Looked After Children (& previously Looked After Children*)
Who are looked after children?
Under the Children Act 1989, a child is looked after by a local authority if he or she is in their care or is provided with accommodation for more than 24 hours by the authority. They include the following:
- Children who are accommodated under a voluntary agreement with their parents (section 20)
- Children who are the subject of a care order (section 31) or interim care order (section 38)
- Children who are the subject of emergency orders for the protection of the child (section 44)
All Looked After Children have a Care Plan. The care plan will identify intended outcomes and objectives for the child and provide the framework to work with the child and carers in relation to his or her emotional and behavioural development, identity, relationships and self care skills. This care plan is reviewed every 6 months at the child’s Care Review and overseen by the IRO (Independent Reviewing Officer).
They must also have a Personal Education Plan – a plan drawn up with the school, student, carer and social worker and reviewed every term. It will:
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Identify developmental and educational needs in relation to skills, knowledge, subject areas and experiences;
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Set short and long term educational attainment targets agreed in partnership with the child and the carer where appropriate;
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Be a record of planned actions, e.g. on homework, extra tuition, study support (including the date by which these should be done), that the school and others will take to promote the educational achievement of the child based on an assessment of his or her educational needs;
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Include information on how the progress of the child is to be rigorously monitored;
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Record details of specific interventions and targeted support that will be used to make sure personal education targets are met, especially at the end of Key Stage 2 in relation to English and mathematics and at Key Stage 4 in achieving success in public examinations.
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Say what will happen or is already happening to put in place any additional support which may be required – e.g. possible action to support special educational needs involving the SENCO, educational
Every school has a Designated Teacher for LAC – this is Miss B Cozens (Deputy Headteacher – Inclusion)
The London Borough of Harrow has a Virtual Headteacher – Mellina Williamson-Taylor
*Previously looked after children are those who were looked after by a local authority in England and have left care due to an adoption, special guardianship or child arrangement order. These children are also monitored.