1.2.3 Referrals for Children in Need |
RELEVANT CHILDREN'S SERVICES CHAPTERS
This Chapter should be read in conjunction with the following:
Universal Assessment Procedures and Guidance
Children in Need Eligibility Criteria
Inter-Agency work to Safeguard Lewisham Children
London Threshold Guidance for Professionals making Referrals to Social Care
RELEVANT LONDON CHILD PROTECTION PROCEDURES
If there are Child Protection concerns, this Chapter should be read in conjunction with the following London Child Protection Procedures;
Section 6.10, Quick Referral Flowchart
Section 4, Recognition and Response
Section 6, Referral and Assessment
Section 7, Child Protection Enquiries
N.B. Section 6 contains procedures relating to receiving a referral, initial assessments and pre-birth assessments.
For Children in Specific Circumstances e.g. bullying or domestic violence, see Section 5, Children in Specific Circumstances.
AMENDMENTS
This chapter was amended in September 2009 to include the reference to London Threshold Guidance for professionals making referrals to Social Care.
Contents
1. Timescales
The procedures set out in this Chapter will be undertaken within 1 working day.
2. Initial Contact
The following should be read in conjunction with Lewisham Eligibility Criteria (See Children in Need Eligibility Criteria Guidance and with Universal Assessment Procedures and Guidance.)
If, having received an Initial Contact (*see next paragraph for new information regarding open cases), it appears that the child may be a Child in Need, it will be necessary to accept the case as a Referral This is a decision made by the Duty Manager.
It will be necessary to check whether the child/family are known to the authority (check Protocol). Referrals received in respect of open cases should be taken by the allocated Social Worker/Duty Worker.
3. Referral Process
Apart from in the cases of Section 47 referrals, all referral should be completed in writing by professionals by way of the CAF or by the Information and Advice Workers who may see members of the public who call into the office, or take a call from members of the public. The Contacts are entered onto ICS by a BSO will forward the contact to the Duty Manager who make the decision about whether the cases meets the criteria for Children's Social Care.
In the case of a referral for a Section47 investigation, this can and should be referred in by telephone. The call should be dealt with a duty social workers who will record the information so that it can be entered into ICS by a BSO. Again this will be sent through to the Duty Manager for a decision and to start the Section 47 process if this is the decision.
The Duty Manager may decide that no action should be taken or the contact can be dealt with by the provision of information and advice. That the child has Low Level Needs or does not appear to be a Child In Need, and that it is appropriate to provide information, advice, sign-posting to another agency and/or no further action. The person/agency who made the contact should be notified of the outcome in writing, in a way which does not breach the confidentiality of the child/family.
There is no expectation that CSC write to let the Police know the outcome of Merlin reports that are sent to CSC.3.1 Parental/Child Consent
The Social Worker should establish with any third party whether the Parent(s) and children (of sufficient age and understanding) are aware of the referral or have given their consent. If not, the Social Worker should consult the referrer and arrange for them to be informed and their consent sought for the process of checks/assessments - unless informing them would pose a serious risk to the child or others. In which case the Duty Manager should be consulted who may authorise checks and assessments to be conducted without the child/Parent’s knowledge. The authorisation/consent must be recorded.
Personal information about non-professional referrers should not be disclosed to the Parents or other agencies without the referrer’s Consent.
Once it has been established that a child appears to be a Child In Need, the Social Worker should establish:
- The nature of the concern
- How and why it has arisen
- What the child’s needs appear to be
- Whether there are any protective factors or support systems relating to the child which should be considered
- Whether the concern involves Significant Harm
- Whether there is any need for urgent action to protect the child or any children in the household
This process will involve:
- Discussion with the referrer
- Consideration of any existing records, including a Child subject to a Child Protection Plans
- Involving and consulting other agencies as necessary
4. Disposal of Referrals
The disposal of a Referral, which must be authorised by the Manager and is part of the work flow in ICS:
- That there are indications that a child may be at risk of Significant Harm, in which case steps must be taken to protect the child or others in the household, including the immediate provision of services. An Initial Assessment* and Strategy Meeting/Discussion should be initiated, which may lead a Core Assessment incorporating a Child Protection Enquiry.
*If the child is already known to the authority, it is not necessary to conduct an Initial Assessment before conducting a Strategy Discussion.
Also see the London Child Protection Procedures.
If there is suspicion that a crime may have been committed including sexual or physical assault or Neglect, the Police must be notified immediately. - That there are no indications of Significant Harm but the child appears to have Medium Level needs (or Low Level Needs and there have been 3 referrals relating to the child in the previous 3 months), in which case an Initial Assessment should be initiated to determine if the child/ren are in need.
Note:Lewisham Eligibility Criteria are contained in Children in Need Eligibility Criteria Guidance
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