Notification to social services: how to respond to complaints of concern step by step

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A notification to social services about children means that someone has provided details of concern. Social services must receive the data and assess whether to go ahead. It does not automatically mean that the notification is correct, that you made a mistake or that the child will be placed. You need to act calmly, in writing and structured.

If you are applying for a notification to the social services or a concern report to the social services, you often want to know who has reported, what is happening now and how to get your version out without the meeting getting messy. Previous stage: scenarios and questions. Overview: concern report children: what's going on. Next: Sun Investigation.

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Statistics in perspective: In 2024, about 233,000 children were affected by at least one concern report, which corresponds to 10.8% of children aged 0-17 years. This does not mean that the child is being taken into care or that the notification is proven. Approximately 54% of the reports were handled in an investigation; the rest are often terminated after prior assessment or other handling.

/aside > aside class="rounded-2xl border-red-200 bg-red-50 p-4 text-red-950"> It's important!

If the social services ask if you want or need support/interventions, do not answer categorically no at the moment. Rather say: “I am open to concrete proposals and will be happy to accept support if you consider it necessary. I would first like to understand what you are proposing and why.” Ask that your answer be recorded correctly. A blank no may otherwise be documented as opposing support, which may impair your position in the investigation.

/aside > If the

concern applies to an adult in the family or you as an adult, read the adult concern report and your rights. This article focuses on children and parents.

The most important thing at the beginning is to understand what the concerns are about, what the social services are actually investigating and what basis they are using. Don't respond to everything in affect. Ask for clarity, bring a support person and document yourself

.

Process map: what usually happens

1. Reception: the social services receive the notification and make an initial assessment.
2. Contact: you are contacted and called to a call/meeting.
3. Investigation: the social services collect data (calls, school/care data, etc.).
4. Assessment: they take a position on whether the child needs intervention/support.
5. Decision: the decision/action is communicated and documented.

First contact: questions you should ask

• Book an appointment as soon as possible, but first ask to know what the registration applies to.
• Ask what specific tasks the social services want to talk about.
• Ask if there is written evidence and when you can access it.
• Ask who will attend the meeting and what the meeting will lead to.
• Bring an agent/representation or support person.
• Record the meeting if you are attending and take your own notes.

How to answer matter-of-factly

• Avoid defensive posture. Answer the questions calmly and concretely
.
• Divide the answer into facts, explanation and what you can show with actions.
• Say when you don't know or need to check something before replying.
• Request access to social services notes afterwards.
• Summarize the meeting in writing in your own email.

Template: written response to concerns

You can send this before or after the first meeting. Adapt the language, keep the structure

.

Hi,

I have been informed that the statement of concern has been received on [date]. I would like to respond to the data in writing.

Information in the notification (as I understand it): [short bulleted list]

My response:
1. [facts with dates]
2. [facts with dates]
3. [attachment: email, medical certificate, school documents]

What I'm asking for:
- Written description of the investigation
- List of sources social services intend to use
- Meeting with the possibility of a support person on [date]

Kindly,
[name]

/blockquote >

Notification obligation: school, care and BVC

When a concern report comes from a school, preschool, BVC or health care, it is often a matter of notification obligation under the Social Services Act. This does not mean that staff believe that you are guilty, but that they must provide information in case of suspicion of child abuse.

You can still request:

• What concrete event or observation is behind the notification.
• If the school documented extra adaptations, action programs or student health meetings before enrollment.
• To obtain access to the school's documentation on which social services are based (via request for documents where possible).

See when the school contacts social services and request action programs and student documentation.

If the concern report comes from the school

When the school reports concerns to social services, two tracks can be mixed together: the child's need for support at school and the social services assessment of the family situation. Therefore, pray that they are kept apart. Ask the school what support has been tried, what extra adaptations have been documented and if there are action programmes, pupil health notes or meeting notes.

If you think the school's picture is wrong or incomplete, write a timeline of your own and request supporting documents. Then link the response to concrete documents: absences, meetings, support interventions, emails and decisions

.

False Concern Statement: What to Do?

A report may contain misunderstandings, loose quotes or incorrect information. Don't just try to say “that's not true.” Show what's wrong, why it's wrong, and what data base supports your version

.

1. Write down each incorrect task separately.
2. Instead, tell me what is right for you.
3. Link each point to attachment, date, email or witness if available.
4. Request that your response be added to the act.
5. Follow up in writing if social services notes don't reproduce your answer correctly.

Follow-up email after the meeting

Send a short email the same day or the next day. It doesn't have to be far. The aim is to lock in what you have perceived, what questions remain and what documents you have requested

.

Example: “I perceived that the meeting concerned [question]. I asked to see [documents]. My attitude is to [briefly respond]. If I have misunderstood something, I ask you to correct me in writing

.”

What has changed from 2025

From 1 July 2025, a new Social Services Act applies with a clearer focus on prevention, accessibility and knowledge-based interventions. The Government also describes that reports of concern should become digitally searchable for easier follow-up, that children's rights and participation should be strengthened and that social services should be able to offer early intervention to a greater extent

.

This does not mean that every notification is correct or that you have to accept incorrect data. On the contrary, your own documentation becomes more important: what concerns are concerned, what data has been recorded, what has the child said and how have social services weighed the best interests of the child?

See also Government Summary: New Social Services Act and Restructuring.

FAQS

Do I have to attend the meeting?
You should normally participate, but you can ask for a support person, a break, more time and written questions if the meeting becomes

too difficult.

May I know who made the report?
Not always. The identity of the notifier can be protected, especially if the person is a private individual. If the notification comes from a school or other activity, it is often clear from the context

.

Can I request documents?
Yes. Ask what you can learn during the investigation and request documents whenever possible. After completing the investigation, you should carefully review the file.

What do I do if social services notes go wrong?
Request a correction or supplement in writing. Write exactly which task is wrong and what you want to be added.

Can I record the meeting with social services?
Yes, if you participate yourself. Use the recording to write accurate notes and follow up matter-of-factly. See record meeting with authority.

What is the difference with an adult concern report?
Childhood issues can lead to LVU and have stronger lines of protection. Adult concerns are handled differently. Read the concern report adult.

When should I consider JO notification?
If the handling is frivolous, you do not receive a response, or notes are not corrected. See JO registration step by step

.

Checklist before meeting with social services

• Write timeline with date (school, care, police, own contact with soc).
• Pack attachments: action plans, medical certificates, emails to school, absence statistics.
• Determine one main question: “What exactly are you investigating?”
• Book a support person or agent if the meeting feels overwhelming.
• Test recording app and battery.
• Prepare follow-up email template in your phone.

For those who read under stress

The guide is meant as support when you already have a lot around your head. You don't have to read everything at once: start with the section that matches where you stand today and come back when the next step becomes relevant

.

Affairs with authorities are rarely made better by the fact that you carry everything alone. Ask for help from a support person, lawyer or family member if you can — especially before decisions that

have a long impact.

Common mistakes that make the case more difficult

• Trust only verbal promises without brief written acknowledgement or follow-up emails.
• Wait to request documents until the conflict is already locked -- then it will be heavier to show what was said.
• Write so long and emotionally driven that the authority stops answering the factual question.
• Miss deadlines for reconsideration or appeal because the decision was not read verbatim.

Mini-checklist before leaving the guide

1. Do I have the date, diary/case number and name of the person handling the case (if you know)?
2. Do I know what the next step is: reply, request out, recall, appeal or report?
3. Have I saved emails and attachments in a place where I can find them in a week?

Bonus (updated 2026): Privacy and rights against government agencies 2026: what has changed?