Child protection

Under the 1989 Children Act, local authorities have to investigate where there is a reasonable cause to suspect that a child is suffering (or likely to suffer) significant harm. If you are concerned about any child, please contact us on the details below.

Contact Details
Children's assessment team
023 8083 3336
children.first@southampton.gov.uk

The first response
When an allegation is made that a child is at risk, social workers will have a discussion with the police to decide how to deal with the situation. The safety of the child will be the first priority.

If social workers believe that a child may be at risk of serious harm, they will begin a Child Protection Enquiry. This is an enquiry under Section 47 of the Children Act. The police will decide whether a criminal investigation is required.

A social worker will carry out an initial assessment of the child and their family’s circumstances, to gain a picture of the situation at home. The information from an initial assessment will be used to decide what steps need to be taken next.

Next steps
The initial assessment may show that there is nothing to worry about and that social services will not need to be further involved.

Sometimes, even if a child is not at risk there may be some problems within the family that social workers can help with. They will explain the services available to support and advise the family concerned.

If social workers discover reasons to worry about the safety of a child, they will either take emergency action (when there is an immediate and serious risk) or hold a child protection conference.

The fact sheet on the right explains in more detail what will happen during an investigation of this kind.

A core assessment for child protection

At any stage in the child protection process, from the initial assessment onwards, social workers may decide to carry out a core assessment on a child to help with their decision making. Click here for further information.