E/1 Section 47 of the Children Act 1989 imposes a duty on the local authority to make enquiries where it is informed that a child lives, or is found in its area,
- who is the subject of an Emergency Protection Order (EPO),
- or is in Police Protection (PPOP); or
- Where there is reasonable cause to suspect that the child is suffering or is likely to suffer significant harm.
E/2 The local authority must make such enquiries (either directly or through other agencies) to enable it to decide what actions should be taken to safeguard or promote the child's welfare. (ACPC 2002: 3.27- 3.29)
E/3 s.47 Enquiries must always involve seeing and interviewing the child (in the light of their age and understanding). (ACPC 2002: 3.33)
E/4 The decision not to gain parental permission, or to override a parent's refusal to contact other agencies, should be discussed, where possible, in a Strategy Discussion, or taken by the team manager (or senior practitioner, where delegated).
E/5 A Core Assessment should be commenced when, following a Strategy Discussion, s47 enquiries are initiated.
E/6 The s.47 EnquiriesRecord must be completed within seven working days of the conclusion of the enquiries, and distributed to participants of the Strategy Discussion: as appropriate.
ProcedureE/7 The social care manager convenes a Strategy Discussion, which directs that there should be s.47 Enquiries. (A Chronology and Core Assessment are also started).
E/8 The social worker carries out the necessary enquiries, either as a sole agency undertaking or jointly with the police, health, or others.
E/9 The social worker consults their team manager as to whether
- the enquiries are adequate,
- further enquiries are required, or
- the enquiries are concluded.
E/10 The social worker completes the s47 EnquiriesRecord within seven working days from the enquiries being concluded.
E/11 The team manager authorises the s47 EnquiriesRecord, and notifies the social worker via PARIS.
E/12 The social worker may provide copies of the s47 Enquiries Record to
- all those involved in the enquiries;
- the parents, unless to do so would place the child at risk of suffering harm; and
the child, where appropriate.
GuidanceE/13 The social worker should record:
- details of the actions carried out following the Strategy Discussion;
- a summary of the findings in terms of child’s developmental needs, including child’s safety; parenting capacity; and wider family and environmental factors;
- the decisions made ( or conclusions reached) and the evidence that informed these decisions;
- what future action (if any) needs to be taken and by whom and
- an Initial Plan to make immediate arrangements to safeguard and / or promote the welfare of the child.
E/14 Decisions as to further action following s.47 Enquiries will vary depending on whether the child is assessed as being a Child In Need or a Child In Need Of Protection