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These procedures relate to concerns about the welfare of children and young people up to the age of 18 years. They specifically concern suspected abuse by others in the family home - or known to the family - or another care setting, or by professionals. Any concerns about suspected abuse by strangers to the child, outside of these settings, are matters for criminal investigation and should be referred directly to the police.
Section 1 - What to do if there are Child Welfare Concerns
This section of the procedures is for everybody who has direct or indirect involvement with children. These are people who:
- work with, or have actual contact with, children (e.g. social workers, teachers, health visitors, GPs and other doctors, dentists, day nursery staff, child-minders)
- work with adults who are parents or care-givers (e.g. adult mental health or substance misuse professionals, family centre staff, health professionals)
- work with family members or others who have contact with children (e.g. police and probation staff, mental health practitioners, housing staff)
- Workers in the Voluntary/ Private Sector
All these people should be able to recognise, and know how to act upon, evidence that a child’s welfare may be a cause for concern.
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1.1 It is not unusual for professionals in all agencies to have concerns about children for all sorts of reasons. Most enquiries about children’s welfare are to do with ‘low-level’ concerns that can be dealt with through providing general family support. These are different from ‘high level’ concerns which suggest that a child may be suffering, or be at risk of suffering, ‘significant harm’.
1.2 Staff within organisations should therefore, discuss any concerns they have with a senior colleague, a manager, or a named person defined by their agency procedures as being responsible for child protection, to clarify their understanding of the child’s circumstances. If there are still concerns that may be of a child protection nature, discussions can then take place - without identifying the child in question if necessary - with the front line staff in Children’s Social Care or the Safeguarding Unit. Should child protection concerns then be established, it is necessary to identify the child at that point.
1.3 Staff within organisations should, at this stage, check whether the child is the subject of a child protection plan, and/or whether the family is known to Children’s Social Care (see own agency child protection procedures).
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1.4 It is usually possible to discuss any general welfare concerns with the family before making a referral, but there should be no such discussion if this risks placing the child at further risk of harm. There should be no such discussion with the family where:
- sexual abuse in the home is suspected
- fictitious illness is suspected
- the child may be placed at further risk by such discussion
1.5 Professionals in all agencies do have a clear responsibility, at the outset, to discuss any concerns they have directly with the family, and, where possible, to seek their agreement to any further action that will be required, including talking about the child with other agencies. However, if there is real and immediate concern about a child suffering significant harm, then a referral to Children’s Social Care must be made immediately and the social worker will decide how and when the family will be consulted.
1.6 Professionals should record in writing whether they have discussed with the family both the making of a referral and any contacts they make with other agencies regarding the child. They should also record the reasons if they decide not to inform the family of these matters.
See paragraphs 1.15-19 below for further guidance on talking to the family.
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1.7 Whatever discussions take place, the staff and manager(s) involved must:
- never delay emergency action to protect a child from harm, ensuring that they take any necessary action on the same working day
- always record in writing their concerns, whether or not further action is taken
- always record in writing their discussions about a child’s welfare. At the close of discussions, there should always be a clear and explicit recorded agreement about who will be taking what action, or that no further action will be taken
1.8 It is the person with the concerns who is responsible for taking appropriate action, through following their own agency’s child protection procedures. If, therefore, the concerns remain after discussions, then the child should always be referred to the local authority’s Children’s Social Care for the area in which the child is living at the time. While most children live at home with their families, some live away – for example in residential or foster care, residential schools, health settings, or young offenders’ institutions – and it is Children’s Social Care for the area in which they are currently living who have the legal duty to instigate enquiries.
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1.9 Referrals must be made as soon as abuse or neglect is suspected, by a telephone call to, or a meeting with, staff from Children’s Social Care and followed up in writing within 48 hours. If a referral has to be made by professionals in written form it should be made on the agreed standard referral form.
