Do parents have a choice whether to have a child in need assessment?

Yes. Child in need assessments are voluntary. This means that parents or carers do not have to agree to have an assessment.  Remember, a child in need assessment aims to find out what extra help and services a child and their family need.  It is about making sure a child has what they need to be healthy and develop well. Help and services following a child in need assessment may prevent needs and difficulties escalating.

If a parent or carer feels that they do not want a child in need assessment it may be a good idea for them to:

• Take time to think about any worries they have about the assessment
• Note down the worries and any questions
• Speak to the social worker who is, or will be, doing the assessment (or another practitioner) about these
• Ask for further information about the assessment process
• Ask for further information about what may happen after the assessment
• Ask them what they would do if you decided not to agree to the assessment.

If a parent or carer does not agree to an assessment, the social worker involved may:

• Become more worried
• Become concerned that the family and child will not get the help they need
• Worry that the child and family may struggle, and things may get worse
• Look at whether children’s services need to start child protection enquiries or hold a child protection conference.

If a parent or carer decides they want to refuse an assessment, it is good idea if they:

• Show how the child’s needs are being met in some other way e.g. finding suitable services and help themselves
• Share this information with the social worker
• Contact Family Rights Group for independent advice about their specific situation, visiting our Parents forum is a good first step
• Get some independent legal advice about their situation from a solicitor.