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Children become looked after when their birth parents are unable to provide ongoing care in either a temporary or permanent capacity. Children can either be looked after as a result of voluntary agreement by their parents or as the result of a care order. Children may be placed with kinship carers (family), network carers (extended family / friends) or foster carers depending on individual circumstances.
National and Local Picture
There are about 60,000 children and young people who are looked after by local authorities in England. In Westminster there are approximately 290 children in care at present.
Definition of the term 'looked after'?
The term 'looked after' was introduced by the Children Act 1989 and refers to children who are subject to care orders and those who are voluntarily accommodated. Wherever possible, the local authority will work in partnership with parents. Many children and young people who become looked after retain strong links with their families and many eventually return home.
Why do children become 'looked after'?
Many children will have been affected by distressing and damaging experiences including physical and sexual abuse and neglect. Some may be in care because of the illness or death of a parent. Others may have disabilities and complex needs. The majority of young people in care come from families who experience difficulties and are separated from them because their family was unable to provide adequate care. Vulnerable unaccompanied minors seeking asylum in the UK may also become looked after if they have a proven connection with Westminster. A tiny minority of children and young people are in care because of offences they have committed (less than 2% in 2000).
Who looks after these children and young people?
In the main, young people are cared for by foster carers. Some children live in Children's Homes and a few live in specialist children's homes. Sometimes extended family members will look after a child which is often a preferable arrangement for a child as they are not then placed with strangers.
What does being 'looked after' mean?
If you are under the age of 18 years old, you are said to be 'looked after' when you have been provided with somewhere to live by Westminster social services for more than 24 hours.
This could be when:
What is a care plan?
When the local authority gets involved in looking after you, they have to write down what they will do to help you. This is called a care plan. It says what they're going to do to support your health, education, religion, your culture and hobbies, and how they can help you have contact with family and friends.The plan might also say how your parents or guardians will help to look after you. A care plan and placement agreement should be written within 10 days of you being looked after. Once they are written, you, your parents or guardians and the people who are looking after you will be given copies.
How is my care plan reviewed?
A review is a meeting of the people who are involved in looking after you. Everyone talks about the support that's there for you, how things are going and whether any changes are needed to the care you receive. Your review will be chaired by an Independent reviewing Officer who will talk with you directly about your views and wishes concerning how you are being looked after and what plans are being made for your future care. You can also write to your Independent Reviewing Officer or meet separately with hem as part of your review, to help ensure you have time to say what you think and what is important for you. After your review meeting, your Independent Reviewing Officer will send you a copy of their decisions and recommendations relating to your care plan.
You can get more information about the role of your Independent Reviewing Officer in the 'Independent Reviewing Officers Guidance: Adoption and Children Act 2002'
Who goes to my review?
Sometimes other important people, such as your doctor or teacher, may be consulted as part of the review process about your progress and development. They do not usually need to be present at your review meeting though as they can provide written contributions. We try to ensure your review meeting is small and informal so it is easier for you to feel comfortable about participating. Reviews are held at a time and a place to make it easy for you to come.
When will my review be?
It is sometimes important to bring forward the date of your next review if things change in your life. You can contact your Independent Reviewing Officer to ask for an early review if you think this is a good idea, or your Independent Reviewing Officer may decide to call an early review to discuss your care plan if they have been told about important changes which are being considered by your social worker concerning your future.
Before every review, your social worker should meet with you to help you prepare and think about what will be discussed. They should also help you to complete your written contribution before, so that your Independent Reviewing Officer knows what your views are and what you think is important to talk about at your meeting. The social worker also provides a written report for your review and they should inform you about what they have said within their report about your progress and the plans being made concerning your future.
What if I need help to take part in my review?
If your first language is not English, your social worker can arrange for an Interpreter to come to your review if you like. If you have any speech or hearing difficulties, your social worker will make sure you get the support you need.
What is a placement agreement?
When you are 'looked after', a placement agreement will be written. It will say what happens day to day where you live. It will include things like your living arrangements, allergies and health issues. It will also say who you will be able to see or not see, pocket money, times in and out and travel. If you agree with your plan, you will be asked to sign a form. You do not have to agree with the plan.
Who will write the plan?
When can I see my family and friends?
You, your social worker and the people looking after you will decide together when, where and how you will see and keep in touch with your family and friends. Your feelings and wishes will be listened to before we make arrangements for contact. Any decision will always be made in your best interests.
For a small number of children, contact may be limited or stopped by a court order. If you aren't happy with any of the arrangements, tell someone!
How will I get money when I need it?
You will get regular pocket money. For more information about pocket money, you can contact your social worker, or the people looking after you.
The people looking after you will get money to spend on things like:
We recommend how much this should be in foster homes. In a community home and in some foster families, you might get less than this to save up extra money for outings, holidays and Christmas. The people looking after you will be able to explain how this is worked out. You must always have a say on how your money is spent.
What is a care order?
Some people who are looked after have a care order and some don't. Sometimes a care order is made by a court which gives the local authority responsibility for caring for you. Your parents or guardians can keep their parental responsibility too. This means that your parents or guardians and the local authority share legal responsibility for you for as long as the care order is in place.
If you do have a care order:
Your parents or guardians cannot take you home unless the local authority agrees. Your parents or guardians have the right to apply to the court to end the care order.
If you don't have a care order:
There is no care order when your parents or guardians have arranged for the local authority to look after you. Your parents or guardians may take you home at any time. It is best for this to be planned by talking with your social worker and the people who are looking after you.
What if I don't agree with things?
Social workers want to make decisions about your life with your help. At times you may disagree with them. They MUST consider your wishes and feelings, and put your welfare before anything else. If you are unhappy about something to do with your care plan, the placement arrangements or your review, you should first talk to your Social Worker or the Independent Reviewing Officer. They should be able to help you. If you are still unhappy after this, you may wish to contact other people e.g. the Children's Rights Service.
The Looked After Children Team provides a social work service to children aged 0 -16 who are looked after by Westminster Children and Community Services and have a care plan of permanency. The service provided includes: social work support, regular placement reviews in line with government guidance, CAMHS, Health and education support to young people who are in the care of the local authority.
You can contact the LAC team at:
4 Frampton Street
London
NW8 8LF
tel: 0207 641 7664
Support is available to young people leaving care via the Westminster Accommodation and Leaving Care Team
The Child Care Review Unit provides an Independent Reviewing Officer for every Westminster looked after child and young person aged 0-18 years. All Independent Reviewing Officers are separate and independent of your social worker and their managers so we can question if you are receiving the best care and support services possible. Your Independent Reviewing Officer chairs all of your review meetings and checks everything needing to be done has been actioned so that the best plans are made as quickly as possible to promote your safety, health, well being and future sucesses.
Please contact your Independent Reviewing Officer directly at:
4 Frampton Street
London NW8 8LF
tel: 020 7641 7591
The Children's Rights Service offers advice, support and advocacy to young people who are looked after by Westminster Social Services.
The service offers confidential support on a variety of issues about being in care and individual advocacy to young people who need support to express their views and wishes.
The office is open 9 to 5, Monday to Friday. Young people can contact the Children’s Rights Service using the freephone number to speak to a Children’s Rights Officer or make an appointment (it is not a drop-in service).
Contact details:
54 Blythe Rd
London, W14 OHA
freephone: 0500 235 844
Text/ Mobile: 07764 879 929
Office Tel: 0207 603 2031
Other organisations that provide support include:
Last Updated: 25 Oct, 2006
2008 Westminster City Council. Contact the Council