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1.10 The person making the referral (who may actually be the child in question or a member of their family) should provide, wherever possible:
- the child’s name, including any alternatives known
- the child’s date of birth and gender
- the child’s address, any previous addresses, and any possible alternatives known
- the child’s school/nursery if registered
- the current whereabouts of the child
- any other information about the child
- all other children in the household
- other household members
- any other information that is important (e.g. any special needs, family composition, relevant family history, family members who may present a risk to the child or workers, other adults who have regular care of the child)
- the child’s GP
- the child’s ethnic background and language
- the referrer’s own contact details in case of the need to make further enquiries
1.11 It is the responsibility of Children’s Social Care to clarify with the referrer whether there are concerns about harm to the child, what gives rise to these concerns, and whether it may be necessary to consider taking urgent action to safeguard the child. The following information must, therefore, also be clarified:
- the nature of the concerns, including detailed information regarding any specific injuries
- how and why they have arisen, including the explanations given by the parents/carers or others who were caring for the child at the time when any when 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
- 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
1.12 At the end of the referral discussions, the referrer and Children’s Social Care should be clear about what action is proposed, who is going to be taking it, and when. All this should be recorded by Children’s Social Care and by the referrer (if a professional in another service).
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1.13 It is essential that professionals who have made the referral to Children’s Social Care verbally confirm that referral in writing within 48 hours using the standard referral form.
1.14 If the referral had been received by Children’s Social Care in written form, the referrer should be sent an acknowledgement within one working day. If that referrer has not received an acknowledgement within 3 working days, they should contact Children’s Social Care again.
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1.15 Before professionals have discussions about any child welfare concerns with other agencies, they should seek the parents’ permission, and/or the child’s where appropriate, unless seeking permission may itself place a child at risk of significant harm. Examples of where this may cause such harm include:
- where sexual abuse is suspected or disclosed;
- where Fabricated or Induced Illness is suspected ;
- where there are fears for the safety of the child due to possible action by members of their family
- where it is not possible to contact the person whose consent is required immediately and prompt action is required to establish or ensure the child’s safety
1.16 In some cases it may be appropriate to make straightforward checks on whether a malicious or unfounded referral has been made, by contacting other agencies before parents are consulted. However, in all cases where an allegation is deemed to have been made without foundation, the parents must be informed by Children’s Social Care within 24 hours.
1.17 If Children’s Social Care assess, in consultation with the referring agency, that a young person is mature enough to discuss the concerns without involving their parents at this stage, this must be discussed with Legal Services. Children’s Social Care must record the reasons for a decision to consult the child without the knowledge of their parents
1.18 When responding to referrals from a member of the public rather than another professional, Children’s Social Care should bear in mind that personal information about referrers, including details that would identify them, should only be disclosed to third parties – including the child’s family and other agencies – with that referrer’s consent. In all cases where the police are involved, the decision about when to inform parents about referrals from third parties must be shared with the police as it will have a bearing on the conduct of their investigations.
1.19 If Children’s Social Care take action on a referral without seeking parental agreement, they should record this in writing, with the reasons for such a decision.
The next section of these procedures gives guidance mainly to Children’s Social Care, after a referral has been made to them. However, the involvement of other agencies may not stop here. Where this is the case, those professionals will need to refer to the next section now.
A tool to guide practitioners to assist in the identification of where there may be issues of neglect can be found here.
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1.20 In making enquiries regarding a child’s welfare, Children’s Social Care have a legal duty to take any necessary action to ensure that the child is safe from harm. The police also have legal powers to intervene where required.
1.21 When assessing referrals where the referrer is worried that a child may have been abused or neglected, it is important that Children’ Social Care staff maintain a clear distinction between concerns that are of a general ‘Section 17’ nature, possibly requiring family support, and those that are of a ‘Section 47’ nature, requiring the instigation of formal child protection enquiries.
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1.22 On receipt of the referral, and where there is an indication that a child has suffered or may suffer significant harm, the Duty Officer will notify the Team/Duty Manager within one hour, identifying it as a child protection referral and indicating priority status, and complete the following checks:
- client index system - if the subject of the referral is a child who is already known to Children’s Social Care, the allocated social worker should be informed immediately and given all details of the concerns.
- The Safeguarding Unit – whether the child is the subject of a child protection plan
- other agencies – including police, education welfare, schools, health, and probation
- previous local authority areas where the child has lived
If the child is looked after by another local authority
1.23 If the child is living in a placement that has been made by another local authority, Children’s Social Care must inform the placing authority immediately, and involve them in determining next steps. If the ensuing enquiries require a strategy discussion, the placing authority must be invited to participate.
