Children in Care
A child may become a child in care if they are unable to live safely with their family for a period of time and need additional support. When this happens, services across Warrington have a shared responsibility to make sure the child is safe, supported and able to thrive.
Children in care may be:
- Living with foster carers
- Living in a children’s residential home
- Living in a residential setting, such as a residential school or secure unit
- Living at home under a legal arrangement where the local authority shares responsibility for their care
Every child’s situation is different. Decisions are always made based on what is in the child’s best interests.
The Law and National Guidance
Children in care are protected and supported through national law and statutory guidance which apply across England.
Key legislation and guidance include:
How Children in Care Are Safeguarded and Supported in Warrington
Children in care are supported through strong partnership working between local authorities, health services, education settings, police, and voluntary and community organisations.
Safety, Care and Wellbeing
Partners across Warrington work together to ensure children in care:
- Are protected from harm and neglect
- Have stable, nurturing care arrangements
- Are listened to and involved in decisions about their lives
- Receive support for their physical, emotional and mental wellbeing
Every child has a care plan which sets out how they will be supported and kept safe. Care plans are reviewed regularly, and children are encouraged to share their views, feelings and wishes.
Education and Learning
Children in care are entitled to additional support with their education.
Warrington’s Virtual School works with early years settings, schools, colleges, carers and social workers to help children in care to:
- Stay settled in education wherever possible
- Make progress and achieve their potential
- Have their needs understood and supported through a Personal Education Plan (PEP)
More information about education support is available on the Warrington Virtual School webpage.
Every school also has a Designated Teacher who has specific responsibility for supporting children in care and children who were previously in care.
Health and Emotional Wellbeing
Children in care are entitled to priority access to health services.
This includes:
- Health and dental checks
- Emotional and mental health support
- Care that recognises how trauma, loss and change can affect children
Health services, social care, education settings and carers work together to support each child’s wellbeing.
Supportive Responses to Behaviour
Children in care may display behaviour that reflects their experiences.
Across Warrington, services are encouraged to:
- Respond with understanding and support
- Focus on early help and problem‑solving
- Avoid unnecessary criminalisation wherever possible
- Use restorative approaches that help children feel safe and understood
The aim is to support children to build trust, develop resilience and make positive choices.
A Partnership Approach
Safeguarding children in care is everyone’s responsibility.
Local agencies work together to:
- Put children’s needs and experiences at the centre of safeguarding practice
- Share information appropriately to keep children safe
- Learn from practice and improve how services work together
- Promote stability, resilience and positive long‑term outcomes
Children in care should feel valued, protected and supported, with the same hopes and opportunities as any other child.