3. Children with extensive, complex and enduring needs compounded by very difficult behaviour who require more specialised and intensive resources.
These children with high-cost: low incidence needs require particular care and specialist settings. The children have serious psychological needs and behavioural problems that can overshadow other goals.
Why are they a child in care?
Their needs may have been obvious from an early age and be the result of physical, emotional or sexual abuse and/or neglect. They may be involved with youth justice or mental health teams.
What do they need?
Intensive support and treatment with care, education and health all on one site and directed to creating a change in the child's and family's circumstances.
How will they behave?
They will find it hard to sit still, often easily be verbally and physically aggressive, unpredictable, irrational, or unable to reason and show little concern for others. They can be out of touch with their emotions and show little or no sense of guilt or apology.
Where will they be placed?
These children need a place with a therapeutic community, an adolescent mental health unit, a small intensive care residential setting, secure unit or occasionally a place that is just for them on their own, but still residential child care.