1: Universal Description Examples of what you might see Action to take Desired outcome Children and young people living in families whose needs are being met or whose additional needs can be met by universal services Universal services include: Antenatal support via midwifery New baby support via Health Visitor Baby groups, “stay and play” groups etc Years Library support and advice on childcare Advice on benefits Advice on school enrolment Schools and out of school provision School Nursing General Practitioners and other universal health services Neighbourhood policing and Communities Area Teams (safer neighbourhood team function) Communities Well Being support Jobcentre Plus The indicators listed below are examples only and not intended to be a comprehensive list. The indicators can never replace professional judgement and analysis. These children, young people and families have no additional needs other than those which are met by universal services for example such as health or education providers. This includes: Immunisation & vaccination Routine health visiting services Accommodation and rehousing needs Positive youth activities Targeted diversionary activities and projects in areas Neighbourhood policing and Communities Area Teams (Safer Neighbourhood Team function) Supporting the community with accident prevention initiatives, healthy eating and obesity Supporting the community to provide cleaner, safer neighbourhoods Providing help to find young people and parents At this level needs are met by parents, carers and communities and by universal services. Parents can access ‘self-help’ support and advice through a range of settings such as Children’s Centres, Schools libraries and on line. Routine surveillance should include awareness of emerging needs, in particular signs of neglect, and the importance of discussing these with the child, parents or colleagues. Consideration should be to using the Doncaster neglect tool to ensure neglect is not an issue. Stronger Families eligibility should be checked to ensure help is given at the earliest point. Children and young people are: Physically, emotionally and sexually healthy Looked after by parents or carers who promote healthy and safe choices Not affected by avoidable hospital admissions as a result of poor health or accidents etc Safe from abuse, neglect and exploitation Ready for school and able to attend and enjoy school and achieve educational milestones Achieve developmental milestones in accordance with their potential ability Are ready to participate in appropriate employment, education or training after leaving school Safe from bullying, maltreatment, exploitation, discrimination & injury Safe from criminal or anti-social behaviour and do not take part in it either Confident and taking part in leisure, sporting and social opportunities Parents: Provide a safe, supportive home Provide age appropriate boundaries Promote healthy life-style choices Promote pro-social behaviour
Children whose parents/carers need support with finances in order to meet their needs Children whose parents/carers who need support to improve hygiene or safety in the home Level 3: Targeted: Coordinated approach Description Examples of what you see Action to take Desired outcome Children and young people living in families who need multi-agency support to meet their needs coordinated by a lead practitioner model. If an authority determines following assessment that a disabled child needs support under Section 17, it must first consider whether such support is of the type outlined in Section 2 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act (CSDPA) 1970. Where there is an EHC needs assessment, it should be a holistic assessment of the child or young person’s education, health and social care needs. EHC needs assessments should be combined with social care assessments under section 17 of the Children’s Act 1989 where appropriate. If services are to be provided following an assessment there should be a ‘child in need plan’ which sets out who is going to do what, where and when to help the child. The indicators listed below are examples only and not intended to be a comprehensive list. The indicators can never replace professional judgement and analysis. Children and young people with multiple Level 2 indicators Children and young people with increasingly severe behavioural, emotional and social difficulties Children and young people with prolonged or acute absence from school Children and people who are at immediate risk of becoming homeless Children who have previously been subject to a Child in Need or Child Protections Plan and whose parents need support to help them sustain progress over a planned period Children and young people who are consistently not Professionals make an Early Help Enquiry into the Early Help Hub. Professional support and advice about thresholds can be accessed through the Hub and the locality based Early Help Coordinators. The Early Help Hub will screen the enquiry and agree a lead practitioner to coordinate the Early Help Assessment, undertake a TAC/TAF and establish a holistic plan for the family that is aimed at reducing the level of need. the Doncaster Neglect tool will assist in identifying the family’s needs and should be undertaken to ensure neglect is not an issue. The Doncaster Risk & Resilience Frameworks and similar tools can support the measurement of changes in risk and resilience. These are embedded within the Early Help Module. The overall outcome is that the child and family gain resilience and are enabled to be safely supported by the provision of early help and prevention or supported and thrive through universal provision following the early help support.
exploitation or violence within a relationship Children and people with chronic ill health or conditions All children and young people assessed as having an underlying mental health disorder and who are receiving treatment Children and people whose parents/carers are unable to provide care due to the effects of their alcohol or drug misuse where evidence suggests the child is at immediate risk of or is suffering from significant harm. NB these could include unborn babies Children and young people whose parents/carers are unable to provide care due to domestic abuse where evidence suggests the child is at immediate risk of or is suffering from significant harm NB these could include unborn babies Children and young people whose parents/carers are unable to provide care due to the effects of their own mental health or learning disability; where evidence suggests the child is at immediate risk of or is suffering from significant harm. NB these could include unborn babies Seeking advice from your agency’s designated worker or child protection lead Calling the Police or emergency medical if a or young person or adult is in immediate danger If a child young person or adult is in immediate danger If you feel a child has suffered or is at risk of significant harm you have a duty to refer to the DCST the Referral and Response When you are referring to the Referral and Response Team you must provide information about the previous support that has been provided to the family and the involvement of your or other agencies. A telephone or referral should be followed up in writing within 48 hours and the DCST will provide you with information regarding their actions and the outcome of your referral. are other opportunities to share concerns about future risk of harm to a child, including MARAC and MAPPA serious crime and domestic abuse meetings and the DCST.