Level 3 – Development of the Baby or Child

Health

• Physically unwell
• Concerns re diet, hygiene, clothing
• Child has some chronic/recurring health problems; not treated, or badly managed
• Missing routine and non-routine health appointments
• Weight gain – drop in centiles
• Limited or restricted diet, e.g. no breakfast; no lunch money
• Concerns about developmental progress, e.g. overweight/underweight; bedwetting/soiling
• Developmental milestones are unlikely to be met
• Dental decay
• Smokes/ other regular substance misuse
• ‘Unsafe’ sexual activity
• Learning significantly affected by health problems
• Significant speech language difficulties/delay or disordered development
• Child has significant disability
• Mental health issues emerging
• Sexual activity which cause concern and/or sexually harmful behaviour

Emotional development

• Good quality early attachments e.g. conduct disorder; ADHD; anxiety; depression; eating disorder; self-harming
• Frequent accidents

Behavioural developments

• Does not accept responsibility for own actions; finds it hard to understand how own actions impact on others or learn from consequences
• Disruptive/challenging behaviour at school, home or in the neighbourhood
• Starting to commit offences/re-offend
• Interacts negatively with peers in learning and play contexts
• Child/young person is withdrawn, isolated/unwilling to engage
• Concerns of absences from home without parental consent
• *Emerging behaviours which could suggest CSE

Identity and self-esteem

• Child subject to persistent discrimination, e.g. racial, sexual or due to disabilities
• Demonstrates significantly low self-esteem/confidence in a range of situations
• Victim of crime or bullying
• Signs of deteriorating emotional well-being/mental health
• May not discriminate effectively with strangers
• Clothing is regularly unwashed or unsuitable
• Presentation (including hygiene) significantly impacts on all relationships
• Child lacks confidence or is watchful or wary of carers/people
• May be aggressive in behaviour/appearance

Family and social relationships

• Relationships with carers characterised by inconsistencies
• Child has lack of positive role models
•  Child appears to have undifferentiated attachments
• Misses school or leisure activities
• Involved in conflicts with peers/siblings
• Lack of friends/social network
• May have previously had periods of LA accommodation
• Concerns of absences from home without parental consent
•  *Emerging behaviours which could suggest CSE

Self-care skills and independence

• Disability prevents self-care in a significant range of tasks
• Child takes little or no responsibility for self-care tasks compared with peers
• Child lacks a sense of safety and often puts him/herself in danger
• Child is main carer for family member

Learning

• Identified learning needs that are being addressed at school level.
• Regular underachievement causing concern at school
• Poor nursery/school attendance and punctuality
• Poor home-nursery school link
• Some fixed-term exclusions
• Very limited interests/skills displayed
• Not in education (under 16)
• Not in education, employment, or training post 16