How does Kent define a "child in need"?

Whenever a child or young person under the age of 18 is considered to be in need of local authority services in order to achieve or maintain a reasonable standard of health or development, Kent Children's Social Services will complete an assessment. The assessment will include contributions from health and other professions and will pay special attention to the views of the parents or carers and of the child. The assessment will help decide what services may be appropriate to the child's needs and result in an agreed plan which will be reviewed regularly.

Children in Need of Protection from Significant Harm

Whenever there is reasonable cause to suspect that a child is suffering, or is likely to suffer, the local authority is required under section 47 of the Children Act 1989 to make enquiries, to enable it to decide whether it should take any action to safeguard and promote the welfare of the child. All agencies have a duty to assist and provide information in support of child protection enquiries. An assessment of the child’s needs will be carried out. The assessment will:

• Identify the causes for concern;
• evaluate the strengths of the family;
• Evaluate the risk to the child;
• Consider the child’s needs for protection;
• Evaluate information from all sources and previous agencies involvements;
• Consider the ability of the parents and wider family and social\ networks to safeguard and promote the child’s welfare;
• Consider how any risks identified can be managed.