We're worried about your child - what happens next?
This page is for you if a professional has told you that children’s services are looking into worries about your child. This is called a Section 47 enquiry.
We understand that hearing this can feel scary or confusing. This page will explain what is happening and tell you about your rights in a clear and simple way.
A note about how Darlington works
Darlington is changing the way child protection is delivered.
Some teams now use a new approach. In these teams Child Protection enquiries are led by a Lead Child Protection Practitioner (LCPP) and work as part of a Multi-Agency Child Protection Team (MACPT). For more information read our leaflets.
Other teams still work in the usual way. These Child Protection enquiries are led by a Social Worker, with support from an Independent Child Protection Chair (CP Chair) and their team manager. For more information read our leaflets.
Whichever team is working with your family, your rights stay the same.
At your first meeting, professionals will:
- introduce themselves
- explain their role
- tell you how they will support you
All teams will move to the new way of working by 1st April 2027.
Darlington Children Services has a legal duty to make sure that all children in Darlington are safe and protected. If Children’s Services receive information that a child may be at risk of harm, we must look into it.
This is called a Child Protection Enquiry or a Section 47 enquiry. The name comes from the Children Act 1989, which says we must take action if we are worried about a child.
The Child Protection Enquiry is to:
- understand what life is like for your family.
- speak with your child or children on their own to understand what has happened and learn more about their life.
- speak with you to understand what has happened, learn more about you and discuss ideas for making things safer for your child or children.
- speak with family members you identify as sources of support, to see how they may be able to help.
- share ideas with you about how to make the situation safer.
- ask other agencies for relevant information about your family.
- decide whether your child or children are suffering significant harm, or are at risk of suffering significant harm.
Child abuse and harm can include:
- Physical abuse. Deliberately hurting a child for example hitting, punching or physical chastisement, causing injuries such as bruises, broken bones or cuts.
- Emotional Abuse. Ongoing emotional cruelty to a child including rejection, constantly threating concretising a child so they feel unloved and worthless. This can also includes exposure to domestic abuse in the home.
- Sexual abuse. Forcing or persuading a child to take park in sexual activities. This can include inappropriate touching, kissing or sexual intercourse, or making a child to look at pornographic material.
- Exploitation. Using a child for gain, either sexual or criminal.
- Neglect. Failure to meet a child basic daily needs. This can include not providing enough food, clothing, medical care, shelter, keeping them safe, education and nurturing.
You will have a Social Worker / Family Help Lead Practitioner. They will stay with you the whole time you are involved with children’s services.
Your Family Help Worker will:
- be your main point of contact
- get to know your family
- work with other professionals to support you.
Depending on the team supporting you before 31st March 2027, you child will be allocated either:
- a Lead Child Protection Practitioner (LCPP). They will lead on all child protection activity for you and your family. This includes the strategy meeting, the S47 and any child protection conferences that may follow.
or
- an Independent Child Protection Chair (CP Chair). They will only meet your family if it is felt that a Child Protection Plan is needed. They will chair the Child Protection Conference if one is needed.
All professionals working with you will:
- introduce themselves at your first meeting
- explain their role
- tell you how they will work with you
Other professionals may also be involved, such as:
- a health worker
- a police officer
- a teacher
They all work together to help keep your child safe.
Your Social Worker / Family Help Lead Practitioner will visit your home. Sometimes they will visit on their own, or with support from another professional such as an LCPP or CP Chair.
They will:
- talk with you
- talk with your child (if they are old enough)
Your Social Worker / Family Help Lead Practitioner will also speak to other people who know your child, such as:
- their teacher
- a school nurse
- your GP
This helps us understand your child’s situation more fully.
We will tell you why we are concerned about your child. The only time we may not do this is if telling you could put your child at greater risk.
Police involvement
In some situations, the police may also be involved and may visit with Children's Services.
If information suggests that a crime may have been committed against your child or another person, a specially trained child protection police officer will want to speak with your child. The purpose of this is to understand what has happened and gather information to help with the police investigation.
