Sussex Child Protection and Safeguarding Procedures
Sussex Child Protection and Safeguarding Procedures Sussex Child Protection and Safeguarding Procedures

1.2.4 Core Assessments

RELEVANT PROCEDURES

Relevant Children and Young People's Trust Procedures:

Process Flow Diagram: Core Case Management
Universal Assessment Procedures and Guidance
Children in Need Planning and Reviews Procedures/Guidance
Children in Need Eligibility Criteria Guidance

If there are Child Protection concerns, also see: Process Flow Diagram: Child Protection Operations
If a Child becomes Looked After, also see: Process Flow Diagram: Looked After Children Operations

Relevant Sussex Child Protection and Safeguarding Procedures

Child Protection Enquiries

Child Protection Conferences


Contents

  1. Core Assessments: Introduction
  2. Core Assessments with a Child Protection Enquiry
  3. Core Assessments without a Child Protection Enquiry


1. Core Assessments: Introduction

A Core Assessment is an in depth assessment of a child’s needs based on the Dimensions of the Assessment Framework.

There are two types of Core Assessment:


2. Core Assessments with a Child Protection Enquiry

Relevant Sussex Child Protection and Safeguarding Procedures: Child Protection Enquiries and Child Protection Conferences.

Procedures for Core Assessments which do not incorporate a Child Protection Enquiry are contained in Section 3, Core Assessments without a Child Protection Assessment.

This section relates to Core Assessments incorporating a Child Protection Enquiry conducted upon children in need believed to be suffering or likely to suffer from Significant Harm. It should be read in conjunction with Brighton and Hove Local Safeguarding Procedures.

It is assumed that a Strategy Discussion/Meeting 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.

If, at any stage, there are indicators that immediate action is required to protect the child, the Duty Manager must be consulted with a view to considering Police Protection, applying for an Emergency Protection Order or arranging for the child to be Looked After. If there are Child Protection concerns it will be necessary to conduct a Strategy Discussion/Meeting; if it appears appropriate for the child to be Looked After, see Decision to Look After Procedures).

2.1 Purpose of a Core Assessment (With a Child Protection Enquiry)

The purpose of the Core Assessment is to conduct an in depth assessment of the child’s needs and any risk factors. It will draw on the information provided by partner agencies in order to make a decision about the existence of Significant Harm, the requirement for services and the need for a Plan.

2.2 Timescales of a Core Assessment (With a Child Protection Enquiry)

The assessment must be completed in time for the Initial Child Protection Conference, which is normally convened within 15 working days of the Strategy Discussion/Meeting or the decision to undertake a Child Protection Enquiry.
2.3

Seeing the Child:  Children should always be seen, alone, by the Lead Social Worker. If this is not possible, the record of the Assessment (and Section 47 Enquiry/Report to a Child Protection Conference)  who was present and the reason for their presence. The records/reports should also show the date(s) the child(ren) were seen.
2.4 Process of a Core Assessment (With a Child Protection Enquiry)

Detail of the procedures for Child Protection Enquiries, including the arrangements for Video Recorded or other interviews and medical assessments are also contained in Brighton and Hove Local Safeguarding Procedures.

If required, the Initial Child Protection Conference may request a further assessment, and should identify the areas where this is needed.
2.5 Outcome from a Child Protection Enquiry

Following a Child Protection Enquiry, one of the following outcomes will be appropriate and must be discussed with the child and family, then authorised by the manager.

  1. That an Initial Child Protection Conference is convened and a decision reached to place the child’s name on the list for a child subject to a Child Protection Plan.

    If a decision is reached to place the child’s name on the list for children subject to a Child Protection Plan, a Core Group will be established and a Child Protection Plan drawn up.

    The Core Assessment must be completed, and the plans updated as necessary;

  2. That it is not necessary to convene an Initial Child Protection Conference, or that a conference is convened but the child’s name is not placed on a list for a child subject to a Child Protection Plan
    In these circumstances, the Core Assessment must be concluded, and the Manager must come to a decision about whether to provide other services. If services of a non complex nature are provided, a Child in Need Plan must be drawn up. If the child is Looked After, see Decision to Look After Procedures.
2.6 Recording of the assessment

See the following:

3. Core Assessments without a Child Protection Enquiry

For Core Assessments with a Child Protection Enquiry see Section 2, Core Assessments with a Child Protection Enquiry.

3.1 Criteria and Purpose of a Core Assessment (Without a Child Protection Enquiry)

The following should be read in conjunction with Children in Need Eligibility Criteria Guidance and Process Flow Diagram: Core Case Management.

A Core Assessment must be initiated, following an Initial Assessment, where there are indicators that a child has high level needs.

A Core Assessment may be initiated, following an Initial Assessment, if the child appears to have medium level needs.

A Core Assessment may be initiated without the need for an Initial Assessment where information is received about a child already known to the authority.

The purpose of the Core Assessment is to conduct an in depth assessment of the child’s needs, drawing on information provided by partner agencies, using the information gathered to draw up a Plan aimed at meeting the child’s needs.
3.2 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.
3.3

Seeing the Child:  Children should always be seen, alone, by the Lead Social Worker. If this is not possible, the record of the Assessment should show who was present and the reason for their presence.
3.4 Outcome of a Core Assessment (Without a Child Protection Enquiry)

A Core Assessment is deemed to be completed once it has been discussed with the child and family, and authorised by the manager.

During the course and upon completion of the assessment it will be necessary to decide what services should be provided and draw up a plan. The services that will be appropriate will be different for each child, depending on his/her needs.

Services of a non complex nature should be outlined in a Child in Need Plan.

If a child is Looked After, other plans and arrangements must be completed, see Decision to Look After Procedures.
3.5 Recording of the Assessment

See the following:

End