Annexure D. Vulnerable children
Any child may benefit from early help but all staff should be particularly alert to the potential need for early help for a child who:
- is disabled or has certain health conditions and has specific additional needs
- has special educational needs (including whether they have a statutory Education, Health and Care Plan)
- has a mental health need
- is a young carer
- is showing signs of being drawn in to anti-social or criminal behaviour, including gang involvement and association with organised crime groups or county lines
- is frequently missing/goes missing from education, care or from home
- is at risk of modern slavery, trafficking, sexual and/or exploitation
- is at risk of being radicalised or exploited
- has a parent or carer in custody or is affected by parental offending
- is in a family circumstance presenting challenges for the child, such as drug and alcohol misuse, adult mental health issues and domestic abuse; see Domestic Abuse Bill
- is misusing drugs or alcohol themselves
- is at risk of so-called ‘honour’-based abuse such as Female Genital Mutilation or Forced Marriage
- is a privately fostered child