1.24 On receipt of the referral, Children’s Social Care must immediately notify the police whenever it is suspected that a criminal offence may have been committed.
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1.25 Children’s Social Care will decide and record next steps of action within one working day. This information should be consistent with the information set out in the Referral and Information Record.
1.26 For all referrals, decisions on how to proceed will normally follow:
- discussion with the referring professional/service
- looking at any existing records
- involving other professionals and services as necessary
- checking whether the child is the subject of a child protection plan
1.27 Using the available evidence, this initial consideration of the case will determine which of the following is appropriate:
- that no further action is required – Children’s Social Care will feed back this decision to the referrer in writing, with the reasons
- that the family need support/intervention that may be provided by other agencies – they will be referred-on by Children’s Social Care with their agreement (if the family do not then engage with the referred agency, that agency will refer them back to Children’s Social Care who may reassess the family)
- that Children’s Social Care will provide basic information and advice, with no need for an initial assessment
- that there are concerns about the child’s health and development, and Children’s Social Care will carry out an initial assessment
- that there are concerns that the child has suffered or may suffer significant harm – Children’s Social Care will:
- determine whether emergency action is required to safeguard the child quickly
- carry out an initial assessment
- instigate a Section 47 enquiry, involving a core assessment, if action may be necessary to safeguard the child
All decisions regarding action to be taken must be recorded.
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1.28 An ‘initial assessment’ is a brief assessment of each child referred to Children’s Social Care where it is necessary to determine whether the child is formally “in need”, what services may be required to meet the need(s), and whether a further, more detailed ‘core assessment’ is required. Initial assessments are completed by Children’s Social Care, working with colleagues from other agencies, within seven working days from the date of referral. However, this initial assessment period may be very brief (even consisting of just a record check) if there is a need to initiate Section 47 enquiries.
1.29 Where concerns are referred about a child whose case is already open to Children’s Social Care, it may not be necessary to undertake an initial assessment at all before deciding what to do next – for example deciding whether or not to hold a strategy discussion (see paragraphs 1.44-52 below). In such cases, if a strategy discussion is held, it will consider whether a core assessment, or the updating of a previous one, is necessary.
1.30 The structured framework used for collecting, drawing together, and analysing available information for the initial assessment is the Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and their Families. The assessment will address the following questions:
- what are the developmental needs of the child?
- are the parents able to respond appropriately to those needs?
- are there wider family and environmental factors that impact on the child’s development, or the parents’ capacity to meet the child’s needs
- is the child being adequately safeguarded from significant harm, and are the parents able to promote the child’s health and development?
- is action required to safeguard and promote the welfare of the child?
1.31 The initial assessment must be led by a qualified social worker, will be planned, and will be clear about who is doing what and when, and what information is to be shared with the parents. Decisions on how the different parts of the assessment will be handled should be taken in discussion with all those involved with the child and the family.
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1.32 The process of the initial assessment will involve:
- seeing and speaking to the child, on their own where possible, and according to their age and understanding
- seeing and speaking to family members, as appropriate
- discussing with the police if there are concerns that a crime may have been committed against a child (see paragraphs 1.44-52 below on the strategy discussion)
- obtaining relevant information from professionals and others in contact with the child and the family
- considering the information in the context of the domains and dimensions of the Assessment Framework
- drawing together and analysing available information from a range of sources, including existing records and historical information
- ensuring the child has adequate day care within the family or elsewhere, including alerting the education welfare services of any case where a child of school age is not attending school
- identifying strengths as well as difficulties, and consideration of interventions to address any unmet needs
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1.33 The child should be seen within a time that is appropriate to the nature of the concerns, and without their parents/carers present if necessary. ‘Seeing the child’ includes observing and communicating with them, as appropriate given their age and understanding, ascertaining their wishes, feelings, views and understanding about the concerns that have been expressed, and taking those wishes into account.
1.34 It will not necessarily be clear at this stage whether a criminal offence has been committed. This means that even initial discussions with the child should take place in a way that minimises distress to them and maximises the likelihood that they will provide accurate and complete information. Leading or suggestive questions must be avoided.
