A child is looked after when she/he is in local authority care by virtue of a court order or is being provided with accommodation by the local authority. (Usually at the request of parents but, occasionally, at the request of the child/young person).
‘In Care’ means that a court has made the child/young person the subject of a full interim Care Order. This status provides the local authority with parental responsibility and (some) authority to limit the parents exercise of their continuing parental responsibility.
'Respite Care’ is when the authority accommodates a child/young person in order to assist the family in providing support for their child. Most respite care is provided for children with disabilities that also receive other services provided by the Social Services and Education Departments.
For further information on the above, please contact Greer Leggett on 01633 648127.