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...
Parental Responsibility
The legal rights and duties parents have towards their child, shared with the Local Authority under an ICO.
What Is an Interim Care Order? Section 38 of the Children Act 1989
If you are reading this, you might have just heard the term "Interim Care Order" in a court, a solicitor's office, or a meeting with social services. I know the feeling—the sudden drop in your stomach when legal terms start flying around. It feels overwhelming. But let’s pause and take a breath....
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...
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...





