Children in need are those who are disabled or whose vulnerability is such that they are unlikely to reach or maintain a satisfactory level of health and development, or their health and development will be significantly impaired without the provision of services. (section 17 of the Children Act 1989)
The social worker has lead responsibility, on behalf of Children and Young People Services for undertaking an assessment of the child's needs. The social worker also has lead responsibility for assessing the parents' capacity to respond appropriately to the child's identified needs within their wider family and environment. Usually children are afeguarded while remaining at home. This is achieved by Children and Young People Services working with parents, family members and other significant adults in the child's life to make the child safe, and to promote his or her development within the family setting.