Significant harm
A threshold in UK law (Children Act 1989) at which compulsory state intervention into family life is justified. Defined as ill-treatment or impairment of health or development.
In plain English
A threshold in UK law (Children Act 1989) at which compulsory state intervention into family life is justified. Defined as ill-treatment or impairment of health or development.
Why it matters
The phrase signals when a case moves from voluntary support into formal child protection. There is no fixed checklist; professionals weigh severity, frequency, and impact on the child. Understanding it helps families follow what social workers are doing.
Sources
- Children Act 1989— GOV.UK
This is practical educational content to support families. For case-specific concerns about a child's safety, contact the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000 or your local safeguarding team.
Last reviewed: 2026-05-17