Where a child appears to be in need, in danger or at risk of abuse we have a legal duty to investigate.

In cases where children are felt to be at risk at home we usually reach a voluntary agreement with parents or carers by which we "look after" their children.

Sometimes this means the child stays at home and their parents or carers receive help with managing their parenting tasks. 

Sometimes we have to ask the courts for the authority to remove a child from their parent's or carer's home.  If that happens then we always look first to other family members to provide alternative care.  If this is not possible, we will make alternative arrangements.

In most cases this means children being placed in foster homes.  We usually encourage contact with their families and try to find ways and means by which they can be allowed to return home.  For a few children, a residential care home is the most appropriate care option.

Our procedures for caring for Looked After Children can be accessed from the links on this page.  Some of the links in these documents are for internal use only and may not work for you.