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Contents

1. Criteria for Initiating an Initial or Core Assessment
2. Universal Assessment Procedures
3. Initial Assessments
4. Core Assessments without a Child Protection Enquiry
5. Conducting a Core Assessment with a Child Protection Enquiry

1. Criteria for Initiating an Initial or Core Assessment

NOTE: Users must be familiar with this Section before undertaking any assessment.

1.1 Criteria for Initiating an Initial Assessment

If, having completed a Referral, it is determined that a child meets the criteria for services from Children's Social Care under section 17 or Section 47 of the Children Act 1989, an Initial Assessment must be initiated.

1.2 Criteria for Initiating a Core Assessment

A Core Assessment must be conducted in the following circumstances:

1. Where an Initial Assessment, followed by a Strategy Discussion, determines that a child is suffering or is likely to suffer Significant Harm; such a Core Assessment would include a Child Protection Enquiry under Section 47 of the Children Act 1989.
2. Where an Initial Assessment determines that a child meets the criteria for social work services under Section 17 of the Children Act 1989.

2. Universal Assessment Procedures

NOTE: Users must be familiar with this Section before undertaking any assessment.

2.1 Timescales

The following maximum timescales may not be compromised unless there are exceptional circumstances and the manager approves it, in writing.

The urgency of the situation may dictate that the timescales are much shorter than the maximum.

Initial Assessments should be undertaken within a maximum of 7 working days from the receipt of the referral.

All Core Assessments must be concluded within 35 days of the end of the Initial Assessment, or the decision to undertake a Core Assessment on an Open Case. 

Core Assessments incorporating a Child Protection Enquiry may be concluded in time for the Initial Child Protection Conference, normally convened within 15 days of the Strategy Discussion, if sufficient information has been obtained to do so.  The ability to achieve this will depend on the complexity and the urgency of the case.

2.2 Notifying, Consulting and Interviewing the Parents or Other Family Members

Unless there are exceptional circumstances, the parent's consent and that of children of sufficient understanding, must be sought and they should be consulted before and during the assessment process; also, they must be given a copy of the assessment report(s).

The exceptional circumstances which may determine that consultation does not take place or information not provided are that it may place the child at risk of Significant Harm or a criminal offence may be committed as a result.

Any decision not to consult or provide information must be authorised and recorded by a manager.

Where attempts to engage the parent in the assessment are unsuccessful, the manager must consider what action or approach is required to safeguard the child and take legal advice as necessary.

2.3 Assessing and Seeing the Child

Assessments should be undertaken in relation to each individual child in the family about whom there are concerns.

The child should be seen by the Lead Social Worker, without his or her caregivers when appropriate, and this should be recorded in the relevant Assessment Record.

Unless otherwise authorised by the manager, each child should be seen, alone, at least once during an assessment.

If a child's age and level of understanding is sufficient, s/he must be given a copy of assessment reports, unless doing so compromises the safety of the child or other people.

If it is determined that a child should not be seen, this should be authorised and recorded by a manager.

Where attempts to engage the child in the assessment are unsuccessful, the manager must consider what action or approach is required to safeguard the child and take legal advice as necessary.

2.4 Notifying, Consulting or Commissioning other Agencies

Other relevant agencies, known to or with a potential interest in the child, must be consulted at the outset and during the assessment.

Where information has already been gathered by other agencies as part of their assessments, there is no need to duplicate the information gathering although the social worker should check with the child and family that the information gained from the other agencies is correct. 

If, during the course of an assessment, it is discovered that a school age child is not attending an educational establishment, the social worker should contact the local education authority to establish a reason for this. 

If, at any time, it is suspected that a child has suffered or is likely to suffer Significant Harm, a Strategy Discussion must immediately be initiated.

If, at any time, there is suspicion that a crime may have been committed including Sexual or Physical Assault or Neglect, the Police must immediately be notified.

2.5 Children who have lived elsewhere in the UK, Overseas or Forces Children

Where it appears that a child has lived elsewhere in the UK, Overseas or where the family may have been associated with the Forces, relevant enquiries must be made into their backgrounds.

See National Contacts Forces Children or Overseas Children for guidance on obtaining this information.

