KCSIE 2026 and Working Together 2026 use the phrase "local authority children's social care". Parents and staff often say "social services", and many councils fold it into a wider "children's services" department, so the names on letters and websites vary.
Children's social care has the statutory duties under the Children Act 1989: assessing and supporting a child in need under section 17, making enquiries under section 47 where there is reasonable cause to suspect significant harm, and providing accommodation and care for looked-after children. Under Working Together 2026, section 17 support now sits within Family Help, and the lead practitioner for a child in need doesn't have to be a social worker (KCSIE paragraph 68).
For schools, KCSIE says a referral to children's social care, and the police where appropriate, should be made immediately if a child is suffering or likely to suffer harm, following the local referral process (paragraph 65). Within one working day the local authority should acknowledge the referral and decide the next steps (paragraph 70). Schools must allow children's social care access to conduct, or consider conducting, a section 17 or section 47 assessment (paragraph 139).
How you reach children's social care depends on the area: a MASH, a front door team or an advice line. If you disagree with a decision, Working Together says you should escalate under local procedures (paragraph 165).