Children's services
What is a looked after child review?
A looked-after child review is a meeting with all those concerned with your care and care plan. At this meeting, children’s services will look at how things are going, whether your care plan meets your needs and whether any changes need to be made. Reviews take place in order to ensure that your welfare continues to be safeguarded and promoted in the most effective way.
Who can go to the review?
- You, if you are old enough and able to understand what is happening. You do not have to attend but you should try to engage with the meetings as much as possible
- Your advocate
- Your parents and anyone else with parental responsibility for you
- Your social worker
- Your carer
- Your Independent Reviewing Officer
- Other relevant people who are involved in your care
The Independent Reviewing Officer and social worker decide who can and cannot attend the review, but they should consult you in advance about who you would like to attend and explain why if they refuse someone to attend.
How often will the review take place?
After 20 working days of becoming a looked-after child, you should have your first review meeting. If you continue to be a looked-after child, a second review meeting should occur no more than three months later. After, reviews should be held every six months.
Where are the meetings held?
The reviews are normally held where you are living, but they can be held at the children’s services offices.
What should I expect at the review?
The aim of the review is to assess how far the care plan is addressing your needs and whether any changes are needed. What is discussed includes:
- The effect of any change in your circumstances since the last review
- Whether decisions taken at the last review have been successfully put in place, and if not the reasons for that
- The current arrangements for contact and whether there is a need to change these arrangements
- Whether the placement continues to be appropriate
- Your educational needs
- Your leisure interests and activities
- Your wishes and feelings about the care plan including in relation to any changes or proposed changes to the care plan
- Your health
Children’s services must ensure you feel comfortable and safe to talk in the meeting. The review is a chance for you to share what you’re happy with and what you’re not satisfied with. It’s important to attend the meeting if you can, but if you can’t, try to find a way (with help from your carer or advocate) to have your views heard, such as in writing.
What can I do if I am unhappy with the review?
You can make a complaint if you are unhappy with any part of your review. You can ask your advocate for help with this.
Please see our page on complaints to children’s services for further information.