Section 47 investigations (2026): what happens when social services intervene

You’ve been told social services are investigating your family under Section 47. You don’t know what happens next or what your rights are. A section 47 investigation is a formal, legal process under the Children Act 1989 that local authorities must begin when they suspect a child may suffer significant harm. Parents are not required to consent for enquiries to proceed. Outcomes may include support services, child protection planning, or, in serious cases, court proceedings. This guide explains the process, your rights, and when you need a solicitor.

Consult a family law solicitor experienced in child protection. They can advise on your rights, explain what social services are doing, and represent you if proceedings are issued.

What is a section 47 investigation?

Section 47 of the Children Act 1989 requires local authorities to investigate when they have reasonable cause to suspect a child is suffering, or likely to suffer, significant harm.

The duty to investigate is mandatory once the threshold is met. Parents are not required to consent to enquiries. The process is guided by statutory guidance including Working Together to Safeguard Children (2023).

Outcomes vary: some result in child protection plans, others in child in need support, and many in case closure with no further action.

Who can trigger a section 47 investigation?

Anyone can make a referral to children’s services. The local authority then decides whether the legal threshold for a Section 47 enquiry is met.

Who can report and why:

• Police officers: respond to domestic violence, assault, or child-related crimes.
• Teachers and school staff: see children daily, trained to recognise signs of abuse and neglect.
• The child themselves: children can disclose abuse directly to any trusted adult or professional.
• Neighbours and members of the public: may witness concerning incidents or patterns of neglect.
• Other local authority staff: education welfare, housing, adult social services may identify concerns.
• Nursery and childcare workers: spend significant time with children, notice behavioural or physical changes.
• Family members: parents, grandparents, siblings may report concerns about another family member’s parenting.
• Health professionals (GPs, health visitors, midwives, A&E staff, mental health workers): have access to medical records, observe injuries, assess developmental concerns.

A referral does not automatically trigger a section 47 investigation. The local authority must first assess whether there is “reasonable cause to suspect significant harm.”

Many referrals are handled as section 17 child in need assessments instead. However, once the threshold is met, the duty to investigate is mandatory and cannot be avoided. You have no automatic right to know who made the referral, though identity may be disclosed during court proceedings if necessary.

The section 47 investigation process: Stages & timescales

Where there is reasonable cause to suspect significant harm, enquiries should begin promptly. Statutory guidance (Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023) states that assessments, including Section 47 enquiries, should normally be completed within 45 working days of the referral.

Stage 1: Referral & initial decision (day 1)

Referral received. Social worker assesses within 24 hours whether “reasonable cause to suspect significant harm” exists. This assessment involves professional judgement based on the information available. If threshold is met, enquiries usually begin urgently once the threshold is met.

Stage 2: Information gathering (weeks 1-3, often extends to week 6)

Social worker visits home and discusses allegations. Children may be spoken to separately to ensure they can speak freely. Parents are not usually present during these discussions. Enquiries made to schools, GPs, health visitors under Section 47 duty to investigate. Parents can raise concerns or clarifications during later stages.

Stage 3: Strategy meeting (week 2-3, often extends to week 4)

Police, health, and social services meet to share information and decide next steps. Parents do not attend strategy meetings, which are professional multi-agency discussions.

Stage 4: Investigation completion (45 working days – frequently extended)

Investigation must complete within 45 working days of referral. Timescales may vary depending on case complexity. You should receive written outcome and next steps.

Your rights during a section 47 investigation

You have legal rights during a section 47 investigation, but they are more limited than you may think:

• Attend strategy meeting: No right to attend. Request written explanation of decisions made.
• See your child’s interview: Parents are not usually present and recordings are not routinely provided.
• Challenge findings: You can challenge at Child Protection Conference, request second opinion, or lodge formal complaint.
• Data access: Under Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR, request all personal data (Subject Access Request takes 30 days).
• Legal advice: Consult a solicitor at any time. Legal advice is privileged. Instruct a solicitor to contact social services on your behalf.
• Know investigation is happening: No automatic right to be told. Ask social services in writing to confirm and request referral summary.
• Refuse an interview: Not legally obliged to speak to social workers. Non-engagement may be considered as part of the overall assessment.
• See evidence: Access is limited at this stage, but reports are shared before conferences. Once Child Protection Conference is convened, you can see the assessment report.

Outcomes of a section 47 investigation: What happens next

Section 47 investigation concludes with one of three outcomes. Each leads to different next steps and levels of ongoing involvement.

1. Child protection plan: Child is found to be suffering or likely to suffer significant harm. The child becomes subject to a child protection plan. Child Protection Conference is held. Protection plan drawn up with specific actions, review dates, and responsibilities. Social worker visits regularly. Can escalate to court proceedings if concerns worsen.
2. Child in need plan: Child found to be “in need” but not at risk of significant harm. Support services offered (respite care, parenting support, counselling). No child protection plan. Less intensive monitoring. Plan closes sooner if needs are met.
3. Case closure: No significant harm found and no ongoing need identified. Case closed. You receive closure letter. No further social services involvement unless new referral is made.

What happens after investigation concludes:

If protection plan is made, you have the right to challenge the decision at the Child Protection Conference, request a second opinion, or lodge a formal complaint with the local authority. You can also seek legal advice about judicial review if you believe the decision was unlawful. If a child in need plan is made, you can request changes to the plan at review meetings.

FAQs

What is a section 47 investigation?

It is formal legal process under the Children Act 1989 triggered when local authority suspects a child is suffering significant harm. The local authority must investigate once the legal threshold is met, and enquiries can proceed without parental consent. In all safeguarding decisions, the child’s welfare is the paramount consideration.

How long do social services take to investigate UK?

45 working days from referral date. Extensions are common. If investigation exceeds 60 working days, request written explanation from social services.

Can social services remove my child without a court order?

Yes, in emergencies only. Under Section 46, child can be removed without court order if in immediate danger. Emergency protection or police protection powers are time-limited and subject to court oversight.

What counts as significant harm in section 47?

Significant harm includes physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, and exposure to domestic violence or parental substance misuse. The legal test compares the child’s health or development to what could reasonably be expected of a similar child. Local authority decides whether threshold is met based on evidence gathered.

A Section 47 investigation is serious but you have options. Knowing the process, your rights, and when to seek help protects your position. Early legal advice is your best defence.

This is legal guidance, not legal advice. Consult a solicitor for advice tailored to your circumstances.

Speak to a child protection solicitor

Qredible’s network of family law solicitors specialising in child protection can advise you on your rights, prepare you for interviews, and represent you if proceedings are issued.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• A Section 47 investigation is a formal legal process that local authorities must conduct when they suspect a child is suffering significant harm. It is mandatory, does not require your consent, and can result in serious consequences including child protection plans, court orders, or child removal.
• Your legal rights during investigation are limited. You can seek legal advice, but you have no right to attend strategy meetings, see your child’s interview, or automatically access evidence gathered against you.
• Early legal advice from a family law solicitor experienced in child protection is essential. A solicitor can advise you on your rights, prepare you for interviews, and represent you if court proceedings are issued.