Anyone who has concerns about a child's welfare must always make a referral to children's services. This includes professionals such as teachers, health visitors, police officers, GPs, as well as members of the public or family members who are worried about a child

. Specifically, practitioners in all agencies have a legal responsibility to refer a child to local authority children's social care if they believe or suspect that the child:

• Has suffered significant harm or is likely to suffer significant harm;
• Has a disability, developmental delay, or welfare needs likely to require social work-led family support services;
• Is a Child in Need whose development would likely be impaired without intervention

Referrals should be made without delay, especially where there is suspicion or evidence of significant harm, and must not be delayed by the unavailability of designated professionals within an agency

. In summary:

• Who must make the referral? Anyone with concerns about a child's welfare, including professionals and members of the public.
• When must they make it? Immediately if there is concern that the child is suffering or likely to suffer significant harm.
• To whom? To local authority children's social care or the allocated social worker if the child is already known to services

This duty to refer is underpinned by statutory guidance and legislation such as the Children Act 1989 and Children Act 2004