What is a Child’s Plan?
If a child or young person has issues that are affecting their wellbeing, they can be offered help. A Child’s Plan is a way of recording what needs to happen to help the child, and who will do this, and when they will do it.
The Child’s Plan is agreed with the parent/carer and the child or young person. You and your child should be fully involved in agreeing the actions in the plan. Your child has a right to be involved and to have their views listened to and taken seriously.
When might a child need a Child’s Plan?
Usually, a child might need a plan if:
- They need more support than their Health Visitor or School would usually provide.
- They need a specialist service. Examples of specialist services are Paediatric Nursing Services and Learning Support.
- The child might live in a home with parents/carers who need support with issues like mental health or disability.
A Child’s Plan should be made when…..
A number of different agencies/professionals are involved with the child and family, and those involved need to know what everyone else is doing.
When it is difficult to work out what is getting in the way of child’s wellbeing and agreeing how to help the child.
When the child or young person might have a number of complex issues, and those involved need to agree what to do first.
When the family and services need to be honest and open about the issues facing the child and how they are affecting the child.
When the child is in a complex situation and this needs to be followed closely to make sure that things are improving.
Transition – when a child is moving from one school or service to another.
The plan should be reviewed regularly at Child Plan Meetings. The amount of time between meetings will vary, but typically this would not be more than 3 months.
What does a Child’s Plan look like?
