Simple terms explainer: 

Councils must provide extra support to children and young people who are looked after—meaning they are in the care of the local authority, such as in foster care, residential care, or living at home under supervision. This includes making sure they are safe, supported, and have access to education, health services, and opportunities to thrive. Councils act as corporate parents, meaning they have a legal and moral duty to care for these children as any good parent would—listening to their needs, helping them succeed, and ensuring they are treated with love, respect, and fairness.