26. Considerations during an investigation
According to Blackpool Council (2024c) these are the things that should be considered during an investigation:
- Children with disabilities should be treated with the same degree of professional concern afforded to non-disabled children.
- Social workers must be prepared to challenge carers and ensure that abusive and restrictive practices do not go unrecognised and are addressed and changes made. Any impairment should not detract from early multi-agency assessments of need that consider possible underlying causes for concern.
- You may need to allow extra time to conduct the investigation of potential or alleged abuse or neglect.
- All assessments must have up-to-date information about the child’s needs and care they are receiving. A disabled child may have been supported by a number of agencies, and information will need to be collected from all of these.
- The child’s voice must be evidenced throughout the assessment. You may need to find creative ways to help the child express their views, wishes and feelings.