Contact for Looked After Children: Planning & Practice

Why Contact Matters

Contact with family members is usually important for looked after children's wellbeing and sense of identity. However, contact must be carefully planned to ensure it benefits the child and doesn't cause harm. Getting this balance right is one of the most complex aspects of LAC work.

Legal Framework

Presumption of Contact

The Children Act 1989 creates a presumption of reasonable contact between a looked after child and:

• Parents
• Anyone with parental responsibility
• Anyone with a child arrangements order
• Anyone who had care of the child under a court order

Contact Orders

• Section 34 - court order defining contact (can authorise refusal)
• Local authority can refuse contact for up to 7 days in emergency
• Court can make "no contact" orders if necessary

Planning Contact

Key Questions

• What is the purpose of contact?
• Who should the child have contact with?
• How often and for how long?
• Where should contact take place?
• Does contact need supervision?
• What are the child's wishes?

Purpose of Contact

Contact might aim to:

• Maintain relationships pending reunification
• Support identity and sense of belonging
• Assess parenting during proceedings
• Maintain sibling relationships
• Support emotional wellbeing

Types of Contact

Face-to-Face Contact

• Supervised - professional present throughout
• Supported - professional available but not constantly present
• Unsupervised - no professional involvement
• Community - in public places
• Home visits - at family home (supervised or unsupervised)

Indirect Contact

• Letters, cards, photos
• Phone calls
• Video calls
• Messages through social worker
• Letterbox contact (often post-adoption)

Supervision Requirements

When Supervision is Needed

• Risk of harm to the child
• Risk of removal from placement
• Risk of inappropriate discussion
• Court requirements
• Child's anxiety without support
• Assessment purposes

Recording Supervised Contact

• Who attended
• Child's presentation before, during, after
• Quality of interactions observed
• Any concerns or incidents
• Child's response to ending contact

Sibling Contact

Importance

Sibling relationships often outlast all others:

• Should be considered even if not placed together
• Different considerations from parental contact
• May need support to rebuild relationships
• Consider half-siblings and step-siblings

Supporting Sibling Contact

• Regular, meaningful contact
• Overnight stays if appropriate
• Shared activities
• Help maintaining connection between sessions

Child's Wishes

Ascertaining Views

• Age-appropriate discussions
• Explain what contact could look like
• Explore feelings before and after contact
• Use advocates if helpful
• Don't put child in position of deciding

When Child Doesn't Want Contact

• Explore reasons
• Consider whether influenced by others
• Balance wishes against other factors
• May need therapeutic support
• Regular review of position

Challenging Situations

Contact That Harms

Signs contact may not be beneficial:

• Child distressed before/after
• Regression in behaviour
• Placement stability affected
• Child asks for it to stop
• Parents' behaviour is harmful

Managing Difficult Contact

• Clear expectations for parents
• Supervision where needed
• Reduce frequency if necessary
• Suspend if child at risk
• Review arrangements at LAC reviews

Contact During Proceedings

During care proceedings:

• Court may set contact arrangements
• Often more frequent for assessment
• Usually supervised
• Quality more important than quantity
• Consider impact on child

Conclusion

Contact requires careful planning that puts the child's needs first. Regular review ensures arrangements remain appropriate as circumstances change. Always document contact observations and the child's responses—this information is vital for care planning and court proceedings.