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Children's social care

Information about how children's social care respond to concerns of child sexual abuse and how children can best be supported at key stages in this process.

Children's social care receive the referral and take initial actions

Children's social care receive the referral and decide next steps
Police make a single or joint agency visit
A multi-agency strategy discussion or meeting is held

Children's social care carry out a safeguarding and protection assessment

Children's social care lead a multi-agency assessment
A child protection enquiry is held (often as part of a joint enquiry)
The child is formally interviewed
The child has a medical assessment/examination
An initial child protection conference is held

Children's social care make and review plans to protect and support the child

An Family Help or early help plan is proposed
The child is supported through a Child in Need plan or a care and support plan
The child is supported through a child protection plan or a care and support protection plan

Children's social care are no longer involved / close the case

Children's social care end their involvement

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Check out our resources for supporting children

Supporting the child's physical health

Consider how the child's physical health and wellbeing has been impacted

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Supporting the child's emotional wellbeing

Consider how the child's emotional health and wellbeing has been impacted

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Supporting the child's education

Consider how the child's education has been impacted

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Supporting the child's relationships

Consider how the child's relationships with family and friends have been impacted

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Communicating with children

How to help children communicate about sexual abuse

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Taking account of diversity

How to respect children's individual characteristics, experiences and backgrounds

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