Definition Of Significant Harm In Safeguarding

Problems have arisen because an informal approach to safeguarding is always preferred and reluctance to use the formal route means the term significant harm often gets forgotten.

Definition of significant harm in safeguarding. The children act 1989 introduced the concept of significant harm as the threshold that justifies compulsory intervention in family life in the best interests of children. In determining what justifies intervention and what sort of intervention s are required no secrets doh 2000 uses the concept of significant harm. Harm is defined as. Significant harm is one of the limbs to proving that the threshold criteria under section 31 2 of the children act 1989 are met before a court can consider whether to make a care order or supervision order there is no statutory definition of significant harm.

It also makes it clear that it is compulsory for them to follow the pathway policies and procedures. Their health or development should be compared with that which could reasonably be expected of a similar child and the parenting that we. There is no absolute criteria on which to rely when judging what constitutes significant harm. 1 1 the children act 1989 introduced the concept of significant harm as the threshold which justifies compulsory intervention in family life in the best interests of children.

Significant harm definition significant harm definition. Under sections 31 9 and 10 of the children act 1989 as amended by the adoption and children act 2002. There are no absolute criteria on which to rely when judging what constitutes significant harm but consideration should be given to the. 1 2 section 47 of the act places a duty on local authorities to make enquiries or cause enquiries to be made where it has.

However it highlights the need to compare the progress health and well being of a child with any other similar child. Nhs trust and government department including cafcass have a safeguarding policy that specifically provides them each with a pathway to recognise and act when they suspect significant harm. The act does not provide an exact definition of the term significant harm. Wed 2010 05 05 11 20 nscbadmin.

The definition of significant harm. The children act 1989 introduced the concept of significant harm as the threshold which justifies compulsory intervention in family life in the best interests of children. The definition of significant harm. There is an assumption that social workers doing an initial assessment of need will incidentally pick up any child protection concerns in the course of their home visit.

The emphasis is on the needs of the child and not on the capabilities or willingness of the parents. Definition of significant harm.