4.03 Talking to Parents/Carers
4.3.1 In the vast majority of cases, it is good practice to be open and honest at the outset with the parents/carers about concerns, the need for a referral, information sharing between agencies and the accompanying need for making an enquiry to the Child Protection Register.
4.3.2 All reasonable efforts should be made to inform parents/carers of the referral beforehand. However, an inability to inform parents/carers should not prevent a referral being made. Consideration should be given to not informing them when a child expresses a wish that their parents are not informed at this stage.
4.3.3 There are cases where it would not usually be good practice to discuss concerns with parents/carers before referral. In these cases, who discusses the concerns with the parents, when and with who should be agreed in advance with Social Care and/or the police. Concerns must not usually be discussed with parents/carers before referral in the following circumstances;
• Where discussion would put a child at risk of significant harm
• Where discussion would impede a Police investigation or social work enquiry
• Where sexual abuse is suspected
• Where organised or multiple abuse is suspected
• Where the fabrication of an illness is suspected
• Where to contact parents/carers would place you or others at risk
• Where it is not possible to contact parents/carers without causing undue delay in making the referral.
4.3.4. A reasoned judgement must be made in each case.
