There are many reasons why a child may become looked after. Some will have had harmful experiences, including physical and sexual abuse, while others may be in care because of the illness or death of a parent.
The majority of young people in care come from families who experience difficulties. They are separated from their family because it is unable to provide the care needed. Vulnerable unaccompanied children seeking asylum in the UK will also become looked after if they are assessed as being under 18 and have no family members here who can look after them. A small percentage of children and young people are in care because of offences they have committed.
Looked after children are usually cared for by foster carers. Some children live in children's homes and a few live in specialist homes. Sometimes extended family members will look after a child, which is often a preferable arrangement so they are not then placed with strangers.
Our Looked After Children Units provide social work services to children aged 18 and under who are looked after by the Isle of Wight Children’s Services. The service you will receive includes regular social worker visits, assessments of needs, placement reviews in line with government guidance, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, health and education support.
There are 6 Looked After Children Units on the Isle of Wight and you will be aware which one is allocated to you.