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Contents

1. Timescales
2. Initial Contact and Screening
3. Referral Process
4. Disposal of Referrals

1. Timescales

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

2. Initial Contact and Screening

All Initial Contacts are taken by the Team Administrator, created on 'CareFirst' and, if it appears that the child may be a Child in Need, the case will be passed to the Duty Social Worker for a Child in Need Screening. The Social Worker and Team Administrator open a Child in Need Referral at this stage.

If not, the person making the Initial Contact may be provided with advice or re-direction to another agency.

A Contact Record will be inputted on the child’s electronic record.

3. Referral Process

This section should be read in conjunction with the following guidance on undertaking assessments: Universal Assessment Procedures and Guidance.

In consultation with the duty Manager, the duty Social Worker will process the referral taking account of any referral made by a professional/agency, should be made/confirmed in writing.

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

The Social Worker should provide an opportunity, to the person making the referral, to discuss their concerns. 

The referrer 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. 

The Social Worker should also 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 and may authorise checks and assessments to be conducted without the child/parent's knowledge. The authorisation/consent must be recorded.

Once it has been established that a child appears to be a Child in Need, (see Children in Need Eligibility Criteria Guidance) the Social Worker 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;
• Consideration of any existing records, including a register of Children Subject to a Child Protection Plan;
• Involving and consulting other agencies as necessary. This should be with the consent of the family unless there are child protection concerns.

4. Disposal of Referrals

Taking account of the Eligibility Criteria for Children in Need (see Children in Need Eligibility Criteria Guidance), the duty Manager should authorise one of the following:

1. 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 Discussion/Meeting 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. See Sussex Child Protection and Safeguarding Procedures: Strategy Discussions.
   
   If there is suspicion that a crime may have been committed including sexual or physical assault or Neglect, the Police must be notified immediately.
   
   See the following Sussex Child Protection and Safeguarding Procedures: Initial Assessments;
2. That there are no indications of Significant Harm but there are concerns sufficient to suggest that services will be required, in which case it may be necessary to provide (or make a referral for) services and initiate an Initial Assessment;
3. That the child 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 making the referral should be notified of the outcome in writing, in a way which does not breach the confidentiality of the child/family.

End