Page reportSummary
Page Layout
Display issue details:
The line numbers refer to lines in the original source. Any with a line number of '0' are implicit tags added by Total Validator:
1 <!doctype html>
2 <html lang="en">
3 <head>
4 <meta charset="utf-8">
12 
E916 [WCAG21 1.4.4 (AA)] Do not use 'viewport' settings which prevent the user from zooming in:
Using 'user-scalable=no' or 'maximum-scale' with a value less than 2.0 may prevent people with sight difficulties from being able to 'zoom in' to pages to read them. See Understanding 1.4.4. <meta name='viewport' content='width=device-width, initial-scale=1, maximum-scale=1'>
12 <title>
12 Placements with Connected Persons
12 </title>
13 <link href='css/css.php' rel='stylesheet' type='text/css' id="main_style"/>
14 <link rel='shortcut icon' href='images/favicon.ico' type='image/x-icon'/>
16 <link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="images/apple-touch-icon-57x57-precomposed.png" />
17 <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="72x72" href="images/apple-touch-icon-72x72-precomposed.png" />
18 <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="114x114" href="images/apple-touch-icon-114x114-precomposed.png" />
20 <meta name="application-name" content="Placements with Connected Persons" />
21 <meta name="msapplication-TileColor" content="#301880" />
22 <meta name="msapplication-square70x70logo" content="images/smalltile.png" />
23 <meta name="msapplication-square150x150logo" content="images/mediumtile.png" />
24 <meta name="msapplication-wide310x150logo" content="images/widetile.png" />
25 <meta name="msapplication-square310x310logo" content="images/largetile.png" />
29 <link href='normal.css' id='switch_style' rel='stylesheet' type='text/css'>
32 <link rel='stylesheet' media='(max-width: 1100px)' href='css/colours_mobile.css' />
36 <link href='css/print.css' rel='stylesheet' type='text/css' media='print'>
37 <link href='css/print_colours.css' rel='stylesheet' type='text/css' media='print'>
39 <script src="scripts/print.js">
39 </script>
40 <script src="scripts/jquery-1.6.4.min.js">
40 </script>
41 <script src="scripts/jquery-dateFormat.min.js">
41 </script>
42 <script src="scripts/js.cookie.js">
42 </script>
43 <script type="text/javascript" src="scripts/highlight.js">
43 </script>
44 <script src='https://www.google.com/recaptcha/api.js'>
44 </script>
45 <script type="text/javascript" src="scripts/jquery.js">
45 </script>
46 <script type="text/javascript" src="scripts/pageOrganizer.js">
46 </script>
47 <script>
54 </script>
116 <style>
117 #new_print {
118 display:block;
119 }
120 #old_print {
121 display:none;
122 }
123 </style>
131 <style>
132 ol {
133 counter-reset: item;
134 z-index:-1;
135 }
136 ol li.sub_list {
137 display: block;
138 position: relative;
139 }
140 ol li.sub_list:before {
141 content: counters(item, ".")".";
142 counter-increment: item;
143 position: absolute;
144 margin-right: 100%;
145 right: 3px;
146 }
147 ol li.remove_bullet:before {
148 P908 [WCAG21 1.3.1 (A)] Do not insert content using CSS:
Content inserted using CSS may not appear when CSS is turned off, or the user is using their own accessible style sheet. See WCAG 2.1 Failure F87. content:"\ \ \ ";
149 display:none;
150 }
151 </style>
155 <style>
156 .remove_bullet {
157 list-style:none;
158 }
159 </style>
183 </head>
184 <body onLoad="if (document.getElementById('zoom_searchbox'))
