Spots child, short in stature, going in dashing (6)
I believe the answer is:
rakish
'dashing' is the definition.
(synonyms)
'spots child short in' is the wordplay.
'spots' becomes 'rash' (I've seen this in other clues).
'child short' becomes 'ki' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'in' is an insertion indicator.
'rash' placed around 'ki' is 'RAKISH'.
'stature going in' acts as a link.
I am not very happy about this link. Some or all of it may belong to another bit of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for rakish that I've seen before include "Given to philandering" , "Dapper" , "Disreputably dashing" , "Jaunty; dissolute" , "Jaunty; fast-looking (boat)" .)