Decision Making in Child Protection

A survey was undertaken of 701 decisions in ‘child protection’; and ‘child-care’ cases within one local authority. Decision making at four filter points in case career was analysed. Filter 1 was when the case was initially referred to social services, Filter 2 was when consideration was given to holding a case conference, Filter 3 was when a case conference was held, and Filter 4 was the review case conference following the initial case conference. The major risk factors which determined decisions were highlighted, and these were different at each filter level. The percentage of children who remained within the ‘child protection system’ after decisions were taken at each filter level was analysed and recorded. The research found that, based on the risk factor weightings given by the independent auditors, workers were appropriately discriminating between ‘child protection’ and ‘child-care’ cases.