Definition
Children who have been in the care of their local council for more than 24 hours. The children are usually living with foster parents, living in a residential children’s home, or living in residential accommodation like a school or secure unit. Children are classed as ‘looked after’ until they are adopted, return home or turn 18.
The bigger picture
The term groups children together, suggesting they are the same, and different to other children. It focuses on the system rather than the child. Often the term gets shortened to LAC, which sounds like children are ‘lacking’, and is a dehumanising label.
Saying it differently
Children
Young people
Children living in another home
Young people living with a different family