Child Protection Frameworks (Section 47, CP Conferences, Children in Need)
The statutory frameworks, assessment tools, and multi-agency processes used to identify, investigate, and protect children at risk of significant harm.
What it is
About Child Protection Frameworks (Section 47, CP Conferences, Children in Need)
Child protection in England is governed by Working Together to Safeguard Children (2023), the statutory guidance under the Children Act 1989. Social workers hold the statutory lead role; Section 17 (children in need) and Section 47 (child protection investigation of suspected significant harm) are the key legislative powers. A Section 47 inquiry involves a structured investigation coordinated by children's social care, typically with police (joint investigation protocol) and health agencies. If a child is found to be at risk of significant harm, an Initial Child Protection Conference (ICPC) is convened within 15 working days, where multi-agency professionals share information and decide on a Child Protection Plan. Assessment tools include the Assessment Framework Triangle (child's developmental needs, parenting capacity, family and environmental factors) and local authority electronic case management systems (LiquidLogic, Mosaic, Protocol, Liquid Logic). Risk assessment frameworks (Structured Decision Making, Signs of Safety) are used across different local authorities. Child protection plans include core group meetings and regular reviews. Social workers must meet statutory timescales for assessments, conferences, and reviews — failure to do so is an Ofsted inspection concern.
What you can do with it
Capabilities
Conduct a Section 47 child protection inquiry in line with statutory guidance and record the process.
Prepare and present a written report for an Initial Child Protection Conference (ICPC) within the statutory 15-day timescale.
Complete an Assessment Framework Triangle analysis, covering child development, parenting capacity, and family environment.
Chair a core group meeting and update a Child Protection Plan based on progress since the last review.
Make a referral to children's social care using the local authority referral process and follow up within the statutory 24-hour acknowledgement timescale.
Apply Signs of Safety mapping to identify danger statements, safety goals, and existing strengths in a family.
How to learn it
Learning Resources
Working Together to Safeguard Children (2023) — free at gov.uk/government/publications/working-together-to-safeguard-children
NSPCC Learning — free safeguarding resources and research at learning.nspcc.org.uk
SCIE (Social Care Institute for Excellence) child protection resources — free at scie.org.uk
Signs of Safety training — available via Resolutions Consultancy; overview resources free at signsofsafety.net
Pro Tip
Always record the date, time, and method of every contact and decision during a Section 47 inquiry — statutory timescales are Ofsted-audited and gaps in the chronological record are a finding.
Skills that use this tool
Roles that use this tool