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18 Child Protection Enquiries (Section 47)
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136 <h1>
136 Child Protection Enquiries (Section 47)
136 </h1>
141 <div class="well">
142 <p class="bold">
142 SCOPE OF THIS CHAPTER
143 </p>
144 <p>
144 This chapter should be read in conjunction with the Warrington Safeguarding Partnership
Procedures.
144 </p>
145 </div>
152 <div class="section">
152 <h2 id="initiating">
152 1. Initiating Section 47 Enquiries
152 </h2>
153 <p>
153 Where information gathered during a referral or an assessment (which may be very brief)
results in the social worker suspecting that the child is suffering or likely to suffer
significant harm, a strategy discussion Meeting should be held to decide whether to initiate
enquiries under Section 47 of the Children Act 1989. Strategy Discussions/Meetings should be
held as soon as possible, bearing in mind the needs of the child and must take place as Pan
Cheshire (see
153 <a
href="https://www.proceduresonline.com/pancheshire/warrington/p_ch_protection_enq.html#times
cales" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
153 Warrington Safeguarding Partnership Procedures Manual, Child Protection Enquiries -
Section 47 Children Act 1989 Procedure
153 </a>
153 ).
153 </p>
154 <p>
154 A multi-agency assessment (see
154 <a href="p_assessment.html">
154 Assessments Procedure
154 </a>
154 ) is the means by which Section 47 Enquiries are carried out. The assessment will have
commenced at the point of referral and must continue whenever the criteria for Section 47
Enquiries are satisfied. While the timescale within which the assessment must be completed
is 45 working days the outcome of enquiries under Section 47 must be available in time for
an initial child protection conference which (if required) must be held within 15 working
days of the Strategy Discussion/Meeting where the enquiries were initiated.
154 </p>
155 <p>
155 A section 47 enquiry is carried out by undertaking or continuing with an Assessment in
accordance with the guidance set out in this chapter and following the principles and
parameters of a good assessment as set out in the
155 <a href="p_assessment.html">
155 Assessments Procedure
155 </a>
155 .
155 </p>
156 <p>
156 Local authority social workers have a statutory duty to lead Section 47 Enquiries. The
police, health professionals, teachers and other relevant professionals should support the
local authority in undertaking its enquiries. The Children's Social Care Manager has
responsibility for authorising a Section 47 Enquiry following a Strategy Discussion.
156 </p>
157 The Section 47 Enquiry and assessment must be led by a qualified social worker from
Children's social care, who will be responsible for its coordination and completion. The
social worker must consult with other agencies involved with the child and family to obtain a
fuller picture of the circumstances of all children in the household, identifying parenting
strengths and any risk factors. Enquiries may also need to cover children in other households
with whom the alleged offender may have had contact. All agencies consulted are responsible
for providing information to assist.
157 </div>
158 <div class="section1">
158 </div>
164 <div class="section">
164 <h2 id="purpose">
164 2. Purpose of Section 47 Enquiries
164 </h2>
165 <p>
165 A Section 47 Enquiry is initiated to decide whether and what type of action is required to
safeguard and promote the welfare of a child who is suspected of, or likely to be, suffering
significant harm. The enquiry is carried out by undertaking or continuing with an assessment
in accordance with the guidelines set out in this chapter and following the principles and
parameters of a good assessment (see
165 <a href="p_assessment.html">
165 Assessments Procedure
165 </a>
165 for further details).
165 </p>
166 </div>
167 <div class="section1">
167 </div>
173 <div class="section">
173 <h2 id="conducting">
173 3. Conducting Section 47 Enquiries
173 </h2>
174 <span class="bold">
174 Social workers with their managers should:
174 </span>
175 <ul>
176 <li>
176 Lead the Assessment in accordance with this guidance;
176 </li>
177 <li>
177 Carry out enquiries in a way that minimises distress for the child and family;
177 </li>
178 <li>
178 See the child who is the subject of concern to ascertain their wishes and feelings; assess
their understanding of their situation; assess their relationships and circumstances more
broadly;
178 </li>
179 <li>
179 Interview parents and/or caregivers and determine the wider social and environmental
factors that might impact on them and their child;
179 </li>
180 <li>
180 Systematically gather information about the child's and family's history;
180 </li>
181 <li>
181 Analyse the findings of the Assessment and evidence about what interventions are likely to
be most effective with other relevant professionals to determine the child's needs and the
level of risk of harm faced by the child to inform what help should be provided and act to
provide that help; and
181 </li>
182 <li>
182 Follow the guidance set out in
182 <a
href="https://www.cps.gov.uk/sites/default/files/documents/publications/best_evidence_in_c
riminal_proceedings.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
182 Achieving Best Evidence in Criminal Proceedings: Guidance on interviewing victims and
witnesses, and guidance on using special measures
182 </a>
182 , where a decision has been made to undertake a joint interview of the child as part of
any criminal investigation.