{document.getElementById('zoom_searchbox').focus();}">
186 <div id="skip">
186 <a href="#main_content" class="section_links">
186 Skip navigation to sections
186 </a>
186 </div>
187 <div id="cookie_bar">
187 We use cookies to track usage and preferences.
187 <a href="https://www.trixonline.co.uk/privacy-policy#cookies">
187 View our Cookie Policy
187 </a>
187 <div id="cookie_agree">
187 I Accept
187 </div>
187 </div>
190 <div id="head_bar">
192 <header>
193 <div id="grey_bar">
194 <div id="logo_holder">
195 <img src="images/client_logo.png" height="85" alt="Bexley Logo"/>
196 </div>
196 </div>
198 <div id="title">
199 <h1>
199 Bexley
199 <span id="h1_sub">
199 Children's Services Procedures Manual
199 </span>
199 </h1>
201 </div>
205 <div id="access_holder">
205 <div id="access_text_hold" onclick="location.href='accessibility.html';">
205 <a href="accessibility.html">
205 Accessibility
205 </a>
205 </div>
205 </div>
206 </header>
207 </div>
208 <nav>
210 <div id="sticky_navigation_wrapper">
211 <div id="sticky_navigation">
212 <div id="demo_container">
213 <div id="menu_toggle">
213 <img src="images/menu_white.png" id="drop_menu_button" height="20" alt="Menu toggle for
Mobile"/>
214 </div>
216 <div id="menu_items">
217 <ul>
218 <li>
218 <a href="index.html">
218 Home
218 </a>
218 </li>
219 <li>
219 <a href="contents.html">
219 Contents
219 </a>
219 </li>
220 <li class="dropdownmenu" id="doubletap1">
221 E958 [WCAG21 4.1.2 (A)] The 'aria-haspopup' attribute is not allowed in this context:
The ARIA specification only allows certain 'aria-...' attributes to be used with certain roles. See ARIA 1.2. <a class="toplink" href="menu.html" aria-haspopup="true">
221 Resources
221 <b>
221 ▾
221 </b>
221 </a>
222 <ul id="port_drop1" aria-label="submenu">
223 <li>
223 <a href="local_resources.html" tabindex="-1">
223 Policy Update
223 </a>
223 </li>
224 <li>
224 <a href="http://trixresources.proceduresonline.com/nat_key/index.htm" target="_blank"
tabindex="-1">
224 Glossary
224 </a>
224 </li>
225 <li>
225 <a href="http://trixresources.proceduresonline.com/nat_cont/index.htm"
target="_blank" tabindex="-1">
225 Contacts
225 </a>
225 </li>
226 </ul>
227 </li>
228 <li>
228 <a href="using_this_manual.html">
228 Using this Manual
228 </a>
228 </li>
229 <li>
229 <a href="http://www.londoncp.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
229 London Child Protection Procedures
229 </a>
229 </li>
231 </ul>
232 </div>
236 <div id="search">
236 <div id="search_contents">
237 E910 [WCAG21 1.4.4 (AA)] Use relative rather than absolute units:
Using relative units helps the page to be rendered correctly at different resolutions and allows people with sight difficulties to 'zoom in' to pages to read them. See Understanding 1.4.4. <form method="get" action="search_site.php" style="font-size:10px;">
239 <div id="input_holder">
241 W889 [WCAG21 4.1.2 (A)] Avoid using accessible names created from fallback attributes:
An accessible name generated from 'title', 'placeholder' or default values for <input> buttons, typically yields a low quality accessible name. Instead use the recommended way of setting the accessible name for this element. See Avoid Fallback, and Accessible Name Computation. <input type="text" name="zoom_query" placeholder="Search Manual" spellcheck="true" title="search"
class="search_bar">
242 </div>
243 <div id="mag_holder">
244 <input class="imagelink" type="image" src="images/mag_white.png" id="mag_glass"
height="25" alt="Search" title="Search">
246 </div>
246 </form>
246 </div>
246 </div>
248 </div>
251 </div>
253 </div>
258 </nav>
259 <div id="main_content" tabindex="-1">
260 <main>
263 <div id="print_watermark">
263 This document is only valid 72 hours after printing
263 <script>
263 </script>
263 . For the latest version please visit
263 <noscript>
263 the online manual.
