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...
Foster Care
Resources and guidance specifically for foster parents to support them in caring for children with complex needs.
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...
What is a looked after child / Child In Care
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...
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...
Understanding Section 20 Accommodation under the Children Act: Your Guide to Protecting Children’s Rights
Do you know what Section 20 accommodation under the Children Act entails? If you work with child protection, knowing this provision is crucial for safeguarding children's rights. This guide will explain Section 20 accommodation and how it protects vulnerable children. Section 20 accommodation is...
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.
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.
Local Authority
If your unsure who your local authority is you can use your postcode and visit the NHS Local Authority Adult Social Care services database or ask your care giver or social worker / personal advisor. Normally your local authority is set in your place of birth. if you was born in Kent but got moved to a london borough. in most cases you will remain a looked after child or adult with Kent County Council








