is emotionally supported by his/her parents/carers to meet their developmental milestones to the best of their abilities. occasionally does not meet developmental milestones due to a lack of emotional support. is unable to meet developmental milestones due to the inability of their parent/carer to emotionally engage with them. development is being significantly impaired. has not experienced any significant bereavement/loss/suicide/acrimonious relationship breakdown. has suffered a bereavement recently or in the past and is distressed but receives support from family and friends and appears to be coping reasonably well – would benefit from short term additional support enhanced universal services. has suffered bereavement recently or in the past and doesn’t appear to be coping. They appear depressed and/or withdrawn and there is concern that they might be/are self-harming or feeling suicidal. has suffered bereavement and is self-harming, going missing and/or disclosing suicidal thoughts. The child’s social development has strong friendships and positive social interaction with a range of peers has few friendships and limited social interaction with their peers is isolated, and refuses to participate in social activities. is completely isolated, refusing to participate in any activities. is able to communicate with others, engages in positive social interactions and demonstrates positive behaviour in a wide variety of social situations. demonstrates respect for others. has communication difficulties and poor interaction with others. has significant communication difficulties. interacts negatively with others and demonstrates significant lack of respect for others. has little or no communication skills positive interaction with others is severely limited.
demonstrates accepted behaviour and tolerance towards their peers and others. Where on occasion this is not the case, this is managed through effective parenting and universal services exhibits aggressive, bullying or destructive behaviours which impacts on their peers, family and/or local community. Support is in place to manage this behaviour. exhibits aggressive, bullying or destructive behaviours which impacts on their peers, family and/or local community. Early support has been refused, or been inadequate to manage this behaviour. exhibits aggressive, bullying or destructive behaviours which impacts on their peers, family and/or local community, and which is impacting on their wellbeing or safety. demonstrates feelings of belonging and acceptance is a victim of discrimination or bullying. has experienced persistent or severe bullying which has impacted on his/her daily outcomes. has experienced such persistent or severe bullying that his/her wellbeing is at risk. The child’s behaviour demonstrates self-control appropriate with age and development. occasionally displays lack of self-control that be unusual in peer groups. regularly displays lack of that would be unusual in peer groups. displays little/ no self-control that seriously impacts on relationships with others; puts themselves/ others at risk. has growing level of practical/ independent living skill competencies. competencies in practical/ independent living skills are at times impaired/ delayed. does not possess/ neglects to use, self-care and independent living skills appropriate to age. severe lack of age appropriate behaviour/ independent living skills; likely to result in significant harm. e.g. bullying/ isolation.
ideologies linked to violent extremism but open to other views/ loses interest quickly travel to conflict zones for extremist/ violent purposes or with intent to join terrorist groups; expresses generalised intent to go/join. Abuse and neglect no physical symptoms which could be attributed to neglect. occasionally shows physical symptoms which could indicate neglect such as a poor hygiene or tooth decay. consistently shows physical symptoms which clearly indicate neglect shows physical signs of neglect such as a thin or swollen tummy, poor skin tone/sores/rashes, prominent joints and bones, poor hygiene or tooth decay which are attributable to the care provided by their parents/carers. is appropriately dressed. Child/their siblings sometimes come to nursery/ school in dirty clothing or they are unkempt or soiled. Child/their siblings consistently come to school in dirty clothing which is inappropriate for the weather and/ or they are unkempt or soiled The parents/carers are reluctant or unable to address these concerns. consistently wears dirty or inappropriate clothing and are suffering significant harm as a result [e.g. they are unable to fully participate at school, are being bullied and/or are physically unwell]
has injuries, such as bruising on their shins etc., which are consistent with normal childish play and activities. has occasional, less common injuries which are consistent with the parents’ account of accidental injury. The parents seek out or accept advice on how to avoid accidental injury. has injuries for example bruising, scalds, burns and scratches, which are accounted for but are more frequent than would be expected for a child of a similar age. has injuries, for example bruising, scalds, burns and scratches, which are not accounted for. makes disclosure and implicates parents or older family members. is provided with an emotionally warm and stable family environment. experiences parenting characterised by a lack of emotional warmth and/ is overly critical and/or inconsistent. experiences a volatile and unstable family environment. and this is having a negative effect on who, due to the emotional neglect they have suffered is vulnerable to grooming and/or exploitative relationships with abusive adults or risky peer groups has suffered long term neglect of the emotional needs and, as a result, is now at high risk of, or is already involved in sexual or other forms of exploitation either as a perpetrator or victim Environmental Factors Including access to and use of: community resources; living conditions; housing; employment status; legal status. These are guidelines to support practitioners in their decision-making. This is not intended to be a ‘tick box’ exercise and practitioners should use their professional judgement. Tier 1 Children with no additional needs whose health and developmental needs can be met by universal services. Tier 2 Children with additional needs that may be met through the provision of enhanced universal provision or ‘early help’ where there are a number of Tier 3 Children with complex multiple needs who may need targeted or specialist services. A referral to the Early Help Hub or to the MASH may be required Tier 4 Children in acute need. Require a referral to MASH is indicated or direct the police where there is imminent danger
The family’s accommodation is stable, clean, warm, and tidy and there are no hazards which could impact the safety or wellbeing of the child. For example the parent/carer ensures access to balconies is restricted unless a young child is with an adult. The family’s accommodation is stable however the home itself is not kept clean and tidy and is not always free of hazards which could impact on the safety and wellbeing of the child. The family’s home is consistently dirty and constitutes health and safety hazards. The family’s home is consistently dirty and constitutes health and safety hazards. The family has no stable home, and is moving from place to place or ‘sofa surfing’. Safe neighbourhood/positive environment; encouraging good citizenship. Child affected by low level behaviour in the locality Neighbourhood/locality negatively impact child; e.g. is a victim of anti-social behaviour/crime/ participating in antisocial behaviour/ or at risk or participating in/victim of criminal activity. Neighbourhood/locality has profoundly negative effect on the child who is involved in frequent anti-social behaviour/criminal activity. Family/child has full/legal indefinite rights to remain in country/indefinitely/employment/public funds. Family has temporary right to stay in the country is temporary and/or restricted access to public funds/right to work, placing the child and family under stress. Family/young person’s legal status increases risk of involuntary removal; e.g. families/illegal workers OR having limited financial resources/no recourse to public funds increases the child’s vulnerability to criminal activity e.g. illegal employment/child labour/CSE Family members/young person detained/at risk of deportation or the child is an unaccompanied asylum-seeker.
