Children looked after and care leavers
There are a range of routes into care and these will determine the child’s legal and care status and have implications for their care.
Social workers should refer to the Decision to look after policy and the Becoming looked after practice guidance for details the legal framework for how children become looked after and what this means in terms of responsibility for their day to day care.
Children can also leave care for a variety of reasons; social workers should refer to the Ceasing to look after a child policy and the Placements practice guidance for details of policy and procedure around children being discharged from care.