The impact of more flexible assessment practices in response to the Munro Review of Child Protection: a rapid response follow-up

Between April and July 2012 the Childhood Wellbeing Research Centre was commissioned to undertake a rapid response study to independently evaluate the impact that the flexibilities had had on practice and service responses to safeguard children from harm (Munro and Lushey, 2012). Findings formed part of a package of evidence used to inform revisions to Working Together to Safeguard Children: a guide to inter-agency working to safeguard and promote the welfare of children (HM Government, 2013). The revised statutory guidance came into force on 5 April 2013 and removed the requirement to conduct separate initial and core assessments.