Child Care Assessment Team
What is an assessment?
Before we can help you, we need to know more about you and your family. This will involve collecting information, talking this through with you and agreeing what might be done.
Any information you give us will be held in confidence within the social care department. If there is a need to discuss this information with anyone else, we will normally ask for your permission. The only exception to this is if there are serious concerns about the welfare of your child.
We know that almost all parents want to do their best for their children, and completing the assessment will help the social workers recognise the strengths you and your family have, as well as your difficulties.
Factsheet for Parents: The Section 47 Process leading to a Care & Support Assessment
Background
When Social Services receive information that your child(ren) may be at risk. A Child Protection Investigation or Enquiry under Section 47 of the Children Act 1989 is carried out. Under the Act the Child Care Assessment Team have a duty to make enquiries and assess the situation when they receive a report that a child(ren) may be at risk of significant harm or abuse. When we make these enquiries, we follow our local Child Protection Procedures, in accordance with the Wales Safeguarding Procedures and the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014, which are informed by government guidelines. We realise that this can be a stressful and worrying time. To help us understand whether or not there are serious concerns we will need to do a Care and Support Assessment of the situation.
The Care & Support Assessment
Every assessment must include the views of the child as well as the family. Where possible the person with parental responsibility would be sought to give consent, unless professional judgement suggests that this would place a child at risk. The Childcare Assessment Team are legally required under the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 to ascertain the child’s wishes and feelings about the provision of services. The Working Together to Safeguard Children Guidance states that a child(ren) should be seen alone wherever possible. Again, the person with parental responsibility would be sought to give consent unless professional judgement suggests that this would place a child at risk.
For more information: 01437 764551