Parent well emotionally following birth of baby; accesses universal support services where required. Parent struggles to adjust to the role of parenthood. Parent suffers post-natal depression. Struggles to adjust to parenthood because of other vulnerabilities, e.g.domestic abuse/substance misuse/learning difficulty. Parent suffers severe post-natal depression. Other vulnerabilities e.g. substance misuse/ mental ill health/domestic abuse causes serious risk to themselves/their child/ children. Parent manages child’s sleeping/ feeding/crying; is appropriately responsive. Parent has sustained difficulties managing child’s sleeping/feeding/crying but accepts support to resolve difficulties. Parent has sustained difficulties managing child’s sleeping/feeding/crying despite intervention of support services; refuses support services. Parent can’t manage child’s sleeping/feeding/crying; can’t/won’t engage with health professionals to address issues, impacting significantly/adversely on child. Meeting the health needs of the child - Parent understands/responds appropriately to child’s health demands. Parent displays high levels of anxiety regarding their child’s health; their response is beginning to impact on child’s wellbeing. Parent displays high levels of anxiety regarding their child’s health; their response impacts on the child’s well-being, e.g unnecessarily removing child from school/preventing socialising/participation. Some indications parent’s concerns for child’s health unrelated to physical/ mental symptoms of illness. Parent’s anxiety about child’s health is significantly harming the child’s development, e.g. poor school attendance/social isolation. Strong suspicions/evidence that parent fabricates/induces illness in their child. All the child’s needs (e.g. disability, behaviour, long-term conditions) are fully met by the parents. Parents meet the child’s health needs but require additional help. One/more of child’s needs (e.g. disability, behaviour, long-term conditions) are not always met by the parents: additional support required, impacting on daily life of child/siblings/parents. One /more of child’s needs (e.g. disability, behaviour, long-term conditions) impact significantly on daily life of child/siblings/parents.
Meeting the educational and employment needs of the child Parent positively supports learning/aspirations; engages with school. Parent doesn’t engage with/support learning/aspirations; not engaged with school. Parent doesn’t engage with school; actively resists suggestions of supportive interventions. Parent actively discourages/prevents child from learning or engaging with the school. Parent supports young person to success in labour market. Parent doesn’t support young person to success in labour market. Parent discourages young person from success in labour market. Parent actively obstructs/discourages person from success in labour market. Child has appropriate education/opportunities for social interaction with peers. Concern that child’s education doesn’t teach about different cultures/faiths/ideas o, is derogatory/dismissive of different faiths/cultures/ideas. Child educated to hold intolerant, extremist views. Public services, e.g. schools/youth clubs not used; only mixing with children/adults who hold similar intolerant/extremist views. Child is educated by adults who are members of/have links to prescribed organisations – see link for list of terrorist groups/ organisations banned under UK law Meeting the emotional needs of the child Child has emotionally warm, stable family environment; parenting generally demonstrates praise/emotional warmth/encouragement. Parenting often lacks emotional warmth; can be overly critical and/or inconsistent. Volatile/unstable family environment: parenting is intolerant/critical/inconsistent/ harsh/rejecting, impacting negatively on child. Emotional neglect leaves child vulnerable to grooming/exploitative relationships with abusive adults/risky peer groups Child suffers long term neglect of emotional needs; now at high risk of/is already involved in sexual or other forms of exploitation either as perpetrator or victim
Warm/supportive relationship between that supports the child’s emotional/behavioural/social development. Occasional periods of relationship difficulties impact on the development. Relationship difficulties between child/parent significantly inhibits the child's emotional/ behavioural/social development; if unaddressed, could lead to relationship breakdown. Relationships between child/parent broken down to the extent that child is at risk of significant harm,e.g.parent rejects child from home. Parent sets consistent boundaries and gives guidance. Parent struggles to set age appropriate boundaries; has difficulties maintaining the child’s routine. Parent can’t judge dangerous situations and/or can’t set appropriate boundaries. Parent can’t judge dangerous situations/can’t set appropriate boundaries and the child is frequently exposed to dangerous situations in the home/community. Positive family network; good friendships outside the family unit. Lack of support from extended family network impacts on the parent’s capacity. Weak/negative family network; destructive/unhelpful involvement from the extended family. Highly volatile/broken down family network impacting seriously/adversely on the Child not privately fostered OR is privately fostered by adults providing for their needs; no