Police and Social Work Collaboration: Joint Working Guide

Why Joint Working Matters

Police and social workers have different but complementary roles in child protection. Police investigate whether crimes have been committed; social workers assess child welfare and family functioning. Effective collaboration ensures both criminal and welfare considerations are addressed.

Working Together 2023 emphasises the importance of joint investigations and coordinated responses to child protection concerns.

Key Police Contacts

MASH Officers

• Co-located in Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hubs
• Conduct initial checks and information sharing
• Participate in strategy discussions
• Facilitate access to police intelligence

Child Abuse Investigation Teams (CAIT)

• Specialist officers trained in child protection
• Lead on criminal investigations
• Conduct ABE interviews
• Gather evidence for prosecution

Domestic Abuse Officers

• Specialist knowledge of domestic abuse
• Access to MARAC information
• Support for high-risk cases

Strategy Discussions

When Police Should Be Involved

• Any concern involving possible criminal offences
• Physical abuse causing injury
• Sexual abuse allegations
• Serious neglect
• Domestic abuse in the household
• Concerns about organised abuse

What to Agree

• Whether joint or single agency enquiries
• Who will do what and when
• How to manage the criminal investigation
• Timing and sequencing of interviews
• Information sharing between agencies

Joint Visits

When Appropriate

• Concerns about immediate risk
• Need for evidence preservation
• Complex situations requiring both perspectives
• When arrest may be necessary
• Emergency protection situations

Planning Joint Visits

• Agree roles and who will lead
• Share relevant information beforehand
• Plan how to separate household members if needed
• Agree what happens if arrest is made
• Consider child care arrangements

During the Visit

• Work collaboratively, not in competition
• Respect each other's professional role
• Communicate clearly throughout
• Support each other with difficult conversations
• Debrief afterwards

ABE Interviews

Achieving Best Evidence

ABE interviews are formal video-recorded interviews that can be used as evidence in criminal proceedings:

• Led by trained police officers
• Social workers may observe or co-interview
• Follow strict protocols
• Child's evidence captured once

Your Role

• Provide background information to interviewers
• Help prepare the child (without coaching)
• Observe and note welfare concerns
• Plan support after the interview
• Consider implications for your assessment

Information Sharing

What Police Can Share

• Police National Computer checks
• Relevant intelligence
• Details of previous incidents
• Domestic abuse call history
• Investigation updates

What You Can Share

• Safeguarding concerns
• Family composition and addresses
• Relevant history known to children's services
• Assessment findings
• Information needed for their investigation

Police Powers

Police Protection (Section 46)

• Police can remove children to safety for 72 hours
• Used in emergencies when immediate risk
• Must notify local authority
• Social services then assess next steps

Powers of Entry

• Police can enter premises without warrant to protect life
• Can assist social workers with entry
• May be needed if access refused

Criminal Investigations and Care Proceedings

Running in Parallel

Criminal and care proceedings often run simultaneously:

• Different purposes and timescales
• Different evidence thresholds
• Care proceedings may conclude first
• Criminal case doesn't determine care outcome

Coordination Required

• Share relevant information appropriately
• Coordinate timing of interviews
• Avoid compromising either process
• Keep child's welfare central

Common Challenges

Different Priorities

Police focus on evidence and prosecution; social workers on welfare. Both are valid:

• Communicate openly about priorities
• Find ways to meet both needs
• Escalate if coordination fails

Timing Issues

• Criminal investigations may take longer
• Child protection can't always wait
• Balance evidence preservation with safety

Building Good Relationships

• Learn who to contact and how
• Understand police constraints and pressures
• Share information proactively
• Attend joint training when available
• Provide feedback on joint working

Conclusion

Police and social workers need each other for effective child protection. Different skills, powers, and perspectives combine to keep children safer. Invest in these relationships, communicate clearly, and always keep the child's welfare at the centre of joint working.