Children in need

We have a responsibility to look after the welfare of children in need.

The Children Act 1989 says children are "in need" if

• They are unlikely to reach or maintain a reasonable standard of health or development without help
• Their health and development is likely to be significantly impaired without help
• They have a disability.

Some children are clearly "in need" because

• We are concerned about their safety and are making child protection enquiries or their name is already on the Child Protection Register
• They are looked after in a foster home or children's home by us or they are over 16 and are being supported having left care
• They have a permanent and substantial disability.

Other children might be "in need" because:

• They have health or developmental needs and providing services will help
• They are caring for someone and they need some help themselves
• They have no-one caring for them as a parent
• Their parents or carers need support to provide good enough care
• Family breakdown may be affecting a child
• They have serious persistent psychiatric, psychological, emotional or behavioural difficulties
• They are an offender or may be at risk of breaking the law
• They are homeless
• Their parents have long term health problems (including misuse of drugs and/or alcohol)
• Their parents have physical or learning disabilities
• There is violence in the household
• Their parents are young and without people around them to provide help.

We give priority to children who

• could be at risk of being harmed
• are in our care
• are at risk of being excluded from their family.

For further information about the Children Act and our responsibilities, see the Department of Health, www.dh.gov.uk website.