182 </li>
183 </ul>
184 <p>
184 The social worker, when conducting a Section 47 Enquiry, must assess the potential needs and
safety of any other child in the household of the child in question. In addition, Section 47
Enquiries may be required concerning any children in other households with whom the alleged
abuser may have contact.
184 </p>
185 <p>
185 In determining which professionals should be involved in a Section 47 Enquiry, consideration
could include who are the family most likely to cooperate with. In all cases where there is
a known propensity to violence within the family household, consideration should be given to
the strategy to be adopted, with Police advice or assistance if appropriate, about how to
reduce the risks before any visits take place.
185 </p>
186 <p>
186 The child must always be seen and communicated with alone in the course of a Section 47
Enquiry by the Lead Social Worker, unless it is contrary to their interests to do so. The
Strategy Discussion Meeting will plan any interview with the child. The Record of Section 47
Enquiry and Reports to Child Protection Conferences should include the date(s) when the
child was seen alone by the Lead Social Worker and, if not seen alone, who was present and
the reasons for their presence.
186 </p>
187 <p>
187 Before a child is seen or interviewed parental permission must be gained unless there are
exceptional circumstances that demonstrate that it would not be in the child's interests and
to do so may jeopardise the child's safety and welfare. Relevant exceptional circumstances
would include:
187 </p>
188 <ul>
189 <li>
189 The possibility that a child would be threatened or otherwise coerced into silence;
189 </li>
190 <li>
190 A strong likelihood that important evidence would be destroyed; or
190 </li>
191 <li>
191 That the child in question did not wish the parent to be involved at that stage, and is
competent to take that decision.
191 </li>
192 </ul>
193 <p>
193 In such circumstances, the social worker must take legal advice about how to proceed and
whether legal action may be required, for example through an application for an emergency
protection order or a child assessment order.
193 </p>
194 <p class="bold">
194 The police should:
194 </p>
195 <ul>
196 <li>
196 Help other agencies understand the reasons for concerns about the child's safety and
welfare;
196 </li>
197 <li>
197 Decide whether or not police investigations reveal grounds for instigating criminal
proceedings;
197 </li>
198 <li>
198 Make available to other professionals any evidence gathered to inform discussions about
the child's welfare; and
198 </li>
199 <li>
199 Follow the guidance set out in
199 <a
href="https://www.cps.gov.uk/sites/default/files/documents/publications/best_evidence_in_c
riminal_proceedings.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
199 Achieving Best Evidence in Criminal Proceedings: Guidance on interviewing victims and
witnesses, and guidance on using special measures
199 </a>
199 , where a decision has been made to undertake a joint interview with the child as part of
the criminal investigations.
199 </li>
200 </ul>
201 <p class="bold">
201 Health professionals should:
201 </p>
202 <ul>
203 <li>
203 Undertake appropriate medical tests, examinations or observations, to determine how the
child's health or development may be being impaired;
203 </li>
204 <li>
204 Provide any of a range of specialist assessments. For example, physiotherapists,
occupational therapists, speech and language therapists and child psychologists may be
involved in specific assessments relating to the child's developmental progress. The lead
health practitioner (probably a consultant paediatrician, or possibly the child's GP) may
need to request and coordinate these assessments; and
204 </li>
205 <li>
205 Ensure appropriate treatment and follow up health concerns.
205 </li>
206 </ul>
207 <p class="bold">
207 All involved professionals should:
207 </p>
208 <ul>
209 <li>
209 Contribute to the Assessment as required, providing information about the child and
family; and
209 </li>
210 <li>
210 Consider whether a joint enquiry or investigation team may need to speak to a child
without the knowledge of the parent or caregiver.
210 </li>
211 </ul>
212 </div>
213 <div class="section1">
213 </div>
219 <div class="section">
219 <h2 id="outcomes_sec47">
219 4. Outcomes of a Section 47 Enquiry
219 </h2>
220 <p>
220 Local authority social workers are responsible for deciding what action to take and how to
proceed following Section 47 Enquiries. The outcome of a Section 47 Enquiry must be endorsed
by the team manager.
220 </p>
221 <p>
221 A Section 47 Enquiry may conclude that the original concerns are:
221 </p>
222 <ul>
223 <li>
223 Not substantiated; although consideration should be given to whether the child may need
services as a Child in Need;
223 </li>
224 <li>
224 Substantiated and the child is judged to be suffering, or likely to suffer, Significant
Harm and an initial child protection conference should be called.
224 </li>
225 </ul>
226 <h3>
226 4.1 Concerns not substantiated
227 </h3>
228 <p class="bold">
228 Social workers with their managers should:
228 </p>
229 <ul>
230 <li>
230 Discuss the case with the child, parents and other professionals;
230 </li>
231 <li>
231 Determine whether support from any services may be helpful and help secure it; and
231 </li>
232 <li>
232 Consider whether the child's health and development should be re-assessed regularly
against specific objectives and decide who has responsibility for doing this.
