Children’s safety is the most important consideration.
If the family needs assistance and support,
the first choice is to provide it in the home.
And the goal is for children to grow up with their families.
But sometimes it is harmful for a child to stay in the home.
Perhaps their parent is very ill, drinks too much
or subjects the child to violence.
And sometimes it is the child who does dangerous things,
such as taking drugs or committing crimes.
In such cases, the child may need to live somewhere else
until the situation improves.
Most children who do not live with their parents
live in what is called a ‘family home’.
First, social services find out if someone in the family’s support network
can provide a family home.
Perhaps a relative, or a friend of the child or the family.
Sometimes this isn’t possible and the child may have to live
with another family that is able to care for them.
Social services investigate all family homes equally carefully,
regardless of whether or not the family already knows the child.
Some children need support or treatment
that a family home can’t provide.
In these cases, they can be placed at a care home with staff.
Children and parents usually stay in touch with each other
even when the child lives somewhere else.
The child can also stay in touch with relatives if circumstances allow.
It is important that the child keeps their language and culture.
While the child is not living at home,
the parents are entitled to support from social services.
The goal is for the child to be able to move back home,
when this is possible.