263 </noscript>
263 <script>
263 </script>
263 </div>
265 <div id="chapter_title">
268 <div id="print_holder">
272 <div id="new_print">
272 <a onClick="window.print();" tabindex="0" class="imagelink" href="#">
272 <img id="print_img" src="images/print_black.png" height="30" alt="Click here to print"/>
272 </a>
272 </div>
276 <div id="old_print">
276 <form id="printMe" name="printMe">
276 <input class="imagelink" name="printMe" type="image" onclick="printSpecial()"
id="print_img_ie" src="images/print_black.png" height="30" width="33" alt="Print this
page" title="Print Button">
276 </form>
276 </div>
279 </div>
282 <h2>
282 Placements with Connected Persons
282 </h2>
284 </div>
287 <div id="scope_box">
287 <h3>
287 AMENDMENT
287 </h3>
288 <p>
288 This chapter was updated in October 2017 to add a link to FRG, Assessment Guide: Initial Family
and Friends Care Assessment: A good practice guide (2017). (See
288 <a href="#info">
288 Section 7, Further Information
288 </a>
288 ).
288 </p>
289 </div>
291 <div id="sections">
293 <h3 id="sections_list">
293 Contents
293 </h3>
294 <ol>
295 <li>
295 <a href="#intro">
295 Introduction
295 </a>
295 </li>
296 <li>
296 <a href="#not_apply">
296 Situations Where these Procedures do not Apply
296 </a>
296 </li>
297 <li>
297 <a href="#imm_plac">
297 Approval of Immediate Placements of Looked After Children Connected Persons
297 </a>
297 </li>
298 <li>
298 <a href="#placement">
298 The Placement
298 </a>
298 </li>
299 <li>
299 <a href="#conn_pers">
299 Assessment and Approval of Connected Persons as Foster Carer
299 </a>
299 </li>
300 <li>
300 <a href="#ending">
300 Ending the Placement
300 </a>
300 </li>
301 <li>
301 <a href="#info">
301 Further Information
301 </a>
301 </li>
302 </ol>
303 <h3 id="intro">
303 1. Introduction
303 </h3>
304 <p>
304 The following procedure covers immediate placements of looked after children with a Connected
Person i.e. where the carers are not already approved as foster carers. As with any placement the
responsible Authority must be satisfied that the placement is the most suitable means to safeguard
and promote the child's welfare, notwithstanding the Connected Person is not yet approved as a
foster carer. The Authority must be satisfied that it is necessary for the child to be placed with
the Connected Person before the Connected Person's suitability to be a foster carer has been
assessed in accordance with the Regulations. These provisions are to be used only in exceptional
circumstances and where there are clearly defined reasons why a full foster carer assessment
cannot be undertaken before a placement is made. There is a risk that if a child is placed before
the full approval of the carer as a local authority foster carer they may not be approved at the
end of the process resulting in a further move for the child.
304 </p>
305 <p>
305 A Connected Person is defined as "A relative, friend or other person connected with a child.
The latter is someone who would not fit the term 'relative or friend', but who has a pre-existing
relationship with the child. It could be someone who knows the child in a more professional
capacity such as (for example) a child-minder, a teacher or a youth worker".
305 </p>
306 <p>
306 Relative is defined as "a grandparent, brother, sister, uncle or aunt (whether of the full
blood or half blood or by marriage or civil partnership) or step-parent."
306 </p>
307 <p>
307 The procedure sets out the checks that need to be made before such a placement can be made.
307 </p>
308 <p>
308 It also covers the procedure to be followed to carry out the required assessment and approval of
the Connected Person as foster carers if the placement is to last longer than 16 weeks.
308 </p>
309 <h3 id="not_apply">
309 2. Situations Where these Procedures do not Apply
309 </h3>
310 <p>
310 These procedures do not apply where a child (under 16 yrs) goes to live with a relative or friend
and this is a private arrangement between the parent/person with Parental Responsibility and
carer.
310 </p>
311 <p>
311 If this placement continues for 28 days or more, the child may come within the definition of a
Privately Fostered child, in which case the local authority's duties in relation to the placement
are set out in the
311 <a href="p_private_fost.html">
311 Private Fostering Procedure
311 </a>
311 .
311 </p>
312 <h3 id="imm_plac">
312 3. Approval of Immediate Placements of Looked After Children with Connected Persons
312 </h3>
313 <p>
313 Before any placement with a Connected Person who is not already approved as a foster carer is
made, the approval of the Nominated Officer is required.
