Many children have experiences which result in the need for extra care, support or protection from the local authority agencies where they live. Legislation that supports a local authority to take on some legal responsibility for the care and wellbeing of a child, uses the definition of a child being ‘looked after’.
This process most often happens through the Children’s Hearings System, SCRA Scottish Children's Reporter Administration but the courts also have relevant powers, and in many cases the arrangement is made on a voluntary basis between the child’s family and their local authority.
In all cases, a child should be given the opportunity to give their views if they have capacity Children's advocacy guidance
