Investigation
Social Services involvement with the family may begin in a number of ways. It may be because the family has had problems for a long period of time, with help and support to date, but things have become out of control. It may be that there has been an accident, a child has been injured, and no-one is quite sure what has happened; or the police may have raided a home and removed the children in an emergency. Then there are those dreadful problems of children whose parents have long-standing problems that have defeated all agencies in providing support.
The first stage will be an investigation by Social Services, sometimes jointly with the police into the circumstances, and a decision whether there is no problem; there is a problem that can be solved with advice and support; or further more drastic action is needed.