• contents
• keywords & contacts
• quick guide
• values
• contact us
• search
• working together 2010

Contents

See: Flowchart: Contained in Initial and Core Assessments: Guidance

1. Core Assessments (without Child Protection Enquiry)
2. Core Assessments (with Child Protection Enquiry)

 1. Core Assessment (Without Child Protection Enquiry)

Note: This procedure relates to Core Assessments that do not incorporate Child Protection Enquiry.  Procedures for Core Assessments which do incorporate Child Protection Enquiries are contained in Section 2, Core Assessments (with Child Protection Enquiry)

1.1 Criteria for the Core Assessment (Without Child Protection Enquiry)

These procedures apply to Core Assessments completed for any child, whose needs are of a medium or high level of priority as set out in the ‘Access to Services’ leaflet, but not those children thought to be suffering or likely to suffer from Significant Harm. 

1.2 Purpose of the Core Assessment (Without Child Protection Enquiry)

The purpose of the Core Assessment is to conduct an in depth assessment of the child’s needs, drawing on information provided by partner agencies, and to inform decisions about what services should be provided to meet them.

1.3 Timescales of the Core Assessment (Without Child Protection Enquiry)

The Core Assessment should be concluded within a maximum of 35 working days of the end of the Initial Assessment, or the decision to undertake a Core Assessment on an Open Case. 

In exceptional circumstances, this timescale may be extended if the parameters of the ongoing assessment are authorised by the manager and confirmed in writing at the end of the 35 day period.

1.4 Process of the Core Assessment (Without Child Protection Enquiry)

At the beginning of the Core Assessment the parameters of the assessment work will be clarified and, if possible, agreed with the child and family and put into writing. 

See Section 1.7, Recording of the Core Assessment (without a Child Protection Enquiry), for details of the records that should be completed.

The assessment method will vary dependent on the child and family’s situation but opportunities to work directly with the child and the child’s family must be incorporated at every stage.

Under normal circumstances Core Assessments must be carried out on each child in the family, unless the manager authorises otherwise.

Any existing assessments or the views of other service providers/agencies known to the child/family should be integrated into the Core Assessment.

For Core Assessments carried out in relation to pre-birth referrals, see Section 6.8 Pre-birth Referral and Assessment , London Child Protection Procedures.

Where information has already been gathered by other agencies as part of their assessments, there is no need to duplicate the information gathering although the social worker should check with the child and family that the information gained from the other agencies is correct.  The social worker will still need to complete the Core Assessment having regard to its specific purpose.

Children should always be seen and communicated with alone by the Lead Social Worker.

Where the child has previously lived overseas (outside the UK) or members of the family have been in the forces (Army, Navy or RAF) information should be obtained in relation to that period.  See keywords Forces Children or Overseas Children for guidance on obtaining this information. 

During the course of the Core Assessment it may be necessary to provide or refer the child for services or to commission additional specialist assessments. 

If information comes to light that suggests that a child is suffering or likely to suffer Significant Harm, a Strategy Discussion must be convened with a view to incorporating a Child Protection Enquiry into the Core Assessment.

Where attempts to engage the child and parent in the Core Assessment are unsuccessful, the social worker and manager must consider what action or approach is required to safeguard the child and take legal advice as necessary.

1.5 Outcomes of the Core Assessment (Without Child Protection Enquiry)

A manager must sign and approve the outcomes of a Core Assessment and ensure that:

• There has been direct communication with the child and his or her views have been recorded and taken into account;
• All the children in the household have been seen and their needs considered;
• The parents have been seen and their views and wishes have been recorded and taken into account;
• The analysis has been completed;
• The chronology at the front of the file is up to date.

During the course and upon completion of the Core Assessment it will be necessary to decide what services should be provided.

The services that will be appropriate will be different for each child, depending on his/her needs. 

As set out in Section 1.7, Recording of the Core Assessment (without a Child Protection Enquiry), where the Core Assessment identifies that services should be provided, a relevant plan should be formulated. This should detail the actions and services that will be provided by social services and partner agencies.

1.6 Review of Core Assessments (Without Child Protection Enquiry)

Core Assessments must be reviewed by the social worker and signed off by the manager every six months.

1.7 Recording of the Core Assessments (Without Child Protection Enquiry)

The Core Assessment must be recorded on an age appropriate Core Assessment Record. 

Where the Core Assessment concludes that it may be appropriate for the child to be Looked After, a Care Plan and Placement Information Record will be required.

See Route Map for Looked After Children and Care Plans Guidance. 

Otherwise, a Child’s Plan should be drawn up if services are provided.

2. Core Assessments (with Child Protection Enquiry)

This procedure relates to Core Assessments incorporating a Child Protection Enquiry conducted upon children in need believed to be suffering or likely to suffer from Significant Harm. Procedures for Core Assessments which do not incorporate Child Protection Enquiries are contained in this Chapter, in Section 1, Core Assessments (without Child Protection Enquiry) It is assumed that a Strategy Discussion will have been convened, in relation to a child believed to be suffering or likely to suffer from Significant Harm, and a decision reached to conduct a Core Assessment with a Child Protection Enquiry. This procedure must be read in conjunction with London’s Child Protection Procedures.

2.1	Criteria for the Core Assessment (with Child Protection Enquiry)
2.2	Purpose of the Core Assessment (with Child Protection Enquiry)
2.3	Timescales of the Core Assessment (with Child Protection Enquiry)
2.4	Process of the Core Assessment (with Child Protection Enquiry)
2.5	Outcomes of the Core Assessment (with Child Protection Enquiry)
2.6	Recording of the Core Assessment (with Child Protection Enquiry)

2.1 Criteria for the Core Assessment (with a Child Protection Enquiry)

This procedure applies to Core Assessments incorporating a Child Protection Enquiry, conducted upon Children in Need believed to be suffering or likely to suffer from Significant Harm. 

