Care Planning Meetings for Looked After Children
Related guidance
A Care Plan should only be produced and/or updated following a Care Planning meeting.
As a minimum, a Care Planning meeting should take place at least once every six months, prior to the LAC Review.
Additional Care Planning meetings can be arranged at any time if there is a significant change in the child's circumstances.
The frequency of Care Planning meetings is a Team Manager's decision that will be discussed and agreed during supervision.
| Day One | Child becomes looked after. |
| Care Planning meeting held. | |
| By day 10 | Care Plan produced and distributed. |
| By day 28 | Care Plan reviewed at first LAC Review within one month of child becoming looked after. |
| At least two weeks prior to the second LAC Review | Care Planning meeting held, document updated and distributed. |
| By month four | Care Plan reviewed at second LAC Review. |
| At least two weeks prior to the third LAC Review | Care Planning meeting held, document updated and distributed. |
| By month ten | Care Plan reviewed by IRO within six months of the second Review and then every six months thereafter, unless in the case of a significant change/event in the child's life which would require a Care Planning meeting and Review to be arranged earlier. |
| After first year | Single Assessment of child's needs updated annually to inform the care planning process. |
The Care Plan details how the team around the child, including all agencies, parents and carers, will work together to promote and meet the needs of the child. The child's wishes and feelings should be included and addressed within the care plan and it should detail the child's plan for permanence.
The Care Plan should be based on an up to date assessment of the child's needs and it should be informed by the health and personal education plan.
Last Updated: July 30, 2024
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