A care plan is a prescribed set of actions that the child in care arrangements is supposed to adhere to. It is something akin to a structured route that specifies what the child requires, who has responsibility for it and the next steps.
Everyone has the same care plan and is working towards that, including social workers, foster carers, schools, health visitors, etc. These are also subject to revision over time. For advice on Foster Care Llanelli, visit //saferfostering.org.uk/foster-care-wales/llanelli/
Common care plan elements:
Health & safety: risks and how you will control them
Medical: doctors and dentist appointments, prescriptions, and emotional well-being
Schooling: school arrangements and accommodations depending on the needs
Visitation time: how often the child visits the birth family (if applicable)
Nationality or language: religion, acquaintances, culture
Continuity plan: what the access to permanence might be (placement options).
Key terms you might hear:
Accommodation: the current whereabouts of a child/ their place of residence
Long-term goal (ie, returning home, long-term fostering from care, SGO or adoption)
Visits: scheduled time with family (often monitored)
LAC stands for ‘Looked After Child’, the child in the care of the local authority.
IRO: Independent Reviewing Officer who ensures that plans are being followed and reviews them properly.
Why it matters
Having a care plan set out clearly helps reduce uncertainty for the child and provides carers with confidence in what is required. If you are not sure, ask your child’s social worker to explain in simple English and confirm this information in writing.