Child in Need (Section 17)
Once a Child and Family Assessment has been completed, it may be necessary to consider a plan. This is known as a Child in Need plan, and you will be part of the decision-making process about whether this is the right thing for your family. A child in need plan is voluntary and you will be asked to consent to the plan. The plan will set out what areas of life you need support with, what the desired outcome is you want to move towards, what actions need to be taken to achieve the outcome and who will lead actions and when it should be completed.
You and your family will work with a social worker to develop the plan that’s right for you. The plan will last for as long as is necessary to see the situation improve and the desired outcomes achieved. It might be that after a period of time when improvements are seen, that the plan moves into the Early Help service area that was described above.
Currently, in Coventry Child in Need (Section 17) assessments are undertaken by Social Workers. Working Together 2023 does allow other professionals to undertake Child in Need or Section 17 enquiries and work is underway looking at which other professionals may have the skills. This will be monitored by the Implementation Subgroup of Coventry Safeguarding Children's Partnership.