The application of social work principles and methods in practice, including safeguarding and support for vulnerable individuals.
As the Director of Looked After Child Limited, I have spent over seven years on the frontline—from NVQ Level 4 leadership to the daily realities of managing a residential home. I have seen the "paper trail" of a child's life fail them repeatedly during transitions. In 2026, we are finally moving...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Forensic social work is a specialized field where the legal system and social work practice meet. As someone with lived experience in the care system, I know that legal processes can feel overwhelming; forensic social workers serve as the vital bridge, ensuring that the human element is never lost...
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