Returning children home from care: learning from case reviews
Summary of risk factors and learning for improved practice for reunification
Returning a child home to their family following a stay in local authority care can be a time of great change for both the child and their family.
The learning from case reviews highlights the need for professionals to thoroughly assess risk, protective factors and parental capacity, make clear preparations for the return, and share information with professionals working in other agencies. They also need to provide support for the child and familiy and continue to monitor the child’s safety and wellbeing before, during and after the return.
This briefing is based on a sample of case reviews published between 2016 and 2023 which have highlighted lessons for returning children home from care.
Browse our full series of learning from case reviews briefings
Our series of thematic briefings highlight the learning from case reviews conducted when a child dies, or is seriously harmed, as a result of abuse or neglect. Each briefing focuses on a different topic or learning for specific sectors, pulling together key risk factors and practice recommendations.
More about case reviews
We work with local safeguarding partners to ensure that learning from case reviews can be accessed and shared at a local, regional and national level.
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