313 </p>
314 <p>
314 Any such approval can only be given for 16 weeks from the date of the placement. After that period
of time, further assessment must be carried out and further approval sought - see
314 <a href="#conn_pers">
314 Section 5, Assessment and Approval of a Connected Person as Foster Carer
314 </a>
314 .
314 </p>
315 <p>
315 Matters to be taken into account when assessing the suitability of a Connected Person to care for
the child are:
315 </p>
316 <ol style="list-style-type:lower-alpha">
317 <li>
317 The nature and quality of any existing relationship with the child;
317 </li>
318 <li>
318 Their capacity to care for children and, in particular in relation to the child (or children)
concerned, to provide for his/her physical needs and appropriate medical and dental care; to
protect the child adequately from harm or danger including from any person who presents a risk
of harm to the child; to ensure that the accommodation and home environment is suitable
including where relevant an initial risk assessment of any pets, together with the environment
in which the pet is kept; in relation to the child's age and developmental stage, to promote
his/her learning and development; to provide a stable family environment which will promote
secure attachments for the child, including promoting positive contact with parents and other
connected persons, unless this is not consistent with the child's welfare;
318 </li>
319 <li>
319 State of health (physical, emotional and mental), and medical history including current or past
issues of domestic violence, substance misuse or mental health problems;
319 </li>
320 <li>
320 Family relationships and the composition of the household, including the identity of all other
members of the household, their age and the nature of any relationship with the connected person
and each other including any sexual relationship; any relationship with the parents; any
relationship between the child and other members of the household; other adults (not members of
the household) likely to have regular contact with the child; any current or previous domestic
violence between members of the household, including the connected person;
320 </li>
321 <li>
321 Their family history, including their childhood and upbringing, and the strengths and
difficulties of their parents or others who cared for them; their relationship with parents and
siblings and each other; educational achievement and any learning difficulty/disability;
chronology of significant life events; particulars of other relatives and their relationships
with the child and the connected person;
321 </li>
322 <li>
322 Any criminal offences of which they have been convicted or in respect of which they have been
cautioned;
322 </li>
323 <li>
323 Past and present employment and other sources of income;
323 </li>
324 <li>
324 Nature of the neighbourhood and resources available in the community to support the child and
the Connected Person.
324 </li>
325 </ol>
326 <p>
326 The home must be visited by the social worker as part of the assessment of the suitability of
arrangements.
326 </p>
327 <p>
327 The child's wishes and feelings (subject to age and understanding) must be ascertained and
recorded and wherever possible, an opportunity must be provided for the child to visit the home
before the decision is finalised.
327 </p>
328 <p>
328 The views of parents / those with Parental Responsibility must also be obtained.
328 </p>
329 <p>
329 The proposed carer should be given information about the assessment process which will follow if
the placement is to last longer than 16 weeks, including the need for Disclosure and Barring
Service checks and other agency enquiries on all members of the household aged 16 and over, as
well as interviews with referees, adult children and ex-partners, which will be part of any such
fostering assessment.
329 </p>
330 <p>
330 Where the social worker is in any doubt as to the suitability of the placement, s/he should
consult the Fostering Service for advice before the placement is agreed.
330 </p>
331 <p>
331 Where the placement appears suitable and is approved by the
331 <a href="files/sod_decision_making.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
331 Nominated Officer
331 </a>
331 a written Placement Agreement should be completed by the child's social worker with the proposed
carer.
331 </p>
332 <p>
332 The prospective carers need to be made aware that any approval is only temporary and does not
imply continued approval beyond the 16 (sixteen) weeks.
332 </p>
333 <p>
333 The placement may only continue after sixteen weeks if the carer is approved as a foster carer -
see
333 <a href="#conn_pers">
333 Section 5, Assessment and Approval of a Connected Person as Foster Carer
333 </a>
333 - or in exceptional circumstances where the temporary approval is extended.
