When a child or young person is looked after
When children and young people become looked after, it is essential that there is robust and flexible planning for their future from the outset. Stability is crucial to children’s development and happiness, and the system should support stability through minimising moves and seeking permanent solutions wherever possible.
Most young people leaving care do not become 'care leavers' - that is, they return to their birth families or find other permanent solutions before they reach the statutory school leaving age. Ensuring that their transition from care is as smooth and sustainable as possible should be an underpinning theme to care planning and decision making.
Working with birth parents
It is important to remember that unless parental rights and responsibilities have been removed, the corporate parent must seek to work in partnership with the birth parent(s).
For example, parental involvement in a child’s education should not be affected by the looked after status of the child or young person. Parents of looked after children and young people should be actively encouraged and supported to work in partnership with the local authority, to encourage and support the looked after child or young person.
Parents should be kept fully informed about their child’s progress and consulted wherever appropriate. Working with birth parents can be challenging, but it is important to be able to demonstrate that as much as possible has been done to support the family.
It is also important to remember that a small proportion of looked after children and young people and care leavers present a high risk to themselves or others. Their care is particularly difficult to manage and can present significant issues, for example when identifying suitable accommodation. Risk assessment and management is essential.