If the child is suffering from a bereavement and upheaval the child is often vulnerable and may have had a lot of disruption or upheaval already. The child may have had damaging experiences which may internalise their turbulent emotions. Resulting from this the child may have behaviour problems, scared of others and very shy around others, the child may have attitude problems, concentration problems, difficulty in education, the child may start to regress, may wet the bed and have night mares. The child itself could progress into an abuser as it thinks abuse is ‘normal’. School may be the only stable please for the child to go to and the child could begin to show anti- social behaviour. E.g. the child may start to become aggressive and intimidating toward others.
If the child’s parent(s) take an illness where they have to stay in hospital for a time or they may have a family breakdown the child may have to go into care. The child may get fostered, go to a children’s home or a residential school until their parents are fit enough to do so. Throughout their care they may require therapy if their stressed/worried/ anxious/prepare them for a death/help them cope in general or if the child is suicidal.
If the child itself has related reasons they may again be put into care. If the child has health problems- it could be an illness or condition and it may be put into care to be able to facilitate the child’s needs and the child may need specific resources which the care provides. E.g. If the child has speech impairment they may be placed into care to help stimulation of the child’s learning needs. The child could have behavioural problems – The child could be stresses or anxious and if it is left unrecognized it could result in a disability dysfunction or even suicide, the child could be depressed and could be unresponsive, withdrawn and not want to be around others. Counselling and therapy may be needed to help the child through the depression. The child could be obsessive and have a compulsive disorder this order is grown and little people would know about it, the earlier it is recognition will help. The child could have phobias which is a panic disorder and can disable normal life of a child, early recognition and help is needed.
The child may have learning difficulties, disabilities or if the child has committed an offence.
The child may be put into care due to learning difficulties, and some parents may be unable to cope, reject the child, the child may need specialist assistance which the parents are unable to provide and temporary respite to allow the family to have a break from the constant care. The family may have other demands so cannot care for the child 24/7.
Children may be looked after away from home if they have committed an offence where the young person may be remanded or detained. If remanded of criminal charges the child may be put into care for a short period of time.
