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CHAPTER 7: Referral & Assessment (LAST REVISED - JUNE 2010)

AMENDMENTS

Section 3 of this chapter was revised in September 2009. In addition the Quick Referral Flowchart and Indicator / Threshold Table were also revised.

Sections 2.2 and 2.3 were added and Section 3.1 was replaced in November 2009.

This chapter was revised in June 2010 to take account of the changes in Working Together to Safeguard Children 2010. The specific changes, which are in paragraphs 2.12, 3.2, 5.5, 5.14, 5.16 and 6.3, are shown in blue italics.


Contents

Quick Referral Flowchart
1. Integrated Children's System & Assessment Framework
    Link With Section 47 Enquiries
2. Referral & Referral Criteria (LAST REVISED - JUNE 2010)
3. Screening (LAST REVISED JUNE 2010)
4. Indicator/ Threshold Table
5. Initial Assessment (REVISED - JUNE 2010)
6. Core Assessment (REVISED - JUNE 2010)


QUICK REFERRAL FLOWCHART

Please click here to view the Quick Referral flowchart.

Please also see Appendix 3: Contact Details for Referrals.


1. INTEGRATED CHILDREN'S SYSTEM & ASSESSMENT FRAMEWORK

1.1 The Integrated Children's System (ICS incorporates and is based on the conceptual framework in the Framework for Assessing Children in Need and their Families (known as the Assessment Framework).
1.2 This Assessment Framework provides a systematic multi-agency approach to record and analyse what is happening to children and young people within their families and the wider context of the community in which they live.
1.3 The framework provides a standardised approach to the referral and assessment process within Children's Social Care and all referrals are subject to this screening and assessment process.
1.4 Staff in all agencies should be aware of the framework and what it might mean for them in terms of their contribution to assessments of children in need. Where a Common Assessment Framework is in progress or has been completed, it should be contributed and inform Children's Social Care's Initial Assessment.
1.5

The Assessment Framework captures and analyses information by means of:
1.6

These assessment stages involve gathering and analysing information about the 3 domains of the assessment framework:

  • Children's developmental needs
  • Parents' or caregivers' capacity
  • Impact of the wider family and environmental factors
1.7 At all stages of referral and assessment, consideration must be given to issues of diversity, so that the impact of cultural expectations and obligations are understood.
1.8 Where there are any communication difficulties an interpreter should be used. Consideration should be given to the needs of those families who speak English adequately for day to day interactions, but whose linguistic abilities may be insufficient to understand sensitive and complex discussions about parenting and child welfare. Family members should not be used as interpreters (see Interpreters, Signers and Others with Special Communication Skills Procedure).
1.9 Some families may have little knowledge of the law with regard to the power of the state to intervene in the area of child welfare and may need help to appreciate the implications of this for their child/ren.
1.10 Throughout the assessment processes, the safety of the child remains paramount at all times and in all circumstances.
1.11 The assessment process in Children's Social Care determines whether a referral should be responded to as a child in need of support (s.17 Children Act 1989) or additionally as a child in need of protection (s. 47 Children Act 1989) - see Indicator Table.
1.12 Concerns about vulnerable adults that may arise during the assessment process (or at any point in Children's Social Care intervention) should be referred to Adult Services.
1.13 Incidents of abuse and neglect within families are on a continuum and situations where abuse is developing can, at times, be resolved by support services outside the child protection procedures.
1.14 The result of the assessment may inform an ICS 'Child's Plan', which may include a Child in Need meeting and /or Family Group Conference and other service provision to support the child and their family.


LINK WITH SECTION 47 ENQUIRIES
1.15 A decision to initiate a Section 47 Enquiry may be taken at any time, whenever the criteria are met.
1.16 The particular procedures involved are included in Section 47 Enquiries Procedure and the Indicator Table.
1.17 Section 47 enquiries are usually the outcome of an initial assessment completed within 10 working days. This process may be very brief if the criteria for initiating Section 47 Enquiries are met e.g. where a family is well known to Children's Social Care, or the facts clearly indicate the need for a Section 47 Enquiry.
1.18 A Core Assessment should be commenced following the Strategy Discussion/Meeting initiating the Section 47 Enquiry (see Section 5, Core Assessment.)


