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Contents

1. Definition of Enquiries and Referrals
2. Timescales
3. Initial Screening
4. Comprehensive Screening
5. Disposal of Referrals
6. Recording of Enquiries and Referrals

1. Definition of Enquiries and Referrals

An Enquiry is defined as a request for redirection, general advice or information, a request for material assistance outside the remit of Children's Social Care or receipt of general information/notices e.g. eviction. A Referral is defined as a request for services to be provided by Children's Social Care where it is considered that a child is a Child in Need and may require services under Section 17 or Section 47 of the Children Act 1989.

2. Timescales

The procedures set out in this Chapter will be undertaken within 1 working day.

3. Initial Screening

Where Children's Social Care is contacted about a child who may be a Child In Need, it will be necessary to undertake an Initial Screening to establish what action to take.

This decision will be reached by means of an Initial Screening, taking account of the Guidance on the Relationship between Children's Social Care, Common Assessment Arrangements and the Team Around the Child.

As part of this process, it will also be necessary to check if the child is subject to a Child Protection Plan or if there are any Child Protection concerns.

If the child appears to meet the criteria for services under Section 17 or Section 47 of the Children Act 1989, the matter must be passed to the (Duty) Social Worker for more comprehensive screening (See Section 4, Comprehensive Screening).

If the child does not meet the criteria for services from Children's Social Care, it may be appropriate to offer advice, information and/or re-direction to another agency for a Common Assessment to be undertaken and, where appropriate, a Team Around the Child Meeting to be convened. In these circumstances, the referrer will also be provided with advice about the Common Assessment Framework process, including consultation with the Integrated Services Manager.

Unless the situation involves a child protection concern, the expectation will be that the referring agency will have completed a Common Assessment prior to the referral and the name of the Lead Professional will be requested. Partner agencies should make written referrals using the Inter-agency Referral Form The CAF Form will then support the referral.

4. Comprehensive Screening

Once it has been established that a child appears to meet the criteria for services under Section 17 or Section 47 of the Children Act 1989, the matter must be passed to the (Duty) Social Worker for more comprehensive screening.

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

The purpose of this comprehensive screening is to establish whether it is appropriate to start an Initial Assessment or a Core Assessment.

This process should establish:

1. The nature of the concern
2. How and why it has arisen
3. What the child's needs appear to be
4. Whether there are any protective factors or support systems relating to the child which should be considered
5. Whether the concern involves Significant Harm
6. 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, ensuring that the parent(s) and child(ren) have been notified by the referrer that a referral has been made
• Confirming with the parent(s) and child(ren) that the referral has been made and seeking their consent to information sharing with other agencies*
• Consideration of any existing records including whether the child is subject to a Child Protection Plan
• Involving and consulting other agencies as necessary

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, and/or learning difficulties.

If there are indications that a child may be at risk of Significant Harm, the manager may authorise whatever actions are necessary to protect the child or others in the household from Significant Harm, which may result in the immediate provision of services.

If there is suspicion that a crime may have been committed including sexual or physical assault or Neglect, the Police must be notified immediately.

Personal information about non-professional referrers should not be disclosed to the parents or other agencies without the referrer's consent.

*Seeking consent: The parent's and, if of sufficient understanding, the child's consent should be sought before discussing a referral with other agencies unless this may place the child at risk of Significant Harm, in which case the manager should authorise the discussion of the referral with other agencies without parental knowledge or consent. The authorisation should be recorded with reasons.

5. Disposal of Referrals

The disposal of a Referral, which must be authorised by the manager, may be:

1. That the child's needs appear to meet the criteria for services from Children's Social Care, in which case an Initial Assessment must be initiated - see Initial and Core Assessment Procedure.
2. That the child does not appear to be meet the criteria for services from Children's Social Care, in which case it may be appropriate to offer advice, information and/or redirection to another agency, including for a Common Assessment to be undertaken and, where appropriate, a Team Around the Child Meeting to be convened. In these circumstances, the referrer will also be provided with advice about the Common Assessment Framework process, including consultation with the Integrated Services Manager.

6. Recording of Enquiries and Referrals

The following records must be completed:

Enquiries should be noted in the Day Book. It is not necessary to open a Referral and Information Record.

Partner agencies should make written referrals using the Inter-agency Referral Form.

A Referral and Information Record should be completed for any request which meets the Threshold Criteria: Children in Need at the Level 2 or above.

Whenever it is decided that a child meets the Threshold Criteria: Children in Need the referral should be recorded by ticking the appropriate code on the Assessment and Closure Monitoring Form.

Written consent given by parent(s) and children to information sharing with other agencies should be recorded on Form AF1.

Children in Need referrals will be recorded on the DoH Assessment Framework Form.

End