1.35 Communications with both the child and their family need to be sensitive to issues associated with gender, race, culture and disability. Interviews must be undertaken in their preferred language if this is not English, and appropriate support must be given where disabled children or parents have additional needs (e.g. using non-verbal communication methods).
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1.36 If the child and family have spent time abroad, it will be necessary to seek information from relevant services. Professionals from agencies such as health, Children’s Social Care, or the police should request information from their equivalent agencies in the country(ies) in which the child has lived. Advice on who to contact is available via the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (0207 008 1500) or the appropriate Embassy or Consulate based in London (see the FCO website. International Social Services can also help with communication and information sharing between agencies; they can be Faxed on 0207 582 0696 or emailed at: issuk@charity.vfree.com.
1.37 If the child has lived abroad as part of a service family in the Armed Forces, seeSection 3, paragraphs 3.99-107 of these procedures.
1.38 When the initial assessment has been completed, Children’s Social Care must decide on the next course of action. The assessment can conclude that:
- the child is neither ‘in need’ nor is - or has been - at risk of significant harm, and so there is no need for further action by Children’s Social Care
- actual or likely significant harm is not evident or suspected, but the child is ‘in need’ and requires services or help, including from other agencies (this may require a further core assessment)
- there is reasonable cause to suspect that the child is suffering , or is likely to suffer, significant harm and further action is required under s47 of the Children Act 1989
1.39 The conclusions of the initial assessment must be discussed with the child and the family, unless such a discussion may place the child at risk of significant harm. If there are concerns about this, it will be necessary to decide what the parents should be told, when, and by whom.
1.40 Whatever decisions are taken at the conclusion of the initial assessment, they must be agreed in writing by a Children’s Social Care Team Manager, with the reasons for them, and what further action is to be taken, clearly stated.
1.41 Professionals involved in the assessment, should be told in writing what action has been - and will be - taken. The family and the original referrer (if not a professional) should also be told, where appropriate, but consistent with respecting the confidentiality of the child and family, and as long as further actions that may be required (including police investigations) are not jeopardised.
The rest of the procedures in this section are concerned with the processes that should be followed where a child is suspected to be suffering, or likely to suffer, significant harm.
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1.42 Where a child moves into the area and they are the subject of a child protection plan in another local authority, a child protection conference must be held within 15 days of Children’s Social Care receiving notification of the move (see Section 5, paragraphs 5.19-21 for further guidance).
1.43 Initial child protection conferences in respect of unborn babies must occur within sufficient time prior to the birth to allow all agencies to contribute to a pre-birth assessment and achieve positive outcomes for those children. In addition, the appropriate timing of conferences must allow for working in partnership with families.
1.44 Where an initial assessment has concluded that there is reasonable cause to suspect that a child is suffering, or is likely to suffer, significant harm, Children’s Social Care are required by s47 of the Children Act 1989 to make enquiries, to enable them to decide whether any action is necessary to safeguard that child.
The starting point for making Section 47 enquiries is the ‘strategy discussion’. (see Appendix 25 for practice guidance on initiating s47 enquiries).
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1.45 The strategy discussion is a professionals’ forum, and family members are not involved. It is convened, chaired and minuted by Children’s Social Care, and must take place as soon as it is decided that a child is suffering, or is likely to be suffering, significant harm. It can take the form of a telephone discussion, or - where the issues need more detailed discussion and planning - one or more meetings.
1.46 In very exceptional cases, it may be necessary for a single agency to take immediate action to protect a child before a strategy discussion can be arranged. In these circumstances, the strategy discussion must take place within the next working day of such action to plan next steps (see paragraphs 1.53-5 below for procedures relating to Immediate Protection).
1.47 Strategy meetings must be chaired by Children’s Social Care and should always involve a manager from that agency and a police sergeant. The referring agency and other bodies should be included as appropriate (e.g. health, nursery/school). If the child is a hospital in- or out-patient, or is receiving services from a child development team, the named health professional for child protection will ensure that the appropriate medical personnel are involved.
1.48 If the child is looked after by another local authority, the strategy discussion will include a decision on which local authority will take responsibility for taking the next steps.
1.49 Where there are to be discussions regarding the appropriateness of a medical examination, the FME/Designated Doctor should be consulted.
