Glossary: Section 47 (Children Act 1989) enquiry

If there are reasonable grounds to suspect that a child is suffering or is likely to suffer Significant Harm, a Section 47 Enquiry and Core Assessment are initiated.

This normally occurs after an Initial Assessment and a Strategy Discussion.

Section 47 Enquiries are usually conducted by a social worker, jointly with the Police, and must be completed within 15 days of a Strategy Discussion.

Where concerns are substantiated and the child is judged to be at continued risk of Significant Harm, a Child Protection Conference should be convened.