We have a legal duty under the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people wherever possible in their own home and community. In a minority of cases, however, it may be in a child's best interests to be cared for outwith the family home.
We work with children/young people and their families on a voluntary basis whenever possible. However, when this is not possible, it may be necessary for a Children's Hearing to impose a Supervision Requirement (refer to 'looked after' |below). If it has been agreed that remaining at home is not the most suitable option then children and young people may have to be cared for by foster carers or in a residential setting (refer to 'looked after and accommodated' |below).
Children and young people under the care and supervision of a local authority are referred to as 'looked after children'. They may be:
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looked after. These are children who are made subject to a Supervision Requirement through the Children's Hearing system, but remain at home with their families, receiving support from Social Work Services to address the issues which led to their attendance at a Children's Hearing.
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looked after and accommodated. These are children and young people placed with foster carers, in a residential setting, or with relatives by the local authority or by the Children's Hearing system.
We work closely with children and their families to assist them to return home, where appropriate, provided that it is safe for this to happen. In more unusual circumstances where this is not possible, we arrange for children to be looked after in suitable alternative long term placements.
We are committed to ensuring that all children and young people who are looked after are given the same opportunities as their peers to achieve their potential in every area of their development.
You can find more information on looked after children by downloading the following documents: