Basic Guide to Children in Care

Looked After Children ('Children in Public Care')


Care Orders1 (Interim Care Orders)		Accommodated2

Court Decision		Voluntary Agreement
"the child concerned is suffering, or is likely to suffer, significant harm" etc.

Parental Responsibility shared between parents and local authority		Parental Responsibility stays with parents

Care Order ends when Court decides to: (i) Discharge Order, or (ii) Replace with other order or on child attaining 18th birthday		Accommodation agreement can be terminated by parents or person/s with parental responsibility at any time

1. Sec.31 Children Act 1989
2. Sec.20 Children Act 1989

National Teaching & Advisory Service
For Looked After Children and Children in Need
Dean Row Court, Summerfield Village Centre, Dean Row Rd, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 2TA
T: 0845 373 6886 F: 0845 373 6887 (all calls charged at local rate)