Guidance and resources for local authorities in their role in child care.
This comprehensive guide provides a step-by-step walkthrough of the CAMHS referral process, from recognising the need for support to preparing for the first appointment, designed to help families and professionals navigate accessing crucial mental health services for children and young people.
Explore a comprehensive guide to the rights of children in care, covering legal frameworks, essential protections, and the roles of professionals in safeguarding their future and promoting well-being.
This article explores the legal framework and various court orders that govern children in care, focusing on legislation like the Children Act 1989 and the responsibilities of local authorities as corporate parents.
Systems theory in social care is an operational framework that views a child not in isolation, but as a central figure within a complex, interconnected network of environments—from their immediate residential placement to broader legislative structures. To create sustainable, trauma-responsive...
Whistleblowing is the professional and ethical obligation to report serious concerns regarding wrongdoing, risk, or malpractice within a care setting to protect the safety and well-being of children. It is a vital safeguarding mechanism, protected under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998,...
Social services departments have a statutory duty to conduct thorough assessments, which often includes speaking with neighbours to gain a holistic view of a child’s living environment. This practice is not an attempt to intrude on your private life, but a professional requirement to triangulate...
```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...
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...
```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...
What is the Care Leaver Covenant? The Care Leaver Covenant is a national inclusion programme in England designed to support young people aged 16 to 25 as they transition from the care system to independent living. It is a formal "promise" made by private, public, and voluntary sector organisations...
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