2. REFERRAL & REFERRAL CRITERIA (LAST REVISED - JUNE 2010)

2.1 A member of the public or a professional may make referrals to Children's Social Care. On the basis of a screening of the referral (see Section 3, Screening) a Children's Social Care manager will decide whether further intervention should be initiated and the level of response.
2.2 Research suggests that professionals frequently underestimate the value of information received from members of the public, friends or family members compared to that given by professionals. Research also shows that this information is frequently crucial in developing plans to safeguard children and should always be taken seriously. This type of information must be as carefully recorded as that from professionals, and the details of the source (e.g., name, contact details) must be accurately and fully noted. 
2.3 To enable safe decision-making, when a professional contacts Children’s Social Care to see if a child is known to Children’s Social Care or subject to a Child Protection Plan, full details of concerns must be provided to, and elicited by, Children’s Social Care, who will decide whether the concerns meet the threshold for a referral and appropriate action. 
2.4

Staff in LSCB member agencies and contracted service providers must make a referral to Children's Social Care if there are signs that a child under the age of 18 years or an unborn baby:
2.5 Where consultation with Children's Social Care is sought about a child and Children's Social Care conclude that a referral is required, the information provided will be regarded and responded to as such.
2.6 Whilst professionals should, in general, seek to discuss any concerns with the family and where possible seek their agreement to making referrals to Children's Social Care, this should not be done where such discussion and agreement seeking places a child at increased risk of Significant Harm.
2.7 Anonymous referrals from members of the public must be investigated thoroughly by Children's Social Care. Professional referrals cannot be anonymous and should be made in the knowledge that during the course of enquiries it will be made clear which agency has originated the referral.
2.8 New referrals and those on closed cases should be made to the duty officer of the local Children's Social Care covering the child's home address (or the address where s/he is found).
2.9 Referrals on open cases should be made to the allocated social worker (or in her/his absence the manager or the relevant team's duty officer).
2.10 All professional referrals must be confirmed in writing, by the referrer, within 48 working hours, using an interagency referral form.
2.11 Children's Social Care should acknowledge a written referral within 1 working day of receipt. If there is no acknowledgement by Children's Social Care of the referral within 3 working days, the professional should contact Children's Social Care to establish the current status of the referral.
2.12

Referrers should have an opportunity to discuss their concerns with a qualified social worker.


3. SCREENING (LAST REVISED - JUNE 2010)

3.1 All contacts/referrals to Children’s Social Care, including checks to establish if children are known to Children’s Social Care or have a Child Protection Plan, should initially be regarded as children potentially in need, and evaluated on the day of receipt (and no later than within 1 working day), and a decision made regarding the next course of action. 
3.2

When taking a referral, staff must establish as much of the following information as possible:

  • Cause for concern including details of any allegations, their sources, timing and location
  • Child's current location and emotional and physical condition
  • Whether the child needs immediate protection
  • Full names, date of birth and gender of child/ren
  • Family address (current and previous)
  • Identity of those with Parental Responsibility
  • Names and date of birth of all household members and any known regular visitors to the household
  • Details of child's extended family or community who are significant for the child
  • Ethnicity, 1st language and religion of children and parents / carers
  • Any need for an interpreter, signer or other communication aid
  • Any special needs of child/ren and other household members
  • Any significant / important recent or historical events / incidents in child or family's life, including previous concerns
  • Details of any alleged perpetrators (if relevant)
  • Background information relevant to referral e.g. positive aspects of parental care, previous concerns, pertinent parental issues e.g. mental health, domestic violence, drug or alcohol abuse, threats and violence towards professionals
  • Referrer's relationship and knowledge of child and parents / carers
  • Known current or previous involvement of other agencies / professionals e.g. schools, GPs
  • Information about parental knowledge of / agreement to referral

Referrers should be asked specifically if they hold any information about difficulties being experienced by the family/household due to domestic abuse, mental illness, substance misuse, criminal behaviour/convictions and/or learning difficulties.
3.3

This screening process should establish:

  • The nature of the concern
  • How and why it has arisen
  • What the child's needs appear to be
  • Whether the concern involves abuse or neglect and
  • Whether there is any need for any urgent action to protect the child / any other children
3.4

This above process will involve:

  • Discussion with referrers
  • Consideration of any existing records for the child and for any other members of the household (including if children are or have ever been the subject of child protection plans)
  • Involving other agencies as appropriate (including the police if any offence has been or is suspected to have been committed)
3.5 Personal information about non-professional referrers should not be disclosed to third parties (including subject families and other agencies) without consent.
3.6

Parents' permission should be sought before discussing a referral about them with other agencies unless this may:

