Adult Social Care Glossary, v 0.6

A child who is in the care of the local council rather than their parents, either because the child is at risk of harm or because the parents are struggling and have asked the council to be involved. Looked-after children may live away from their parents or family in foster care or in a children's home, or they may remain in their own home supervised by a social worker. The council takes on the responsibilities of a parent.