Home Office assessment has been done, but there has been no Local Authority assessment

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Action: Make a Child in Need referral

Notify the Local Authority so they can arrange for an assessment to be done

1. Go onto the Local Authority website
2. Find the email address for the MASH team and send them the template letter below OR
3. Complete a referral through the online portal.

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Access the template here.

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If a short form Local Authority assessment has been done

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Action: If appropriate, challenge the short form assessment

The most important action is to make a referral to a solicitor as the clock has started ticking on the 3 month time limit to challenge the assessment in court. To find a solicitor, see this page: **Working with solicitors**

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Access the template here.

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