heir physical, emotional and mental health needs4 • that helps others, including carers and schools, to understand the importance of listening to and taking account of the child’s wishes and feelings about how to be healthy.5 3 Who Pays? Determining responsibility for payments to providers. 4 Local authorities have a duty to (i) agree the child’s care plan with parents or others with parental responsibility, unless aged 16 or 17 (in which case they can agree it themselves) [Care Planning Regulations 2010, Regulation 4]; (ii) ascertain and give due consideration to their wishes and feelings when making decisions for looked-after children [Children Act 1989 s22(4) and (5)]. 5 In this guidance the term ‘carer’ means foster carer or residential care worker. 9 Supporting all looked-after children: joint responsibilities Context 1. Most children become looked after as a result of abuse and neglect. Although they have many of the same health issues as their peers, the extent of these is often greater because of their past experiences. For example, almost half of children in care have a diagnosable mental health disorder and two-thirds have special educational needs. Delays in identifying and meeting their emotional well-being and mental health needs can have far reaching effects on all aspects of their lives, including their chances of reaching their potential and leading happy and healthy lives as adults. Overarching principles 2. Parents want their children to have the best start in life, to be healthy and happy and to reach their full potential. As corporate parents, those involved in providing local authority services for the children they look after should have the same high aspirations and ensure the children receive the care and support they need in order to thrive. 3. 