A child and family assessment is one of the first steps social services may take if concerns are raised about a child’s safety, welfare, or development. The assessment looks at the child’s needs, the parents’ ability to meet those needs, and whether additional support or intervention is required.

These assessments are designed to run within a set timeframe so that enquiries are thorough but not open-ended. In this blog, we look at how that timeframe works, why it can vary and what that means for families involved in the process.

What the assessment process involves

A child and family assessment is carried out by a social worker when concerns are raised about a child’s health, development or safety. The aim is to build a full picture of the child’s life, the wider family circumstances and the kind of support that may be needed. The process is child-centred, with the child’s development and welfare forming the starting point. It considers risks of harm alongside the strengths and protective factors within the family and community.

Once a social worker is allocated, they plan the assessment in line with relevant guidance and the assessment framework triangle, which focuses on three domains: the child’s developmental needs, parenting capacity and environmental factors. From there, the social worker moves through several steps.

The first step is gathering relevant information. This can involve home visits, speaking with the child, parents and other family members, and consulting with professionals such as teachers, GPs, health visitors or midwives. Where the assessment relates to a mother’s pregnancy, enquiries may include pre-birth planning and preparation for support once the baby arrives. Input from other agencies helps to build a balanced view, particularly where a child has complex needs, is from a minority ethnic community, or where there are language or cultural considerations.

The information is then analysed through a process of risk assessment. The social worker evaluates what they have learned, considers any history of concern and reaches professional judgments about whether the child may be at risk of significant harm or if support alone is sufficient.

At the outcome stage, the findings are shared in writing with the family. Depending on what has been identified, the next steps vary. In some cases, no further action is needed, or families may be offered early help. In others, a child in need plan may be set up with input from several services. If risks are serious, the matter may proceed to an initial child protection conference, and in very serious circumstances, it can lead to public law proceedings in the family court. In rare cases where exploitation is suspected, the child may also be referred to the national referral mechanism.

How long does the process take?

A child and family assessment is expected to be completed within 45 working days of the referral being accepted. This period allows the social worker time to visit the family, speak with the child, gather information from professionals, analyse the evidence and plan the next steps.

Not every assessment will take the full 45 days. In urgent cases, such as when a child may be at immediate risk of harm, the process can be much quicker so that protective action is not delayed. More complex situations may require longer enquiries. This is often the case when several agencies are involved or when the assessment relates to disabled children, newly born children or other circumstances that require careful consideration. Where extra time is needed, families should be kept informed about progress and the reasons for the extended timeframe.

Factors considered in a child and family assessment

When carrying out a child and family assessment, social workers look at a wide range of factors to understand the child’s situation fully. These are usually grouped into four main areas:

The child’s health, development and daily experiences

The assessment considers how the child is growing and developing. This may involve looking at their physical health, emotional wellbeing, educational progress and how they manage day-to-day life. Social workers will want to know if the child is meeting expected milestones, receiving medical care when needed and having positive experiences at home and school.

Parenting capacity

Another focus is on how parents or carers are meeting their child’s needs. This covers providing food, clothing and a safe home, but also extends to emotional warmth, boundaries and guidance. If parents are struggling due to stress, ill health or other pressures, this may affect their ability to provide consistent care, and the assessment will take this into account.

Family and Environmental Factors

The presence of supportive relatives or close networks can make a real difference to a child’s life. Social workers will look at whether wider family members are available to provide stability, practical help or emotional support. A strong network can reduce risks and increase the options for support if challenges arise.

The child’s living environment is also important. Housing conditions, financial pressures and community safety are all considered, as these can have a direct impact on wellbeing. Issues such as overcrowded accommodation, unstable housing or living in an unsafe neighbourhood may place extra strain on families and affect a child’s welfare.

These areas give the social worker a balanced picture of the child’s circumstances, weighing strengths against concerns to decide what support or intervention may be required.

Can an assessment begin if your child is pre-birth?

A child and family assessment can begin during pregnancy if concerns are raised before the baby is born. This may happen if there has been previous involvement with Social services, a history of domestic abuse, substance use or other circumstances that could place a newly born child at risk.

Pre-birth assessments are usually timed around the mother’s expected delivery date and involve close liaison with midwives and other health professionals. The social worker will take into account relevant events pre and post-delivery, such as how the pregnancy has progressed, the support available to the parents and what arrangements are in place once the baby arrives.

If risks are identified, outcomes vary. In some cases, families may be offered early help or additional support from relatives and professionals. In more serious situations, protective action may be considered to safeguard the child after birth.

What are the possible outcomes?

At the end of a child and family assessment, the social worker will share the conclusions with the family. Children’s social care and the local authority make these decisions in line with national guidance, usually after discussions with the agencies involved.

If the assessment shows there are no ongoing concerns, the outcome may be that no further action is taken. Families may simply be reassured and signposted to community services if needed.

Where some extra help would be useful, families might be offered family support. This usually happens at an early stage, before longer-term involvement from Children’s Services is necessary, and can include practical assistance or parenting support.

If a child needs a more structured plan, the local authority may put in place a child in need plan. This involves input from several parties, such as schools, health visitors and housing services. These agencies will work together to provide additional services to help the child reach an age-appropriate level of health and development.

In cases where there is evidence of significant harm or risk of significant harm, the outcome may be a child protection conference. This is a formal multi-agency meeting to decide whether a child protection plan is required.

Only in rare and serious cases will matters move towards court involvement, sometimes called public law proceedings. This step is taken when risks cannot be managed by support alone, and the family court is asked to make decisions about the child’s safety and future care.

What should I do if Children’s Services contact me?

If you are contacted by Children’s Services, it is natural to feel anxious. Taking a few practical steps can help:

• Seek legal advice from an experienced childcare solicitor early to understand your rights and options.
• Ask the social worker to explain clearly what the concerns are and what the process will involve.
• Keep a record of meetings, phone calls and any documents you receive.
• Engage with visits and meetings, and share your views and your child’s views where appropriate.
• If you disagree with something, raise your concerns calmly and ask for clarification.

At Switalskis, our nationally recognised and experienced childcare solicitors support families through every stage of the assessment process. We can help you understand what is happening, make sure your voice is heard, and advise you on the best way forward.

Whether you're facing an initial assessment or court proceedings, we’re here to help. Call us on 0800 1380 458 or get in touch using the form on our site.