CYSCP
Local protocol for assessment
Arrangements for specific needs
We have outlined different types of need and the response which should be given to them. These include:
- Young carers
- Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
- Unborn children where there are concerns
- Children in mental health inpatient settings
- Asylum-seeking children
- Children considered at risk of exploitation and harm outside the home
- Children at risk of Female Genital Mutilation
- Children in the Youth Justice System
- Children returning home
Young carers
A young carer is a person under 18 who provides or intends to provide care for another person. A young carer is a child or young person up to the age of 18 whose life is affected by being a carer for someone with a:
- disability
- long-term illness
- mental health problem
- problem with drugs or alcohol
When the need for a young carers assessment has been identified, a decision should be made about the most appropriate person to lead an assessment.
York Carers Centre support young people aged 5 to 18 and alongside assessment offer youth clubs, trips, school drop-in sessions, one to one support and resources on the website.
Young carers may come to attention through any assessments described in this document. Read more about young carers on the City of York Council website.
Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
Some disabled children and young people with more complex needs may require a higher level of support via the Disabled Children’s Team. This will be determined at the point of referral. The Disabled Children’s Service undertakes assessment as outlined in this document.
The SEND Local Offer sets out services and activities available to children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities.
Where an Education, Health and Care Needs assessment is being undertaken Social Care will contribute to this assessment.
Unborn children where there are concerns
Where a referral is received for an unborn child the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub will determine the next best steps and whether this should progress to a Social Care Assessment.
Find resources about babies and pregnancy.
Children in mental health inpatient settings
Where a child or young person is admitted to a mental health facility a referral should be made to Children’s Social Care. Children’s Social Care will undertake an assessment under Section 17 as outlined in this document unless it is determined as assessment is required under Section 47.
Asylum-seeking children
When unaccompanied asylum-seeking young people are referred to Children’s Social Care either because they have arrived in York or through the National Transfer Scheme they will be automatically be determined as children in our care. The Children In Our Care Service will undertaken a needs assessment and the first review will take place within 20 working days and chaired by an Independent Reviewing Officer.
Children considered at risk of exploitation and harm outside the home
Where children and young people are referred to the service and there is an identified contextual risk or exploitation, an Exploitation Risk Assessment will be completed alongside an assessment under Section 17 or Section 47. Where the overarching concern is that of exploitation the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub will determine whether the support and intervention will be provided by an Exploitation Team.
Children at risk of Female Genital Mutilation
The World Health Organisation defines Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) as:
...all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons.
Professionals have a duty to report to the police ‘known’ cases of FGM in under 18s which they identify in the course of their professional work.
When a referral is received, the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub will determine the next steps under Section 47. See the Safeguarding Children Partnership Female Genital Mutilation Practice Guidance.
Children in the Youth Justice System
The Youth Justice Service is a multi-agency team who work with children and young people with the aim of reducing the number of children and young people entering the criminal justice system, reducing offending and re-offending.
The Youth Justice Service is responsible for the supervision of children and young people subject to pre-Court interventions and Court Orders however, preventative work is a priority.
The Youth Justice Service will work alongside Children’s Social Care in the assessments outlined in this document.
Children returning home
Where the decision is made for a child or young person to return home from care a social work assessment will be undertaken as part of the care planning process. We will always work towards successful reunification for children through the following steps:
- Assessment of risk and protective factors.
- Robust decision making around potential plan for reunification.
- Views of parents and their network, voice of the child, goalsetting, support plans and safety planning.
- Planning for reunification and returning home.
- Ongoing support to maintain a successful transition.
The Independent Reviewing Officer will be notified of the outcome of the assessment in relation to the above and a review will be convened to consider the plan.
The Director of Children’s Services must approve any young person leaving care aged 16 to 17 years in line with Placement Planning Regulations.