How are contact arrangements reviewed for a child who is in care under a court order?

Once a child is looked after in the care system, children’s services must prepare a care plan for them and keep that plan under regular review.  Reviewing a care plan includes reviewing the arrangements for contact set out in the care plan.  This will happen at a looked after child review. Sometimes parents and carers may hear this being shortened to just LAC review. This process will happen whether the child is looked after under a voluntary arrangement or under a court order.

Reviews must take place regularly in this way:

• No later than four weeks after the child becomes looked after
• Then within a further three months
• Then every six months (see section 26 of the Children Act 1989, and regulation 33 of the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010)
• Whenever an important change to the plan is needed (see paragraphs 4.6 to 4.8 of government statutory guidance called The children Act 1989 guidance and regulations: Volume 2: care planning, placement and case review).

The child’s social worker must talk to the independent reviewing officer (IRO) about contact arrangements. The independent reviewing officer is a social worker whose role is to make sure that children’s services are meeting the child’s needs.

The social worker must tell the independent reviewing officer about:

• Any major change in contact arrangements
• Any complaint by the child or parent.