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Other factors considered

We know that the families of a disabled child can experience a wide range of stresses and challenges.

As well as assessing the impact for the child of the disability or additional needs, social workers will also consider the impact on parent, carers and siblings, and additional factors that may add to the overall level of need. This is part of an holistic assessment of the child and family and will help us provide the right support to the family as a whole, as well as the individual child. This means they will consider whether the following apply and how we can help you reduce their impact.

  1. A parent or carer regularly suffers sleep deprivation because of the night-time needs of the child.
  2. There is an adverse impact on the health or safety of a parent or carer, the child or others in the household because of the child’s disability or additional needs.
  3. There is an adverse impact on the safety, wellbeing or development of the child’s brothers and sisters. This includes safety, physical and emotional health, ability to learn and opportunities for leisure and community engagement. We will consider with families whether siblings have needs as young carers and would benefit from the support of Gloucestershire Young Carers.
  4. There is another person in the household who needs additional help because of their own disability or long-term health needs.
  5. The parent or carer is a sole carer and has a limited support network. There are other significant pressures within the family that may be harmful to the disabled child, for example stressful family relationships, difficulty in meeting financial commitments, domestic abuse and alcohol or drug misuse.
  6. A parent or carer has physical or mental health problems, whether or not they result from their child’s disability.
  7. The physical home environment is such that it presents additional risks to the child’s health and wellbeing.
  8. A parent or carer has physical or mental health problems, whether or not they result from their child’s disability.
  9. There is a risk of a breakdown in the disabled child’s care.

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