This is an assignment for Unit 10 (Caring for Children and Young People) of Pearson Level 3 Health and Social Diploma, meeting P1. There are other documents available for P3, P4, P5, M1, M2,D1 and D2.
Why do some children and young people need to be looked after by the state?
– P1
A looked after child is a term used for children and young people who live with people other
than their parents. This could be due to family related reasons, or young person-related
reasons. Children being arranged to live away from their families can be either part of a
voluntary arrangement or as a result of a care order (both of which are under the 1989
Children Act.) Whilst one may relinquish (give up) their child, another may not be in control
and instead be separated from their child under the imposition of a court order.
The length of time that a looked after child lives with people other than their parents
depends upon the child’s or young person’s needs and the family circumstances. While for
some it would only be a short break, others would be for a longer period of time. Whilst the
child or young person is away from home the parents will still have responsibility, but if they
are subject to a Care Order, then this responsibility will be shared with Social Services.
A child who is being looked after by their local authority is known as a child in care. They
may be living with foster parents, at home with their parents under the supervision of social
services, in residential children’s homes and other residential settings like schools or secure
units.
Family related reasons
Some children or young people may become looked after due to bereavement. Most looked
after children would have experienced disruption in their life, which could include painful
ones such as family bereavement. If a child or young person has gone through the trauma of
the loss of a parent or other family member, then they can become very vulnerable. Their
education could be affected as they may find difficulty in concentrating and so may be
below their expected class average and behind the rest of the children. This may cause the
child to need specific help in their subjects for progress to be made in order for them to
carry on with their school work.
Some children or young people may become looked after due to a parental illness or
incapacity. If the child’s parent is unwell, they may not be unable to cope and so the child
may have to move into another home with temporary foster parents or in a children’s
residential home until the situation improves. However, if the parent is unwell and has a
long term illness so they will never get better, then the authorities may look for a more
permanent solution. They may choose to put the child or young person with their
grandparents so that they can stay close to family rather than foster parents that they do
not know at all. This way, they would be able to still easily visit their parents and keep in
contact with them.
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