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Local referral process

If you have concerns about a child in your setting, you should follow the local referral process, or child protection policy. 

Action to be taken by the school/college 

  • Step 1 - follow your local child protection policy and speak to your designated safeguarding lead (DSL).
  • Step 2 - if referral to social work is not required, your school/college takes relevant action, possibly including pastoral support and/or early help and monitors locally. 
  • Step 3 - if concerns escalate, staff or the designated safeguarding lead make a referral to children’s social care (and call the police if appropriate). 

Action to be taken by social care 

Within one working day, a social worker makes a decision about the type of response required, for example:  

  • Response option 1 - child in need of immediate protection. Referrer informed. Appropriate emergency action taken by social worker, police or NSPCC. 
  • Response option 2 - Section 47 enquiries are appropriate. Referrer informed. Identify child at risk of significant harm. Possible child protection plan.  
  • Response option 3 - Section 17 enquires appropriate: referrer informed. 
  • Response option 4 - no formal assessment required: referrer informed. School/college considers pastoral support and/or early help assessment accessing universal services and other support.  

Key things to remember

  • Staff should do everything they can to support social workers.  
  • At all stages, staff should keep the child’s circumstances under review, involving the designated safeguarding lead (or deputies) as required.  
  • The child’s best interests always come first. Staff should re-refer if appropriate to ensure the child’s circumstances improve.