Home » What we do » Care Proceedings » Social Services Risk Assessment
Social Services Risk Assessment
When the local authority is called upon to carry out a child protection enquiry, that enquiry is based upon a social services risk assessment.
The initial enquiry is to assess the risk to the child of suffering significant harm. Section 47 of the Children Act 1989 cover the duty of social services to carry out such an enquiry and assessment, to determine whether or not action is called for to safeguard and promote the welfare of the child.
As part of the initial child protection enquiry, the risk assessment must focus on the following:
- Identify the cause for concern;
- Evaluate the strengths of the family;
- Evaluate the vulnerability and resilience of all children in the family;
- Consider the protective factors and the child’s needs for protection;
- Detail and evaluate family history;
- Evaluate information from all sources and previous case records;
- Consider the ability of parents and wider family and social networks to safeguard and promote the child’s welfare;
- Consider how these risks can be managed.
The assessment must take into consideration both immediate risk to the child and long-term risk factors. An aspect of this is where there is an imminent change in the child’s circumstances. For instance, should a child currently be in hospital but is due to be discharged, the assessment must have established the safety of the home environment.
Should it occur that the risk assessment finds that the child is at continuing risk of significant harm, a child protection conference must immediately be convened. An interim care order should be drafted and issued to safeguard the child on an immediate basis. Waiting for a child protection conference to take place would be inappropriate as this may leave the child open to receipt of significant harm in the meantime.
Please call us today to discuss your needs and how we may be able to help
Book your free first enquiry now
Established in 1982, at Brendan Fleming Solicitors we specialise in Family Law, offering our clients expert legal advice in both Public and Private Law matters, including Care Proceedings, Non-Accidental Injury, Divorce & Children’s Proceedings and issues with Social Services.
Contact Brendan Fleming Solicitors by emailing info@brendanfleming.co.uk or by calling 0121 683 5000
Contact our Non-Accidental Injury Department on 07730 143 432. If it is out of hours, you can call our staffed 24 hour helpline on 0121 683 5000. Alternatively you can email us on help@nonaccidentalinjury.co.uk