Guidance for leaders in residential, foster, and kinship care on effective management and policy implementation.
As the Director of Looked After Child Limited, I have spent over seven years on the frontline—from NVQ Level 4 leadership to the daily realities of managing a residential home. I have seen the "paper trail" of a child's life fail them repeatedly during transitions. In 2026, we are finally moving...
In the social care sector, data protection is not merely a bureaucratic requirement; it is a fundamental component of digital safeguarding. For those looking after children—whether in residential settings, foster care, or kinship care—the information we hold is often the most sensitive data...
What is the Online Safety Act 2023? The Online Safety Act 2023 is a comprehensive UK legislative framework, regulated by Ofcom, that legally compels tech companies, social media platforms, and search engines to protect users from illegal and harmful content. For those looking after...
In 2026, safeguarding is no longer about managing "screen time"; it is about managing digital ecosystems. As we navigate this landscape through the Dual Lens—combining my seven years of residential leadership with my own care-experienced journey—we must recognize that for a child in care, the...
Parents and carers, especially foster carers, kinship carers, and the social workers supporting looked after children and care leavers, often carry a heavy mix of daily pressures and big hopes for the future. When trauma, mental health challenges, unstable housing, and stigma are in the...
If you are a parent navigating social services involvement or a dedicated professional in the residential childcare sector, you’ve likely heard the term "respite care". But what does it actually mean for the child and the adults supporting them? At Looked After Child, we believe that respite isn't...
Kinship care is when a child lives full-time with a relative or friend who is not their parent because their birth parents are unable to care for them. This arrangement—often called ‘family and friends care’—prioritizes the child’s need for stability, cultural identity, and emotional security...
A waking night shift is a period of professional duty where a staff member remains fully awake and alert throughout the night to ensure the safety, wellbeing, and emotional support of children in a residential setting. Unlike a "sleep-in" shift, the staff member does not go to bed; they are...
A sleep-in shift typically begins in the evening and ends the following morning. While the staff member is there to rest, they are "on-call" to respond immediately to any incidents, emotional distress, or emergencies that arise during the night. Key Features of a Sleep-In: Presence and Safety: The...
Hello, I’m Li Jean-Luc Harris. As someone who has navigated the care system myself and now works to support young people like you, I want to talk about something incredibly important: your voice. Sometimes, things don’t go the way they should. Maybe you feel you aren't being listened to, or...
Navigating the care system is a significant challenge, but for young people who identify as LGBTQ+, the experience often includes layers of complexity that require specific, informed support. Creating a truly inclusive environment means moving beyond "tolerance" toward active validation. What is...
The phrase "Statement of Purpose" might sound like a dry, legal requirement, but in the world of residential childcare, it is actually the most important document a home possesses. It is the "DNA" of a children's home, outlining exactly how they will care for, protect, and support the children...
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