What to expect: Section 47 Child Protection Enquiry

Why does a Child Protection Enquiry happen?

Children's Services sometimes receive information or a referral that makes them concerned that a child may not be safe or well cared for. If after reviewing this information, children's services suspect a child is suffering significant harm then they have a legal duty to undertake a Section 47 Child Protection Enquiry.

S47 info

Strategy Discussions and Meetings What does the Child Protection Enquiry usually involve? How Long will it take? What can happen after a Child Protection Enquiry?

Strategy Discussions and Meetings

Strategy meetings and discussions help Children's Services to build as full a picture as possible of what has happened.

What does the Child Protection Enquiry usually involve?

A Section 47 Child Protection Enquiry can either be led by Children's Services or the police, or by both working together.

How Long will it take?

A strategy discussion will start the S47 enquiry process and should be held within one working day of decision to hold a strategy discussion. For out of hours service we aim to hold these strategy discussions as soon as possible.

What can happen after a Child Protection Enquiry?

When the enquiry has been undertaken and the needs of the child have been assessed, Children's Services may decide to make a referral to the most appropriate service or organisation.

Strategy Discussions and Meetings Strategy Discussions and Meetings