SOCIAL SERVICES AND WELL-BEING (WALES) ACT HANDOUT Analysing Risk for Children High Concern Low Concern Current injury / harm is severe pattern of harm which is continuing / escalating Parent indicating repeat behaviour likely Access to vulnerable persons Diagnosis of untreatable mental health and substance misuse A history of interpersonal conflict and violence – power and control issues, poor negotiation and lack of autonomy Recent separation or recurrent reconciliations Uncontrolled contact between perpetrator and child The parent unwilling or unable to protect the children High levels of trauma in parents, childhood not recognised as a problem Previous child protection concerns with no significant changes effected or sustained Parents not accepting their behaviour is a concern and are unwilling to work with practitioners Children too young to be able to take any action to protect themselves and require rapid parental change Child presenting as fearful of parents or other household member Children engaging in self-harm, substance misuse, dangerous sexual No history of significant trauma or abuse Recognition of the problem Perpetrator demonstrating remorse/ empathy Perpetrator accepting responsibility for their behaviour Children able to protect themselves if the need arises Healthy peer relationships No documented school problems No history of behavioural / emotional problems Parental mental health and / or substance problem responsive to treatment Parent with empathy for the child Parental competence and capacity in key areas of parenting Risk reactive to circumstances (eg loss) and parents / carers display capacity to make improvement and change Family with access to social support / networks and access to child care facilities Difficulties, illness or disabilities on the part of the adult carers temporary Stressors within normal range of day-today Circumstances and carers display capacity to cope
behaviour or other ‘at risk’ behaviours Parent is young – under 21 years Evidence of social isolation and lack of social supports Resident in violent, unsupportive neighbourhood Parent experiencing high levels of stress Physical and social environment chaotic, hazardous and unsafe Family remaining unpredictable and potential for change limited High Strength Low Strength Parents demonstrating good protective attitudes and behaviours Family with clear, positive boundaries in place Family demonstrating good communications Family demonstrating ability to positively process emotional issues Family positive about receiving help Young person living in supportive environment Network of support and supervision available to young person Young person with positive plans and goals Young person with positive relationship with school / work Young person with experienced consistent positive care Young person with at least one emotional confidant Young person with good problem solving and negotiation skills Family being adaptive and developed new coping strategies when stressed Parent / carer demonstrating empathy and responds appropriately to cues of others Family taking responsibility for their own behaviour Parents and young person appearing not to care what happens Young person with poor communication skills Young person with no support/ is rejected by parents / carers Young person excluded from school Family / young person appear isolated Absence of supportive / structured living environment Parents / carers unwilling / unable to supervise Family enmeshed in unhealthy social networks Family with high levels of stress History of unresolved significant abuse in family Family unable to understand the consequences of their behaviour Family refusing to engage or only engage conditionally with services Lack of available resources to meet identified needs resources (familial and professional) Family seem vulnerable in the face of perceived external threat Family displaying low self-esteem Family / child with negative expectations and goals Family isolated and lacking in supports