These procedures are used by Cambridgeshire Social care services Children and Families Staff.

They outline how we help children in need, including those needing protection from harm.

We work closely with our colleagues from Health, Education, Police Family Units and other organisations which have responsibilities for safeguarding the welfare of children.

Our procedures are fully compatible with the Cambridgeshire Local Safeguarding Children Board's Procedures and often cross-refer to them.  (See their website: http://www.cambslscb.org.uk/index.shtm)

Central to our approach is the 'voice of the child'. That is to say - the actions of our staff should always be driven by what is in the child's best interest and what the child's views and wishes entail.

• Chapter 1 - Assessing Children in Need and their Families
• Chapter 2 - Contacts, Referrals and Initial Assessments  
• Chapter 3 - Planning for children in Need  
• Chapter 4 - Core Assessments
• Chapter 5 - Co-ordinating Work with Children in Need - Core Groups and Child in Need Plans/Child Protection Plans  
• Chapter 6 - Reviewing Services for Children in Need  
• Chapter 7 - currently no content
• Chapter 8 - currently no content
• Chapter 9 - currently no content
• Chapter 10 - Index of forms,letters and leaflets