HELPLINE 0808 800 0006 advice@kinshipscot.org
The helpline is open Mon–Fri, 10am-2.30pm and please leave a message if you require a call back outside of these hours.

Looked After, or Non-Looked After?

What is a “Looked After” child?

Where a child is deemed as “Looked After”, the Local Authority has legal obligations towards the child to provide advice, guidance and support- which can include financial support. They must safeguard and promote the child’s welfare, access services for the child and promote contact with certain family members, where appropriate. A child is a “Looked After” child if they are cared for under:

  • Compulsory Supervision Order (CSO) or Interim Supervision Order issued by the Children’s Hearing System
  • Permanence Order (PO) applied for by the local authority and issued by the Court
  • Section 25 arrangement – where the parent’s consent is usually given
  • Child Protection Order or Emergency Protection order granted by the Court

Having knowledge of the status of the child in your care will ensure you receive the correct information when dealing with other agencies including the Social work Department, DWP and HMRC among others. The status of each individual child can change, and there can be different statuses of children within your care e.g. two brothers one may be “Looked After” and the other “Non Looked After”. For further information you can check out the Scottish Government website here: https://www.gov.scot/policies/looked-after-children/kinship-care/

What is a “Non Looked After” child?

A Child is deemed to be “Non Looked After” if cared for under a:

  • Kinship Care Order (KCO)
  • A private arrangement within the extended family
  • Guardianship Order

Having knowledge of the status of the child in your care will ensure you receive the correct information when dealing with other agencies including the Social work Department, DWP and HMRC among others. As mentioned above the status of each individual child can change, and there can be different statuses of children within your care e.g. two brothers one may be “Looked After” and the other “Non Looked After.

For assistance and further information please contact the helpline on 0808 800 0006 or email advice@kinshipscot.org