Looked after children (LAC)
Looked after children (LAC)
Looked after children (LAC) are those under 18 in the care of Children’s Services. This happens when the parents have asked for this or the child is at risk. LAC often come from families facing hardship or major changes.
They receive care and a place to live either:
- with foster carers
- in a children’s home or boarding school, or
- with another adult the parents and Children’s Services know
These changes also affect children in school, so we work to
How does a child become 'looked after'?
There are two main routes:
- Parents ask for help because their child cannot stay at home. Under section 20 of the Children Act 1989, we shall find suitable accommodation for the child. The parent/guardian keeps their parental responsibility
- The child is at risk of harm. Under section 31 of the Children Act 1989, a court will make a care order. With a care order, the court gives parental responsibility to Children’s Services. This means they become a legal parent
What happens?
First we assess the child and their situation. Then we agree a care plan and placement agreement with the family and child. These help us to:
- support the child’s health, education and welfare
- maintain contact with family and friends
- plan living arrangements, including travel
- plan for returning to the family home if possible
Education of children in care
East Sussex has a Virtual School with a Virtual Headteacher, supporting the education of children who are:
- looked after or previously looked after
- from pre-school to age 19 (25 if in full-time education)
We have a statutory duty to provide educational information, advice, guidance and training.
What the Virtual School does
- Monitors progress and attainment
- Ensures Personal Education Plans are carried out
- Allocates the Pupil Premium Plus Grant (PPG+)
- Monitors attendance and exclusions
- Provides extra-curricular opportunities
- Provides training for designated teachers and other relevant groups
Who our guidance helps
- Parents and carers
- Early years providers, schools and colleges
- Professionals supporting looked after children, such as social workers, fostering services, and other local authorities placing children in East Sussex
- Children adopted from care
- Children on Special guardianship orders (SGO)
- Children on Child arrangement orders (CAO)
Further information
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