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.
