Children who live outside the area
While most children live at home with their families, some live away – for example in residential or foster care, residential schools, health settings, or young offenders’ institutions. It is the responsibility of Children’s Social Care in the area where the child is currently living or found to take any emergency/immediate action necessary. If the child is looked after by, or is subject to a Child Protection Plan in another authority, then the authority where the child is found (the first authority) should consult the authority responsible for the child. Only if that authority explicitly accepts responsibility, is the first authority relieved of the responsibility to take emergency/immediate action. Such acceptance should be subsequently confirmed in writing.
Child living in the area but looked after by another local authority
If the child is living in a residential, foster care, or adoptive placement (up to the point an adoption order is made) made by another local authority, Children’s Social Care must inform the placing authority immediately, and involve them in determining next steps. If the ensuing enquiries require a strategy discussion, the placing authority must be invited to participate.
