When two or more agencies (for example social work and health) need to work together to provide help to a child or young person and family, there will be a Lead Professional to co-ordinate the help. The Lead Professional is the main point of contact for parents.

Some children and young people have difficult life experiences that may mean local authorities, the Children’s Hearing system and the law courts need to get involved. The situation may lead to the child or young person becoming looked after by their local authority. A child may be looked after at home by their parents or looked after away from home through placement in foster, kinship or residential care. All children and young people who are looked after must have a regularly reviewed care plan.