Child Care Assessment Team
The Section 47 Process leading to a Care & Support Assessment
Background
When Social Services receive information that your child(ren) may be at risk. A Child Protection Investigation or Enquiry under Section 47 of the Children Act 1989 is carried out. Under the Act the Child Care Assessment Team have a duty to make enquiries and assess the situation when they receive a report that a child(ren) may be at risk of significant harm or abuse. When we make these enquiries, we follow our local Child Protection Procedures, in accordance with the Wales Safeguarding Procedures and the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014, which are informed by government guidelines. We realise that this can be a stressful and worrying time. To help us understand whether or not there are serious concerns we will need to do a Care and Support Assessment of the situation.
The Care & Support Assessment
Every assessment must include the views of the child as well as the family. Where possible the person with parental responsibility would be sought to give consent, unless professional judgement suggests that this would place a child at risk. The Childcare Assessment Team are legally required under the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 to ascertain the child’s wishes and feelings about the provision of services. The Working Together to Safeguard Children Guidance states that a child(ren) should be seen alone wherever possible. Again, the person with parental responsibility would be sought to give consent unless professional judgement suggests that this would place a child at risk.
For more information: 01437 764551
Child Care Assessment Team
We recognise bringing up children is an important and sometimes difficult task. From time to time everyone needs help and advice. You can receive this help and advice from health visitors, teachers, family members and friends or you can contact the child care assessment team. We are also here to help and support you with any concerns you may have about the welfare of a child.
How do we help?
The child care assessment team may be able to help by providing you with information and advice, and if necessary support you in caring for your children.
The team works in partnership with parents, young people and carers to assess their individual needs. To provide the support that you may need, the team also works with other statutory, voluntary and independent agencies.
Dewis Cymru (opens in a new tab) is the place to go if you want information or advice about your well-being – or want to know how you can help somebody else.
What is an assessment?
Before we can help you, we need to know more about you and your family. This will involve collecting information, talking this through with you and agreeing what might be done.
Any information you give us will be held in confidence within the social care department. If there is a need to discuss this information with anyone else, we will normally ask for your permission. The only exception to this is if there are serious concerns about the welfare of your child.
We know that almost all parents want to do their best for their children, and completing the assessment will help the social workers recognise the strengths you and your family have, as well as your difficulties.
What to do if you're concerned about a child?
We provide protection and support to children who are at risk of abuse. If you have any worries about children who may be at risk of harm and you want to discuss this with us please call the Contact Centre on 01437 764551. Social Services out of hours telephone number 0300 333 2222.
If you think a child is in immediate danger ring 999.
We all share a responsibility to ensure that children are protected from harm. Safeguarding is everybody’s business. If you or others have concerns about the potential safety or risk to a child or young person, it is your responsibility to act on those concerns.
If you suspect that a child or young person is at risk:
- never assume that somebody else will report
- never delay passing your concerns through the above number
- do not worry that you may be wrong - it is better to discuss your concerns with someone who has the experience to make an assessment
Abuse can take many forms, including:
- Physical abuse: e.g hitting, shaking, burning or scalding, deliberate poisoning, suffocation or physically harming a child in any other way.
- Emotional abuse: e.g. telling a child they are worthless or unloved, humiliating them, causing them to feel frightened, or asking them to do something that is not reasonable for their age.
- Sexual abuse: e.g. encouraging or forcing a child to take part in inappropriate sexual acts. This can involve physical contact or showing pornographic material to a child.
- Neglect: e.g. failure to provide enough food, warmth, safety, medical attention, education or mental stimulation.
- Child Exploitation: e.g. using a child for financial gain, sexual gratification, labour or personal advantage.
For further information:
Please email all Multi-agency safeguarding referral forms (MARFS) to ccatduty@pembrokeshire.gov.uk
For general enquires please email Child Care Assessment Team on ccat@pembrokeshire.gov.uk
Social Care Out of Hours Team: 0300 333 2222
Police: 101 (999 in an emergency)
NSPCC: 0808 800 5000
How can you contact us if you're a child?
You can call us yourself on any of the below or tell an adult you trust to contact us for you and we will try our best to help you.
Child Care Assessment Team – 01437 764551 / CCAT@pembrokeshire.gov.uk
Social Care Out of Hours Team: 0300 333 2222
Alternatively, if you need to talk or need some advice please see further advice and support section for a list of available services