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1.50 The point of the strategy discussion is to determine the most effective way to carry out the enquiry. It should be used to:
- share available information
- agree the conduct and timing of any criminal investigation
- decide whether a Section 47 enquiry should be started, or continued if one has already begun. This will initiate a core assessment
- plan how the Section 47 enquiry should be undertaken, if one is to take place, including the need for a medical examination/treatment, and agree who will do what, why, and by when
- determine whether there are any exceptional circumstances that would warrant the joint enquiry team talking to the child without parental consent. Any decision to take such action should be made by a Children’s Social Care senior manager and the police senior investigating officer, and be recorded
- agree what action is required immediately to safeguard and promote the welfare of the child, and/or provide interim services and support. If the child is in hospital, decisions should also be made about how to secure the safe discharge of the child, in consultation with the consultant responsible for the child’s care
- agree what information from the strategy discussion will be shared with the family, unless such information-sharing may place the child at risk of significant harm or jeopardise police investigations into any alleged offence(s)
- determine if legal action is required (e.g. to ensure emergency protection)
1.51 Key matters in the discussion will include:
- an analysis of all the information that has been collected
- agreeing a plan for how the core assessment will be carried out – what further information is required about the child(ren) and family, and how it should be obtained and recorded
- agreeing who should be interviewed, by whom, for what purpose, and when. Effective interviews can reduce distress to children and increase the chances of maintaining working relationships with families. When a criminal offence may have been committed against a child, the timing and handling of interviews with victims, their families, and witnesses can have important implications for the collection and preservation of evidence
- considering the needs of other children who may be affected – for example, siblings and other children in contact with alleged abusers
- agreeing how the child’s wishes and feelings will be ascertained so that they can be taken into account when making decisions
- deciding how best to communicate with both the child and their family, taking into account issues regarding sensitivity to race, culture and disability
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1.52 A clear written record of the discussion will be made by the chair of the meeting, and should include:
- the reason for the meeting
- the information that has been shared
- the decisions reached, with action points for identified individuals and agreed timescales
- the basis for those decisions
- an agreed date for a review meeting or discussion
- who in this review meeting, or through other mechanisms, will monitor the completion of the action points
1.53 A signed and dated record of the discussion will be circulated to all the parties to the discussion within one working day, and Children’s Social Care will inform other agencies working directly with the child of any decisions that may have a significant impact on the child.
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1.54 Where there is a risk to the life of a child or a likelihood of immediate harm, Children’s Social Care and/or the police must act quickly to secure their immediate safety, and all actions taken must be accurately recorded. Consideration should always be given to whether action is also required to safeguard other children in the same household (e.g. siblings), or in the household of an alleged perpetrator, or elsewhere.
1.55 Planned emergency action will normally take place following an immediate strategy discussion between police, Children’s Social Care and health. In cases where a medical examination is necessary, it is essential that it be conducted by a doctor who has experience/training in the recognition of abuse and the carrying out of forensic medical examinations in respect of children - i.e. a Consultant Paediatrician, a Specialist Registrar or a Community Paediatrician.
1.56 Where a single agency has to act immediately to protect a child, however, a strategy discussion must follow as soon as possible to plan next steps.
1.57 A child’s safety may be secured through a number of actions or agreements between parties, which may include:
- a parent taking action to remove an alleged perpetrator
- the police arresting the alleged perpetrator and bailing him/her to an alternative address where there are no children under 18 years
- the alleged perpetrator agreeing to leave the home and complying with a child protection agreement
- ensuring that the child remains in a safe place e.g. a hospital, or is removed to a safe place, either on a voluntary basis or by obtaining an emergency protection order or using powers of Police Protection
See Appendix 4 for practice guidance on determining a safe place within the family, and Appendix 13 for details on the legal framework for safeguarding children.
1.58 If a child needs to be removed, or there is an intention for an application to be made for any exclusion orders under the Family Law Act 1996, then the social worker should always consult with Legal Services, including during out of hours if arrangements are in place. If the child is to be removed, and the family are not consenting to the removal, Children’s Social Care should wherever possible – and unless the child’s safety is at immediate risk – apply for an emergency protection order. Police powers should only be used in exceptional circumstances where there is insufficient time to seek an emergency protection order, or for reasons relating to the immediate safety of the child.
