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282 <h2>
282 Placements in Foster Care
282 </h2>
284 </div>
287 <div id="scope_box">
288 <h3>
288 SCOPE OF THIS CHAPTER
288 </h3>
289 <p>
289 This procedure applies to all placements of children in foster care including placements with
independent fostering agencies.
289 </p>
290 <p>
290 For placements of Looked After children with Connected Persons who are not approved foster carers
at the start of the placement, see
290 <a href="p_place_conn_pers.html">
290 Placements with Connected Persons Procedure
290 </a>
290 .
290 </p>
291 <p>
291 See
291 <a href="p_dec_look_aft.html">
291 Decision to Look After and Care Planning Procedure
291 </a>
291 for procedures relating to the initial decision to look after a child, and the drafting and
approval of the Care Plan and other essential documentation.
291 </p>
292 <p>
292 Children may also be placed in foster care having acquired Looked After status following a Remand
to Local Authority Accommodation, see
292 <a href="p_rem_la_yth_det_accomm.html">
292 Remands to Local Authority Accommodation or to Youth Detention Accommodation Procedure
292 </a>
292 .
292 </p>
293 <h3>
293 AMENDMENT
293 </h3>
294 <p>
294 This chapter was reviewed by Bexley in April 2017 to reflect the structure of the Children and
Families service.
294 </p>
295 </div>
296 <div id="sections">
298 <h3 id="sections_list">
298 Contents
298 </h3>
299 <ol>
300 <li>
300 <a href="#consultation">
300 Consultation
300 </a>
300 </li>
301 <li>
301 <a href="#place_req">
301 Placement Request
301 </a>
301 </li>
302 <li>
302 <a href="#ident_approv">
302 Matching and Approval of Placement
302 </a>
302 </li>
303 <li>
303 <a href="#placement_planning">
303 Placement Planning
303 </a>
303 </li>
304 <li>
304 <a href="#notific_placement">
304 Notification of Placement
304 </a>
304 </li>
305 <li>
305 <a href="#support_monit">
305 Support and Monitoring of Placements
305 </a>
305 </li>
306 <li>
306 <a href="#ending_placements">
306 Ending of Placements
306 </a>
306 </li>
307 <li>
307 <a href="#tempor">
307 Temporary Approval as Foster Carers of Approved Prospective Adopters
307 </a>
307 </li>
308 <li>
308 <a href="#long_term_foster_place">
308 Long-Term Foster Placement
308 </a>
308 </li>
309 </ol>
310 <h3 id="consultation">
310 1. Consultation
310 </h3>
311 <p>
311 At the point that it is determined that a placement may be required, and throughout the subsequent
process of identification, planning and placement, the social worker must consult and take account
of the views of the following people:
311 </p>
312 <ol style="list-style-type:lower-alpha">
313 <li>
313 The child;
313 </li>
314 <li>
314 The child's parents;
314 </li>
315 <li>
315 Anyone who is not a parent but has been caring for or looking after the child;
315 </li>
316 <li>
316 Other members of the child's family who are significant to the child or who have a Contact Order
in their favour in relation to the child;
316 </li>
317 <li>
317 The child's school or the education service;
317 </li>
318 <li>
318 The Youth Offending Service, if the child is known to them;
318 </li>
319 <li>
319 Any other relevant person, e.g. nursery, health care professional, Children's Guardian.
319 </li>
320 </ol>
321 <p>
321 The views of these people should be given by them, in writing, or should be recorded by the social
worker. If the child's wishes are not acted upon, the reason should be given.
321 </p>
322 <h3 id="place_req">
322 2. Placement Request
322 </h3>
323 <p>
323 Where a decision has been made that a child requires a foster placement, the child's social worker
should request a placement by contacting the duty social worker at the Placement Service.
323 </p>
324 <p>
324 In making this request, the social worker will be asked to provide information about the child,
the type of placement sought, the Care Plan, the date by which the placement is required, the
likely length of time for which the placement is required and the expected level of contact
between the child and parents. The social worker should also outline any risks associated with the
placement.
324 </p>
325 <p>
325 The duty social worker at the Placement Service will check whether an in-house placement is
available that appears to be appropriate to meet the child's needs. If such a placement is
available or if there is a possibility of a placement by the required date, the social worker will
be advised accordingly.
325 </p>
326 <p>
326 If no appropriate in-house placements are available and the child requires a placement without
delay, the duty social worker at the Placement Service will obtain the agreement of the Looked
After Children Head of Service to make enquiries with independent fostering agencies to identify a
suitable placement.
326 </p>
327 <p>
327 Where there is a child already in the proposed foster placement, contact should be made with the
social worker for that child and where the child is from a different local authority, the consent
of that child's local authority should be sought by the duty social worker at the Placement
Service.
