Child protection in Shropshire

Safeguarding children

Safeguarding is about keeping children safe from all kinds of harm, in all kinds of places:

• at home
• at school
• at youth clubs
• at swimming
• at all sports events
• on the roads
• just about everywhere

We are all responsible for making sure children are safe, whoever we are and whatever we do!

If you think a child or a young person you know is suffering harm it is vital that you report it. Please link to 'Concerned about a child' on this page.

Who are Social Care and Safeguards and what do they do?

Are team work to protect and safeguard the welfare of children in need.

We define "Children in Need" as any child or young person whose health and welfare may suffer significantly if they do not receive our help.

We work closely with children, young people and their parents, relatives or other carers and also with other organisations to find the best solution to any difficulties.

We try to support the child or young person and their families, because our aim is to keep families together wherever possible.

We will always take into account the child and family's religious, cultural and social background.

Definition of child in need
Under Section 17 (10) of the Children Act 1989, a child is a Child in Need if:

• he/she is unlikely to achieve or maintain, or have the opportunity of achieving or maintaining, a reasonable standard of health or development without the provision for him/her of services by a local authority;
• his/her health or development is likely to be significantly impaired, or further impaired, without the provision for him/her of such services;or
• he/she is disabled.

This authority has expanded the definition into categories of need and eligibility criteria, which are used during Initial Assessments and Core Assessments to determine the type of service which may be provided to a Child in Need.