Assessment and Child Protection team (ACP)

Some children and families may require additional support when existing support plans have not led to improved outcomes. In such cases, a referral to the Integrated Front Door service can be made to:

• review the existing plan
• assess the support already provided

If it is determined that the family would benefit from a targeted intervention, the Assessment and Child Protection team (ACP) may become involved to improve specific outcomes. Parental consent is required to make a referral to the ACP team.

The goal of an ACP assessment is to:

• determine the child’s level of need
• identify any harm the child is experiencing and its severity
• outline actions to mitigate harm and promote the child’s overall well-being

Following the assessment, a plan will be developed to address the identified issues. Plans may fall under one of the following:

• Child in need plan
  • For cases where children need support but are not at risk of significant harm
• Child protection plan
  • For cases where children are at risk of, or are suffering, significant harm

These plans will be:

• multi-agency, involving key partners and professionals
• led and held by an allocated social worker
• created in close consultation with children and their families to promote safe and supportive home environments where children can thrive

If children cannot be kept safe through these plans, the social worker may seek legal advice and initiate care proceedings. This may involve:

• supporting children to live with alternative family members
• in cases where no safe alternatives exist, children may become Looked After Children and receive care from the Local Authority

Who is the service for?

This service is for individual children and young people who are:

• under the age of 18
• in need of support or protection as defined by the Children Act 1989

Who can request the service?

Referrals to this service must be made via Children and Families, Contact Swindon. Referrals from other sources are not accepted.

Next steps

Assessments carried out by the ACP team typically take between 10 and 45 days, depending on factors such as:

• the complexity of the situation
• the availability of family members, childcare professionals and practitioners
• the specific needs of the individual child or young person

If longer-term support (beyond three months) is required, the child will be transferred to the Family Safeguarding team. Care proceedings may also be initiated to ensure the child’s safety within the legal framework of the Children Act 1989.

These teams can also initiate a child protection conference, where a protection plan is developed to safeguard the child. This plan is reviewed and supported by a group of multi-agency professionals.