he purposes of this section, the term care leaver denotes a person who is no longer looked after by the local authority. 4.28. It is important that local authorities have processes in place for the recording and storing of information in care and pathway plans. Some consistent messages from looked after children and care leavers about what they want when accessing their records include: • Good quality records to be kept by local authorities; • Guidance given to care leavers about how they can access their care records with publicly accessible relevant policy, procedures and application form; • Local authorities responding quickly to formal requests for access to care records and to be told without delay if records are mislaid or no longer exist; • Sensitivity and support provided during the access to records process; 38 • Understanding by front line staff of the importance to care leavers about knowing what is in the records especially concerning family background, family members, time in care and decisions made; • The importance of establishing with the care leaver what they already know about their history and connections to ensure crucial family information and childhood experiences are not redacted. Where there are redactions in the records, clear explanations given as to the reasons for these. Values and principles Care leavers’ needs • Care leavers have a fundamental right to access information that affects their lives, and the services that are available to enable them to make informed decisions; • Local authorities need to have clearly written policies and procedures, kept under constant review and regularly updated. Support Services and Standards • Local authorities should publicise their access to records policy, with clear information about how care leavers c