Child in need and at risk of harm
A child in need is a child whose well-being is at risk or is suspected of being abused, neglected or otherwise in a situation that violates the rights of the child, and a child whose behaviour endangers his or her own well-being or that of others. According to § 27(1) and (2) of the Child Protection Act. there is a duty to report a child in need to any person who has information about a child in need. A child in need must be reported without delay to the local authority or to the child helpline. 116 111.
If you have a dependent child, report it directly to your local child protection officer as soon as possible:
A child in need is:
- a child who is unattended (unwashed, not fed, not dressed for the weather);
- a child who is left unsupervised (e.g. a young child wandering in a shopping centre without a parent, a child at home alone or out late);
- a child who gets into trouble at school and is difficult for the family to cope with;
- a child with special needs who has not received help;
- a child whose behaviour has changed or who has difficulty coping with his or her feelings;
- a child who has experienced abuse (mocking, bullying, humiliation, hitting, pushing);
- a child who uses addictive substances;
- a child whose body shows signs of violence;
- a child who has suicidal thoughts or deliberately harms himself or herself.
A child in danger is a child in a situation that endangers his or her life or health, and a child whose behaviour endangers his or her life or health or that of others. The duty to report a child in danger is incumbent on all persons who have information about a child in danger. A child in distress must be reported immediately to the emergency telephone number 112.
A child in distress is:
- a young child who has been left unsupervised;
- a child who has run away from home;
- a child who has committed an offence;
- a minor under the influence of alcohol or drugs;
- a child who is severely malnourished;
- a child who is a victim of violence;
- a child who has intentionally injured or harmed himself/herself;
- a child who wants to take a life or thinks about it all the time.
