P1- OUTLINE WHY SOME CHILDREN MAY NEED TO BE LOOKED AFTER BY THE STATE OR OTHER PEOPLE BESIDES THEIR FAMILIES

P1. OUTLINE WHY CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE MAY NEED TO BE LOOKED AFTER AWAY FROM THEIR FAMILIES

There are a number of reasons why children may need to be look after by the state/ other people besides their parents/families.
These reasons can range from family breakdowns, bereavement, and death, parental illness or loss, They may even be linked to the child having behaviorual problems or illness/disability that their parent’s cannot care for. Even Mental Illness.
More Obviously stated reasons why children may need to be Looked after by the state include Maltreatment or Neglect, Abuse, Addiction or Financial Instability.
It is important to recognize that sometimes Children/Young people may need to leave their homes because of problems that are related to themselves and not just their families. For example, They may have been in an accident and their family are no longer able to care for them or provide the support that they need. Or the child may present such difficult behavioural patterns that the family is unable to cope. Alternatively, the child or young person may have been abused or exploited and might need to be cared for away from the family home for reasons of safety concerns.

FAMILY- RELATED REASONS
Bereavement and Upheaval
Looked after children are often very vulnerable. especially when they have been affected by damaging experiences such as abuse or rejection. They may have been through the trauma of family bereavement or loss and had to learn to internalise their turbulent emotions.
As a result of this, many young people have great difficulty with their education and often fall behind. Their ability to concentrate is greatly reduced, however school is often the only stable factor in a child’s life, whilst everything else may seem turmoil.

Parental Illness or incapacity
The child’s parent’s may even be temporarily unwell or unable to cope, in which cases, the child may allowed to return home when the situation improves. During the meantime, they may spend this time with temporary foster parents, in a children’s residential home or school.
The length of time a young person is away from home depends on the circumstances and the amount of risk the child is at. When it comes to family breakdowns, many factors come into consideration. Was it because of family bereavement? parental illness? mental health problems or even substance abuse?
The family unit may break down completely, and some higher risk factors (such as violence) can  lead the child to be taken away from the home environment permanently to erase the risk of any harm coming to the young person.

It all depends on how much the child is at risk and how serious the situation is.
For example,a child who is being abused may need to be removed from that environment either temporarily or permanently for their own safety and well-being.
If the parent of the child had a partner that was abusing the young person, the young person may be allowed back home once the risk of them being harmed has been removed from the home environment; However, if it was coming form the parent(s) then they may require the child to be removed for a longer period of time or even permanently. Which requires them to stay with foster parents or In a residential home/school.
Such circumstances can result in needing particularly sensitive care, and they may even require therapy later to help them come to terms with what has happened to them.

Suspected or Actual Maltreatment
When a child is the victim of maltreatment, it is important that they are removed from the situation to a safe place, which may be with another family. This might also happen if there is suspected abuse taking place. The safety of the young person is the most important factor while the allegations are being investigated

CHILDREN/YOUNG PERSON RELATED REASONS
A child or young person may need to leave home because of their own health related reasons, behavioural problems, learning difficulties, disabilities or mental health problems. It may even be because a young person has come into conflict with the law and committed an offence.

Health problemsA young person may have an illness or condition that makes it difficult for the family to be able to care for and support them, and so alternative arrangements may need to be made on a temporary or long term basis. the provision required may be specific for the child’s benefit, which may only be available outside of the family home.

Behavioural problems
Stress-
Stress at home can cause the child to perform poorly in school and fall behind. It can also lead the child to start mis behaving and indulging in things that they wouldn’t otherwise. It can have an impact on emotional health and the behavior of the young person. Stress may be caused by an unstable home life or feeling unloved and left out. The child’s parents may not have the skills needed to bring up children, or the child may feel that unrealistic demands for acheivements are being made on them

Anxiety-
Anxiety disorders are quite common amongst young people, and chronic anxiety is suggested so be treated early to make an effective impact. if they are left unrecognised they may result in a disability, dysfunction and in some cases, even suicide.
Depression- Childhood depression is a growing concern,has many stemming causes and can lead to suicide. The young person may become unresponsive, withdrawn and not speak when in the company of others. Without treatment depression can have serious consequences. Finding the route cause of depression can almost seem impossible sometimes and the young person may need to engage in counselling and therapy.

OCD (Obsessive compulsive disorder)-
Children with OCD Often turn to enaging in compulsions that help make them feel in control. It is a disorder that is vastly growing amongst young people and can easily get out of hand. It is extremely important that a person get help with OCD as soon as possible as the effects can cause suicidal thought and feelings and self mutilation.
Phobias- Phobias are often classified under anxiety disorders, but they are now becoming so common that they are being dealth with as a separate issue. Panic disorders are also linked to phobias and these can have a devestating effect on a child. once again, early recognition and treatment are essential.

Learning DifficultiesThere are now many families in the UK that have children with Learning difficulties. A lot of families still find it hard to cope and don’t know how to care for or support their child as they feel they are unable to cope with the challenges a child with a learning disability presents,and may reject their child.
In such cases, it is deemed a good idea for the child or young person to be looked after outside the family home. For the majority of low risk cases, this is only for a temporary basis, and if the child requires specialist assistance it may to become a more long term or even permanent arrangement.
Alternatively, temporary respite care can help the family relax and deal with their own needs so that they are better equipped and knowledgeable when it comes to the child returning home.

DisabilitiesChildren and young people with disabilities may feel as though a lot of demands are being made on them and they may find it difficult to cope. Short term respite care may be an option, but they more than likely need a more long term provision. If the family home cannot provide for the specialist needs of the child or young person, alternative care may be sought.

A child or young person who has committed an offence or become in conflict with the lawFamily breakdowns or simply not feeling like they know how to cope with a stressful situation can cause a young person to feel like they have nothing left to give and can turn into them coming into conflict with the law. Their criminal activity may cause the young person to be remanded or detained. In total, the number of children and young people who have been remanded or detained make up than less 2% of the total number of children who are looked after. When a young person is remanded or detained, it is usually a result of criminal charges and a short term care order may be made.