Children in need may be assessed under section 17 of the Children Act 1989. Children suffering or likely to suffer significant harm 61. Local authorities, with the help of other organisations as appropriate, have a duty to make enquiries under section 47 of the Children Act 1989 if they have reasonable cause to suspect that a child is suffering, or is likely to suffer, significant harm. Such enquiries enable them to decide whether they should take any action to safeguard and promote the child’s welfare and must be initiated where there are concerns about maltreatment. This includes all forms of abuse, neglect and exploitation. What will the local authority do? 62. Within one working day of a referral being made, a local authority social worker should acknowledge its receipt to the referrer and make a decision about the next steps and the type of response that is required. This will include determining whether: • the child requires immediate protection and urgent action is required • any services are required by the child and family and what type of services • the child is in need and should be assessed under section 17 of the Children Act 1989. Working Together to Safeguard Children provides details of the assessment process • there is reasonable cause to suspect the child is suffering or likely to suffer significant harm, and whether enquiries must be made, and the child assessed under section 47 of the Children Act 1989. Working Together to Safeguard Children provides details of the assessment process, and • further specialist assessments are required to help the local authority to decide what further action to take. 63. The referrer should follow up if this information is not forthcoming. 21 64. If social workers decide to carry out a statutory assessment, staff shou