What happens if a child protection referral is made?
The safeguarding process is what happens when someone contacts Lewisham Council with concerns about the safety or welfare of a child.
There are two main stages to the safeguarding process:
Stage 1: a social worker will gather information about the child and family concerned and make an assessment about his or her needs.
Stage 2: if there is a problem, social workers (and other professionals) will try to resolve it, usually in partnership with the parents and other family members. There will be a series of meetings to decide what support is needed (such as family counselling) and to ensure that the situation improves.
There is a full description of the steps that must be taken in national guidance:
Published on: 13/09/2023