Looked after children (LAC)

Looked-after children (LAC) are children under 18 who are cared for by Children's Services. This might happen if their parents need help or if the child is not safe at home. Many looked-after children come from families who are having problems or big changes.

These children are given a safe place to live, which could be:

with foster carers (other people who look after children)
in a children’s home or boarding school
with another adult who knows the family and Children’s Services

Because of these changes, children may need extra help at school. We try to support their learning and well-being.

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, Children's Services will find somewhere safe for the child to live. Parents still have responsibility for their child.
The child is at risk of harm. Under section 31 of the Children Act 1989, a court will make a care order. In this case, a court can decide that Children’s Services should look after the child and become responsible for them.

What happens?

First, we check the child’s situation and what they need. Then, we make a plan with the family and the child about where the child will live and how we will help.

This plan helps us to:

support the child’s health, schoolwork, and happiness
help them see their family and friends if possible
organise where they will live and how they will get there
plan for when or if they can go back to live with their family

Contact us

If you want to talk to our team, contact the Single Point of Advice (SPoA):

phone: 01323 464 222
email SPoA

The phone line is open Monday to Thursday, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, and Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.

Education of children in care

Every maintained school in East Sussex has a teacher to support looked-after children. This teacher is the designated teacher for looked-after children. They work with other teachers and other children’s services workers.

East Sussex County Council supports the education of looked-after children. We do this through the Virtual School for children in care.