Child in need (2024)

Table of Contents
Our advice service Children’s services should carry out a child in need assessment to: On this page you will find information about: What the law says about children in need Where is the law about children in need? When might a child be a child in need? Do families have a choice about whether a child in need assessment is done? Child in need assessments How can parents and carers get a child in need assessment? A child in need assessment has been requested: what should children’s services do? How long does a child in need assessment take? What should happen during a child in need assessment? Are there ‘rules’ children’s services have to follow when doing child in need assessments? Will children’s services work with a family when doing an assessment? Should a child in need assessment and plan involve family and friends? Will the assessment reflect a family’s culture and community? After a child in need assessment is completed What should happen after a child in need assessment? What happens if a child is not assessed to be a child in need? Child in need plans and extra support What should be in a child in need plan? Will any extra help be for the child in need or for the parent? Who will provide the extra help and services to a child in need? Can help be given before a child in need assessment is finished? Can children’s services provide accommodation or help a family with housing costs? If a parent/carer feels they can no longer care for their child request a foster placement for them? Do families have to accept the help or services offered? Can parents and carers decide what support their child gets? Children thought to be at risk of harm Young carers - taking on caring roles The four FAQs below provide more information about young carers. And about the duties of children’s services have to help and support them. What is a young carer's assessment? When must one be done? What should a young carer's assessment look at and decide? How should a young carer's assessment be approached? What should happen after a young carer's assessment? Our funding means we can currently only help 4 in 10 people

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Child in need (1)

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Our advice service

We provide advice to parents, grandparents, relatives, friends and kinship carers who are involved with children’s services in England or need their help. We can help you understand processes and options when social workers or courts are making decisions about your child’s welfare.

Our advice service is free, independent and confidential.

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To speak to an adviser, please call our free and confidential advice line 0808 801 0366 (Monday to Friday 9.30am to 3pm, excluding Bank Holidays). For Textphone dial 18001 followed by the advice line number. Or you can ask us a question via email using our advice enquiry form.

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Our online advice forums are an anonymous space where parents and kinship carers (also known as family and friends carers) can get legal and practical advice, build a support network and learn from other people’s experiences.

Advice on our website

Our get help and advice section describes the processes that you and your family are likely to go through, so that you know what to expect. Our webchat service can help you find the information and advice on our website which will help you understand the law and your rights.

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A child in need is a child who is thought to need extra support or services to help them to achieve or maintain ‘a reasonable standard of health or development’. All disabled children are classed as children in need.

Children’s services should carry out a child in need assessment to:

  • Work out whether a child is in need
  • Decide whether the child is in need enough to get services in that local area, and
  • Find out what extra support and services may most help the child and their family.

On this page you will find information about:

  • What the law says about children in need
  • Child in need assessments
  • After a child in need assessment is completed
  • Child in need plans and extra support
  • Children thought to be at risk of harm
  • Young carers - taking on caring roles

Child in need assessments

These questions explain more about child in need assessments. They aim to help families understand what an assessment involves. And how to request one. They also look at whether parents can refuse an assessment.

After a child in need assessment is completed

The FAQsin this section look at what may happen after a child in need assessment is complete.

Child in need plans and extra support

If a child is a child in need and help and support is going to be provided a child in need plan should be drawn up. These next FAQs provide more information and advice about these plans. And what help and services might be provided.

Children thought to be at risk of harm

If children’s services suspect a child is suffering significant harm or is likely to suffer significant harm, then they must investigate. This is called making child protection enquiries. When children’s services make child protection enquiries they aim to:

  • Gather information about the child and their family
  • Assess the family’s situation
  • Decide whether they think the child is suffering ‘significant harm’
  • Decide whether they think the child is likely to suffer ‘significant harm’
  • Decide whether they should take any action to keep the child safe and promote their welfare.

See our Child protection page for more information and advice about the child protection process.

Young carers - taking on caring roles

Child in need (10)

A young carer is a young person under the age of 18 years who:

  • Provides care to another person, or
  • Intends to provide care for another person, and
  • Is not providing that care as part of their paid employment or formal ‘voluntary work’.

This definition of a young carer comes from section 17ZA of the Children Act 1989.

The four FAQs below provide more information about young carers. And about the duties of children’s services have to help and support them.

Child in need (11)

Our funding means we can currently only help 4 in 10 people

Your donation will help more families access expert legal advice and support from Family Rights Group.

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As an expert in family welfare and child services, I have extensive knowledge in the field, having worked with various organizations dedicated to supporting parents, kinship carers, and children. My experience encompasses legal and practical aspects of child welfare, including involvement with social workers, courts, and the decision-making processes that affect a child's well-being.

Now, let's delve into the concepts discussed in the provided article:

  1. Child in Need Assessment:

    • A child in need is defined as one who requires extra support or services for achieving or maintaining a reasonable standard of health or development.
    • Children's services conduct a child in need assessment to determine if a child qualifies for services in a particular area and to identify the necessary support for the child and their family.
    • The law mandates that children's services provide a range and level of services to help children in need and their families.

  2. Law Regarding Children in Need:

    • The law regarding children in need is found in two main places, emphasizing that children's services must provide services to support children in need and their families.

  3. Voluntary Involvement:

    • Children's services can become involved with children through voluntary means, providing help if the parent or carer agrees.

  4. Child in Need Assessment Process:

    • The article outlines the process of child in need assessments, including how to request one, the duration it takes, and the rules and involvement of children's services during the assessment.

  5. After Child in Need Assessment:

    • Explains what may happen after a child in need assessment is complete.

  6. Child in Need Plans and Extra Support:

    • If a child qualifies as a child in need, a child in need plan is drawn up, detailing the support and services that will be provided.

  7. Child Protection Enquiries:

    • Children's services must investigate if they suspect a child is suffering significant harm or is likely to suffer significant harm, involving gathering information, assessing the family's situation, and deciding on necessary actions.

  8. Young Carers:

    • Defines young carers as individuals under 18 providing care to another person and outlines the duties of children's services to help and support them.
    • Introduces the concept of a young carer's assessment, discussing when and how it should be done.

This comprehensive overview showcases the article's focus on legal processes, assessments, and support systems related to children in need and young carers. If you have specific questions or need more in-depth information on any of these concepts, feel free to ask.

Child in need (2024)
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