One cannot predict easily how individual children will be affected by suffering harm. Resilience and vulnerability to adverse childhood experiences as well as the support available to the child all play a part.
Nevertheless, children may demonstrate behaviours indicating vulnerability that if not addressed could escalate to the point where the child or young person may be suffering or likely to suffer significant harm.
These behaviours include:
Some groups of children and young people may be more vulnerable than their peers to experiencing harm if they do not receive early help. Vulnerable groups include those who:
Further information:
Cymru Well Wales: Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/888/page/88524 (archived site; accessed 29/7/2019. New site is now at https://phw.nhs.wales/topics/adverse-childhood-experiences (Accessed 29/07/2019)
Department for Education (DfE) (2018) Working together to safeguard children: a guide to inter-agency working to safeguard and promote the welfare of children (PDF). London: Department for Education (DfE).
Early Intervention Foundation (EIF) (2018) About early intervention: why it matters. https://www.eif.org.uk/why-it-matters (Accessed 29/07/2019)