An assessment is a way of collecting relevant information about a child and their family to understand the child’s needs and family circumstances. An assessment is usually carried out in your home, to determine your child/ren’s care need or the level of any risk or harm being suffered by the child/ren.
The assessment will include information about your family composition, your family history, your support networks, the views of the child/ren, your views as parents/carers, your family’s strengths, areas of needs/risks, information from other agencies that have had contacts with your family such as your child/ren’s schools, health visitor, GP, Mental Health Worker, IDVA, Probation, Housing and any support service that you/your family have accessed.
The assessment will include the social worker’s analysis of the information gathered from you and others to identify whether any further action is required by the Local Authority. The outcome of an assessment could be as follows:
- To close as no further action is required
- To offer information and advice
- To signpost/refer to Targeted Support/Early Help
- To pass on to our Family Support & Safeguarding service under a CIN (child in need) plan to allow for further social care support
- To escalate to a strategy discussion with a view to undertaking a Section 47 investigation
The assessment is completed with you, under Section 17 of the Children’s Act 1989. It can also be completed without you if you decide not to engage in this; if this is the case, the social worker will evidence attempts to engage with you and the reasons for this.
You will be given a copy of your assessment at the end of the assessment unless you have not engaged with this. The assessment is completed within 45 working days
Contact Children's Social Care
Telephone: 0345 045 5203 (office hours), 01733 234 724 (out of hours)
Find out more about how the council delivers it’s services across the Children, education, and families directorate here.
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Safeguarding Children's Partnership Board has a range of information for parents and for practitioners as well as more information about MASH and Early Help Hub.
If you are an organisation who would like to make us aware of placement availability, please contact our children’s commissioning team at CFA.AccessToResources@cambridgeshire.gov.uk
