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Summary
1. Children’s Social Care screen referral information to decide if it meets the threshold for Children’s Social Care intervention. 2. If the threshold for Children’s Social Care’s intervention is met, information is recorded as a referral and an initial assessment completed 3. Referrer is informed of action taken in response to referral information within one working day 4. If acknowledgement is not received within 3 working days, contact Children’s Social Care again. |
Children’s Social Care will assess the referral information and decide what action to take. This may include:
- deciding the referral information does not meet the threshold for intervention by Children’s Social Care and referring the child/family on for support by another agency;
- provision of information and advice;
- taking no further action.
If the information meets the threshold for intervention by Children’s Social Care, the information is recorded as a referral and Children’s Social Care will complete initial checks/an initial assessment to decide what to do next
The referrer will be informed about what action is taken in response to the referral information and the reasons for decisions made within one working day.
When assessing referrals where the referrer is worried that a child may have been abused or neglected, it is important that Children’s Social Care staff maintain a clear distinction between concerns that are ‘Section 17’ (safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children in need), possibly requiring family support, and those that are ‘Section 47’ (risk of significant harm), requiring the instigation of formal child protection enquiries. The following information must, therefore, be clarified:
- the nature of the concerns, including detailed information regarding any specific injuries or other evidence of maltreatment
- how and why the concerns have arisen, including the explanations given by the parents/carers or others who were caring for the child at the time when any abuse is suspected as having taken place
- any suspected impact on other children who may be at risk
- what appear to be the needs of the child and family
- whether there are any concerns about parental domestic violence, mental illness, substance misuse and/or learning disabilities and the impact of these on the family
- any action the referrer has already taken
- what, if anything, has been said by the child and/or carers about the concerns
- dates, times and location of any specific incidents
- details (names/addresses/telephone numbers) of any witnesses
- whether any urgent action is needed to make the child safe
Written referrals and written confirmation of verbal referrals must be acknowledged by Children’s Social Care within one working day of receipt. If the referrer has not received an acknowledgement within three working days, they should contact Children’s Social Care again.
In respect of child protection concerns, Children’s Social Care have a legal duty to take action to ensure that a child is safe from harm. The police also have legal powers to intervene where required.
