Requesting a Social Care Needs Assessment (Children Act s17)

Step by step

1. Know your right to an assessment

   A disabled child may meet the Children Act 1989 definition of a child in need. If you believe your child's needs may require children's social care support, ask the council or Northamptonshire Children's Trust for an assessment; the authority decides the appropriate statutory response. This guide does not decide eligibility.

2. When to request

   Ask when caring is becoming unsafe/exhausting, needs are beyond Early Help, or you need support like short breaks, direct payments, equipment, adaptations or safeguarding.

3. How to request (parents)

   Contact Northamptonshire Children's Trust through the current report-a-concern/support route and ask for a Children in Need assessment. Parents can raise concerns themselves; explain the child's needs, impact on daily life and any immediate risk.

4. How to request (professionals)

   Discuss the referral with parents or carers where safe, contact MASH for threshold advice, and use the current online referral route where appropriate. Do not delay a referral to gather every detail or because consent cannot safely be obtained. Attach relevant evidence and record the reason if parents or carers were not informed.

5. What happens after referral

   The local authority decides the appropriate response and may complete a child and family assessment. An assessment can consider a Child in Need plan, short breaks, direct payments, equipment/adaptations or safeguarding action, but none is automatic.

6. Escalation & complaints

   If you believe a lawful assessment hasn't happened or decisions are unclear, use the statutory complaints process; SENDIASS/independent advice can support.