Statutory Invention by Children’s Social Care

Service Delivery/Criteria

Social care lead agency is the lead agency for children. Provision of services or intervention are provided through either:

  • Child in Need Plan (Section 17) N.B Carers consent is required for CIN Plan.
  • Child Protection Plan (Section 47)
  • Education, Health and Care (EHCP) Plan
  • Care Leaver Pathway Plan

Description/Criteria

The Child/Children is in need of social work led assessment and involvement because there is a risk of significant harm to a child if support is not provided.

  • Children considered at risk of significant harm from neglect or from sexual, physical or emotional abuse (S47)
  • Children subject to a Child Protection Plan (S47)
  • Children who require support from social care under S17 (Consent required for CiN).
  • Children subject to care proceedings (S31)
  • Children accommodated under Section 20

Examples of Indicators at this level (this list is not exhaustive)

The Child/Children is in need of statutory services or protection from harm such as:

  • Children regularly witnessing domestic abuse or occasional severe domestic violence. Parental capacity to change and/or protect is lacking, or disguised compliance is suspected
  • Persistent indicators of neglect and despite support, parents lack the capacity and motivation to make the necessary changes and maintain this.
  • Household members/regular visitors considered to pose a risk of abuse to children
  • Children at risk of sexual abuse or exploitation (evidence of forcing or grooming)
  • Children whose sexualised behaviour poses a risk of harm to others (i.e. other children)
  • Unborn child’s safety/health/ development may be at risk – i.e. Pre-birth assessment required
  • Children experiencing crisis likely to result in family breakdown
  • Parents have mental health, substance/ alcohol dependency problems that compromise their ability to parent to a ‘good enough’ standard
  • Child has acute developmental/emotional needs that need specialist assessment or support
  • Parents refuse essential assessments or are unable to recognise their children’s needs and obstruct or do not cooperate with early support and other services
  • Repeated missed appointments for essential health services for a child that will result in suffering or the child’s needs escalating

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