looked-after childrenA general term used in the UK for children who have had difficult life circumstances which result in them being flagged by the local government (court, social services) for intervention, resulting in a heightened supervision if they are left with their own parents (in Scotland, 39% remain with their parents) or they are placed in foster care, kinship care, or some form of residential care.
Looked after child, reasons for becoming
• Mental, physical or emotional abuse.
• Parents cannot look after their children because of their own substance misuse or poor parenting skills.
• Child needs time away from birth family or community while a package of support is put in place to try to rebuild family relationships or ability to function.
• Complex disabilities and need for placement in specialist residential schools.
• Involvement in the youth justice system.