Referral to children's social care

A referral to children's social care means the council Local authority Your local council. In England, Wales and Scotland, this is the body you ask to assess what extra help your child needs. Read the full definition of Local authority 's children's services are asked to look at whether a child needs extra support or protection. Schools and health professionals sometimes make one when they are worried, and they should normally tell you first. Hearing that a referral referral When a professional passes your child on to a specialist team for assessment or treatment. A GP, school or health visitor can usually make one. Read the full definition of referral has been made is frightening, but it is not an accusation: much of what children's services do is arranging help for families under their duty to support children in need.

You can also refer your own family. If caring for your child is stretching the family past what you can manage, contacting children's services and asking for an assessment of your child's needs is a legitimate way to ask for support, including short breaks Short breaks Short breaks give your disabled child time doing something they enjoy with another trusted person, and give the rest of the family a rest. You can ask your council what is on offer where you live. Read the full definition of Short breaks .

If the referral is about safeguarding, ask for clear information about what happens next. You are entitled to seek advice of your own at any point.