1.2.10 Core Assessments |
AMENDMENT
This chapter was updated in August 2010 to take account of the changes in Working Together to Safeguard Children 2010. The changes are shown in italics.
RELATED CHAPTER
Contents
Flowchart: Contained in Initial and Core Assessments Guidance
- Core Assessments (without Child Protection Enquiry)
- Core Assessments (with Child Protection Enquiry)
1. Core Assessments (without Child Protection Enquiry)
| Note: This procedure relates to Core Assessments that do not incorporate Child Protection Enquiries. 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 moderate to high level, at Level 2 or above of the Prioritisation Criteria 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)
The Social Services Department is responsible for the co-ordination and completion of the Core Assessment.
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 1.6, Recording of the Core Assessment (Without Child Assessment 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.
Any existing assessments or the views of other service providers/agencies known to the child/family should be integrated into the Core Assessment.
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 other agencies is correct. The social worker will then need to consider all the available information having regard to the specific purpose of the Core Assessment.
Where the child is from Overseas or has lived abroad for any time as a Forces Child, information should be obtained in relation to that period. In order to achieve this, assistance may be obtained from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, or the appropriate embassy or consulate.
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, during a Core Assessment, 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.
Where the Core Assessment concludes that it may be appropriate for the child to be Looked After, a Care Plan, Placement Plan and other plans and documentation will be required - see Decision to Look After, Care and Permanence Planning Procedure.
See also Route Map for Looked After Children.
If other services are provided, it will be necessary to draw up a Child in Need Plan and obtain the appropriate Designated Manager approval.
1.6 Recording of the Core Assessment (Without Child Protection Enquiry)
The Core Assessment must be recorded on an age appropriate Core Assessment Record.
1.7 Delegated Authority for Decision (Children in Need)
See Designated Manager (Children in Need)
2. Core Assessments (With Child Protection Enquiry)
| Note: This procedure relates to Core Assessments incorporating Child Protection Enquiries 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 Section 1, Core Assessments (without Child Protection Enquiry). |
2.1 Criteria for the Core Assessment (With a Child Protection Enquiry)
This procedure applies to Core Assessments incorporating Child Protection Enquiries, 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 the Core Assessment is to determine whether there is a continuing risk of Significant Harm to the child.
The assessment will draw on information obtained during the assessment including that provided by partner agencies. A Child Protection Enquiry , as required by the London Child Protection Procedures, Section 7, Child Protection Enquiries, is incorporated into this Core Assessment.
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)
Specialist Children's Services are responsible for the coordination and completion of the Core Assessment.
The Core Assessment incorporating a Child Protection Enquiry will be undertaken by the Social Worker. (The Child Protection Enquiry will usually be undertaken jointly with a Police Officer). The process of gathering information is as set out in paragraph 1.4 above for Core Assessments not incorporating a Child Protection Enquiry.
Children should always be seen and communicated with alone by the Lead Social Worker as part of a Child Protection Enquiry unless inappropriate to do so. The Record 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.
Detail of the procedures for Child Protection Enquiries, including the arrangements for Video Recorded or other interviews and medical assessments are also contained in the London Child Protection Procedures, Section 7, Child Protection Enquiries.
For Core Assessments carried out in relation to pre-birth referrals, see Pre-Birth Asessment Procedure and the London Child Protection Procedures, Section 6.8, Pre-birth Referral and Assessment of Referral and 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.
2.5 Outcome of the Core Assessment (With a Child Protection Enquiry)
A Core Assessment is deemed completed once the assessment has been discussed with the child and family and authorised by the manager.
A manager must sign and approve the outcome 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
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 social worker's team manager; they are:
- That an Initial Child Protection Conference is convened and a decision reached that the child requires 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 that the child requires 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. - That an Initial Child Protection Conference is convened but the child's does not require 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 but the child may not require a Child Protection Plan. In these circumstances the manager must consider whether or not sufficient information has been obtained to conclude the Core Assessment or continue it 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 to 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..
The services that will be appropriate will be different for each child, depending on his/her needs. If services are provided, or determined and not immediately provided, it will be necessary to draw up a Children's Plan, which will be subject to differing Review procedures.
Where the Core Assessment concludes that it may be appropriate for the child to be Looked After, a Care Plan, Placement Information Record and other plans and documentation will be required - see Decision to Look After, Care and Permanence Planning Procedure.
See also Route Map for Looked After Children.
If other services are provided, it will be necessary to draw up a Child in Need Plan.
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.
2.7 Delegated Authority for Decisions (Child Protection)
See Designated Managers Appendix for delegated authority for decisions and notifications.
End