Information for practitioners - EHA

Threshold criteria for services for children

All children and young people have a number of basic needs that can be supported through a range of universal services. These services include education, early years, health, housing, youth services, leisure facilities and services provided by voluntary organisations. However, some children have more complex needs and may require access to specialist services to support them. One such service is Local Authority Social Services for ‘Children in Need’.

The Threshold Criteria for Services for Children provides guidance for professionals and service users to:

  • clarify the circumstances in which to refer a child to a specific agency to address an individual need
  • conduct an Early Help Assessment, or
  • refer to Children’s Social Care