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 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.
Initial visit
You will be visited by a social worker and / or a police officer who will:
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.
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.
There are some things that may happen as part of the Child Protection investigation, for example:
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.
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.
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.
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:
Other publications (available from your local library):
If you wish to have independent advice or support you could contact:
(This page is based on Leaflet Ref.27.)
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