Looked After Children

Children in the care of the council are known as being looked after. Some children are looked after on a Care Order granted by the Court. Other children will be looked after by voluntary agreement with their parents – these children are said to be accommodated children. Looked After Children’s review are chaired by Independent reviewing officers in accordance with The Adoption and Children Act 2002.

 

Children who need to be looked after can become distressed during the process. We make every effort to see that children are helped through this difficult time. We provide a caring environment and work closely with parents and carers to keep contact. In most cases we work towards the child's return home.

 

We try to find a suitable place for children who are looked after within their wider family whenever possible. Where it is not possible, we try to find a foster home that will meet the needs of the child. Wherever possible we try to place the child as near to Torfaen as possible. Our priority however, is that the placement meets the child's needs.

 

When a child becomes looked after they will have a Personal Care Plan. This will include a Health and Education Plan. These plans set out, in detail, ways in which, together, with other agencies, we can ensure the continued development of the child. Keeping contact with parents, family and friends is always an important part of the personal care plan.

 

Sometimes these contacts need to be supervised.  This may be facilitated by the Family Support Team| based at Wesley Street in Cwmbran who provide services to children and their families across Torfaen.  Plans are reviewed at regular intervals with the involvement of children and parents.