232 </li>
233 </ul>
234 <p class="bold">
234 All involved professionals should:
234 </p>
235 <ul>
236 <li>
236 Participate in further discussions as necessary;
236 </li>
237 <li>
237 Contribute to the development of any Plan as appropriate;
237 </li>
238 <li>
238 Provide services as specified in the Plan for the child; and
238 </li>
239 <li>
239 Review the impact of services delivered as agreed in the Plan.
239 </li>
240 </ul>
241 <p class="bold">
241 Outcomes may be:
241 </p>
242 <ol style="list-style-type:lower-roman">
243 <li>
243 <span class="bold">
243 No Further Action
243 </span>
243 <br />
244 Enquiries have revealed that there are no causes for concern. The child may be a child in
need but the family do not wish for services to be provided, in which case the case will
be closed;
244 </li>
245 <li>
245 <span class="bold">
245 Family Support to be provided
245 </span>
245 <br />
246 Enquiries have revealed that there is no evidence that the child is suffering, or is
likely to suffer, significant harm but there are needs that could be met by the provision
of services either under section 17 of the Children Act 1989 or by signposting the family
to another agency. The family are willing for a package of support to be provided, or
continue to be provided.
246 <br />
247 <br />
248 Where services are to be provided under Section 17 of the Children Act 1989, the social
worker/team manager should convene a Child in Need Planning Meeting within 7 working days
to agree a Child in Need Plan – see
248 <a href="p_cin_plans_rev.html">
248 Child in Need Plans and Reviews Procedure
248 </a>
248 ;
248 </li>
249 </ol>
250 <h3>
250 4.2 Concerns Of Significant Harm Are Substantiated And The Child Is Judged To Be Suffering,
Or Likely To Suffer, Significant Harm
251 </h3>
252 <p>
252 <span class="bold">
252 N.B.
252 </span>
252 Where immediate protective action is required, the advice of Legal Services should be
sought.
252 </p>
253 <p class="bold">
253 Social workers with their managers should:
253 </p>
254 <ul>
255 <li>
255 Convene an initial child protection conference. The timing of this conference should
depend on the urgency of the case and respond to the needs of the child and the nature and
severity of the harm they may be facing. It should take place within 15 working days of a
Strategy Discussion, or the Strategy Discussion at which section 47 enquiries were
initiated if more than one has been held. The request to convene the conference must be
supported by a team manager;
255 </li>
256 <li>
256 Consider whether any professionals with specialist knowledge should be invited to
participate;
256 </li>
257 <li>
257 Ensure that the child and their parents understand the purpose of the conference and who
will attend; and
257 </li>
258 <li>
258 Help prepare the child if they are attending or making representations through a third
party to the conference. Give information about advocacy agencies and explain that the
family may bring an advocate, friend or supporter.
258 </li>
259 </ul>
260 <p class="bold">
260 All involved professionals should:
260 </p>
261 <ul>
262 <li>
262 Contribute to the information their agency provides ahead of the conference, setting out
the nature of the agency's involvement with the child and family;
262 </li>
263 <li>
263 Consider, in conjunction with the police and the appointed conference Chair, whether the
report can and should be shared with the parents and if so when; and
263 </li>
264 <li>
264 Attend the conference and take part in decision-making when invited.
264 </li>
265 </ul>
266 For the detailed procedure in relation to Child Protection Conferences, see
266 <a href="https://www.proceduresonline.com/pancheshire/warrington/p_ch_protection_conf.html"
target="_blank" rel="noopener">
266 Warrington Safeguarding Partnership Procedures, Child Protection Conferences Procedure
266 </a>
266 .
266 </div>
267 <div class="section1">
267 </div>
273 <div class="section">
273 <h2 id="recording">
273 5. Recording Section 47 Enquiries
273 </h2>
274 <p>
274 The social worker should record the information gathered and actions during the course of
the enquiry and its outcomes on a Record of Section 47 Enquiries, which should be approved
by the team manager.
274 </p>
275 </div>
276 <div class="section1">
276 </div>
282 <div class="section">
282 <h2 id="dispute_resol">
282 6. Dispute Resolution
282 </h2>
283 <p>
283 If the local authority decides not to proceed with a Child Protection Conference then other
professionals involved with the child and family have the right to request that a conference
be convened, if they have serious concerns that a child's welfare may not be adequately
safeguarded. In the event of a continued difference of opinion, the
283 <a href="https://www.proceduresonline.com/pancheshire/warrington/p_escalation_pol.html"
target="_blank" rel="noopener">
283 Pan-Cheshire Multi-Agency Escalation Procedure - for Resolving Inter-Agency Professional
Challenges when Working with Children and Families
283 </a>
283 should be followed.
283 </p>
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285 <div class="section1">
285 </div>
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