An unauthorised absence is any instance when a child is not where she/he should be. This includes the foster home, school, an authorised activity venue, etc. The police do not need to be informed of an unauthorised absence unless their wearabouts / reason is unknown or their is an risk of harm at the known location.
Child Protection
The overarching efforts and legal frameworks aimed at safeguarding children from abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
Achieving Excellence: A Strategic Overview of the 9 Quality Standards in Residential Care
in the residential care sector, the Quality Standards (as set out in the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015) represent the regulatory framework against which Ofsted inspects and judges provision. However, for high-performing providers, these standards should not be viewed merely as a...
A Complete Guide to Emergency Protection Order (EPO) Section 44 of the Children Act 1989
Hearing the words "Emergency Protection Order" can be one of the most terrifying moments in a parent's life. Everything moves fast—social workers, police, courts—and it can feel like you have absolutely no control. At Looked After Child, we believe that even in the scariest moments, knowledge is...
decoding the “sections”: what do they actually mean?
```html If you are care-experienced, or working in the sector, you’ve probably heard people throwing numbers around like they are nicknames. "He’s on a Section 20," or "We’re going for a Section 31." When you are the young person in the middle of it, these numbers can feel like labels that define...
What is a looked after child / Child In Care
A comprehensive guide to understanding what constitutes a ‘looked after child’ or ‘child in care’ within the UK’s child welfare system, covering legal definitions, reasons for entry into care, and placement types.
Supporting Looked After Children who have suffered from Sexual Abuse: Resources and Support
Sexual abuse is a traumatic experience that can have a profound impact on the lives of those who have suffered through it. For looked after children, the experience can be even more complex and devastating, leaving them feeling isolated and in need of support and care. In this article, we will...
Placement Disruption Meetings
Sometimes Placements just don’t work out, and that’s fine. A Disruption meeting will be called when a placement is close to breaking down or has ended abruptly this will normally happen prior to a Stability meeting but can be escalated straight to a disruption meeting depending on the placements Warning Procedures or the circumstance of the issue
Placement Stability Meeting
A Placement Stability Meeting will be called when the placement of a child in foster care, residential or a semi-independence placement is considered to be at risk of disrupting.
Emergency Support: What Is the Social Services ‘Out of Hours’ Team?
The Social Services Out of Hours deals with all social services emergencies and statutory duties, which arise outside normal office hours. Weekdays 5pm until 9am, Weekends And Bank Holidays.
Child Law – Websites
it can be scary when things go wrong, for both the child / young adult. and carers or family involved. thankfully thier is some great resources that highlight and provide yo with all the informtion about Childrens Services to help you get justice.
Social Worker
Introduction: Children's social workers play a critical role in the lives of children who are facing tough life situations. From providing support to families in need to advocating for the rights of children, these dedicated professionals work tirelessly to make a positive impact on the lives of...
Understanding Youth Homelessness: Lessons from the Frontline
```html Homelessness is often misunderstood as a singular event or a choice, but for many care leavers and vulnerable adults, it is a complex intersection of systemic gaps, unprocessed trauma, and a lack of protective factors. Drawing from my own journey through homelessness and my professional...






