Identifying and responding to children’s additional needs

Some children may require additional support to have their needs met. Concerns may be identified by the child or their family, by someone in the community, by a Named Person, or by a practitioner or clinician in any organisation, including adult focussed services and the police.

In addition to the family’s expertise, the routine records maintained by health and education staff for all children contain essential information about a child’s history, circumstances and development. 

Professionals who provide services to adults are also able to consider the implications for children who are affected by adults’ needs. Information that is routinely and properly recorded will form the basis of understanding what help children might need, at whatever time difficulties emerge. 

By recording systematically, using the wellbeing indicators to underpin assessment and action planning, information can be quickly shared in response to a child’s emerging or increasing needs.

The potential implications for other children in the family or network must also be considered and communicated to the relevant Named Person and other professionals as appropriate.

Concerns about a child may relate to a single issue or a series of events that may adversely affect the well-being or safety of a child. Concerns may arise from observation of the child (for example - not doing as well as expected) or from someone associated with the child that might make them vulnerable (for example – a parent who has difficulties in relation to substance misuse, domestic abuse or mental ill health). Concerns can point to patterns of behaviour or needs and risks.

Difficulties or concerns are identified at an early stage whenever possible, and steps taken to ensure that additional help is available when needed. Help is given as quickly as possible and in consultation with children and their families. 

Help should be appropriate, timely and proportionate to the individual circumstances of the child.  The practitioner or clinician will often be able to act quickly to provide what is needed. In other instances, the Named Person or other professionals will act to ensure that children and families are linked to other services that can best address their needs.