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What makes a child or family eligible for an Initial Assessment?

 
When a referral is made it is important that the Council understand what help you need. 

We have a duty to prioritise children who are most in need.

In the following situations council staff will complete what is called an initial assessment:

  • a child is at risk of direct harm from physical, emotional or sexual abuse

  • a child’s wellbeing and development are being significantly harmed by neglectful parenting

  • a child is disturbed and difficult and a parent is unable to manage the child

  • a child self-harms

  • a child is beyond parental control

  • a child is 16-17, has no parent or carer and is unable to lead an independent life

  • a child is under 16 and has no interested adult to exercise appropriate parenting responsibilities

  • a child's parents abuse alcohol and / or drugs, which significantly affects their parenting ability

  • an adult who may present a risk to children moves into a household with under eighteen year olds

  • unborn child whose parent has had previous children who have been the subjects of Child Protection Plans or who have been removed from their care

  • a child who has been sexually exploited or is at risk of exploitation

  • a child up to the age of eighteen acts as a carer because of incapacity of parents or carers

  • a child is infected or affected by HIV/AIDS

  • a child is a threat to themselves or others

  • a child has mental health difficulties and is not engaged with other services

  • Child has persistent unexplained health problems

  • there are two or more reports of domestic violence where there are children in the family

  • a child’s parent is under eighteen years and is isolated from appropriate support networks

  • a child's parents are prevented from carrying out their parental role due to disability, learning disability, mental illness or social exclusion

  • a child is re-referred to us within twelve months of being the subject of a child protection plan

  • a child is the subject of an Antisocial Behaviour Order

  • a child is re-referred to us because of ‘low’ key concerns within twelve months of the removal of a statutory order such as a supervision or care order

  • a child has significant disability or chronic health problems

  • a child's parent has no recourse to public funds

  • unborn child whose parent’s behaviour appears to compromise their ability to safely parent in the future

  • a child’s parent/carer has HIV/AIDS

A to Z of Services

Child Protection

  • 020 8921 3172