Resources and guidance specifically for foster parents to support them in caring for children with complex needs.
Attachment theory is the fundamental psychological framework used to understand how the quality of early relationships between a child and their primary caregiver dictates the child's lifelong emotional, social, and cognitive development. For professionals in the social care sector—including...
```html A Subject Access Request (SAR) or Data Access Request (DAR) is a legally binding request under the UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018 that allows individuals, including looked after children and care leavers, to obtain copies of their personal data. For social care professionals,...
Introduction: What are Looked After Children? Looked After Children, also known as children in care, are individuals who are placed under the care and supervision of the local authority. This can occur for a variety of reasons, including neglect, abuse, or the inability of parents or guardians to...
```html Looked After Child (LAC) Health Assessments are statutory clinical evaluations designed to ensure that children in care receive the same standard of healthcare as their peers, with specific attention to the unique health needs arising from their life experiences. These assessments are a...
```html The primary difference between foster care and residential care lies in the environmental structure and the framework of therapeutic support. Foster care places a child within a family home environment with approved foster carers, offering a highly personalized, family-dynamic setting....
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...
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...
Key Takeaways This post guides parents and carers of looked after children on nurturing leadership skills, focusing on confidence, empathy, communication, and self-control, rather than traditional 'in charge' roles. It emphasizes that these 'inner skills' are crucial for...
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...
```html Key Takeaways Kinship care provides a stable environment for children with relatives or friends when birth parents cannot care for them, prioritizing identity and emotional security. Different types of kinship care exist, including informal arrangements, private fostering, Child...
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...
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