The foundational UK legislation governing child welfare, care proceedings, and parental responsibility.
Section 20 of the Children Act 1989 is a voluntary legal provision where a local authority provides temporary accommodation for a child when their parents are temporarily unable to care for them, or when there is no one with parental responsibility. Crucially, this arrangement does not involve a...
If you are reading this, you might have just heard the term "Interim Care Order" in a court, a solicitor's office, or a meeting with social services. I know the feeling—the sudden drop in your stomach when legal terms start flying around. It feels overwhelming. But let’s pause and take a breath....
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...
In the world of social care, acronyms are everywhere. Two of the most common you will encounter are LAC (Looked After Child) and CLA (Child Looked After). While the terms are often used interchangeably depending on your Local Authority, the importance of the Review process attached to them remains...
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 you. But...
Navigating the terminology of the UK social care system can often feel like learning a new language. Whether you are a foster carer, a residential childcare worker, or a family member, you will frequently hear terms like "Looked After Child" (LAC) and "Child in Care". While these terms are often...
A Section 31 Care Order also know as a full care order is a significant legal measure in the UK that grants the local authority responsibility for a child's care. This means decisions about the child's upbringing, including where they live, their education, and their healthcare, are made by the...
Authorised Leave means: that your local Authority knows your staying away from your placement, and agree that it is safe to do so. Home / Background Checks Required. social workers normally will want to conduct a police check to...
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