1. Page 2 Task 2, 2.1 analysing a child protection referral
• Introduction
• What is a child referral?
• Analysing a referral
2. Page 3 Task 2, 2.2
• Explaining working together
• Good practice
3. Page 4 /Task 3
• Justifying social work intervention in a given situation in relation to the legal framework protecting children
4. Page 5
• Bibliography
Task 2
Introduction
The Children Act 1989 allows local authorities to intervene in order to safeguard children that are suffering or are likely to suffer from significant harm. Risks that affect a child’s physical or mental health are defined as abuse. Ill treatment is not defined as physical, but sexual abuse. These factors can affect a child’s physical, intellectual, …show more content…
A child referral, in context of protecting or aiming to protect a child that might, or is being harmed, is when an individual, which could be authorities, parents or family members, contact children services because they have concerns about a child’s health and\or wellbeing. A referral could occur, because a child or the family is in need of support/protection, there is evidence of concern/possible impact or the child has already been harmed. A referral is also a necessary step for practitioners and anybody who suspects that a child is being harmed or is at risk of being harmed. (Childlawadvice.org.uk, 2017) .
Analyzing a referral
Helen’s doctor is concerned about Helen’s wellbeing. Based on his concerns and physical state of Helen, the doctor decides to take action. The doctor seeks for advice from Helen’s consultant, and following that, the consultant asks for Helens mother’s consent to pass on the information about the concerns, but the parent does not seem to be pleasant about his decision. Despite the lack of consent from the mother, the consultant still chooses to refer Helen, and informs Helen’s mother about the decision. The consultant has the legal authority to refer Helen if he suspects significant harm (Children act 1989 s47). The practitioners have to ensure Helen’s safety and the referral overrides all considerations such as confidentiality, gathering of evidence and also the lack of consent. After referring Helen, children’s social care …show more content…
Social worker analyse situations based on observation skills and assessments to know when and how to intervene. Practitioners have to be able to make sense out of a situation, so that when a child is in need, they can provide adequate and immediate support. The children act 1998 gives Social worker adequate power to protect children from significant harm to intervene where child’s welfare requires it. The children act 1998 states that it shall be every local authority to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. In order to protect children from significant harm, practitioners have to intervene in situations that are critical. Under section 31 and 32 of the children act 1998, it justifies the intervention of local authorities if, a child is, or is likely to suffer from harm or is in lack of parental care/control. Local authorities are under a duty to make enquiries or cause enquiries if a child is suffering or likely to suffer from harm. (Panlancashirescb.proceduresonline.com, 2017). The children act 1998 places a duty on local authorities to steps in order to identify if a child is in need. Social workers identifying if a child is in need is a way of intervening. A social worker can intervene in many ways such as providing accommodation for the child (s20 children act 1998). This may occur when a child has no personal with parental responsibilities, has been abandoned, is not being provided