Worried about a child?

Level 1 - Children whose needs are met and who thrive

Universal services are the everyday services and support available to all children, young people and families to promote their health, learning, safety and wellbeing.

They do not require a referral or statutory assessment and are usually delivered by a single agency through everyday contact with children and families.

Below are examples of the indicators that suggest a child or young person would need level 1 support.

Children and young people

  • My attendance at school, college or training is above 95%
  • There are no concerns about my life at home, in school or in my neighbourhood
  • There are no barriers to my learning and no concerns about my learning and development
  • I am a disabled child and my needs are fully understood and met
  • There are no concerns about my behaviour
  • I am able to understand right from wrong
  • I have a positive sense of my abilities
  • My relationships and interactions with others are in line with my age and stage development
  • I live in a home where relationships are safe, respectful, and free from harm
  • I am physically healthy and my development checks are up to date
  • I have an adequate and nutritious diet, regular dental and optical checks
  • There are no concerns about my mental health
  • There are no concerns about my attitude to drugs or alcohol
  • There are no concerns about my use of technology
  • I live in adequate housing and in a safe and secure environment
  • I mostly have positive relationships with my peers
  • I will become a parent soon and have supportive and safe relationships
  • I live in an environment free from violence and aggression

Parents and carers

  • My parents or carers provide me with guidance and boundaries to support my development
  • My parents or carers provide me with safe, secure and caring parenting
  • My parents or carers are able to promote and respond appropriately to all of my needs

Risks to me outside my home

  • I am safe in my community

Support and next steps

Any needs for a child, young person or family at Level 1 are low-level. However, they should not be disregarded as trivial as this is the start point of all developing concerns. Therefore, if needs are identified early and responded to quickly, the family should be able to move on with very limited impact. Whilst some of these needs may initially appear trivial, if left these can grow and quickly become unmanageable for some families. Below are some steps to follow and things to consider:
  • discuss any concerns with the family and agree what action is needed. This may be that your service is able to provide some extra support or it may be that you can signpost the family to another agency
  • if the family are requesting support, discuss the support required, and if you can access these resources
  • if you can't access these resources, find out where they can be accessed locally
  • get the family's agreement to engage with support services
  • use all your inhouse resources before considering involving another agency
  • check online for other services you can contact locally for support
  • next steps will depend on the support required. Firstly, speak with the family about which professionals or services are already involved with the child, young person and family. Consider GP, health visitor, nursery, school or other education, church, local district or borough council services, local charities or voluntary and community groups.

If you think the child has emerging needs or their needs are unclear or unmet, read about level 2 support.