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Tell the local authority if you're worried that a child is being neglected or abused - call 999 if they’re in immediate danger

£10 million financial support package for families of children and young people with cancer to cover travel costs to and from appointments.

• Updated: 3 February 2026

What happens when a child is taken into care - who is responsible for what, care proceedings, care orders, going to court and the role of Cafcass

• Overview

  If your child is taken into care because of a care order, your council…

• Care proceedings

  The council can start ‘care proceedings’ if they’re very worried about a…

• Going to court

  Once all the information has been gathered, there will be a court hearing.…

• Educating children in care

  The council will be responsible for your child’s education if they’re…

Child Trust Fund accounts - find a lost account, how to make payments, managing the account

Why children are sent to custody, what it's like, visiting, advice and support

Support for foster carers, including financial help, tax arrangements, how to make decisions for your foster child, claiming benefit while fostering, and other help.

Your rights and the support you can get if you have a disabled child, including childcare, car costs, house adaptations and education

How to make arrangements for your children if you divorce or separate, mediation and how to apply for a court order if you cannot agree.

What to do if you need to get child maintenance and one of the parents lives abroad.

How to book and make a secure video call with somebody in prison.

• Updated: 23 July 2024