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Saturday 06 September 2008
Children and young people

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.


Find out more:

Contact your local Children and Young People's Services office or your local Family Centre.

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