1.59 Out of hours, the Emergency Duty Team will take appropriate action in consultation with the police.
1.60 Where an emergency protection order has been obtained, or Police Protection powers have been used, a decision has to be made urgently whether to initiate care or other proceedings. Children’s Social Care will decide this in consultation with Legal Services and the other agencies involved.
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1.61 It is the responsibility of the Local Authority Children’s Social Care in the area where the child is found to take any emergency action necessary. If the child is looked after by, or is subject to a child protection plan in another authority, then the authority where the child is found (the first authority) should consult the authority responsible for the child. Only if that authority explicitly accepts responsibility, is the first authority relieved of the responsibility to take emergency action. Such acceptance should be subsequently confirmed in writing.
1.62 The aim of the Section 47 enquiry is to determine whether action is needed to safeguard and promote the welfare of the child or children who are the subject of the enquiries.
1.63 The core assessment is the means by which a Section 47 enquiry is carried out (see Appendix 26 for practice guidance on triggers for making a core assessment). While Children’s Social Care have the lead responsibility in carrying out this assessment, the other statutory agencies have clear legal duties under s11 of the Children Act 2004 and s175 of the Education Act 2002 to provide help and assistance where required.
1.64 When joint enquiries take place, Children’s Social Care retain the lead for the Section 47 enquiries and the child’s welfare, but the police have the lead for the criminal investigation.
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1.65 Based on what has been planned and agreed in the strategy discussion, the enquiry should involve:
- visiting and viewing the accommodation in which the child is living, or is to live, including inspecting the child’s bedroom
- separate interviews with the child(ren) on their own, subject to their age and understanding
- interviews with the parents and/or caregivers
- interviewing any witnesses to suspected abuse or neglect
- observation of the interactions between parents and the child(ren), unless there are risks to the child
- specific examinations or assessments of the child by other professionals (e.g. medical, psychological, emotional assessments)
- interviews with others who are personally and professionally connected with the child and the parents and/or caregivers
- consideration of any unmet needs
1.66 ‘Seeing the child’ includes observing and communicating with them, as appropriate given their age and understanding, ascertaining their wishes and feelings about the concerns that have been expressed, and taking those wishes into account. Wherever possible, the child must always be seen alone.
1.67 Investigative (including video-taped) interviews of children, where there is a need to gather potential evidence for criminal proceedings, must only be conducted by staff with specialist training and experience in accordance with “Achieving Best Evidence” (see Appendix 1 for practice guidance).
1.68 Exceptionally, a joint enquiry/investigation team may need to speak to a suspected child victim without the knowledge of the parent of caregiver, and the
strategy discussion will have decided on the most appropriate way to handle this, using specialist professional help where necessary. The kinds of circumstances that may require such an interview with the child would include:
- a possibility that the child would be threatened or otherwise coerced into silence
- a strong likelihood that important evidence would be destroyed
- when the child did not wish the parent(s) to be involved at that stage, and is assessed by Children’s Social Care as being competent to take that decision
1.69 Children’s Social Care should always seek parents’ cooperation with Section 47 enquiries, but if the parents refuse access to a child – and where concerns about that child’s safety are not so urgent as to require an emergency protection order – the local authority may consider applying to the court for a child assessment order.
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1.70 Except in emergency situations, no medical examination can take place without the consent of a person with parental responsibility or the child/young person if they have sufficient maturity to understand its implications.
1.71 It is for the doctor to decide whether they are capable of giving informed consent. Where the child is not of sufficient understanding, the consent of a person with parental responsibility is required. This would include the local authority where the child is subject of a care order.
1.72 Efforts should be made to confirm this consent in writing; if this is not possible, this should be recorded.
1.73 A young person with learning difficulties, even if over 16 years, may not be able to give informed consent. In exceptional cases, a court order may need to be obtained.
See Appendices 2 and 3 for practice guidance on undertaking medical examinations.