  • Place the child at risk of significant harm e.g. by the behavioural response it prompts or by leading to an unreasonable delay
  • Lead to the risk of loss of evidential material
3.7 The 1st line manager should authorise any decision to discuss the referral with other agencies without parental knowledge or permission, and record the reasons for such action.
3.8 Other agencies response to requests by Children's Social Care for information should be in accordance with general guidance on information sharing & confidentiality - see Information Sharing and Confidentiality Procedure.
3.9 This screening stage must involve immediate evaluation of any concerns about either the child's health and development, or actual and/or potential harm, which justify further enquiries, assessments and/or interventions.
3.10 The 1st line manager must be informed of any potential Section 47 Enquiry and authorise the decision to initiate a strategy discussion. If the child and/or family are well known to Children's Social Care and/or the facts clearly indicate Section 47 enquiries are required, it may be appropriate to hold a Strategy Discussion without further assessment - in that case the referral information will also constitute the Initial Assessment.
3.11 The threshold may be met for a Section 47 Enquiry at the time of referral, during initial or core assessment or at any point of Children's Social Care involvement.
3.12 The police must be informed at the earliest opportunity if a crime may have been committed. The police must decide whether to commence a criminal investigation and a discussion held to plan how parents are to be informed of concerns without jeopardising police investigations. See Section 6, Single or Joint Investigations, of the Section 47 Enquiries Procedure.
3.13

The immediate response to referrals may be:

  • No further action at this stage
  • An initial assessment of needs (which may be very brief if the criteria for initiating Section 47 enquiries are met)
  • (Potentially in parallel with an initial assessment) provision of immediate services
  • A core assessment, if indications exist that the case is particularly complex or several initial assessments have been previously completed
  • Emergency action to protect a child
  • A Section 47 initial strategy discussion (where child and / or family are well known or the facts clearly indicate that this is required)
3.14 A manager must sign and approve the outcomes of the referral and ensure a chronology has been commenced and / or updated.
3.15 All referrals must be acknowledged within 1 working day.


NO FURTHER ACTION
3.16 Where there is to be no further action, feedback should be provided to referrers about the decision and the reasons for making it.
3.17 In the case of referrals from the public, feedback must be consistent with the rights to confidentiality of the child and her/his family.


4. INDICATOR / THRESHOLD TABLE

Combinations of factors

The table below is an indicator guide of the difference within LA children's social care between a Section 47 Core Assessment and an Initial Assessment. This table is intended as a guide and is not exhaustive. A combination of any of the factors which taken individually would require only an Initial Assessment, when combined with parental risk factors (e.g. domestic violence, parental mental illness, excessive drinking or drug use) may justify considering a Section 47 Enquiry.

Each local area will have their own arrangements for the Common Assessment Framework (see Common Assessment Framework, of the Recognition and Response Procedure) and the wider children in need population. See Recognising Vulnerability of Children in Particular Circumstances Procedure.

See Pre Birth Procedure for threshold for pre-birth Section 47 Enquiries.

LA Children's Social Care Assessments
Section 47 / Core Assessment
Initial Assessment
Any allegation of abuse or neglect or any suspicious injury in a pre- or non mobile child. Allegation of physical assault with no visible or only minor injury (other than to a pre-or non mobile child).

Allegations or suspicions about a serious injury / sexual abuse to a child.

See also Section 4, Recognising Abuse & Neglect, of the Recognition and Response Procedure and Abusive Images of Children & Information Technology (ICT) Procedure.

 Any injury / incident triggering concern (e.g. a series of apparently accidental injuries or a minor non-accidental incident).
Two or more minor injuries in pre-mobile or non verbal babies or young children (including disabled children). Any incident / injury triggering concern (e.g. a series of apparently accidental injuries or a minor non-accidental incident).
Inconsistent explanations or an admission about a clear non-accidental injury.
Repeated allegations or reasonable suspicions of non-accidental injury. Repeatedly expressed minor concerns from one or more sources.

A child being traumatised, injured or neglected as a result of domestic violence.

See also Chapter 14, Domestic Abuse Section 4.

 One serious or several lesser issues of domestic abuse where a child is resident in the household, regardless of whether or not the child is present at the time of the incident. See Chapter 14, Domestic Abuse Section 4.

Repeated allegations involving serious verbal threats and/or emotional abuse.

See also Section 6, Bullying, of the Recognising Vulnerability of Children in Particular Circumstances Procedure.

Allegation concerning serious verbal threats to children.

Allegations of emotional abuse including that caused by minor domestic violence.

Allegations / reasonable suspicions of serious neglect.

See also Section 4, Recognising Abuse & Neglect, of the Recognition and Response Procedure

 Allegations of periodic neglect including insufficient supervision; poor hygiene, clothing or nutrition; failure to seek / attend treatment or appointments; age inappropriate domestic chores; young carers undertaking intimate personal care.

