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The definition of ‘looked after’ is when a child is cared for by social service, it either happens with a court order maybe because of an abuse or with the agreement of the parent. “The term ‘looked after children and young people’ is generally used to mean those looked after by the state, according to relevant national legislation which differs between England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. This includes those who are subject to a care order or temporarily classed as looked after on a planned basis for short breaks or respite care. The term is also used to describe ‘accommodated’ children and young people who are looked after on a voluntary basis at the request of, or by agreement with, their parents. most look after children will have experienced so many disruptions in their lives. This may include painful experiences such as family bereavement. As a result the children's education may become affected and they may be below their expected class average. This will have caused from poor concentration, the child may also need specific help in their work and class before any sort of progress can be made.

* Parental illness: A child may need to be looked after because their parents may be ill or cannot cope and as a result the child may have to leave the family home for a period of time. Throughout this time they may live in foster homes, residential schools or children's homes.

* Family breakdown: Families break down for a number of reasons including the following substance abuse, mental health problems, bereavement, parental illness and incapacity.
Children become looked after when their parents are unable to provide on-going care in either a temporary or permanent capacity.
The number of looked after children and young people has increased every year for the last decade – but the number who are looked after as a result of their own offending behaviour is small. Instead, the overwhelming majority are looked after for their own care and protection: Some have experienced neglect
Some have experienced mental, physical, sexual or emotional abuse. Some parents are unable to look after their children because of their own substance misuse or poor parenting skills. Some young people need a bit of time away from their birth family or community while a package of support is put in place to try to rebuild family relationships or their ability to function. Some have complex disabilities and need to be placed in specialist residential schools. Some have become involved in the youth justice system.

Health problems young person may have an illness or condition that makes it difficult for the family to be able to care for and support them, and so alternative arrangements may need to be made on a temporary or long term basis. the provision required may be specific for the child’s benefit, which may only be available outside of the family home.

Behavioural problems
Stress-
Stress at home can cause the child to perform poorly in school and fall behind. It can also lead the child to start mis behaving and indulging in things that they wouldn’t otherwise. It can have an impact on emotional health and the behaviour of the young person. Stress may be caused by an unstable home life or feeling unloved and left out. The child’s parents may not have the skills needed to bring up children, or the child may feel that unrealistic demands for achievements are being made on them

Last year almost 61,000 children and young people were looked after by local authorities in England. The majority of children and young people enter care after experiencing abuse or neglect or severe family problems. Early experiences have an impact on later health and wellbeing. While some children do well, statistics show that around 60% of looked after children and young people in England experience emotional problems and health problems. It is important that children and young people experience high quality care, not just while they are being looked after but also for some time after they have grown up and moved out. Children can be placed with family members, friends or foster carers depending on the situation they are in. The majority of young people in care come from families who experience difficulties. They are separated from their family because they are unable to provide the care that is needed. Vulnerable unaccompanied children seeking asylum in the UK will also become looked after if they are assessed as being younger than 18 and have no family members who can look after them, Looked after children are usually cared for by foster carers. Some children live in children’s homes and a few live in specialist homes. Sometimes extended family members will look after a child, which is often a preferable arrangement so they are not placed with strangers.

Children and young people with complex disabilities sometimes need to be looked after in specialist residential schools. Similarly, vulnerable unaccompanied minors seeking asylum and young people who have been illegally trafficked into the UK may also become looked after to ensure their wellbeing.

All children need protection from lots of different dangers. These could include: Domestic Abuse – affects people from all social and economic backgrounds, regardless of age, religion or sex. It involves abuse between adult family members. It occurs when a person attempts to cause emotional, sexual or physical harm to an intimate partner or family member. Physical Abuse – non-accidental physical injury as a result of punching, beating, kicking, biting, shaking, throwing, stabbing, choking, hitting, burning or otherwise harming a child, which is given by a person who is responsible for the child. Neglect – the failure of a parent, guardian or other caregiver for a child’s basic needs. Neglect may be: oPhysical (e.g. failure to provide necessary food or shelter, or lack of appropriate supervision). Medical (e.g. failure to provide necessary mental health treatment). oEducational (e.g. failure to educate a child or attend to special educational needs). oEmotional (e.g. inattention to a child’s emotional need’s, failure to provide psychological care, or permitting the child to use alcohol or drugs). Sexual Abuse – includes activities by a parent or caregiver.