it alongside, not instead of, professional discussions
• Guarantee outcomes – safeguarding involves uncertainty; it helps you manage that professionally
• Know your local protocols – it provides national guidance; you apply local context

Privacy & Security

• Conversations are not permanently stored – when you close the browser, the consultation is gone
• Anonymise all cases – use "the child" or initials, never full names or identifying details
• Sessions expire after 30 minutes of inactivity for security
• Separate access control – Pro uses different credentials than the staff tool
• Print for records – if you need to retain the consultation, print it and store securely

Best Practice Tips

For Complex Cases

• Provide context: what's known, what's uncertain, what factors are competing
• Ask for frameworks, not just answers: "How should I think about this?" not just "What should I do?"
• Use follow-up questions to explore different angles
• Challenge the response if it doesn't fit your professional experience

For Documentation

• Ask Pro to help structure your decision rationale
• Request language that would be defensible in a case review
• Use the print function to create a record of your thinking process

For Inspection Readiness

• Ask about evidence you should maintain
• Request help structuring case file narratives
• Use the threshold frameworks to demonstrate defensible decision-making

Troubleshooting

"I can't log in"

• Pro uses a separate password from the staff tool – check you have the correct one
• Ensure you're using the Pro URL, not the standard staff URL
• Try clearing browser cache or using incognito mode

"The response is too basic"

• Pro assumes you know the basics – ask more specific questions
• Provide more context about the complexity you're navigating
• Ask explicitly for frameworks or competing factors analysis

"I need more certainty than it provides"

• Safeguarding involves managing uncertainty – Pro reflects this professionally
• Ask it to help you document your rationale despite uncertainty
• Request multi-agency consultation recommendations