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.
Children's Rights
Understanding and upholding the fundamental rights of children and young people in the care system.
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...
Everything You Need to Know About LAC / CLA Reviews: A Comprehensive Guide
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...
decoding the “sections”: what do they actually mean?
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...
Understanding Section 31 Care Orders: A Comprehensive Guide
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...
Working with Your Social Worker Effectively: A Guide for Children in Care
Working With Your Social Worker Header Being in care can be a confusing time. You might have a lot of questions and worries about what's happening. One of the most important people in your life right now is your social worker. They're there to help you, but sometimes it's hard to know how to work...
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
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...
Advocate
An advocate is someone who will support you to make sure that your views and rights are respected, that you are treated fairly, your concerns are taken into account and you have real control over the big decisions in your life.
SEND – Special educational needs and disability
SEND stands for Special Educational Needs And disabilities and can affect a child’s or young person’s ability to learn. this can affect their: Social Skills, Abilities to make friends, Reading and writing Issues, Ability to understand things, Concentration Issues or Physical Abilities.








