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A "Looked After Child" (LAC), also referred to as a "Child Looked After" (CLA) or "Child(ren) in Care" (CIC), is a child under the legal care of a Local Authority. This status applies to children under 18 years of age and encompasses a range of care arrangements made for those who cannot stay with their families for various reasons. The terminology aims to emphasize the care aspect rather than the legal status, with a preference among children themselves for avoiding abbreviations.
A child becomes legally "Looked After" by a Local Authority under any of the following conditions:
| Criteria | Description | Purpose/Implication |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation by the Local Authority | The child has been provided with accommodation for more than 24 hours by the Local Authority. | This arrangement can be made for various reasons, including voluntary care by parents or Local Authority intervention. It covers a range of settings from foster care to residential homes. |
| Care Order | A court issues a legal order to place the child under the care of the Local Authority. | Issued when a child is deemed to need protection, a Care Order grants the Local Authority parental responsibility for the child, allowing them to make decisions about the child's welfare. |
| Placement... |
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