Child Protection Investigations (Leaflet Ref.27)

In Devon we are committed to working in partnership with parents. This leaflet has been produced to help parents understand about Child Protection investigations that involve Devon Social Services and the police working together.

When do Child Protection investigations take place?

When anyone receives information that suggests that a child has been abused or is at risk of abuse from an adult or another child, they should contact Devon Social Services or the police.

Once Devon Social Services or the Police hear information that a child may have been abused, the law states that they have a duty to investigate this. They cannot ignore this information. In the majority of cases the investigation will usually be carried out by a police officer and a social worker.

How are Child Protection investigations carried out?

Initial visit

You will be visited by a social worker and / or a police officer who will:

explain why they have come to see you (don't forget that you have the right to see their identity cards)
with your permission, see the child
try to find out from you if there is any truth in the allegation and your views about it
assess any immediate danger to the child.

The investigation may end here.

The interview

If the investigation needs to continue and is about matters of a criminal nature, then you and your child may be asked to attend a police child protection suite. (This is a set of rooms which are comfortably furnished and equipped with toys. there is a video camera which is controlled by equipment in the room next door, so that the interview can be recorded on video).

The interviewers are trained to make the child feel relaxed, not to put words into his/her mouth and not to overtire the child. Your advice will be helpful to them. If your child has special needs, arrangements will be made to ensure their needs are met, e.g. use of interpreters or special equipment.

If the investigation is not of a criminal nature, it may continue at your home or at your child's school. No interview will take place with your child without your permission unless you are suspected of the abuse, in which case we will seek the consent from another parent/carer not suspected of abusing your child.

Medical examination

It may be necessary in some cases for your child to be examined by a doctor. This will need your consent and / or your child's, depending upon your child's age and understanding.

The examination will be done by a paediatrician (a doctor who specialises in child development), or jointly with a police surgeon if forensic evidence has to be obtained. If you have any questions about how the interview and / or medical examination will be conducted, you should contact the social worker or police officer undertaking the investigation.

What happens if I refuse to let my child be interviewed or medically examined?

In most cases only one of the child's parents needs to give their consent. If neither will, then Devon Social Services and the police have a duty to think about the immediate safety of your child. They may seek an Order from the court giving them permission to interview or medically examine your child, without your consent.

In some cases, permission does not have to be sought for an interview where one or both parents/carers are suspected of the abuse. However, if your child is old enough, their consent would be sought. Where parents / carers are jointly suspected abusers and your child was at school, in these circumstances the school can allow an interview to take place.

What else may happen during the investigation?

There are some things that may happen as part of the Child Protection investigation, for example:

if there is a possibility of broken bones, internal injuries or a head injury, then other tests, such as x-rays, may be considered and the child will receive immediate medical attention
if there are injuries to your child, which can be seen, a trained photographer may be asked to take photographs of the injuries
people suspected of causing the injury to your child will be subject to an investigation which may mean arrest and interview by the police
if other children in your family (or in other families) are thought to be at risk, they may also need to be interviewed.
other agencies involved with the family may be contacted for information, e.g. schools, health visitors, nurseries, etc.

What happens next?

Devon Social Services and the police will, with your cooperation, try to decide if there is any risk to your child. They will hope to agree with you about how to protect your child from further harm. They have to make sure your child is safe and will make every effort to involve you in the decisions about your child.

Devon Social Services and the police will also decide whether to recommend that a Child Protection Conference is held. You will usually be invited to attend this conference and will be sent an invitation and a leaflet which tells you all about Child Protection Conferences.

Alternatively, Devon Social Services and the police could decide that your child is safe and the investigation may end there, with no conference being necessary.

What is a Child Protection Conference?

The Child Protection Conference is a meeting between parents and people from the different agencies who know your family, to look at the investigation. It will collect information about your family and try to understand what has happened and why. You will be given every opportunity to put your point of view to the Conference.

Can I appeal against the investigation outcome?

There is no right of appeal against the outcome of a Child Protection investigation, but if you are unhappy about the conduct of any of the people involved in the investigation you should take it up with their manager. Devon Social Services and the police have information about their complaints procedure and you should ask for a copy of these.

Further information

If you want to know more about the rules and regulations covering Child Protection in Devon, you could look at the following:

Devon Social Services publications:

Child Protection Case Conferences - In your child's best interests, Ref. 24
Child Protection Conferences - A guide for children and young people Ref. 25
Child Protection Case Conferences and Reviews - Information for professionals Ref. 26
The Multi-Agency Child Protection Procedures (Devon County Council, City of Plymouth and Torbay Council).

Other publications (available from your local library):

Children Act 1989 (HMSO - Her Majesty's Stationery Office)
Working together under the Children Act (HMSO)
Memorandum of Good Practice on Video Interviews (HMSO)

If you wish to have independent advice or support you could contact:

Family Rights Group
The Print House
18 Ashwin street
London
E8 3DL
Tel: 0800 731 1696
a solicitor
your local Citizens' Advice Bureau.

(This page is based on Leaflet Ref.27.)

Devon County Council