Application Wizard - Social Care

What is a “Child in Need”?

A Child in Need (CIN) is a legal term under the Children Act 1989. It means a child who needs extra help from social services to achieve or maintain a reasonable standard of health or development, or whose health or development would be significantly impaired without support.

• It does not automatically mean the child is at risk of abuse or neglect.
• Many children are CIN purely because of disabilities, chronic health needs, or additional support needs at home or school.

Examples of when a child might be considered a Child in Need:

• A child with SEND who requires extra care at home (e.g., help with feeding, toileting, personal care).
• A child with medical needs or disability that affects daily life.
• A child whose behaviour, mental health, or emotional wellbeing requires additional support at home or school.
• A child who needs short breaks or respite care because of high support needs.

How to know if your child qualifies:

1. Look at daily impact: Does your child need extra help at home beyond what would normally be expected for their age?
2. Consider health and development: Would their health, safety, or development be at risk without additional support?
3. Social care perspective: If your child has a recognised disability or SEND, or has complex medical or behavioural needs, a social worker may classify them as CIN to provide support.

Being a “Child in Need” is about access to support, not blame. It gives families legal rights to an assessment and support services under the Children Act 1989.

How to request a CIN assessment:

• Contact your local council’s children’s social care department.
• Explain your child’s needs, daily challenges, and the support required.
• The council will decide whether your child is a CIN and may offer a Child in Need Assessment, which could lead to services like home visits, short breaks, family support, or additional funding.

In short:

A Child in Need is a child who needs extra help to live a safe, healthy, and fulfilling life.

You know your child might be one if they have significant health, developmental, or care needs that affect daily life and require additional support.

What is a Looked After Child (LAC)?

A Looked After Child is a child for whom the local authority has legal responsibility. This is usually because the child cannot live safely with their parents or usual carers.

The local authority essentially becomes the child’s corporate parent while they are “looked after.”

Types of Looked After Children

1. Children in Foster Care

• Placed with foster parents (either LA-approved or through an agency).
• The LA holds parental responsibility and provides support and monitoring.
• Most common type of LAC.

2. Children in Residential Care / Children’s Homes

• Live in a residential children’s home or specialist unit.
• Usually for children with complex needs or who cannot be placed safely in foster care.
• LA provides care, education, and health support.

3. Children Placed with Family / Kinship Care

• Placed with relatives or family friends who care for them with LA oversight.
• Can be voluntary arrangements or court-ordered.
• LA still holds responsibility and supports the placement.

4. Children in Secure Accommodation or Hospitals

• Sometimes LAC children are placed in secure units, specialist hospitals, or therapeutic schools.
• Usually because of safety concerns, mental health needs, or complex behaviour.
• LA retains parental responsibility while the child is there.

5. Voluntary Looked After Children

• Parents agree voluntarily to the child being looked after by the LA.
• Can be for short-term support or to access specialist services.
• LA still has full care responsibility during this period.

Key Points for Parents:

• Parental responsibility shifts to the local authority while a child is LAC.
• LAC children get priority support for education, health, and social care.
• Each LAC has a designated social worker and usually a Personal Education Plan (PEP).
• LAC status can be temporary or long-term, depending on the child’s needs.

What is the Virtual School /Virtual School Head?

A Virtual School is a service that local authorities provide to support children and young people who are in care (looked-after children) or have special educational needs. It isn’t usually a “school” you attend in a building—it’s more of a team that works with a child’s existing school to make sure they get the education and support they need.

Here’s what a Virtual School typically does:

• Tracks progress: They monitor how well a child is doing in school and highlight if extra support is needed.
• Advocates for the child: They make sure the child has access to things like tutoring, special programs, or equipment.
• Supports transitions: They help when a child moves schools so learning isn’t disrupted.
• Advises teachers and carers: They guide school staff, foster carers, and parents on how to best support the child’s learning.

Think of it as a team that looks after the child’s education “virtually,” even if they’re not at one specific school, ensuring that no child falls behind.

If you want, I can also explain how a Virtual School is different from an online school, because the name can be confusing. Do you want me to do that?