What happens when Social Work/ Police receive a referral?

On receipt of a referral, Social Work and/or Police will carry out an initial assessment of the information. Where the information indicates a very low level of concern the matter may be diverted to a single agency for appropriate action, or to multi-agency partners to coordinate a plan for a Child in Need.

Where it is potentially a child protection matter then the receiving agency (Social Work and/or Police) will:

• Treat every referral seriously
• Gather information available
• Assess and analyse this jointly and make decisions based on the information
• Assess the situation and determine how best to progress the matter The welfare of the child will always be of paramount consideration
• Organise an Inter-agency Referral Discussion (IRD) to decide on a multi-agency basis whether it is a child protection concern and, if so, to plan the investigation
• Identify who will be responsible for feeding back to the referrer
• Consider the need for any emergency legal measures required or statutory measures via a referral to the Children’s Reporter

The Social Worker or Police Officer receiving the referral should ensure the information on the referral checklist is recorded on their relevant recording system.

It is essential that information is recorded as fully and as accurately as possible, including checking spelling Remember these records may be accessed later by the child and/or used in a court of law.

The Social Worker or Police Officer will:

• Request written confirmation of the referral and record this Where the referrer is another professional, they should be asked to complete their agency shared referral form
• Reassure the referrer that all information received will be treated seriously and with discretion
• Members of the public have the right to make a referral without giving their name but they must be advised that this may cause difficulties in establishing whether or not a child is at risk of abuse They should also be advised that in some instances information may have to be shared with the Police who may wish to interview them
• Construct an initial analysis of the situation
• Discuss the referral with the relevant line manager and agree a plan of action including whether immediate action needs to be taken to protect the child

The Social Worker Manager/ Police Manager will:

• Decide in conjunction with the worker a course of action — consider whether any immediate action needs to be taken or whether initial enquiries should be made
• Arrange an Initial Referral Discussion if it is felt after initial enquires that it meets the threshold for child protection
• Ensure decisions around any child protection concerns are made as soon as possible
• Ensure that a worker is identified to undertake the initial enquiry and assessment
• In all referrals which suggest that a child is in need of compulsory measures of supervision, ensure that enquiries are made and relevant information provided to the Scottish Children’s Reporters Administration