Children in Care

A child who has been in the care of their local authority for more than 24 hours is known as a looked after child. Looked after children are also often referred to as children in care, a term which many children and young people prefer.

Each UK nation has a slightly different definition of a looked after child and follows its own legislation, policy and guidance. But in general, looked after children are:

• living with foster parents
• living in a residential children's home or
• living in residential settings like schools or secure units.

Whatever may be happening in the lives of Looked After Children, the fact that they are in care usually means that something traumatic has occurred in their family life. The best chance Looked After Children have of overcoming these difficulties is if we, as professionals, vigorously take on the role of ‘Corporate Parent’ ensuring that they get the service we would want “as if they were our own children.”

We have specialist Child in Care Teams who will support the Children and young people.