How do social workers decide my child has suffered significant harm?

There is no fixed checklist. Under the Children Act 1989, professionals weigh the severity, frequency, and impact of the harm against what would reasonably be expected of a similar child. A Section 47 enquiry is opened where there is reasonable cause to suspect significant harm, and findings are discussed at a child protection conference before any plan is agreed.

What does significant harm mean for whether my child is removed from home?

Reaching the significant-harm threshold does not automatically mean removal. It opens the door to formal child protection, which usually means a child protection plan with the child remaining at home. Removal requires a court order, such as an emergency protection or care order, and is a separate, judge-led decision based on the child's safety.

Law and policy

Significant harm

A threshold in UK law (Children Act 1989) at which compulsory state intervention into family life is justified. Defined as ill-treatment or impairment of health or development.

Significant harm is the legal threshold in the Children Act 1989 at which compulsory state intervention into family life is justified, covering ill-treatment or serious impairment of a child's health or development.

In plain English

A threshold in UK law (Children Act 1989) at which compulsory state intervention into family life is justified. Defined as ill-treatment or impairment of health or development.

Why it matters

The phrase signals when a case moves from voluntary support into formal child protection. There is no fixed checklist; professionals weigh severity, frequency, and impact on the child. Understanding it helps families follow what social workers are doing.

Sources

Children Act 1989— GOV.UK

Frequently Asked Questions

This is practical educational content to support families. For case-specific concerns about a child's safety, contact the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000 or your local safeguarding team.

Last reviewed: 2026-05-17

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