The care and upbringing of children does not take place in a vacuum. All family members are influenced both positively and negatively by:
- Family history and functioning
- Wider family (including related and non-related persons and absent wider family)
- Housing
- Employment
- Income
- Family’s social integration
- Community resources
Level 2: Vulnerable Children
Children and young people may be eligible for Common Assessment and possible referral to Local Preventative Group.
- Limited formal education
- Low income
- May not access universal services adequately
- Dispute over contact arrangement
- Threat of eviction
- Rent arrears
Level 3: Children with Complex and Long-standing Needs
These children or young people may be eligible for an initial assessment. A decision will be made by children’s social care within 24 hours of a referral being made. If an initial assessment is not appropriate, other agencies can refer to the Local Preventative Group for discussion.
- Lack of positive role models
- Domestic violence but child not present
- Poor relations with extended family
- Socially isolated
- Inadequate housing
- Temporary housing or homeless
- Poor skills/unemployed
- Serious debts/poverty
- Siblings or parents in custody
Level 4: High Priority Needs
Children and young people that are clearly children in need and are eligible for an initial assessment of their needs.
This level is divided into two categories:
Children in Need where there are Serious Concerns
- No effective support systems
- Unhelpful involvement from extended family
- Chronic unemployment
- Extreme poverty
- Very poor housing
- Socially isolated
- Inadequate supervision
Child Protection where an Urgent Response is Required
- Child exposed to immediate danger
- Families with chronic history of abuse and neglect
- Scheduled offender present in home or has access to child
- Chronic domestic violence or serious domestic violence within care setting