Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

Related legal acts

Key definition

Looked after child definition

What does Looked after child mean? In practice, a looked after child is a child for whom the state, through a local authority (or a Health and Social Care Trust in Northern Ireland), provides care or ongoing accommodation, either under a court order or by voluntary agreement. In England, the term is defined in the Children Act 1989, s.22: a child is “looked after” if in care (for example under a care order or interim care order) or accommodated by the authority (including section 20 accommodation). Wales adopts an equivalent definition in the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 (Part 6). In Scotland, “looked after”...

Fostering for looked-after children: legal framework on placements, consultation, carer approval, allowances and early permanence/fostering to adopt (England and Wales)

Published by a LexisNexis Family expert

Practice notes

This Practice Note addresses matters relating to looked after children placed in foster care, and the people who care for them — termed in statute as foster parents, though more commonly referred to as foster carers. It further outlines government guidance on early permanence placements (previously called 'fostering to adopt') and examines how that policy aligns with, and is interpreted by, case law. The Note differentiates between English and Welsh law, which diverge in a number of respects across both primary legislation and regulations, whilst also identifying areas of law that apply equally in both jurisdictions.

Looked after children who are fostered England and Wales—general

A child is regarded as looked after where they are in the care of the Local authority (covering both interim care orders and full care orders), or where they are provided with accommodation by the local authority under any of its social services functions, subject to specified exceptions...

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Web page updated on 21/05/2026

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