1.74 It is essential that the findings of any medical investigations are made available at the earliest opportunity to those conducting the Section 47 enquiry. Where there has been a medical examination, the examining doctor must provide verbal feedback immediately to Children’s Social Care and the police, followed up by a written medical report to those agencies within 2 working days, where possible, of the examination. Children’s Social Care must monitor that this report is received and record the date of receipt. A body map should be completed at the time of the examination indicating the nature/ extent/ location of any injuries, and be made available with the report
1.75 Children’s Social Care and the police must not delay their enquiries by waiting for the written report, but must take whatever action they deem necessary based on the verbal feedback.
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1.76 Should professionals not be able to agree the nature and/or cause of incidents of suspected severe neglect or physical harm (including such harm caused by alleged sexual abuse), then a strategy discussion that includes the designated professionals should be re-convened by Children’s Social Care to discuss and plan how the enquiry should be taken forward. In the case of medical differences of opinion where a child is examined in hospital, this discussion must take place before the child leaves the hospital.
1.77 The purpose of this meeting is to consider all information, assessments, and opinions and to jointly agree next steps. If there is no agreement, the senior managers/designated professionals of each agency should be consulted for further direction.
1.78 The discussion should be clearly recorded by the chair of the meeting.
1.79 Children’s Social Care 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 within 24 hours of its conclusion.
1.80 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.
1.81 The CSCI must be informed where an allegation is made against a professional carer and the child concerned is living in a residential establishment that is subject to inspection, or where the child is living in foster care.
1.82 Section 47 enquiries may result in three outcomes:
A. the concerns are not substantiated
B. the concerns are substantiated, and the child is not judged to be at continuing risk of significant harm
C. the concerns are substantiated, and the child is judged to be at continuing risk of significant harm
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1.83 Even though there are no concerns about the child being at risk of, or suffering, significant harm, the core assessment must still be completed. The decisions following completion can include:
- no further action
- the child is ‘in need’ and the family have agreed to the provision of support and/or services, possibly with a view to preventing abuse in the future
- no real evidence was found to substantiate the original concerns, but there may remain concerns about significant harm, and arrangements need to be put in place to monitor the child’s welfare. Monitoring should never be used as a means of deferring or avoiding difficult decisions. The purpose of monitoring should always be made clear to the family – what is being monitored, why, how, and by whom. The arrangements must be reviewed within 3 months through the holding of a further discussion or meeting
1.84 This applies where the agencies most involved have agreed that a child has suffered significant harm, but that a plan for ensuring their future safety and welfare can be developed and implemented without having a child protection conference or a child protection plan. This is because the Section 47 enquiry has concluded that there is no continuing risk of significant harm. The reasons for this can be varied, but include:
- the caregiver has taken responsibility for the harm they caused the child, and are willing and able to cooperate with actions to ensure the child’s future safety and welfare
- the harm was the result of an isolated abusive incident
- the family’s circumstances have changed
- the person responsible for the harm is no longer in contact with the child
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1.85 The plan that must be drawn up may be usefully agreed at a meeting of professionals and family members, and it must be informed by the core assessment findings. It must clarify what actions are to be undertaken by whom, what the intended outcomes are for the child’s health and development, and what should happen if the plan is not being successfully implemented. It should also include a timescale for reviews of progress against the planned outcomes.
1.86 Children’s Social Care should take carefully any decision not to proceed to a child protection conference where it is known that a child has suffered significant harm. A suitably experienced and qualified social work manager within Children’s Social Care should endorse the decision, having taken into account the views of other relevant agencies, and having consulted with the Safeguarding Unit where necessary. The reasons why a conference is not being convened must be fully documented on the child’s case file.
1.87 Those professionals and agencies who are most involved with the child and family, and those who have taken part in enquiries, have the right to request that Children’s Social Care convene a child protection conference if they have serious concerns that a child may not otherwise be adequately safeguarded. Any request for a child protection conference in these circumstances should be supported by a senior manager, or a named or designated professional, and should be made in writing to the Safeguarding Unit. Any such request for a child protection conference should normally be agreed, but the ultimate decision rests with the manager of the Safeguarding Unit. The appeal processes of the Local Safeguarding Children’s Board are available to any agency who wishes to challenge a decision not to hold a conference.
1.88 In these circumstances, Children’s Social Care must request a child protection conference unless a decision has been made to take other action to protect the child. This decision, and the reasons for it, must be recorded on the case file.
1.89 If a conference is requested, see Section 2 of these procedures for ongoing guidance.
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