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Looked after children (also known as Children in Care)

What does “looked after children” mean?   Father with his daughter

The term “Looked After” was introduced by the Children Act 1989 and refers to children and young people:

  • under the age of 18
  • who live away from their parents or family
  • are supervised by a social worker from the local council children’s services department. 

A looked after child may either be accommodated (which means that the council is looking after them with the agreement, at the request or in the absence of their parents) or subject to a Care Order made by the Family Courts.

A child or young person can be subject to different legal rules either:

  • the parent retains full parental responsibility, or
  • alternatively, if a child is subject to a Care order, parental responsibility is shared between the council and the parents.

What is parental responsibility?

Parental responsibility is about who makes decisions about where a child lives, making sure that they receive health care, what school they go to and other important decisions about their life.

Why do children become “looked after”?

Children can become “looked after” for a number of reasons; some children may have been abused or suffered distressing experiences, some may be in care due to family illness or the death of a parent. Others may have complex needs or disabilities and be unable to be cared for at home.

Often children who  become “looked after” for a short period of time due to family crisis  and will return home. Finally, some children do not have a parent or relative to look after them, possibly because of death or serious illness or because they have been separated (for example, unaccompanied asylum seeking children).

See Section on Child Protection / Safeguarding for further information about services for children “at risk” or “in need”.

Where do “looked after children” live?

Most children looked after are:

  • cared for by foster carers - “ordinary” families living in “ordinary” houses who can offer a place in their family to another child
  • older children may live in children’s homes or in specialist residential schools
  • very young children or babies may be placed with prospective adoptive parents if the court has agreed that this would be in their best interests, or if a parent has requested that their child be adopted.

The Council will always try to place brothers and sisters together where possible. Sometimes children may be placed with relatives if this is felt to be best for them.


We will always try to maintain contact with their families whenever possible.

Corporate Parenting

All elected members of the Council have a duty to act as a Corporate Parent to children in the care of that Council. The role of the Corporate Parent (Councillors) is to ensure that the services provided by the Council as a whole contribute to achieving positive outcomes for children in care.

Specifically, our five priorities for children in their care are:

  • enabling children to have the best start in life and tackling children and young peoples' problems 
  • enabling children and young people to be safe and promoting their well being
  • enabling children and young people to make good progress in education
  • enabling young people to make a successful transition to adult life
  • ensuring the children and young people of Redbridge receive high quality services

In order to exercise this responsibility, Councillors must be:

  • well informed about the children for whom they are responsible
  • think about how they are affected by council decisions
  • listen to what children and young people say
  • be a champion for children and young people.

In Redbridge corporate parenting responsibility is exercised through the “Corporate Parenting Advisory Committee.” The Corporate Parenting Advisory Committee meets with looked after children so that they can say what they think about the care that they are receiving.

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