What is a child in need?

If you are under 18 and your parents or carers need help in caring for you, children’s services can offer support. This support might be available if, for example, you have a disability or require extra help with your development or health needs.

Under Section 17 Children Act 1989, a child will be considered “in need” if:

• They are unlikely to achieve or maintain or to have the opportunity to achieve or maintain a reasonable standard of health or development without provision of services from the local authority
• Their health or development is likely to be significantly impaired, or further impaired, without the provision of services from the local authority
• They have a disability

How can I get support?

To get support, either you or your parents can contact children’s services in your area and ask for a ‘child in need’ assessment.

You are the main focus of this assessment and a social worker may want to speak with you and listen to your views. It is important that you explain the problems you are having and the effect they are having on you. You can also explain how the support would help you in your day to day living.

Once the assessment is finished, you may be placed on what is called a ‘child in need’ plan.

The plan should include:

• The type of support you will be given
• How long the support will be available for
• How the support should help you
• When the plan will be looked at again in future.

What type of support can I get?

The local authority can provide a range of services for a child in need. These include:

• Day care facilities
• Advice, guidance and counselling
• Social, cultural and recreational activities
• Help for you and your family to have a holiday
• Financial assistance, which may take the form of a cash payment, vouchers for a particular shop, or an item such as food, clothing, or furniture
• Respite care (temporary relief care for your family, where you would go to stay with a carer on a regular or one-off basis)
• Accommodation