Looked after at home

In the previous step John Paul explained that 40% of children and young people in Scotland who become the subject of compulsory intervention are placed on home supervision orders. Home supervision is where they continue to reside in the parental home but have supports from a social worker and possibly other services. The most recently published statistics in Scotland reveal that this figure has dropped to 25% as part of a downward trend over recent years.

The responsibilities of the state towards children looked after at home are essentially the same as the duties towards children looked after away from home. These include care planning and reviewing as well as supporting them to achieve their potential.

When children are looked after at home, the parents and the services involved must work together to ensure the children are living in a safe and nurturing environment. Children cease to be looked after at home only when the supervision requirement lapses (or is lifted by a subsequent Children’s Hearing) or if they are moved to being looked after away from home.

As a group, children and young people who are looked after at home have poorer educational and health outcomes than those who are looked after away from home.

In the story of Billy running throughout the course, Billy is on a home supervision order and is classed as being looked after at home. In the story this week the panel members consider changing this and requiring him to be looked after away from home, with foster carers.