333 </p>
334 <p>
334 This temporary approval can be extended for a further period of up to 8 weeks (if it is likely to
expire before the assessment is completed) or until the outcome of an Independent Review (if the
outcome of the assessment is that the Connected Person is not approved and seeks a review of the
decision - see
334 <a href="p_ass_app_fost.html">
334 Assessment and Approvals of Foster Carers Procedure
334 </a>
334 ). The IRO must also be informed. A decision to extend the temporary approval must be approved by
the Nominated Officer.
334 </p>
335 <p>
335 As the Connected Person will be temporarily approval as a foster carer, the Connected Person will
be required to sign a foster carer agreement. A Connected Person approved under these regulations
will be entitled to the same support and services including, allocation of social worker and
allowances as a foster carer. The fostering fee/reward element will only be payable following the
final approval by the agency decision maker.
335 </p>
336 <p>
336 Before deciding whether to extend the approval, the Local Authority must consider if the placement
is still the most appropriate placement available, and it must be considered by the Fostering
Panel before the above approval is given.
336 </p>
337 <h3 id="placement">
337 4. The Placement
337 </h3>
338 <p>
338 A Placement Planning Meeting should be held before the placement or, where this is not possible
because of the urgency of the placement, within 5 working days.
338 </p>
339 <p>
339 On the placement of the child, the child's social worker will ensure the child's Care Plan and the
written Placement Plan is given to the carer.
339 </p>
340 <p>
340 If the child was not previously Looked After, the child's social worker will send a notification
of the child's placement and a request for the child's first Looked After Review to the
Independent Review and Conferencing Team.
340 </p>
341 <p>
341 If the child was already looked after, the social worker will send notification of the placement
to the child's Independent Reviewing Officer.
341 </p>
342 <p>
342 The child's social worker must visit and see the child alone in the placement (unless she/he
refuses) each week until the first Looked After Review and thereafter at intervals of not more
than 4 weeks during the period of temporary approval. This also applies where the child is placed
under and Interim Care Order. The visits are to be fully recorded as statutory visits.
342 </p>
343 <p>
343 The Placement Service will update the electronic record with the details of the placement and
notify the finance section of the placement to trigger payments to the carer.
343 </p>
344 <p>
344 Notification of the placement will also be sent by the child's social worker to the relevant local
Children's Services Department if the placement is in a different local authority area.
344 </p>
345 <p>
345 The child's social worker will notify all family members consulted and involved in the
decision-making process of the placement.
345 </p>
346 <p>
346 These notifications must be made in writing, advising of the placement decision and the name and
address of the person with whom the child is to be placed. They must be sent before the placement
wherever possible or within 5 working days of the placement.
346 </p>
347 <p>
347 The child's social worker should also notify - preferably in writing but it may be verbally - all
those involved in the day to day arrangements for the child, including nursery/school, GP and any
health professional or YOS worker actively involved with the child.
347 </p>
348 <p>
348 It will be necessary for the child's social worker to ensure the child is registered with a GP,
Dentist and Optician, either retaining practices known to him or her (which is preferable) or in
the area where they are placed.
348 </p>
349 <p>
349 In relation to a first Looked After placement it will also be necessary for the social worker to
arrange a Health Assessment - see
349 <a href="p_healthcare_assmt.html">
349 Health Care Assessments and Plans Procedure
349 </a>
349 .
349 </p>
350 <p>
350 The social worker must also arrange for the completion of a Personal Education Plan - see the
350 <a href="p_educ_lac.html">
350 Education of Looked After and Previously Looked After Children Procedure
350 </a>
350 . Every effort should be made to enable the child to remain at the same school unless there are
reasons which would be detrimental to his or her well being.
350 </p>
351 <h3 id="conn_pers">
351 5. Assessment and Approval of Connected Persons as Foster Carer
351 </h3>
352 <p>
352 If the plan is for the placement to last longer than 16 weeks, the fostering assessment process
should commence as soon as possible after the placement is made and the child's social worker
should make a referral to the Fostering Service immediately so that a social worker will be
allocated for this purpose. The pre-placement assessment should be sent to the Fostering Service
as part of the referral.
