The language of Care

The Language of Care

'System language' can have negative effects on our children and young people. The Independent Care Review told us that it made young people feel different, stigmatised, or excluded from participating in their own care planning.

'Child/ Young person/ Person with Care Experience' is the preferred terminology identified by those with experience of the care system as it is inclusive of those who may no longer be 'looked after' but still require our scaffold of support to thrive. This term includes those currently looked after and those who have been looked after at any time in their life, no matter how shore, including adopted children who were previously looked after. 

Children and young people can be both 'looked after' and have experience of care at the same time.

A child or young person is 'Looked after' when: 

1. Accommodated by the local authority under s25 of the Children Act 1995
2. Subject to a compulsory supervision order (CSO) or interim CSO made under the Children's Hearings Act 2011
3. A Permanence Order has been made under the Adoption and Children Act 2007

Children and young people can be looked after at home with social work support, or in kinship, foster or residential care. 

'Care Leaver' describes a young person who was 'looked after' on or after their 16th birthday and who is aged under 26. This is a necessary distinction from 'care experienced' as it reflects legal entitlement to Throughcare and Aftercare support. 

What is a Champions Board?

A Champions Board is made up of professionals from different organisations who have the power to make positive changes for children and young people with care experience. They meet with the young people involved in ACE four times a year to offer their support, listen to what needs to be done and to take responsibility for their organisation in making care better for young people.

Corporate Parenting Performance and Improvement Group 

The Corporate Parenting Performance and Improvement Group (CPPIG) has responsibility for the delivery of the Corporate Parenting Plan, collation and monitoring of data and quality assurance in relation to care experienced children and young people, delivering on identified aims set out in the LOIP and driving the implementation of The Promise across the Partnership. It engages with children and young people with care experience and ensures all improvement activity takes full account of their views and lived experiences.