A Blog For Mums
Hearing that your child’s school has contacted social services can be deeply upsetting. For many parents, it sparks a wave of confusion, fear, and even shame. Questions flood in: What does this mean? What happens next? Have I done something wrong?
If you’ve found yourself in this situation, you’re not alone—and you do have rights. This guide is here to help you understand what’s happening, why it might be happening, and what you can expect from the process. More importantly, it aims to provide clarity and reassurance during what can feel like an overwhelming time.
Under UK safeguarding laws, schools have a legal duty to promote the welfare of children and protect them from harm. If a teacher or staff member is concerned that a child may be at risk of abuse or neglect—or even that something just doesn’t feel right—they are required to raise that concern. In many cases, this means speaking to the school’s designated safeguarding lead (DSL), who may then decide to make a referral to the local authority’s children’s services team.
Concerns can arise for a variety of reasons, including (but not limited to):
It’s important to understand that a referral doesn’t mean social workers assume wrongdoing. Often, schools are acting out of an abundance of caution. Their role is to pass on concerns—not to investigate or accuse.
If your child’s school contacts social services, you still have a number of important rights and protections under the law.
In most cases, you should be told that a referral is being made and why. However, if there’s a serious concern that informing you could put the child at further risk (for example, in cases of suspected abuse), the school may delay telling you until social services have taken initial steps to ensure the child’s safety.
Once social services make contact, you have a right to be told the nature of the concerns. You should be given an opportunity to respond and explain your side of the situation.
If an assessment is opened (such as a Child in Need or Child Protection assessment), you have the right to be involved in the process. This includes attending meetings, receiving updates, and being part of decisions affecting your child.
You are entitled to legal representation at any point. If social services begin court proceedings (which is relatively rare), you have the right to free legal aid, regardless of income.
There are independent charities and organisations that can offer support, information, and advocacy throughout the process (a list is included at the end of this article).
Once a referral is made, the local authority will decide what, if any, action is needed. This decision usually happens within one working day. There are several possible outcomes:
After reviewing the information, children’s services may decide that no action is required. The matter ends there, and no formal record is created against you.
If the concern doesn’t meet the threshold for statutory intervention but some support might be helpful, the local authority may offer an Early Help assessment. This is a voluntary process that looks at how families can be supported before issues escalate. You can choose whether or not to engage with Early Help.
If it’s believed your child may require additional support to stay healthy or safe, a Child in Need assessment may be initiated under Section 17 of the Children Act 1989. This is not about blame—it’s about understanding what’s going on and whether extra support is needed. You should be involved throughout.
In more serious cases, where a child is thought to be at risk of significant harm, a Child Protection investigation under Section 47 of the Children Act may begin. This involves more detailed assessments and a multi-agency approach. Even at this stage, the aim is to support the family and keep children safely within the home where possible.
It’s natural to fear the worst when social services are involved. However, it’s vital to remember that:
Social services are there to support families and protect children—not to punish parents. In many cases, they help identify support needs, signpost services, and offer guidance to improve family wellbeing.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, there are several organisations that can offer guidance, information, and emotional support:
If you’re unsure who to contact first, a call to Citizens Advice or Family Rights Group is a good place to begin.
No one wants to receive a call saying that social services have been contacted. It’s okay to feel worried or upset. But try to remember: many referrals are made as a precaution, and most do not lead to serious action. Often, it’s a way to open the door to help that might genuinely benefit your family.
You have rights. You have a voice. And you are not alone.
If a referral has been made, take a deep breath. Ask questions. Seek support. And know that engaging with the process openly and calmly is the best way to protect your child and your family’s wellbeing.
Children and the Law