352 </p>
353 <p>
353 This temporary approval can be extended for a further period of up to 8 weeks (if it is likely to
expire before the assessment is completed) or until the outcome of the Independent Review (if the
outcome of the assessment is that the Connected Person is not approved and seeks a review of the
decision - see
353 <a href="p_ass_app_fost.html">
353 Assessment and Approvals of Foster Carers Procedure
353 </a>
353 ).
353 </p>
354 <p>
354 Before deciding whether to extend the approval, the Local Authority must consider if the placement
is still the most appropriate placement available, and it must be considered by the Fostering
Panel before the above approval is given. The IRO must also be informed. A decision to extend the
temporary approval must be approved by the Nominated Officer.
354 </p>
355 <p>
355 A file will be opened for the foster carer's assessment. The allocated assessing social worker
will immediately arrange for a slot to be booked on the Fostering Panel within 16 weeks for the
assessment to be considered.
355 </p>
356 <p>
356 The allocated assessing social worker will check proof of identity from the proposed carers and
arrange for the carers and members of the household aged 16 and over to complete applications for
Disclosure and Barring Service checks and consent to other agency checks.
356 </p>
357 <p>
357 The signed consent form and Disclosure and Barring Service forms will be given to the
administrative staff in the Fostering Service who will send off for the necessary checks as set
out in
357 <a href="p_ass_app_fost.html#checks_ref">
357 Assessment and Approvals of Foster Carers Procedure, Checks and References
357 </a>
357 .
357 </p>
358 <p>
358 The allocated worker will explain the assessment process to the carers and provide them with
written information.
358 </p>
359 <p>
359 The procedure for the assessment and approval is as for all applicants - see
359 <a href="p_ass_app_fost.html">
359 Assessment and Approvals of Foster Carers Procedure
359 </a>
359 .
359 </p>
360 <p>
360 If and when the carers are approved as foster carers, the procedures in relation to support,
supervision and review of the foster carers are the same as for all approved foster carers.
360 </p>
361 <h3 id="ending">
361 6. Ending the Placement
361 </h3>
362 <p>
362 When the placement ends, the child's social worker must update the child's electronic record and
send notification to the Placement Service to send a movement form to the finance section so that
payments to the carer/provider will cease.
362 </p>
363 <p>
363 The social worker will also send copies to those notified when the placement was made.
363 </p>
364 <p>
364 Where appropriate, consideration may be given to holding a Disruption Meeting in which case the
procedure set out in
364 <a href="p_place_disrup_meet.html">
364 Placement Planning and Disruption Meetings Procedure
364 </a>
364 should be followed.
365 </p>
366 <h3 id="info">
366 7. Further Information
366 </h3>
367 <p>
367 <a href="https://www.frg.org.uk/involving-families/family-and-friends-carers/assessment-tool"
target="_blank" rel="noopener">
367 FRG, Assessment Guide: Initial Family and Friends Care Assessment: A good practice guide (2017)
367 </a>
367 </p>
368 </div>
371 </main>
372 </div>
375 <footer>
376 <div class="footer">
377 <div>
378 <p>
378 <a href="privacypolicy.html">
378 Privacy Policy
378 </a>
378 <br>
379 <span style="font-size:small;">
380 <span id='desktop_button' tabindex='0'>
380 Desktop
380 </span>
380 |
380 <span id='mobile_button' tabindex='0'>
380 Mobile
380 </span>
380 |
380 <span id='responsive_button' tabindex='0' style='text-decoration:underline'>
380 Responsive
380 </span>
380 </span>
380 </p>
382 <div id="trix_logo">
383 <a href="https://www.trixonline.co.uk/" target="_blank" class="imagelink">
383 <img src="images/trixlogo.png" height="40" alt="Tri.x Logo links to Tri.x homepage"/>
383 </a>
384 </div>
385 </div>
386 </div>
388 </footer>
389 <div id="desktoptest">
389 </div>
390 <script>
517 </script>
519 <script>
528 </script>
530 <script>
577 </script>
580 <script>
582 </script>
590 <script>
629 </script>
630 <script type="text/javascript">
630 </script>
632 <script>
671 </script>
675 <script type="text/javascript">
687 </script>
688 </body>
689 </html>