Looked after children, adoption and fostering
Looked after Children (LAC)
Looked After Children are babies, children and young people under the age of 18 who are in the care of a local authority, or who are provided with accommodation by a local authority for more than 24 hours. Looked After Children may be living with their parents or relatives, and some may be living independently. These children are among the most vulnerable in society, often experiencing adversity, disrupted relationships or trauma, and require coordinated, trauma-informed support. Local authorities, alongside health and partner agencies, have a statutory duty to safeguard, promote their well-being and act as effective corporate parents.
Guidance and regulations:
- NHS Wales Health Assessment Framework for Looked After Children
- The Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (Wales) Regulations 2015
- Social Services and Wellbeing Act 2014, Part 6, Code of Practice 74-125
Useful information:
- CoramBAAF: The health of unaccompanied asylum-seeking and other separated children
- UASC Health: Resources
- AFA Cymru
- CoramBAAF: Health Group
- CoramBAAF: Promoting the health of children in public care
Adoption and Fostering
The majority of Looked after children live with foster-carers on a short or long-term basis.
For some looked after children, rehabilitation with birth family is not appropriate and adoption provides an opportunity for improved long term outcomes. The National Safeguarding Team (NHS Wales) provides leadership for health professionals who work within the adoption and fostering field.
Our Team has strong links with the Welsh Medical Group, the LAC Cymru Nurses Group, the All Wales Safeguarding NHS Network, the LAC Steering Group and represents the NHS on the National Adoption Service Advisory Group and the National Fostering Framework Strategic Steering Group.
Guidance and regulations:
- Adoption and Children Act 2002
- The Adoption Agencies (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2012
- The Adoption Agencies (Wales) Regulations 2005