1.2. Explain how to identify the needs of children and young people

This guide will help you answer 1.2. Explain how to identify the needs of children and young people.

Understanding the needs of children and young people is a fundamental part of working in this sector. Each child or young person is unique and may require different support depending on their situation, developmental stage, or background. Identifying their needs involves careful observation, communication, and collaboration with others. This ensures that they receive the right care and opportunities to thrive.

Observation

Observation is an important tool. Watching and looking for patterns in children’s behaviour, emotions, and responses can provide vital clues about their needs.

When observing, staff should focus on:

• Physical health: Look for signs of illness, delayed physical development, or difficulties with movement and coordination. Poor physical health can affect other areas of their development.
• Emotional behaviour: Spot behaviours such as withdrawal, aggression, or anxiety. These might indicate unmet emotional needs.
• Social skills: Pay attention to how they interact with others. Are they forming friendships easily? Are they struggling to communicate?
• Cognitive abilities: Observe their attention span, problem-solving skills, and how they engage with learning activities. Issues in these areas may highlight educational needs.

It’s crucial to keep detailed records of observations. This creates a clear picture of any patterns or concerns over time.

Listening to the Child or Young Person

Children and young people often know more about their own needs than adults realise. Taking time to listen can offer valuable insights. Create a safe environment where they feel comfortable expressing their thoughts and feelings.

Encourage communication by:

• Asking open-ended questions. These invite the child to share more than a simple “yes” or “no”. For example, instead of asking, “Are you feeling sad?” say, “Can you tell me how you’re feeling today?”
• Using age-appropriate language. Speak in a way the child can understand and relate to.
• Being patient. Allow them to take their time to think and share.

Sometimes, children feel nervous or scared to communicate. Building trust is the first step to helping them open up.

Considering Developmental Milestones

Children and young people typically experience key developmental milestones. These benchmarks help measure whether they are on track in areas such as language, motor skills, social behaviours, and emotional regulation. By comparing observed behaviours to these benchmarks, potential concerns can be identified.

For instance:

• If a two-year-old is not yet speaking any words, they may require language support.
• A seven-year-old struggling with fine motor tasks (like gripping a pencil) may require extra help with physical development.

It’s important to acknowledge that milestones vary between individuals. Some minor delays are normal and might not require intervention.

Working with Families

Families are a rich source of information. They know their child better than anyone and can share insights about the child’s behaviours, preferences, and challenges. Maintaining open communication with families helps build a fuller understanding of the child’s needs.

Professionals can:

• Arrange regular meetings or informal check-ins with parents and carers.
• Ask families about the child’s experiences at home, including their routines, habits, and any worries.
• Encourage families to share changes in circumstances, such as moving house or relationship breakdowns, as these could impact the child.

Mutual respect is essential in these conversations. Approach families without judgement and work in partnership with them.

Using Assessments

Formal assessments can also be used to identify needs. These may include:

• Developmental checklists: Tools that compare a child’s progress in specific areas (e.g., walking, speaking) with expected milestones.
• Standardised tests: These might evaluate cognitive abilities, language skills, or social-emotional development.
• Behavioural assessments: Used to analyse patterns of behaviour that could signal specific needs, such as behavioural disorders.

Information gathered through observations should be paired with these formal tools to confirm needs. Speak with other professionals (e.g., health visitors or educational psychologists) when additional expertise is necessary.

Considering Social and Cultural Contexts

A child’s social and cultural environment can heavily influence their development and needs. Understanding this context allows professionals to take a well-rounded approach.

Factors to consider include:

• Family structure: Some children may live in a single-parent household, extended family home, or foster care. Each scenario can present unique challenges or strengths.
• Cultural background: Cultural practices may affect how children express themselves, approach learning, or relate to adults. Respecting these differences is key.
• Community resources: Consider if the child has access to supportive resources like playgroups, schools, or libraries. A lack of these resources may increase their need for external support.

It’s important to uphold equality and inclusion when considering diversity. Every child or young person deserves care that respects their unique identity.

Collaborating with Other Professionals

Working with other professionals allows for a comprehensive understanding of the child’s needs. Professionals involved might include teachers, doctors, social workers, or therapists. Each has specialist knowledge that can contribute to the bigger picture.

Collaboration might look like:

• Attending multi-agency meetings to share insights and plan support.
• Seeking advice from specialists when additional help is needed (e.g., speech and language therapy).
• Referring children to relevant services if a need is identified that cannot be addressed alone.

This teamwork approach ensures that no area of need is overlooked.

Using a Holistic Approach

Children and young people’s needs often overlap. Addressing one area in isolation may not fully help. A holistic approach looks at all aspects of the child’s life and how they connect.

For example:

• A learning difficulty may also impact emotional health, social interactions, and self-esteem.
• Physical health challenges can limit access to activities or create barriers to learning.

By looking at the child as a whole, professionals can deliver more effective support.

Being Alert to Changes

Children’s needs can change quickly. A significant life event (e.g., bereavement, divorce, or starting school) might suddenly create additional challenges. Keep an eye out for any changes in behaviour, appearance, or mood. Acting quickly to address concerns is key to preventing longer-term difficulties.

Regular check-ins with the child or young person, alongside ongoing observation, help to stay aware of these changes.

Promoting the Voice of the Child

Children and young people have a legal right to have their views included in any decisions affecting their lives, as outlined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Ways to uphold this right include:

• Providing choices wherever possible. For example, ask what activities they prefer or how they’d like to spend their time.
• Actively encouraging participation in decision-making processes. This can be as simple as asking for feedback on their care plans.
• Respecting their individuality and listening without judgement.

When children feel heard, they are more likely to trust adults and engage in support activities.

Reflection and Continuous Learning

Professionals working with children and young people should be reflective in their practice. Consider what strategies work well and where improvements could be made. This might involve attending training or learning from colleagues.

For example, understanding how attachment theory influences behaviour can help staff better identify emotional needs. Similarly, learning de-escalation techniques may support children struggling with anger or anxiety.

Reflection is an ongoing process that sharpens the ability to recognise and address varying needs effectively.

Final Thoughts

Identifying the needs of children and young people involves a combination of observation, listening, collaboration, and formal assessments. Social, cultural, and environmental factors must also be recognised as part of this process.

It’s a humane and proactive process that allows adults to provide children and young people with the right support to grow and flourish. Developing a firm understanding of their needs ensures better outcomes for their future.