LA children's social care should decide and record next steps of action within one working day. This information should be consistent with the information set out in the Referral and Information Record (Department of Health, 2002), This decision should normally follow discussion with any referring professional/service and consideration of information held in any existing records, and involve discussion with other professionals and services as necessary (including the police, where a criminal offence may have been committed against a child). This initial consideration of the case should address - on the basis of the available evidence - whether there are concerns about either the child's health and development or actual and/or potential harm which justifies an initial assessment to establish whether this child is possibly a child in need. Further action may also include referral to other agencies, the provision of advice or information or no further action.
