If you’ve had an unexpected visit or contact from child social services, you may be feeling worried, confused, or even defensive. It’s natural to have questions. Why are they involved? What triggered their visit? And what happens next?

This article explains why child social services may become involved with your family, what the process typically looks like, and how you can access support, especially if legal proceedings are being considered.

Why Has Child Social Services Contacted Me?

Child social services, also referred to as children’s services or the local authority, are responsible for ensuring that children in their area are safe and well cared for. If they receive a referral, meaning someone has raised a concern about a child, they are legally required to look into it.

Common sources of referrals include:

• Schools or nurseries who may have noticed a change in your child’s behaviour, poor attendance, or signs of neglect.

• Health professionals such as GPs, health visitors, or midwives who may raise concerns during check-ups or home visits.

• Police who attend a domestic incident or criminal matter involving someone in the household.

• Members of the public, including neighbours or family members.

In many cases, the concerns are based on what’s known as the child’s welfare, their general safety, emotional wellbeing, and day-to-day care, not just extreme cases of harm.

What Triggers Involvement from Child Social Services?

There are a variety of situations that might lead to child social services getting involved. These include:

• Domestic abuse: If the police have been called to your home, especially where children are present, the information is routinely shared with social services.

• Substance misuse: Concerns about drug or alcohol use by a parent or carer.

• Neglect: If a child is regularly hungry, dirty, poorly dressed for the weather, or frequently late or absent from school.

• Emotional or physical harm: If a child appears withdrawn, distressed, anxious, or injured without explanation.

• Unsafe individuals in the home: If someone living with or around the child is considered a risk, such as individuals with a history of offending.

It’s important to understand that a referral does not automatically mean your child will be taken away. In most cases, the goal is to understand what’s happening and offer support where needed.

What Happens During the First Visit?

If a social worker visits your home, they will usually want to speak to you, your child, and possibly others in the household. They may also speak with your child’s school, GP, or other professionals.

Their role at this stage is to assess the situation. This could be:

• A simple one-off visit, after which no further action is taken.

• The start of a more structured assessment (usually over several weeks).

• A Section 47 investigation, which occurs if they believe your child may be at risk of significant harm.

They will assess whether the child is safe, whether there are support needs, and whether further action is needed.

What Is a Child Protection Plan?

If concerns are confirmed and social services believe a child is at ongoing risk, a Child Protection Conference will be held with professionals involved in the child’s life. This includes health visitors, school staff, police, and others.

If the conference agrees that there is risk of significant harm, your child will be placed on a Child Protection Plan.

This plan:

• Sets out what the concerns are.

• Lists the actions you must take as a parent or carer.

• Involves regular reviews to assess progress.

Common categories for a child protection plan include:

• Neglect

• Emotional harm (especially where domestic abuse is involved)

• Physical harm

• Sexual abuse risk (which may involve known individuals around the child)

You will have the opportunity to respond to the concerns, participate in planning, and receive support aimed at keeping your child safe and at home.

What Are the Next Steps After a Child Protection Plan?

The goal of a child protection plan is to reduce risk and avoid court action. However, if the concerns aren’t addressed, or if new risks emerge, the local authority may begin pre-proceedings. This is a formal process that could lead to care proceedings in the family court.

At this stage, it’s important to take things seriously and seek legal advice.

Can I Get Legal Help If Social Services Are Involved?

If social services are considering pre-proceedings, or if you’ve been invited to a Child Protection Conference, you should contact a solicitor who specialises in child protection and family law.

If you receive a Letter Before Proceedings, you are entitled to free legal aid, even if you are working or not on benefits. This allows you to have a solicitor represent you in meetings and help you respond to the concerns.

Having a solicitor can help you:

• Understand the legal process

• Engage with professionals constructively

• Prepare for assessments or testing

• Identify relatives who may support you or care for your child if needed

If court proceedings begin, your solicitor will continue to support you through every hearing.

What Should You Do?

If child social services have contacted you, it’s important to stay calm and listen carefully to what is being said. Try to engage positively with the process, even if you don’t fully agree with the concerns raised. Make sure you attend all meetings, including any Child Protection Conferences, and don’t hesitate to ask questions or request copies of any written plans or reports. Seeking legal advice as early as possible, especially if pre-proceedings are mentioned, can make a significant difference. The sooner you understand the process and respond constructively, the more likely it is that court proceedings can be avoided and your family can stay together.

Get Support from a Specialist Solicitor

At Berkson Family Law, our team of experienced solicitors specialise in supporting families dealing with child social services, child protection plans, and pre-proceedings. We understand how stressful these situations can be and will help you respond clearly, calmly, and confidently.

If you have received a visit from social services, been invited to a child protection meeting, or are facing pre-proceedings, you may be entitled to social worker legal aid.

Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation.
Phone: 0151 236 1234
Email: info@berksonfamilylaw.co.uk