The process that is followed when someone contacts Children’s Social Care with concerns about the safety or welfare of a child is known as the 'safeguarding process'. There are two main stages to this process:
- Stage 1: a social worker will gather information about the child and family concerned and make an assessment about his/her needs.
- Stage 2: if there is a problem, social workers (and other professionals) will try to resolve it, usually in partnership with the parents and other family members. There will be a series of meetings to decide what support is needed, e.g. family counselling, etc. and to ensure that the situation improves.
A full description of the steps that must be taken can be found in national guidance 'Working together to safeguard children' and the 'Framework for the assessment of children in need and their families' which can be downloaded from the link on the right.
The Lewisham Safeguarding Children Board has produced a booklet about the safeguarding process for parents and carers.
Further information on safeguarding children can be found on the Every child matters website.