2.2 Purpose of the Core Assessment (with a Child Protection Enquiry)

The purpose of a Core Assessment with a Child Protection Enquiry is to provide an in-depth assessment which addresses the central or most important aspects of the needs of a child, including any risk of Significant Harm, and the capacity of his or her parents or care givers to respond appropriately to these needs within the wider family and community context. The assessment should draw on information provided from partner agencies and inform decisions about what services should be provided to meet the child's needs.

London’s Child Protection Procedures contain procedures on conducting a Child Protection Enquiry.

2.3 Timescales of the Core Assessment (with a Child Protection Enquiry)

Where a Core Assessment incorporates a Child Protection Enquiry, it may be possible to obtain sufficient information to conclude the Core Assessment in time for the Initial Child Protection Conference, which is normally convened within 15 days of the Strategy Discussion.  The ability to achieve this will depend on the complexity and the urgency of the case.

In all cases, the Core Assessment must be completed or ended within 35 days of the Strategy Discussion.

2.4 Process of the Core Assessment (with a Child Protection Enquiry)

The Education and Children's Services is responsible for the coordination and completion of the Core Assessment.

The Core Assessment incorporating a Child Protection Enquiry will be completed by the Social Worker, usually undertaken jointly with a Police Officer.  The process of gathering information is as set out in Section 1.4 for Core Assessments not incorporating a Child Protection Enquiry.

For Core Assessments carried out in relation to pre-birth referrals, see Section 6.8, Pre-birth Referral and Assessment of the London Child Protection Procedures.

The London Child Protection Procedures contain other relevant procedures for Child Protection Enquiries, including the arrangements for Video Recorded or other interviews and medical assessments. See London Child Protection Procedures Contents List.

Children should always be seen and communicated with alone by the Lead Social Worker.

Where the child has previously lived overseas (outside the UK) or members of the family have been in the forces (Army, Navy or RAF) information should be obtained in relation to that period. 

Note re timescales It is possible that the obtaining of information from other agencies may take more than 35 days, but the timescales of the Core Assessment should not be compromised unless there are exceptional circumstances and the manager approves it.  Under normal circumstances, the assessment should be completed within the required timescale and when new information comes to light later, the manager must consider what actions to take.

Where attempts to engage the child and parent in the Core Assessment are unsuccessful, the social worker and manager must consider what action or approach is required to safeguard the child and take legal advice as necessary.

Records of Section 47 Enquiry and any Reports to Child Protection Conferences should include the date(s) when the child was seen alone by the Lead Social Worker and, if not seen alone, who was present and the reasons for their presence.

2.5 Outcomes of the Core Assessment (with a Child Protection Enquiry)

A manager must sign and approve the outcomes of a Core Assessment and ensure that:

1. There has been direct communication with the child and his or her views have been recorded and taken into account;
2. All the children in the household have been seen and their needs considered;
3. The parents have been seen and their views and wishes have been recorded and taken into account;
4. The analysis has been completed;
5. The chronology at the front of the file is up to date.

It may be possible to obtain sufficient information to conclude the Core Assessment in time for the Initial Child Protection Conference, which is normally convened within 15 days of the Strategy Discussion. 

However, the ability to achieve this will depend on the complexity and the urgency of the case.  The Core Assessment may continue beyond the Initial Child Protection Conference; up to a maximum of 35 days.

Following a Child Protection Enquiry a number of outcomes may take place or be authorised by the manager; they are:

1. That an Initial Child Protection Conference is convened and a decision reached to make the child subject to a Child Protection Plan. 
   
   If there are indicators that Significant Harm has taken place or is likely to take place, an Initial Child Protection Conference must be convened.  If a decision is reached to make the child subject to a Child Protection Plan, a Core Group will be established.  In these circumstances the manager must consider whether or not sufficient information has been obtained to conclude the Core Assessment.  If not, it can continue up to a maximum of 35 days, at which point the Child Protection Plan may be amended in the light of its findings;
2. That an Initial Child Protection Conference is convened but the child is not made subject to a Child Protection Plan;
3. If there are indicators that Significant Harm has taken place or is likely to take place an Initial Child Protection Conference must be convened but the child may not be made subject to a Child Protection Plan. In these circumstances the manager must consider whether or not to conclude the Core Assessment or continue up to a maximum of 35 days.

That there are strong indicators that Significant Harm has not taken place and is not likely to; in which case, the manager may authorise that an Initial Child Protection Conference is not convened.  In these circumstances the manager must consider whether or not to conclude the Core Assessment or continue up to a maximum of 35 days.  During the course and upon completion of the Core Assessment, it will be necessary to decide what services should be provided.

As set out in Section 2.6, Recording of the Core Assessment (with a Child Protection Enquiry), where the Core Assessment identifies that services should be provided, a relevant plan should be formulated. This should detail the actions and services that will be provided by social services and partner agencies.

Consideration should be given by the date of the Initial Child Protection Conference where one is convened to whether the Core Assessment has been completed or what further work is required before it is completed.

If the outcome of a Section 47 Enquiry is that the concerns are substantiated but the child is judged not to be at continuing risk of Significant Harm, this decision must be endorsed by a suitably experienced and qualified social work manager.

A Core Assessment is deemed completed once the assessment has been discussed with the child and family and authorised by the manager.

2.6 Recording of the Core Assessment (with a Child Protection Enquiry)

During the course of the Core Assessment, an age appropriate Core Assessment Record must be completed.

Where the Core Assessment concludes that it may be appropriate for the child to be Looked After, a Care Plan and Placement Information Record will be required. 

Also see Route Map for Looked After Children and Care Plans Guidance.

End