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What happens when a child is taken into care?

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A child may be taken into care for numerous reasons, such as due to abuse or neglect in the household, parental incarceration, a death of a parent, abandonment or substance abuse. However, often people are unsure of what happens when the child actually is taken into care – and what the next steps are in this process.

How a child could be taken into care

Initially, the child will be taken into care by social services or the local authority. This may be premeditated, such as if the parents are unwell or if they are aware that they’re facing incarceration – however, it may be that social services have been advised to intervene due to a concern for the child’s welfare in the home.

This concern could have come from the child themselves, depending on their age and capabilities, but it could also have stemmed from a neighbour, a friend, a family member or a teacher. At this point, it is social services’ duty to step in and examine the situation. If the local authority are worried about the child, they can begin ‘care proceedings’ – and then apply for a ‘care order’, meaning that the local authority will have parental responsibility for the child. Learn more about care proceedings and care orders from GOV.UK.

Next steps when the child has been taken into care

Once a child is taken into care, the local authority will then become involved in sharing the responsibility for making most of the important decisions regarding the child’s welfare and upbringing. These decisions include:

  • Who will be looking after the child going forwards
  • Where they child will live
  • How the child will be educated

The local authority will then also be responsible for:

  • Ensuring that an appropriate standard of care is provided
  • Ensuring that only suitable people are employed to look after the child
  • Supplying proper training and support to staff and foster carers
  • Listening to the child’s and the parent’s views about care arrangements – as well as taking their religion, race, culture and background into account
  • Making sure the child has someone independent to talk to and knows how to raise concerns if necessary

It’s at this point that arrangements would be made for the child in order to provide a secure, safe environment for them – which could come in the form of staying with another family member, living in a children’s home, or being placed in the care of a foster parent.

Who can foster with Capstone Foster Care?

Thinking of becoming a foster carer? As a foster parent, you are helping young people and children improve their standard of living, providing a loving, nurturing home for those in need.

There are certain fostering requirements that you’ll need to meet in order to be a foster carer – such as being older than 21 years of age, having a spare bedroom in your home, and being physically healthy. However, as long as you meet these initial criteria, your religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation and marital status will not be a deciding factor on your eligibility of becoming a foster carer.

For more information on who can foster, and what happens when a child is taken into care, contact a member of our friendly team here at Capstone Foster Care.

Thinking of fostering?

If you’ve got any questions or would like to find out more about fostering with Capstone, fill out the form below.
An experienced fostering advisor from your local area will then be in touch.

The information you provide will be used to respond to the enquiry you have submitted, for further information please refer to our privacy policy.

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