safeguarding concerns; local authority notified - see ‘The Children Regulations 2005 (Private Arrangements For Fostering)’. Some concern about private fostering arrangements in place for the child. Some concern about private fostering arrangements in place for the child, e.g. issues around the carers’ treatment; local authority not notified of the private fostering arrangement. Concern that the child is a victim of CSE/trafficking/domestic slavery/physical abuse in their private foster placement. Child/parents are respectful for/tolerant of different beliefs Child/parents strong support for an extremist organisation/movement but don’t express intention to be actively involved. Child/parents express strong support for extremist views; generalised, non-specific intention to travel to a conflict zone in support of those views. Child/parents planning to travel to a conflict zone; evidence suggesting that they are going to support/participate in extremist activities. Meeting the practical needs of the child Parent provides appropriately. Parent occasionally provides inappropriate/inadequate food/drink/warmth/shelter. Parent/ carer regularly provides inappropriate/inadequate food/drink/warmth/shelter. Parent consistently fails to provide appropriate/adequate provisions for food/drink/warmth/shelter.
Parent’s learning disabilities don’t affect the care of their child. Parent’s learning difficulties occasionally impede their ability to provide consistent patterns of care but don’t put the child at risk. Parent’s learning disabilities are negatively affecting the care of their child. Parent’s learning disabilities are severely affecting the care of their child and placing them at risk of significant harm. Parent’s mental health doesn’t impact the child adversely. Parent presents with mental health issues that have sporadic/low level impact on the child however there are protective factors in place. Parent presents with mental health issues that have sporadic/low level impact on the child; no supportive networks/extended family to prevent harm. Parent’s poor mental health impacts significantly on the care of the child. primary carer for the child presents as acutely mentally unwell; attempts significant child is the subject of parental delusions. Protection from harm: physical or sexual abuse Parent protects family from danger/significant harm. Parent occasionally doesn’t protect family; if unaddressed could lead to risk or danger. Parent frequently neglects/is unable to protect family from danger/significant harm. Parent is unable to protect their child from harm, placing their child at significant risk. Parent doesn’t sexually abuse their child. Appropriate age related boundaries are in place within the family, promoting healthy development of physical/emotional relationships. History of sexual abuse within extended family/network but the parent understands risks and responds appropriately to the need to protect the child. Concerns around parent’s/sibling’s possibly inappropriate sexual behaviour. Parent has expressed thoughts that they may sexually abuse their child. Parent/sibling sexually abuses child. Evidence may be based on historical concerns/previous convictions/known history. No evidence of sexual abuse. Concerns relating to inappropriate sexual behaviour in the wider family. In the past, family home has been occasionally used for drug taking/dealing, prostitution/CSE and/or illegal activities. Family home used for drug taking/dealing, prostitution/CSE and/or illegal activities. Child is sexually abused/exploited. Schedule 1 Offender (serious risk) is in contact with the family.
Parent doesn’t physically harm their child. . Parent physically chastises their child within legal limits but concern regarding negative impact on the child’s emotional wellbeing,e.g child appears fearful of the parent. Concern that chastisement may escalate in frequency/severity: parent believes in physical punishment to manage behaviour; willing to access professional support. Parent physically chastises child, leaving visible bruising/grazes/scratches/minor swellings/cuts, resulting from a loss of control. Will access professional support to help them. Parent fails to provide adequate supervision, resulting in avoidable accidents/child injury. Parent deliberately physically harms child. Fails to provide age appropriate supervision, resulting in significant harm to the child. No concern that child may be subject to harmful cultural practices, e.g. FGM, HBA, Forced Marriage and Belief in Spirit possession. Concern that the family’s cultural background includes harmful practices, however, parents oppose the practices in respect of children. Concern that the child may be subject to harmful cultural practices. Evidence that the child may be subject to harmful cultural practices. Criminal or anti-social behaviour No history of criminal offences within the family. History of criminal activity within the family. Criminal record relating to serious/violent crime is held by a member of the family which may impact on the children in the household. Criminal record relating to serious/violent is held by a member of the family, negatively impacting on the children in the household. Family members are not involved in gangs. Suspicion, or some evidence that the family are involved in Known involvement in gang activity. Known involvement in gang activity which impact significantly on the child and family.