CYP Now - We need a broad definition of children in need

When the government announced its review of children in need, a legal definition of children supported by social care who have safeguarding and welfare needs, we hoped it would have a wide remit and seek to understand how well these children's needs are being met.

Instead, the Department for Education has limited its review to educational attainments.

While this is an admirable objective, it doesn't get to the heart of the crisis in children's social care and the considerable funding gap, which will reach £2bn by 2020 according to the Local Government Association.

The government review assumes that children in need are the six per cent of the population currently receiving support from social care teams.

Children in need are those children on child in need and child protection plans, looked-after children, young carers, and disabled children - often with severe mental health challenges. All of these children have identified needs, meaning they should receive services and support in order to have the same health and development opportunities as others.

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