Terminology

Abuse is a term used to describe different types of maltreatment of a child. This can include neglect of a child. Abuse and neglect can result in significant harm.

Someone may abuse a child by inflicting harm on them. A person may also abuse a child by not doing anything to stop harm to a child.

Abuse is a term used to describe different types of maltreatment of a child. This can include neglect of a child. Abuse and neglect can result in significant harm.

Someone may abuse a child by inflicting harm on them. A person may also abuse a child by not doing anything to stop harm to a child.

Adoption is the legal process of child becoming a permanent member of a new family.

Once an adoption order has been made, the child is no longer legally related to their birth family. Legal parenthood, which encompasses all parental rights, passes to the adopter. This can only happen if a court orders it.

A court will only make an adoption order if it thinks this is what is best for the child. The court has the power to order adoption even if the child’s parents do not agree. Before prospective adopters can make their application for an adoption order, the child must be ‘placed for adoption’ with them, and then have lived with them for 10 continuous weeks. Adoption is for life. An adoption order cannot be reversed once it has been made, except in exceptional circumstances. Such cases are extremely rare.

Adoption is the legal process of child becoming a permanent member of a new family.

Once an adoption order has been made, the child is no longer legally related to their birth family. Legal parenthood, which encompasses all parental rights, passes to the adopter. This can only happen if a court orders it.

A court will only make an adoption order if it thinks this is what is best for the child. The court has the power to order adoption even if the child’s parents do not agree. Before prospective adopters can make their application for an adoption order, the child must be ‘placed for adoption’ with them, and then have lived with them for 10 continuous weeks. Adoption is for life. An adoption order cannot be reversed once it has been made, except in exceptional circumstances. Such cases are extremely rare.

Adoption agencies help people who want to adopt children. An agency will assess these people, to make sure they are suitable. They will help to prepare them to become good adoptive parents. Once approved, an adoption agency can then match these people with a child.

There are two types of adoption agencies. The first type is within a local authority. This type of adoption agency will have children in its care. This will include those who may be placed for adoption. The other type is a voluntary adoption agency. These are independent organisations.

Adoption agencies help people who want to adopt children. An agency will assess these people, to make sure they are suitable. They will help to prepare them to become good adoptive parents. Once approved, an adoption agency can then match these people with a child.

There are two types of adoption agencies. The first type is within a local authority. This type of adoption agency will have children in its care. This will include those who may be placed for adoption. The other type is a voluntary adoption agency. These are independent organisations.

An advocate is someone who helps parents, children or other family members get their views across when dealing with children’s services and other official agencies.

Children’s advocates help children to understand what is going on and make sure their views are heard. An advocate can also help a child or young person make a complaint.

They are independent of the social worker (even if children’s services organise for them to come and help).

Children’s services should help children and young people have an advocate in certain situations. For example, where a child is looked after, government guidance suggests that they should be supported to get help from an advocate. For example, if they wish to make a complaint, or if they want someone to attend looked after child review meetings with them. Children in need, those on child protection plans and care leavers may also benefit from having advocates. Government guidance says that if a child wants to attend their child protection conference, they should be given information about how about advocacy agencies. They should be told that they can bring an advocate to the conference with them.

Advocates can help parents or other family members to get their views heard when dealing with children’s services. They might help in managing discussions with other official agencies.

Children’s services should help parents that need support to find an advocate. Some charities run projects that support particular groups of parents. An example is advocates for people who have suffered domestic abuse.

Advocates do not need any specific training. They should know about child welfare and family law. Parents and their advocates can get specialist advice from Family Rights Group’s advice service.

A senior person in an adoption agency who makes important decisions on the agency’s behalf. Agency decision makers also make decisions within fostering agencies. They will be an experienced social worker.

The process that children’s services will go through to see if a child or a family needs help and support.

An example is a child in need assessment. When considering whether a child or their family may need extra support, children’s services will start with an assessment. This will look at the child’s needs and the family situation. It will assess whether the parents need help to meet the child’s needs.

Another example is child protection enquiries. Where a concern is raised about a child’s care, an assessment will be used to explore the family situation. This will help children’s services in deciding whether the child is at risk.

Assessments are used by children’s services to see whether a person is suitable, for example, to be approved as a prospective adopter.