Medical referral of non-organic failure to thrive in under fives.

See also Section 4, Recognising Abuse & Neglect, of the Recognition and Response Procedure

Direct allegation of sexual abuse made by child or abuser's confession to such abuse.

See also Section 4, Recognising Abuse & Neglect - Sexual Abuse, of the Recognition and Response Procedure, the Guidance for Professionals Working With Sexually Active Young People Under the age of 18 in Berkshire and Sexual Exploitation Procedure.

 Suspicions of sexual abuse (e.g. sexualised behaviour, medical concerns or referral by concerned relative, neighbour, carer).

Any allegation suggesting connections between sexually abused children in different families or more than one abuser.

See also Abusive Images of Children & Information Technology (ICT) Procedure and Organised and Complex Abuse Procedure.

An individual (adult or child) posing a risk to children and having contact with under 18 year olds.

See also Abuse by Children Procedure and Management of those Presenting a Risk to Children Procedure.

 

Any suspicious injury or allegation involving a child subject of a current Child Protection Plan or Looked After by a local authority.
No available parent and child vulnerable to significant harm (e.g. an abandoned baby). No available parent, child in need of accommodation and no specific risk if this need is met.

Suspicion that child has suffered or is at risk of significant harm due to fabricated or induced illness.

See Fabricated and Induced Illness Procedure.

Child/ren subject of parental delusions.

See Section 11, Mental Health of Parent or Carer, of the Recognising Vulnerability of Children in Particular Circumstances Procedure.

A child at risk of sexual exploitation or trafficking.

See also Sexual Exploitation Procedure and Trafficking and Exploitation Procedure.

Registered sex offender or convicted violent offender subject to MAPPA living in, moving into, regular visitor to a household where there are under 18 year olds.

See also Management of Those Presenting a Risk to Children Procedure.

Pregnancy in a child aged under 13.

See also Guidance for Professionals Working With Sexually Active Young People Under the age of 18 in Berkshire and Sexual Exploitation Procedure.

A child at risk of FGM, honour based violence or forced marriage.

See also Female Genital Mutilation Procedure and Forced Marriages Procedure.


5. INITIAL ASSESSMENT

5.1 The initial assessment is a brief assessment of each child referred to Children's Social Care where it is considered necessary to determine whether s/he is in need, the nature of any services required and whether a further, more detailed core assessment should be undertaken.


TIMESCALE
5.2 An initial assessment must be completed within a maximum of 10 working days of the date of the referral to Children's Social Care and may be very brief if the criteria for initiating a Section 47 Enquiry are met.
5.3 Any extension to this time-scale must be authorised by the first line manager, with reasons recorded. For example, there may be a need for delay in order to arrange for an interpreter or avoid a religious festival. Any delay must be consistent with the welfare of the child.


THE ASSESSMENT PROCESS
5.4 Where another agency has completed a Common Assessment Framework (CAF) this should form the basis of the initial assessment.
5.5

The Initial Assessment should be led by a qualified social worker supervised by a highly experienced and qualified social work manager. The social worker should carefully plan:

  • Interview/s with the child/ren within a timescale appropriate to the nature of concerns expressed, ensuring that the child/ren's wishes and feelings are appropriately ascertained
  • When the child should be seen by the Lead Social Worker without his or her caregivers when appropriate
  • Interview/s with parents / carers / other relevant family members
  • To address any need for interpreters / communication aids (see Interpreters, Signers & Others With Special Communication Skills Procedure)
  • What the child and parents should be told of any concerns
  • The information to be obtained, including historical and, if applicable, from agencies abroad (contact information can be obtained via the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (Tel: 0207 008 1500), the relevant Embassy or Consulate (see the London Diplomatic List, ISBN 0 11 591772 1 from the Stationery Office on 0870 600 5522 or the FCO website)
  • What contributions from other agencies are required

All relevant information (including information about the history and functioning of the family both currently and in the past, and adult problems such as domestic violence, substance misuse, mental illness, learning difficulties and criminal behaviour/convictions) should be taken into account.
5.6

Parents' permission must be sought before discussing a referral about them with other agencies (see Information Sharing and Confidentiality Procedure) unless this may:

