Child Protection
Making a referral to police or social work
When making a referral to social work or police, you should ask for the Duty social
worker (social work department) or the Duty officer (police). The social worker/police
officer will ask you to give as much information as possible and will also ask that
you confirm the referral details in writing.
When social work or police receive information about possible child abuse they must
act on this information. This action can take a number of different forms including
checking their own records and gathering more information on the child and family
from other agencies.
Sometimes it is necessary to convene an inter agency Child Protection Case Discussion
in order to share information and agree the next course of action.
In the case of an unborn child for whom there may be child protection concerns,
a Pre Birth Child Protection Case Conference may be held to consider what action
if any, is necessary to ensure the protection and welfare of the child following
his/her birth.
If it becomes clear either at the initial referral stage or following one of the
aforementioned meetings, that the child is not at risk and no formal child protection
action is required then support and help can still be offered to the child and family
if required.
In other circumstances concerns may emerge which suggests the child may be at risk
of significant harm and formal child protection action is
required.
Where this is the case social work and police have a duty to investigate and take
any necessary action to protect the child. They will usually undertake this task
together this is called a joint investigation and usually involves joint investigative
interviews being carried out by social work and police working together.
Unless urgent action is required to ensure the immediate protection of the child,
police and social work will usually convene a Planning Meeting to plan and agree
how the joint investigation will be conducted.
At all times the welfare of the child comes first.
Usually social work and police will want to :
- Speak to the referrer
- Speak to the child
- Speak to the parent
- Speak to any other relevant person - other family members, teacher, health visitor.
etc.
- Make further enquires if necessary
- Take further action if necessary - arrange medical examination etc.
It is recognised that this can be a very difficult time for children and their families,
and it is important that all agencies work together to make this process as smooth
as possible to help minimise the stress experienced.
Throughout the process it is important that children and their families are listened
to and consulted and given the necessary information, support and help required.
It is also important that agencies are kept informed of what is happening and that
feedback is given to the referrer on action taken.
What happens next
Once the investigation has been completed all relevant information is recorded by
the agencies involved in the investigation. The social worker will record the information
on a CP1 Form (Child Protection Investigation) and the police will maintain a record
of the relevant information on the appropriate police information system.
This will include, details of the initial referral, family background, assessment
of risk and needs of the child. It will also include a recommendation of any further
action required to protect the child and ensure their safety and wellbeing in the
future.
The Senior Social Worker in conjunction with a Senior Social Work Manager and where
appropriate, the police Family Protection Unit Supervisor or other appropriate Police
Supervisor, will decide on the next course of action.
If there are no child protection concerns
One or more of the following may happen:
- No further action
- Social Work offer of help or support to the child and their family
- A Case Discussion is held to identify support needs of the child and family and
mobilise resources
- Referral to another agency for help or support
In the case of ongoing child protection concerns
- A inter agency meeting (known as an Initial Child Protection Case Conference)
will be convened
- In a small number of cases immediate emergency action may be required to protect
the child -
Child Protection Order,
Exclusion Order,
Emergency Police Powers.
- Further criminal enquires, or report to the Procurator Fiscal may be required
- Referral to the Scottish Children's Reporter Administration (SCRA) may be
required