Looked After Child (LAC) Review
ACCA can assist Local Authorities in fulfilling this statutory requirement by undertaking the role of Independent Reviewing Officer (‘IRO’).
Our ISWs meet the qualifications, experience and independence requirements set out in regulation 46 of the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review Regulations (England) 2010 and section 25(B) of the Children Act 1989. Our aim would always be to allocate a single Social Worker to undertake the review meetings for as long as is required to ensure that the child and family are able to develop an effective and open relationship with the Independent Social Worker.
Generally, an LAC Review meeting should be held within 20 days of the child becoming looked-after; a second review should be carried out within 3 months of the first and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 6 months.
A LAC Review meeting is an important opportunity to review the child’s care plan, discuss the child’s progress and make plans for the child’s future. Correspondingly, the responsible authority must not make any significant change to the child’s care plan unless the proposed change has first been considered at a review of the child’s case (unless this is not reasonably practicable).
The list of those attending the review meeting is not prescriptive but these tend to include the IRO, the child’s Social Worker, the child (if of an appropriate age and understanding), the child’s parents/others with parental responsibility for the child, relevant other professionals such as foster carers, residential placement staff, representatives of health and education.
The IRO has responsibility for chairing the review meeting, ensuring that this is conducted in accordance with the relevant regulations, consulting with the child in advance of the meeting and ensuring that the wishes & feelings of the child’s parents are considered.
The IRO also has a crucial role to play in maintaining oversight of the responsible authority’s implementation of any decisions reached during the meeting and pursuant to Part 8 of The Care Planning, Placement and Case Review Regulations (England) 2010 can take steps to escalate any such failures on the responsible authority’s part by advising the child as to avenues of redress or referring the matter to CAFCASS.
