Looked After Children

Placement Types: Foster Care, Residential & More

January 2025•12 min read

Understanding Placement Options

When a child becomes looked after, finding the right placement is crucial. Different placement types suit different children's needs, and matching must consider the child's individual circumstances, wishes, and requirements.

Foster Care

Types of Foster Care

  • Emergency/Short-term - immediate placements, usually while longer-term plans are made
  • Short-term - weeks to months, often while working toward reunification
  • Long-term - matched placements intended to last until adulthood
  • Respite - planned short breaks for children or carers
  • Parent and child - parent placed with child for assessment
  • Specialist/therapeutic - for children with complex needs

Foster Carer Types

  • Local authority foster carers - recruited and supported by LA
  • Independent Fostering Agency (IFA) - private or voluntary sector
  • Connected persons/kinship - family or friends approved as carers

Key principle: Foster care provides family-based care and is usually the preferred option for most children. It offers normal family experiences while providing the care and support children need.

Kinship Care

What is Kinship Care?

Kinship care is when a child is cared for by extended family members or close family friends (connected persons):

  • Grandparents, aunts, uncles, older siblings
  • Close family friends with existing relationship
  • Must be assessed and approved
  • Can be formal (LAC) or informal arrangements

Benefits

  • Maintains family connections
  • Continuity of relationships
  • Cultural and identity preservation
  • Often better outcomes for children

Assessment Requirements

  • Connected persons assessment (viability then full)
  • DBS checks
  • Health checks
  • Home environment assessment
  • Usually expedited timescales

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Residential Care

Types of Residential Care

  • Children's homes - small group living with staff team
  • Secure children's homes - for those meeting secure criteria
  • Residential schools - education and care combined
  • Therapeutic communities - intensive therapeutic provision

When Residential is Appropriate

  • Complex needs not manageable in foster care
  • Child's preference for non-family setting
  • History of placement breakdowns
  • Need for specialist therapeutic input
  • Keeping sibling groups together

Regulation and Oversight

  • Registered with Ofsted
  • Regular inspections
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Qualified Registered Manager

Other Placement Types

Placement with Parents

A child on a care order can be placed with their parent(s):

  • Regulated by specific regulations
  • Must be approved by Agency Decision Maker
  • Requires placement with parents plan
  • LA retains parental responsibility

Supported Lodgings

For older young people (usually 16+):

  • Live with approved host
  • More independence than foster care
  • Support with life skills
  • Stepping stone to independence

Semi-Independent Living

  • For 16/17-year-olds
  • Own accommodation with support
  • Staff visits rather than resident staff
  • Developing independence skills

Placement Matching

Matching Considerations

  • Child's assessed needs
  • Child's wishes and feelings
  • Location (school, family contact)
  • Cultural, religious, linguistic needs
  • Sibling placement
  • Carers' skills and experience
  • Impact on other children in placement

Matching Process

  • Referral to placements team
  • Identification of potential placements
  • Matching meeting
  • Information sharing with carers
  • Introductions (if time allows)
  • Placement planning meeting

Placement Stability

Why Stability Matters

  • Attachment and relationships
  • Educational continuity
  • Emotional security
  • Better outcomes

Preventing Breakdown

  • Good matching from the start
  • Adequate support for carers
  • Early identification of difficulties
  • Placement support meetings
  • Access to therapeutic support

Unregulated Placements

What They Are

Unregulated placements don't have Ofsted registration:

  • Only for 16/17-year-olds
  • Must be assessed as suitable
  • Should be rare and based on assessed need
  • Not because of lack of regulated placements

Requirements

  • Senior manager approval
  • Individual risk assessment
  • Young person's views considered
  • Regular monitoring

Conclusion

Choosing the right placement type is one of the most important decisions for a looked after child. Consider each child's individual needs, wishes, and circumstances. Prioritise stability and relationships, and ensure placements are well-matched and properly supported.