  • Place the child at risk of Significant Harm e.g. by the behavioural response it prompts or by leading to an unreasonable delay
  • Lead to the risk of loss of evidential material
5.7 The 1st line manager must authorise any decision to discuss the referral with other agencies without parental knowledge or permission and the reasons for such action recorded.
5.8 Other agencies response to requests by Children's Social Care for information should be in accordance with the Information Sharing and Confidentiality Procedure and the Recognition and Response Procedure.
5.9 If the child and / or carers have moved into the authority, all professionals must seek information covering previous addresses from respective agencies (including those for children and carers who have spent time abroad (see Children & Families Moving Across Boundaries Procedure) and Appendix 2, Key National Contacts which contains relevant contact details).
5.10 Children's Social Care should make it clear to families (where appropriate) and other agencies, that information provided for this assessment may be shared with other agencies and contribute to the written form completed at its conclusion.
5.11 At this stage it may be unclear whether a criminal offence has been committed. Initial discussions with the child should be undertaken so as to minimise distress and avoid leading or suggestive questions and thus maximise the likelihood s/he will provide accurate and complete information.
5.12 If during the course of the assessment it is discovered a school age child is not attending an educational establishment, Children's Services (Education) should be contacted.
5.13 If the criteria for initiating a Section 47 Enquiry are met at any stage during an Initial Assessment, it should be regarded as concluded and an initial Strategy Discussion held immediately to decide if a Section 47 Enquiry and Core Assessment are required (see Section 47 Enquiries Procedure).


OUTCOME OF INITIAL ASSESSMENT
5.14

An Initial Assessment is deemed completed once the assessment has been discussed with the child and family and authorised by the manager.
5.15

Before signing and approving the outcomes of an Initial Assessment, the manager must ensure the:

  • Child/ren have been seen or there has been a recorded management decision that this is not appropriate e.g. a Section 47 Enquiry initiated which will plan method of contact with child
  • Needs of all children in the household have been considered
  • Analysis is completed
  • Initial plan is completed for cases which are provided with a service, but not progressed to Section 47 Enquiry and / or Core Assessment
  • Initiation or updating of a chronology
5.16

The Initial Assessment Record should include the date when the child was seen by the Lead Social Worker.
5.17

Following an Initial Assessment, the next course of action should be decided, following discussion with the family, unless such a discussion may place a child at risk of Significant Harm. The possible outcomes of the initial assessment are:

  • Immediate / emergency action to protect a child
  • Instigation of a Strategy Discussion, Section 47 Enquiry and Core Assessment (and possible parallel police investigation
  • Instigation of a Core Assessment if the child's needs are complex or a more in depth assessment is required to decide on the need for appropriate services
  • Immediate provision of child in need services (using the initial plan on the ICS initial assessment)
  • No further action
5.18 Written information on the outcome of the Initial Assessment should be provided to the family and professional referrers. Exceptions to this are justified only where this might jeopardise further action e.g. Section 47 Enquiry or police investigation, or place any individual at risk.
5.19 Feedback should be provided to non-professional referrers about the outcome of this stage of the referral in a manner that recognises the right to confidentiality and the welfare of the child.


6. CORE ASSESSMENT

6.1

Core assessments commence:
6.2 A Core Assessment, using the Assessment Framework, must be completed within a maximum of 35 working days.
6.3 The Core Assessment is deemed completed once the assessment has been discussed with the child and family and authorised by the manager.
6.4 A Child Protection Conference (initial or review) or an ICS Child's Plan may decide that an update is required and these should also be undertaken within 35 working days.
6.5 Children's Social Care is responsible for the co-ordination and completion of the assessment, drawing upon information provided by partner agencies.
6.6 Any request from another agency for a core assessment must be given serious consideration by Children's Social Care and clear reasons communicated and recorded for a refusal. If the other agency remains concerned, the Resolution of Professional Disagreement Procedure should be followed.
6.7

A manager must sign and approve the outcomes of a core assessment and ensure that:

  • There has been direct communication with the child and her/his views, wishes and feelings have been recorded and taken into account
  • All the children in the household have been seen and their needs considered
  • The parent / carer has been seen and her/his views and wishes have been recorded and taken into account
  • Views of significant family members have been sought as appropriate
  • The analysis has been completed
  • The chronology at the front of the file is up-to-date
6.8

When a Core Assessment has been undertaken under s.17 Children Act 1989 i.e. without a Section 47 Enquiry, the outcomes will be:

  • No further Children's Social Care support / intervention is required (although there may need to be referral to other agencies) or
  • Child is In Need and suspected actual / likely Significant Harm - the Referral and Assessment Procedures apply or
  • Child in need but no suspected actual / likely Significant Harm - further Children's Social Care / multi-agency support will be required through the use of an ICS child's plan
6.9 Where a Core Assessment is undertaken under Section 47 Children Act 1989 i.e. with a Section 47 Enquiry, the Section 47 Enquiries Procedures apply.

End