ves with this document. 498. Early help and the option to manage a report internally do not need to be mutually exclusive: a school could manage internally and seek early help for both the victim and alleged perpetrator(s). 499. Whatever the response, it should be under-pinned by the principle that there is zero-tolerance approach to sexual violence and sexual harassment and that both are never acceptable and will not be tolerated. 500. All concerns, discussions, decisions and reasons for decisions should be recorded (written or electronic). 3. Referrals to local authority children’s social care 501. Where a child has been harmed, is at risk of harm, or is in immediate danger, schools and colleges should make a referral to local authority children’s social care. 502. At the point of referral to local authority children’s social care, schools and colleges will generally inform parents or carers, unless there are compelling 128 reasons not to (if informing a parent or carer is going to put the child at additional risk). Any such decision should be made with the support of local authority children’s social care. 503. If a referral is made, local authority children’s social care will then make enquiries to determine whether any of the children involved are in need of protection or other services. 504. Where statutory assessments are appropriate, the school or college (especially the designated safeguarding lead (or a deputy)) should be working alongside, and cooperating with, the relevant lead social worker. Collaborative working will help ensure the best possible package of coordinated support is implemented for the victim and, where appropriate, the alleged perpetrator(s) and any other children that require support. 505. Schools and colleges should not wait for the outcom