What does "LAC" stand for?

In the context of child welfare, LAC stands for Looked After Children. This term originates from the Children’s Act 1989 and refers to children who are placed under the care of a local authority for more than 24 hours. These children receive care and support to ensure their safety, well-being, and development.

What is a "Looked After Child"?

A Looked After Child (LAC) is a child who has been placed under the care of a local authority for more than 24 hours, as outlined by the Children’s Act 1989. This can happen for various reasons, including the child’s safety and well-being. Local authorities are responsible for meeting the child’s needs as a parent would, a duty known as Corporate Parenting. Through Corporate Parenting, local authorities ensure that Looked After Children receive the necessary support, care, and opportunities for healthy development.

For more information on Corporate Parenting, have a read of our blog article here.

What does "CIC" stand for?

CIC stands for Children in Care, which is an alternative term to Looked After Children (LAC) as defined in the Children’s Act 1989. Although Looked After Children is the official legal term, Children in Care is commonly used and often preferred by young people themselves. Both terms refer to children who are under the care of a local authority.

What is the difference between "LAC" and "CIC"?

In the context of children’s welfare, LAC stands for Looked After Children, while CIC stands for Children in Care. Both terms are used to describe children who are in the care of a local authority for more than 24 hours, as defined by the Children’s Act 1989. While "Looked After Child" is the legal term, "Children in Care" is often used interchangeably and is preferred by the young people.

What happens before a child is officially adopted?

Before the adoption order is finalized, a child may live with their prospective adoptive parents. During this transitional period, the child is considered a "looked after child" and remains subject to all statutory requirements and regulations for looked-after children.

What happens when a child is adopted?

When an adoption order is granted, full parental responsibility is legally transferred to the adoptive parent(s). The birth parent(s) and any other individuals who previously held parental responsibility no longer have any legal authority over the child. This marks the official completion of the adoption process, giving adoptive families full rights and responsibilities. There is some excellent information from the government here.

What are Looked After or Previously Looked After Children?

Looked After Children are young people who have been in the care of a local authority for more than 24 hours, as defined by the Children’s Act 1989. 

Previously Looked After Children are those who were once in care but have since left, either by reaching the age of 18 and becoming Care Leavers or due to a court order that revokes their looked-after status.

What is a Care Leaver?

A Care Leaver is defined by the Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000 as a young person who has been in the care of a local authority for at least 13 weeks, including time spent in care on or after their 16th birthday. However, the Care Leavers' Association supports a broader definition, considering any adult who has spent time in care as a care leaver.

Care leavers are legally entitled to receive ongoing support and assistance from their local authority.

To learn more about the rights and support available for Care Leavers, click here.

Why should we use the term "Children in Care" (CIC)?

Using the term Children in Care (CIC) is essential to ensure that young people feel respected, valued and heard. Many children have expressed that the term Looked After Children (LAC) can make them feel stigmatised, different and devalued, which can negatively impact their self-esteem. Given that children in care are already at risk of exclusion, discrimination and low self-esteem, using a term that reflects their preferences is crucial.

The NSPCC emphasises, "Not all children and young people want the same things, but they all want to be listened to and feel they have choice and control in their lives. Asking children how they want to be referred to is a great way to start the conversation."

At Baker Baker Health, we prioritise making young people feel loved, valued and listened to, which is why we use the term Children in Care wherever possible.

What is the Role of a Social Worker for Children in Care?

Every child in care is assigned a named social worker. Their primary responsibility is ensuring the child lives in a safe, supportive and nurturing environment that meets their needs. This includes overseeing the child’s placement, education, social development and medical care. 

Social workers play a crucial role as the child’s main advocate. This relationship is often deeply meaningful, providing the young person with guidance and support during a pivotal time in their life.

Social workers act on behalf of the local authority, which takes on the role of "Corporate Parent" for the child. To learn more about this important responsibility, you can read our blog article on Corporate Parenting.

At Baker Baker Health, we collaborate closely with social workers to arrange health assessments for children in care. Social workers help implement recommendations from these assessments, ensuring the child’s health and wellbeing needs are addressed comprehensively.

What is Corporate Parenting?

In England, the term "Corporate Parenting" refers to the collective responsibility of local authorities, as outlined in the Children Act 2004, to provide the highest standard of care and protection for  children in their care. Local authorities are expected to act as any good parent would, ensuring the child’s welfare, development and overall well-being.

Corporate Parenting emphasises the importance of creating a safe, supportive and nurturing environment that meets the child’s individual needs, helping them achieve their full potential.

To learn more about this important responsibility, you can read our blog article on Corporate Parenting.

