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