If your child has been the victim of a crime, their interview with the police may be video recorded. This helps to make sure your child does not have to keep repeating their story.
Child Protection Medical
If there are concerns that your child may have been physically harmed or neglected, they may need to have a medical examination with a specialist children's doctor (consultant paediatrician). This is called a Child Protection Medical.
As part of the assessment, your child may need tests such as an X-ray, MRI scan, or another type of scan. Photographs may also be taken of any injuries or marks on your child's body.
The enquiry should be completed within 15 working days of the Section 47 starting.
There are four possible outcomes
1. No further action
We have not found evidence that your child is at risk. Our involvement will end. We may suggest support if it could still help your family
2. Family support is offered
We are not worried about your child’s immediate safety, but support may help. You may be offered a Family Help plan or a Child in Need plan. This is voluntary (your choice). The focus is on helping your family, not investigating
3. A child protection conference is needed
We have found concerns that need a formal meeting. This is called a child protection conference. See our page Your child protection conference to find out what it is and what to expect.
4. Emergency protection or court proceedings
In serious and urgent situations, we may need to take legal action quickly to keep your child safe. If this applies to your family;
- we will explain this to you clearly
- you should get independent legal advice straight away
- you may be able to get free legal support (legal aid).
You have the right:
- to be told why children’s services are concerned about your child
- to be listened to and share your views and have them taken seriously
- to understand what needs to change to increase the safety for your child and what actions are expected of you to achieve this
- to understand what action professionals are taking to increase safety for your child.
- to be treated with respect, whatever your background, race, religion, or disability
- to receive written information about the process
- to get independent advice by emailing [email protected]
- to speak to a solicitor
I'm worried that my child will be taken away
This is a common worry for parents whose children are involved in a child protection enquiry.
Children's Services do not have the legal power to remove a child from their family. Only a court, or in emergency situations the police, can make that decision. This only happens when there are very serious concerns that a child is at immediate risk of significant harm, and it is rare.
Our aim is to work with families to help keep children safe while they remain at home with the support of their parents, carers, and family network. We will explain any concerns we have, what needs to change, and how we can support you to make those changes.
Will this affect my other children or children in my family?
Our priority is the safety and wellbeing of all children in your household.
As part of the enquiry, we will consider all children for whom you have parental responsibility. We may need to speak with them to help us understand your family's situation. This is because we have a duty to safeguard all children. We will explain who we need to speak to and why.
Will my child be spoken to without me knowing?
We may need to speak with your child on their own. This helps them feel comfortable sharing their views.
We will always tell you this has happened unless doing so could put your child at greater risk.
Will this go on a permanent record?
Information collected during a child protection enquiry (section 47 enquiry) is stored securely by Children's Services.
If no further action is needed, the information will still be kept in line with legal requirements, but it is not routinely shared with others. We can explain what information is held and how it is used.
Can I have a say in what happens?
Yes. Your views matter throughout this process. You will always be given the opportunity to share your perspective and respond to any concerns raised.
You have the right to challenge any decision made. You can do this by speaking to your lead professional, contacting their manager, or making a formal complaint.
What if I disagree with the outcome?
You have the right to challenge any decision made.
You have the right to challenge any decision made. You can do this by speaking to your lead professional, contacting their manager, or making a formal complaint.
We will explain how concerns or complaints can be raised.
We will make sure you have the support you need to understand the process and take part fully. This could include an interpreter or communication support.
What if English is not my first language or I have a disability?
We want to make sure you can fully understand the process and fully take part.
We can arrange support such as an interpreter or communication support.
Please let us know what support would help you, and we will do our best to provide it.
A brief outline of the child protection enquiry process
Referral
A concern is raised about a child's safety or wellbeing
Strategy meeting
Professionals meet to share information and decide what action is needed
Enquiry
Information is gathered to understand the child's situation
Conference
A child protection conference is held to decide the next steps
Plan
A plan is put in place to support and protect the child and family
Review
The plan is reviewed regularly to ensure it is working
