Resources and guidance specifically for foster parents to support them in caring for children with complex needs.
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...
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 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...
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...
Growing up in care comes with a unique set of challenges, but it also gives you a chance to build incredible inner strength. Building resilience in care means developing the ability to bounce back from difficult situations, manage stress, and keep moving forward toward your goals. While it might...
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...
"Staying Put" is an arrangement that allows a young person to continue living with their former foster carers after they turn 18. Instead of being required to move out into independent living on their 18th birthday, this arrangement enables them to remain in a stable, familiar environment until...
Reunification is the process where a child in care returns to live with their birth family. It is the most common way for children to leave the care system in England, with approximately 27% to 29% of children exiting care returning to their birth parents or relatives. As someone who has navigated...
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