Looked after children and the natural environment

This briefing paper ‘Looked after children in the natural environment’ outlines why it is important for looked after children to access outdoor play in nature. it discusses the benefits and rights of children to play, offering ideas on types of outdoor play in nature. It promotes a risk–benefit approach to care, as opposed to a risk averse approach.

The briefing paper is aimed at foster carers and social care professionals working with looked after children. it has been developed as part of the fostering Outside Play Project, which aims to improve the physical and mental health outcomes for looked after children through supporting foster carers and social care professionals to provide high-quality, frequent and regular activities and play outside and in the natural environment. The project is managed by Learning Through Landscapes (LTL), with funding provided by the Welsh government and The Waterloo foundation (TWf). Play Wales and Baaf Cymru (British association for adoption and fostering) are partners in the project.