- A Section 47 Enquiry will almost certainly be indicated where the following apply:
- Physical harm to a child through a deliberate act, neglect or domestic violence
- Any injury, however minor, to a non mobile baby or child
- Allegation/suspicion of sexual abuse or of child being groomed for sexual purposes
- Risk of Female Genital Mutilation
- Significant developmental delay due to neglect/poor parenting
- Significant emotional/psychological problems due to neglect/poor parenting
- Persistent emotional ill treatment of a child
- Very poor home conditions/physical care due to lack of parental care e.g. no food, warmth, bedding, appropriate clothing, hygiene, stimulation
- Serious neglect and standards of living for adults are markedly better than for the child
- Repeat of neglect after family support services have been given previously.
- Lack of medical/dental care endangering/impairing child’s life
- Reported pregnancy where there have been previous child protection concerns
- Fabricated or Induced Illness
- A failure to thrive not due to physical illness or disability
- Serious self harm/suicide risk where parents are not working with professionals
- Parent involved in serious criminal acts that may impact on the child e.g. child pornography, drug dealing
- Children are the subject of parental delusions, or are targets for parental aggression, rejection or neglect for pathological reasons.
- Sexual exploitation through prostitution
- An adult assessed as being a risk to children is having contact with/living with a child in the same household
- Allegations of abuse against people who work with children
- There is no consistent explanation/no admission of what is clearly abuse.
- Following an Emergency Protection Order or Police Protection Powers
This list covers the main categories of child protection concerns but is not exhaustive.