2.6 Ending Assessments, Planning and Review

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

The manager must approve the outcome of all assessments and authorise any plan to provide services or seek assistance from other providers/agencies; the plans that may be relevant are:

• For a child who is Looked After, a Care Plan and Placement Information Record will be required.
• Where a Child is subject to a Child Protection Plan.
• Where other services are provided, a Child in Need Plan will be required.

All assessments and plans must be reviewed as determined by relevant procedures or within six months.  All Reviews must involve the service user and a systematic check to see if the plan has been carried out and whether it has been successful.

3. Initial Assessments

NOTE: Before proceeding, users must be familiar with the following sections:

Section 1, Criteria for Initiating an Initial or Core Assessment

Section 2, Universal Assessment Procedures

3.1 Purpose of an Initial Assessment

An Initial Assessment is defined as a brief assessment of each child referred to Children's Social Care with a request for services to be provided under Section 17 or Section 47 of the Children Act 1989.

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

The purpose of the Initial Assessment is to gather enough information to determine whether a child is in need of services or whether a Core Assessment is necessary.

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 and criminal behaviour/convictions) should be taken into account.

3.2 Timescales of an Initial Assessment

Initial Assessments should be undertaken within a maximum of 7 working days from the receipt of the referral; also see Section 2.1 Timescales.

3.3 Approval or the Initial Assessment and Plan

There are 3 potential conclusions from an Initial Assessment, which must be authorised and recorded by a manager:

1. The child does not meet the criteria for services under Section 17 or Section 47 of the Children Act 1989. In these circumstances, it may be that no further action is required. However, it may also be  necessary to provide information, advice and/or signposting to another agency  including for a Common Assessment to be undertaken and, where appropriate, a Team Around the Child Meeting to be convened.
2. That the child meets the criteria for social work services under Section 17 of the Children Act 1989, and that services of a non complex, preventive, nature can be provided. For children with a disability, this can include a Direct Payment. In these circumstances, a service planning meeting will be consolidated with the 'Team around the Child' (TAC) and the Social Worker will assume the Lead Professional role.
3. The child meets criteria for social work services under Section 17 or Section 47 Children Act 1989, and that a Core Assessment is necessary. Where there is a suspicion of actual or Significant Harm, a Strategy Discussion must precede the Core Assessment and will then incorporate a Child Protection Enquiry under Section 47 of the Children Act 1989.

In all cases, the manager may authorise or recommend the provision of services or referrals to other professionals/agencies. If services are provided, a relevant plan must be drawn up.

3.4 Recording of an Initial Assessment

The Initial Assessment Record should include the date/s when the child was seen by the social worker leading the assessment and whether the child was seen alone. If the child was not seen alone, the record should include who was present when the child was seen and the reasons for his or her presence.

Normally, an Initial Assessment Record should be completed during at the conclusion of an Initial Assessment; however, this is not necessary where the assessment process concludes with the provision of specific advice/information, signposting to another agency or a one off Section 17 payment, with no further action.

If any ongoing services are provided, it will be necessary to formulate a relevant plan.

4. Core Assessments without a Child Protection Enquiry

NOTE: Before proceeding, users must be familiar with the following sections:

Section 1, Criteria for Initiating an Initial or Core Assessment

Section 2, Universal Assessment Procedures

Procedures relating to Core Assessments with a Child Protection Enquiry are contained in Section 5, Core Assessments with a Child Protection Enquiry

4.1 Purpose of a Core Assessment without a Child Protection Enquiry

The purpose of the Core Assessment is to conduct an in depth assessment of  a Child in Need, where there are no Child Protection Concerns, drawing on information provided by partner agencies, and to inform decisions about what services should be provided to meet them.

4.2 Timescales of a Core Assessment without a Child Protection Enquiry

The assessment should be concluded within a maximum of 35 working days of the end of the Initial Assessment, or the decision to undertake a Core Assessment on an Open Case.

4.3 Outcome of a Core Assessment without a Child Protection Enquiry

A manager must approve the outcome of all assessments and authorise any plan to provide services (including a Direct Payment in relation to a Child with disabilities) or seek assistance from other providers/agencies; the plans that may be relevant are:

For a child who is Looked After, a Care Plan and Placement Information Record will be required.

