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Assessment by Local Authorities

All Local authorities with their partner agencies must develop and publish local frameworks for assessment, which must be based on good analysis, timeliness and transparency and be proportionate to the needs of the child and their family.

Each child who has been referred into local authority children's social care should have an individual assessment to identify their needs and to understand the impact of any parental behaviour on them as an individual.

Local authorities have to give due regard to a child's age and understanding when determining what (if any) services to provide under section 17 of the Children Act 1989, and before making decisions about action to be taken to protect individual children under section 47 of the Children Act 1989.

Principles for a Good Assessment High quality assessments:

• Are child centred. Where there is a conflict of interest, decisions should be made in the child’s best interests;

• Are rooted in child development and informed by evidence;

• Are focused on action and outcomes for children;

•Are holistic in approach, addressing the child’s needs within their family and wider community;

• Ensure equality of opportunity;

• Involve children and families;

• Build on strengths as well as identifying difficulties;

• Are integrated in approach;

• Are a continuing process not an event;

• Lead to action, including the provision and review of services; and

• Are transparent and open to challenge.

Hampshire's Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) has joined with Portsmouth, Isle of Wight and Southampton's LSCB to create an umbrella partnership called the 4LSCB in order to make the best use of shared skills, knowledge and resources in safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

More details for this can be found on the [http://4lscb.proceduresonline.com/chapters/p_soc_work_assess.html  Local Safeguarding Children’s Board website].

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Page last reviewed: 21/08/2017

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