The children acts 1989 and 2004 In 1989 the children act made it clear to all care workers that they had to make effective decisions that will affect the needs of the child Most importantly the care workers will have to see to the needs of the children The local authorities will also be involved in making sure they provide the correct services to make sure the children who are identified as being at risk get their needs meet to a high standard of care The local authority will get a referral once a referral has been made they will have to deal with this issue quickly and effectively to make sure that they have taken the right action to help the child They will decided within one day whether or not they should take action if the concern is extremely serious they will have to carry out an initial assessment within a week A child can be classed as a child in need if they are incapable to reach a standard of health development without the support from appropriate services If they are likely to be significantly impaired or further impaired without the support from appropriate services or if they are disabled they also will be considered to be a child in need