Where other services are provided, a Child in Need Plan will be required.

All assessments and plans must be reviewed as determined by relevant procedures or within six months.  All Reviews must involve the service user and a systematic check to see if the plan has been carried out and whether it has been successful.

Please see Dudley Safeguarding Children Board Procedures.

4.4 Recording of the Core Assessment without a Child Protection Enquiry

See Section 3.4, Recording

5. Conducting a Core Assessment with a Child Protection Enquiry

This procedure relates to Core Assessments incorporating a Child Protection Assessment conducted upon children in need believed to be suffering or likely to suffer from Significant Harm.

Procedures for Core Assessments which do not incorporate a Child Protection Assessment are contained in Section 4, Core Assessments without a Child Protection Enquiry.

It is assumed that a Strategy Discussion will have been convened, in relation to a child believed to be suffering or likely to suffer from Significant Harm and a decision reached to conduct a Core Assessment with a Child Protection Enquiry.

This procedure must be read in conjunction with Dudley Safeguarding Children Board Procedures.

NOTE: Before proceeding, please read the following sections:

Section 1, Criteria for Initiating an Initial or Core Assessment

Section 2, Universal Assessment Procedures

For procedures relating to Core Assessments with a Child Protection Assessment, see Section 4, Core Assessments without a Child Protection Assessment.

5.1 Purpose of a Core Assessment with a Child Protection Enquiry

The purpose of the Core Assessment is to determine whether there is a continuing risk of Significant Harm to the child. 

The assessment will draw on information obtained during the assessment including that provided by partner agencies. 

A Child Protection Enquiry is incorporated into the assessment.

5.2 Timescales of a Core Assessment with a Child Protection Enquiry

Where a Core Assessment incorporates a Child Protection Enquiry, it may be possible to obtain sufficient information to conclude the Core Assessment in time for the Initial Child Protection Conference, which is normally convened within 15 days of the Strategy Discussion.  The ability to achieve this will depend on the complexity and the urgency of the case.

5.3 Process of a Core Assessment with a Child Protection Enquiry

Children's Social Care is responsible for the coordination and completion of the assessments, which must be undertaken a Social Worker.

Detail of the procedures for Child Protection Enquiries, including the arrangements for Video Recorded or other interviews and medical assessments are contained in the Dudley Safeguarding Children Board Procedures.

At the conclusion of the assessment it should be possible to decide whether to:

• Convene an Initial Child Protection Conference
• Carry out a Child Care Plan or determine that No Further Action is necessary

If it is not possible to make this decision then further assessment is required.

5.4 Outcome of a Core Assessment with a Child Protection Enquiry

Following a Core Assessment with a Child Protection Enquiry, a number of outcomes may be appropriate; they are:

1. If there are indicators that Significant Harm has taken place or is likely to take place, an Initial Child Protection Conference must be convened.  If a decision is reached to make the child subject to a Child Protection Plan, a Core Group will be established and a Child Protection Plan formulated. 
2. That an Initial Child Protection Conference is convened but the child is not made subject of a Child Protection Plan. 
   
   In the circumstances of (a) or (b), consideration should be given by the date of the Initial Child Protection Conference as to whether the Core Assessment has been completed or what further work is required before it is completed.
3. That there are indicators that Significant Harm has not taken place and is not likely to; in these circumstances the manager must consider whether or not to conclude the Core Assessment or continue up to a maximum of 35 days.  During the course and upon completion of the Core Assessment, it will be necessary to decide what services should be provided.

NOTE: If the outcome of a Child Protection Enquiry is that the concerns are substantiated but the child is judged not to be at continuing risk of Significant Harm, this decision must be endorsed by a suitably experienced and qualified social work manager

5.5 Recording of the Core Assessment with a Child Protection Enquiry

See Section 3.4, Recording

NOTE: Records of Child Protection Enquiries and any Reports to Child Protection Conferences should include the date(s) when the child was seen alone by the Lead Social Worker and, if not seen alone, who was present and the reasons for their presence.

End