Support care national network FAQs
Will providing a Support Care service reduce the numbers of children in the Looked After system?
Will children and young people need be accommodated under section 20?
Where should the service be positioned? As part of fostering services or within family support services?
Should support carers be fully approved foster carers, and do all the fostering regulations and standards apply?
What’s the most effective period of time spent in stays away from home?
It varies with each situation. A good rule of thumb though is never to exceed 48 hours for each stay, as longer than that can feel stressful for a child/young person and excluding for parents who are trying to maintain or regain the feeling of being in control of the situation. From the social work point of view, in terms of preventing an accommodation, a short stay also means the emphasis on parental responsibility remains clear. For some families and young people, even an overnight can be too long, and weekend or after-school day care may be a good option.
