This section of the Good Practice Guide gives procedures and
guidelines for:
- Making a referral for a Children's Social Care
Service,including urgent referrals
- Responding to referrals which are received in the Children's
Social Care teams
- Assessment of need in Children's Social Care
Services including specialist assessments
Making a referral for a Children's Social Care
Service
This
flowchart
for professionals who wish to make a referral for a social care
service shows the process professional workers should follow and
the requirements for sharing information if a child or young person
may need additional services, including where there are urgent
welfare concerns.
The
Referral form for a social care service is now combined
with the Common Assessment Framework ( CAF ). Follow the
guidance on the front of the form to carry out a Common
Assessment Framework or to make a referral to Children's Social
Care Services, including an urgent referral.
“What to do if you’re worried a child is being abused”
gives further information, from the Department for Children,
Schools and Families, about making a referral. The full
safeguarding policies and procedures are found on the
Suffolk Safeguarding
Children Board website.
The
Children
In Need, Policy, Principles and Guidance ( PDF, 270Kb ) gives
the requirements for working with Children In Need under the
Children Act 1989
Here is further information about
The Common Assessment Framework ( CAF ) in Suffolk
Responding to referrals which are received in
Children's Social Care teams
This
Referral
and Initial Assessment flowchart ( PDF,38.45KB) gives the
process for responding to and recording referrals received in
social care teams and carrying out Initial Assessments for best
outcomes and performance.
Where correspondence is received concerning a child or young person
the
Policy
for handling Correspondence (PDF, 27KB) and the
Log for
recording correspondence (excel document) should be used.
Assessment of need in Children's Social Care Services
Assessment of need following referral will be undertaken according
to the flowchart above
and
Assessment Framework: Inter agency Protocol and Guidance ( PDF,
162Kb) and clearly recorded on the Integrated Children's System (
ICS) on Carefirst 6. This is a
Quick
Guide to Core Assessments in Suffolk
Here is
full government guidance on using the Assessment Framework and its
scales and questionnaires.
The
Referral
and Initial Assessment Checklist, (PDF, 49Kb) should be
completed by the social worker and countersigned by the
manager.
A
chronology ( PDF, 35Kb ) is an important tool in assessment.
One should should be started once an Initial Assessment is
completed and there is a decision to provide social care services.
This
At
a Glance Guide ( PDF, 30Kb ) gives guidance about completing
chronologies
Assessment in specific
circumstances
Assessing pre-birth
The template for assessment before birth is part of the Integrated
Children's System ( ICS ). Further guidance is available from the
Suffolk Safeguarding
Board
Assessing neglect
The
Graded
Care Profile ( PDF, 80Kb ) is a multi-agency and multi purpose
assessment tool especially useful for assessing and re-assessing
neglect. These are the
instructions
for use ( PDF 46, Kb) and
further
guidance and information ( PDF, 34Kb )
Here is additional
practice
guidance on assessing and monitoring where emotional abuse and
neglect occur together ( PDF,113Kb )
For further information and guidance about assessment,
particularly in specific circumstances go to the
Family Support Practice Network webpage
or consult "The Child's World" Edited by Jan Horwath
published by DOH 2001. Copies are available from
Suffolk
Libraries.