What should children’s services do first after a child in need assessment has been requested? And can help be given before the assessment has finished?

Children’s services should decide certain things within one working day (see Working Together 2018 at page 33, paragraph 78).  These things are:

• Confirm the request has been received, and then decide:
• Whether the child needs any immediate services or immediate protection
• Whether to start an assessment
• What type of assessment it should be.

If children’s services agree a child in need assessment should be done, then a social worker should be allocated to do that work.

See our Child in need page for more information about what should happen during and following a child in need assessment.

Can help be given to a disabled child and their family before a child in need assessment is finished?

Yes. Government statutory guidance is clear that children’s services should not delay in putting necessary support in place (see Working Together 2018 at page 27, paragraph 52).

So, if needs are identified at any stage, support should be provided for the child and family as soon as possible. A parent or carer can tell the social worker if they feel support needs to be put in place urgently. Assessments can be done quickly if necessary.