What are Foster Carers?

Foster carers are individuals or families who care for children in their own homes. Foster carers can be approved by a local authority or an independent fostering agency. Children in care may be placed in various types of placements, including:

• Emergency
• Short-term
• Respite
• Long-term
• Remand placements

At Baker Baker Health, we work closely with foster carers during health assessments to ensure the best possible outcomes for the children.

What is a Fostering Social Worker?

Each foster carer has a supervising social worker who regularly visits their placement to ensure the foster carers provide safe care. They also help foster carers with relevant training and ongoing support.

What is the Delegation of Authority for Children in Care?

Delegated authority is when the responsibility for making everyday decisions about a Child in Care is given to the foster carer. This can include decisions about activities, haircuts and overnight stays. By empowering foster carers to make these day-to-day choices, the process helps to "normalise" everyday decision-making for Children in Care.

Consent for medical and health interventions is typically provided by a person with Parental Responsibility. Foster carers are not granted Parental Responsibility but are issued a "Delegation of Authority Form" for each child in their care. This form includes a dedicated health section that specifies who has consent for health-related decisions. Foster carers should share the health section of the Delegation of Authority Form with relevant health professionals, including the child’s GP, to ensure clarity regarding consent for medical decisions.

What is Parental Responsibility?

• Mothers always have parental responsibility.
• Fathers have parental responsibility if:
  • Married to the mother
  • Named on the birth certificate (after December 2003)
  • Granted a Parental Responsibility Order from the court

Foster carers do not have parental responsibility. For Children in Care the Parental responsibility depends on whether the placement is under voluntary accommodation or if there is a Care Order in place.

For adopted children, parental responsibility is transferred to the adoptive parents.

What is Voluntary Accommodation?

Under Section 20 of the Children Act 1989, voluntary accommodation allows parents to agree to place their child in the care of a local authority. In these cases, parental responsibility remains with the birth parents.

What is a Care Order and what are the different types?

A Care Order is a court order that gives a local authority the legal responsibility for a child. There are various types of Care Order which include:

• Full Care Order
• Interim care order
• Emergency Protection Order
• Residence Order
• Special Guardianship Order
• Placement Order

What is a Full Care Order?

A Full Care Order places a child under the care of the local authority, giving parental responsibility to both the local authority and the parents. Parental wishes can be overridden if necessary for the child’s best interests. A Care Order remains in effect until:

• The child turns 18
• Adoption, special guardianship, supervision, or residence orders are made
• The court determines it is no longer required

What is an Interim Care Order?

An Interim Care Order is issued by the court for up to eight weeks initially and may be renewed every four weeks. During this time, parental responsibility is shared between the parents and the local authority while further investigations are carried out.

What is an Emergency Protection Order?

An Emergency Protection Order (EPO) allows a child to be removed to a place of safety within one day of application. It is granted by the court when there is evidence that the child is in imminent danger. The EPO lasts for seven days.

What do Police Powers of Protection mean?

The Police Powers of Protection allow a child to be taken to a safe place for up to 72 hours when there is insufficient time to obtain an Emergency Protection Order.

What is a Residence Order?

A Residence Order determines where and with whom a child will live. It grants parental responsibility to the individual(s) named in the order if they do not already have it. The order typically lasts until the child is 16, or 18 in exceptional cases.

What is a Special Guardianship Order?

A Special Guardianship Order (SGO) grants an individual or couple parental responsibility for a child, enabling them to make key decisions about the child’s care.

What is a Placement Order?
 

A Placement Order gives local authorities the authority to place a child for adoption, even without parental consent, if the court decides consent should be dispensed with.

What is Kinship Care?

Kinship care refers to children being looked after by family members or friends instead of non-related foster carers.

What is Private Fostering?

Private fostering occurs when a child under 16 (or 18 if disabled) is cared for by someone who is not their parent or a close relative. Close relatives include step-parents, grandparents, siblings, uncles, or aunts. These arrangements must be reported to the local authority, which has a duty to visit the placement. Parental responsibility remains with the child’s birth parents.

What are Residential Placements?

While most children in care live with foster carers, some may be placed in residential care homes. These homes often cater to children with complex needs and may specialize in areas like self-harm management. Many include on-site educational facilities.

What is Supported Accommodation?

Supported accommodation provides housing and independence training for young people in care or care leavers. The level of support depends on the young person's individual needs.

What are Short Breaks or Respite?

Short breaks or respite care provide temporary placements for children with disabilities, special needs, or behavioural challenges. These stays give the parents or usual foster carers a chance for rest while the child benefits from a new environment.