What happens when children become looked after?

KCC has a duty under the Children's Act 1989 to ensure children are safeguarded from harm. The term 'looked after' is used when a child lives away from their family either as a voluntary arrangement or as a result of a court order. We will do everything we can to keep children living with their families or extended family and friends. Our Family and Friends Care policy (PDF, 216k) describes this process.

Children's Social Services take the lead and work with professionals from other agencies to ensure positive outcomes for Kent looked after children.

If we think a child is about to go into care, we will call a Family Group Conference to talk about possible alternatives with the family and friends of that child.

Asylum seeking children are accommodated when there is no appropriate adult available to take responsibility for them.

Children become looked after when they are made subject to a legal order made by a court (such as a care order or emergency protection order or police protection) or accommodated at the request of their parent(s) or any other adults with parental responsibility for the child. For further details read about the legal orders that may be made by a court.

Every Kent looked after child will have a named social worker who will have a responsibility to make sure that the needs of the child are being met and that plans are in place to make sure that this continues. Please download the leaflet Children's Social Services in Kent for further details.