KCSIE 2026 lists children who need a social worker among the groups potentially at greater risk of harm (paragraphs 216 to 219). Children may need one because of abuse, neglect, exploitation or complex family circumstances, and their experiences can also leave them at a disadvantage with attendance, learning, behaviour and mental health.
What it means for a school:
- Knowing who they are. Local authorities should share the fact that a child has a social worker, and the DSL should hold and use that information as a matter of routine (paragraph 218).
- Decisions. It should shape safeguarding decisions, such as how quickly to act on unauthorised absence, and welfare decisions, such as pastoral or academic support (paragraph 219).
- Attendance. Absence can increase the risks to these children, inside or outside the family (paragraph 221).
- The virtual school. Virtual school heads have had a non-statutory role since June 2021 in overseeing the attendance, attainment and progress of children with a social worker (paragraph 244).
The group covers children in need, children on a child protection plan and looked-after children.