Summary
1. The local authority’s case record for the child must record the dates the child was seen by the social worker in the course of enquiries, whether the child was seen alone and if not who was present and for what reason. 2. Involved individuals should be informed of the outcome of the enquiry following its conclusion and receive a copy of the Outcome of the s47 Enquiries Record 3. OFSTED must be informed where an allegation is made against a professional carer in regulated services
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Children’s Social Care, in consultation with the Police, should decide how to proceed at the end of the enquiry after discussion with all those who have been significantly involved, including relevant professionals and agencies, foster carers where involved, and the child and parents themselves.
These individuals should be informed of the outcome of the enquiry following its conclusion.
Consideration should be given to whether the core assessment has been fully completed and if not, what further work may be required. This work may need to be completed before the enquiry can be deemed to be completed or may form part of recommendations for on-going work at a multi agency Child in Need Meeting or Child Protection Conference.
The information recorded on the outcome should be consistent with the information set out in the Outcome of the s47 Enquiries Record, and parents and children of sufficient age and appropriate level of understanding, together with those professionals and agencies who have been significantly involved, should receive a copy of this record.
In addition, the local authority’s case record for the child must record the dates the child was seen by the social worker in the course of enquiries, whether the child was seen alone and if not who was present and for what reason.
OFSTED must be informed where an allegation is made against a professional carer and the child concerned is:
- Living in a residential establishment subject to inspection,
- Living in foster care
- Placed with a childminder or in an early years regulated setting
Section 47 enquiries may result in three outcomes:
- The concerns are not substantiated
- The concerns are substantiated, and the child is not judged to be at continuing risk of significant harm
- The concerns are substantiated, and the child is judged to be at continuing risk of significant harm
