Children in Care Service (formerly Looked After Children (LAC) Services)
The Children in Care Service (CIC) supports children who are looked after by the local authority between 0 to 16 years and those young people leaving care aged 16 to 21.
The term ‘looked after’ refers to a voluntary agreement between social services and the family, who have mutually discussed and agreed for the local authority to take care of the child. Children can also be taken into care by virtue of a care order which is a ruling made by the court. The council will then take parental responsibility of looking after the child.
Children who are ‘looked after’ by the local authority will be allocated a social worker that will work with the child/young person, their family or carers. The aim of the department is to work in partnership work with them to minimise the amount of time a child spends in care. Preparation for children to live with permanent families will take place and the service supports children in foster placements, including residential, kinship and private fostering placements. Social workers will also offer practical advice and support when times may be difficult.
The Council will also support children and young people to explore and develop their talents and interests.
Leaving Care Service
The CIC also works with young people leaving care up the age of 18 and those who continue in education up to 21. Young people leaving care are supported by allocated social workers and personal advisors (over 18’s) to assist them to make informed life choices and explore all opportunities available to them. The department also works alongside the young person to prepare them for independent living.
The service maintains positive links with other areas of the council and voluntary organisations such as the Housing Department, Youth Support Service and Waltham Forest Children’s Rights who work closely together to offer services and support for care leavers. Once a young person reaches 18, the service offers support to access permanent housing via the Housing Department.
In addition, advice is also offered around welfare rights and benefits, substance use and alcohol, offending and health, including sexual health.
Unaccompanied Asylum seeking children and young people
Asylum Seekers are often children and young people who have fled their country of origin and separated from family often due to major conflicts or serious human rights abuses. They are supported in all aspects of their life in line with the Assessment Framework in Care Matters to enable them to develop within a safe environment and reach their developmental potential.
» more information on the Asylum Seekers service
Comments and complaints
We aim to provide services to a high standard. We welcome your comments - good and bad - on our services. We will try to resolve problems quickly.
If you are still not satisfied you have the right to complain, by writing to:
Complaints Manager
Children and Families Complaints Team
Children and Young People Services
Silver Birch House
Uplands Business Park
Blackhorse Lane
Walthamstow E17 5SD
Tel 020 8496 3249
Fax 020 8496 3599
Email childrenservicescomplaints@walthamforest.gov.uk
Our complaints procedure is explained in Get yourself heard (1.13MB, pdf file) leaflet or by contacting the Complaints Unit on 020 8496 3000.
For more information on the services we provide, please contact:
Children in Care Service
604 High Road
Leyton
E10 6RN
Tel: 0208 496 2118 / 2144
Fax: 0208 496 2154
Opening hours are Monday-Thursday, 9am-5.15pm and Friday, 9am-5pm.
