Understanding and adhering to legal requirements and regulations relevant to child care professionals and organizations.
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...
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 Junior ISA (JISA) for children in care is a long-term, tax-free savings account opened by the UK government for children who have been in continuous care for at least one year. These accounts ensure that young people leaving the care system have a financial "nest egg" to help them transition...
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...
What is the Care Leaver Covenant? The Care Leaver Covenant is a national inclusion programme in England designed to support young people aged 16 to 25 as they transition from the care system to independent living. It is a formal "promise" made by private, public, and voluntary sector organisations...
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...
As someone who has walked this path, I know that being "in care" can sometimes feel like a label that limits your future. But I’m here to tell you—and show you—that your history is not your destiny. Being in care does not stop you from achieving greatness; in fact, the resilience you develop can...
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...
Forensic social work is a specialized field where the legal system and social work practice meet. As someone with lived experience in the care system, I know that legal processes can feel overwhelming; forensic social workers serve as the vital bridge, ensuring that the human element is never lost...
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