Single Assessment
ACCA’s Single assessment is completed in accordance with section 17 of the Children Act 1989, which states that it shall be the general duty of every local authority “to safeguard and promote the welfare of children within their area who are in need”.
If, as a result of a Referral, there are indications that the threshold for social care led services have been met, which may include concerns of Significant Harm, a Single Assessment should be conducted.
This is a detailed assessment to determine whether the child is in need, requires a protection plan or requires immediate protection and whether any support services
might assist in meeting that need or managing that risk. As part of the assessment process a decision can be made whether a Strategy Discussion and a Section 47 Enquiry should be undertaken.
Consideration will be given to whether further assessment is appropriate in the case of a child currently open to Children’s Social Care. The nature of the involvement will determine what is required. The Single Assessment should be undertaken in accordance with the Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and their Families Procedure.
These assessments aim to identify the level of need for the children themselves, their carers and any siblings. They further consider what support is required and identify a suggested package that will serve to meet the child’s and family’s needs and reduce both the risk of harm arising/recurring or escalating.
If the child is assessed to be at risk of significant harm, Advanced CCA’s and/or Local Authority Safeguarding Policy should be followed.
A safety plan would need to be identified, a danger statement and safety goals for the child as well as a plan of intervention should be completed.
If the child is assessed as not requiring a service, then a family plan will be agreed that identifies the roles and responsibilities for that child to address the referral concerns and any other work identified.
