What is a social services Section 47 enquiry?
If there are serious concerns about the safety or welfare of a child or children, children’s services may decide that a child protection investigation is needed and they will conduct what is called a Section 47 enquiry. This means they will carry out a full investigation because there is reasonable cause to believe that a child or children living in that home has been abused or neglected or is likely to be abused or neglected in the future unless steps are taken to safeguard the child’s welfare. (The legal term they will use is ‘significant harm’).
If you have heard that they are going to carry out a Section 47 enquiry, please do not panic. This is to determine the child’s needs are being met. They will also use this enquiry to decide whether further action may be needed to safeguard and promote the child’s welfare. It is important to note that if it is decided child protection enquiries are needed, you do not get a choice in this, as your local authority have a legal duty to ensure children are safe.
You will be interviewed by a social worker, and, if there is an allegation that a child has been abused or seriously neglected, a specialist police officer may be involved. The child will also be seen to ensure their views are considered and, according to government guidance, this should be done without you present but it is likely they will ask for your consent. Depending on the concerns, they may require a medical examination by the GP or at the hospital and, again, they should seek your consent for this. However, even if you don’t give your consent they might consider the concerns are serious enough to continue with their enquiries. They have powers to use emergency options to remove your child/children from your care, if they feel they are in need of immediate protection. Child Law Advice offer information to understand what options are available to them in this type of situation.
Social services must seek your views and consider the child’s wishes and feelings when deciding what action should be taken in the Section 47 enquiry. Other information might be gathered from schools, GPs, or other professionals who know you and your child well. If there is someone you think they should talk to, to get a better understanding of your family, you should tell them.
Once the child protection enquiry has been carried out, social services will be in touch about the outcome. If they decide that there has been no cause for concern then no further action will be taken, although they should check with you whether the family still needs help. If they consider the child has probably been abused or neglected or is likely to be unless changes are made, then a child protection case conference will be arranged. This may be because they think you or someone else in your family has done something to harm the child, or because of something you haven’t done, such as getting necessary medical treatment, or making sure your child is properly supervised. Family Rights Group offer further information about the child protection process.