1.1 Anybody in any capacity, including members of the public, voluntary or statutory agencies who recognise or suspect child abuse, are asked to contact one of the following without delay:
1.2 Other agencies besides Local Authorities have statutory duties and / or powers and all agencies have specific functions and professional objectives. In working together for the protection of children, however, they need to understand that they are not only carrying out their own agencies' functions but are also making, individually and collectively, a vital contribution to advising and assisting the Local Authority in the discharge of their child protection and child care duties.
1.3 It is essential that whenever one agency becomes concerned that a child may be at risk, they share their information with the Social Services and other agencies as they may have information that will clarify the situation. This applies whether the child is living at home, with foster carers, in a residential establishment or any other situation. The agencies need to decide how a particular concern will be investigated and also whether a Child Protection Conference is needed.
1.4 Consultation and discussion within agencies and between individual workers and their Supervisors / Line Managers should always occur when child abuse is suspected. Individuals who have no immediate Supervisor / Line Manager are urged to consult directly with the Social Services Directorate or the NSPCC.
1.5 Such consultation will ensure that both sufficient concern exists to warrant action and also that the necessary enquiries and investigations are undertaken. Any subsequent Child Protection Conference will be provided with the information necessary for them to make their decision and recommendations.
1.6 Each agency's procedures for referral and investigation are set out on these pages ( - see Section 3).
1.7 When a parent, a professional or another person contacts a Social Services Directorate with concerns about a child's welfare, it is the responsibility of the Social Services Directorate to investigate. They will clarify with the referrer (including self-referrals from families):
1.8 Professionals who phone the Social Services Department should confirm referrals in writing within 48 hours. At the end of any discussion or dialogue about a child, the referrer and the Social Services Directorate should be clear about who will be taking what action, or that no further action will be taken. The decision should be recorded by the Social Services Department and by the referrer (if a professional in another service).
1.9 Whenever the Social Services Directorate (or the NSPCC if relevant) encounters or has a case referred to it that constitutes, or may constitute, a criminal offence against a child, they should always inform the Police at the earliest opportunity. A manager from each agency should be involved in the discussion. This will enable both agencies to consider jointly how to proceed in the best interests of the child. In dealing with alleged offences involving a child victim, the Police should normally work in partnership with Social Services and / or other child welfare agencies. Whilst the responsibility to instigate criminal proceedings rests with the Police, the Police should consider the views expressed by other agencies. There will be less serious cases where, after discussion, it is agreed that the best interests of the child are served by Social Services-led intervention rather than a full Police investigation.
1.10 The Social Services Directorate should decide on the next course of action within one working day, normally following discussion with the referring professional / service, looking at any existing records and involving other professionals and services as necessary (including the Police, where a criminal offence may have been committed against a child). This initial assessment of the case should address, on the basis of the available evidence, whether there are concerns about either the child's health and development, or actual and / or potential harm which justify further enquiries, assessment and / or intervention. If further action is required, a decision is needed on when enquiries and / or intervention should take place and should be completed within 7 working days. Children who are the subject of allegations of deliberate harm, must be seen and spoken to by a Social Worker within 24 hours of the referral being seen, unless strategy / discussion decide there are exceptional circumstances that make this inappropriate.
1.11 Referrals may lead to no further action, directly to the provision of services or other help - including from other agencies - and / or to a fuller initial assessment of the needs and circumstances of the child. Sometimes it may be apparent at this stage that emergency action should be taken to safeguard a child. Such action should normally be preceded by an immediate strategy discussion between the Police, Social Services and other agencies as appropriate. A manager from each agency should be involved in the discussion.
1.12 Throughout the referral the child's welfare remains paramount. This includes consideration not only of the need for immediate protection, but also of the long-term impact of any action.
1.13 The investigating officer from Social Services is responsible for recording the details of why the referral took place, how it was undertaken, who was seen, what information was gathered, what decisions were made and the reasons for those decisions. Other staffs are accountable for recording their own actions and decisions as part of the overall investigation. These should be contemporaneous and may be disclosable.
1.14 Any investigations at the referral stage will involve the minimum intervention and disruption to the family's life compatible with the need to ensure the protection of the child.
1.15 Throughout the investigation, the child, parents, carers and people with parental responsibility who are not subject of investigation will be given as much information as is compatible with the child's welfare and the investigation, about the reasons for the investigation and any action to be taken. Those involved must take account of any communication difficulties that the parents, child or others may have. The information will always be given in an honest and respectful manner.
1.16 When a third party referral is made to a professional, that professional should endeavour to obtain the following information:
1.17 The informant should be told that all details of the referral will be passed to Social Services, who will undertake an investigation in consultation with the Police. Information that is passed to the NSPCC is usually sent to the Social Services for further investigation.
1.18 The name of the informant need not necessarily be passed to the Social Services, although it is desirable to obtain permission to do so whenever possible and for any information to be recorded contemporaneously. Where possible these records should be signed by the third party.
Direct referrals by a child
1.19 When a referral is made directly by a child, the professional concerned must explain their duty to pass the information on to Social Services. If information is passed to the NSPCC it should be made clear to the child that the Social Services will be informed.
1.20 Whenever possible, the professional to whom the disclosure was made should support the child to help him/her repeat the information to a Social Worker and / or Police Officer. In any event the professional should, if possible, stay with the child to support him / her through the initial process of disclosure and investigation.
1.21 It is important that all professionals involved with a child disclosing abuse explain possible outcomes and keeps the child informed of events. The child should be assured that the adults have responsibility for their care and safety.