327 </p>
328 <h3 id="ident_approv">
328 3. Matching and Approval of Placement
328 </h3>
329 <p>
329 The matching process should consider the child's needs especially regarding the following key
areas:
329 </p>
330 <ul>
331 <li>
331 The child's education;
331 </li>
332 <li>
332 The expectations around contact with relatives and friends;
332 </li>
333 <li>
333 The child's identity/race/culture;
333 </li>
334 <li>
334 The child's history;
334 </li>
335 <li>
335 The child's behaviour;
335 </li>
336 <li>
336 Disability/Special Needs;
336 </li>
337 <li>
337 The child's health;
337 </li>
338 <li>
338 The focus of the placement.
338 </li>
339 </ul>
340 <p>
340 The matching process should also consider the carer's availability and:
340 </p>
341 <ul>
342 <li>
342 Their experience;
342 </li>
343 <li>
343 Their strengths;
343 </li>
344 <li>
344 The family composition;
344 </li>
345 <li>
345 The distance from the foster home to the child's school;
345 </li>
346 <li>
346 Other children in the placement;
346 </li>
347 <li>
347 The foster carer's children.
347 </li>
348 </ul>
349 <p>
349 Once a potential placement has been identified, the child's social worker will liaise with the
foster carer's supervising social worker (who may be from an independent fostering agency) to
agree arrangements for the placement. At this stage, the social worker will also discuss the child
with the prospective foster carer and, in particular, share/clarify any risks associated with the
placement with the foster carers and the supervising social worker. Wherever possible, the
child's social worker should visit potential carers and as required consult with other
professionals, prior to a decision about the appropriateness of a placement being made.
349 </p>
350 <p>
350 In relation to the sharing of bedrooms, each child over 3 should have their own bedroom, or where
this is not possible, the placing authority must agree to the sharing of the bedroom and this must
therefore be addressed during the matching process following a completion of a risk assessment.
350 </p>
351 <p>
351 Where the proposed placement is an in-house placement, it will then be presented to the social
worker's manager for approval.
351 </p>
352 <p>
352 If the placement is outside the foster carer's terms of approval or an exemption is required, see
352 <a href="p_fost_exemp.html">
352 Exemptions and Extensions/Variations to Foster Carer Approval Procedure
352 </a>
352 .
352 </p>
353 <p>
353 If the proposed placement is with an independent fostering agency, the Designated Manager
(External Placements) must approve the placement and a written agreement must be drawn up with the
fostering agency setting out the precise terms and conditions between the local authority and the
agency in relation to the placement. Where the placement is with independent foster carers who
live outside the local authority area, see also
353 <a href="p_out_area_place.html">
353 Out of Area Placements Procedure
353 </a>
353 .
353 </p>
354 <p>
354 In addition to the above approvals, in order to avoid placements that disrupt a child's
education,the
354 <a href="files/sod_decision_making.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
354 Nominated Officer
354 </a>
354 must approve any change of placement affecting a child in Key Stage 4 except in an emergency /
where the placement is terminated because of an immediate risk of serious harm to the child or to
protect others from serious injury - see
354 <a href="p_educ_lac.html">
354 Education of Looked After and Previously Looked After Children Procedure
354 </a>
354 .
354 </p>
355 <p>
355 If the relevant manager approves the foster placement, the placement planning process can start -
see
355 <a href="#placement_planning">
355 Section 4, Placement Planning
355 </a>
355 .
355 </p>
356 <p>
356 The social worker may then arrange an introductory visit to the proposed placement, with the child
(if old enough) and parents (if appropriate).
356 </p>
357 <h3 id="placement_planning">
357 4. Placement Planning
357 </h3>
358 <p>
358 Before the child is placed, the child's social worker will arrange a Placement Planning Meeting
after liaising with the foster carer and the foster carer's supervising social worker (who may be
from an independent fostering agency). The meeting will usually be held in the new placement. See
also
358 <a href="p_place_disrup_meet.html">
358 Placement Planning and Disruption Meetings Procedure
358 </a>
358 .
358 </p>
359 <p>
359 Participants will include:
359 </p>
360 <ul>
361 <li>
361 The parent;
361 </li>
362 <li>
362 The child (if appropriate);
362 </li>
363 <li>
363 The foster carer;
363 </li>
364 <li>
364 The supervising social worker;
364 </li>
365 <li>
365 Any other relevant professionals, e.g. a representative from the child's school;
365 </li>
366 <li>
366 Anyone else considered appropriate or who will have a role in the placement.
366 </li>
367 </ul>
368 <p>
368 The purpose of the first Placement Planning Meeting is to finalise the Placement Plan (which will
be recorded on the Placement Information Record). This will involve a discussion of the child's
needs to ensure careful matching, including the child's personal history, religious persuasion,
cultural and linguistic background and racial origin, as well as the child's health and education
needs and how these are to be met. It will also include the arrangements for registering the child
with local health professionals (GP, dentist and optician).
368 </p>
369 <p>
369 In addition the placement planning meeting will consider the type of introduction process
required, for example whether arrangements should be made for the child, parents and the social
worker to visit the foster home and/or whether it may be appropriate to have an introductory
overnight stay. Children should be able to visit the foster home and talk in private with the
carer. If this is not possible, arrangements may be made for the carers to visit the child and
parents; or for information about the foster carers to be sent to the child and/or the parents,
for example about routines in the foster home, bedtimes, meals, visitors, pocket money, school,
privacy and the overall expectations in relation to the child's behaviour within the home.
369 </p>
370 <p>
370 For children placed in foster care, the Placement Plan should cover the following issues in
addition to those for all placements set out in the Decision to Look After and Care Planning
Procedure:
370 </p>
371 <ol>
372 <li>
372 The type of accommodation to be provided and the address;
372 </li>
373 <li>
373 Where the authority has, or is notified of, Child Protection concerns relating to the child, or
the child has gone missing from the placement or from any previous placement, the day to day
arrangements put in place by the appropriate person (placement provider) to keep the child safe;
373 </li>
374 <li>
374 The child's personal history, religious persuasion, cultural and linguistic background and
racial origin;
374 </li>
375 <li>
375 Where the child is Accommodated:
376 <ul>
377 <li>
377 The respective responsibilities of the Local Authority and parents/anyone with Parental
Responsibility;
377 </li>
378 <li>
378 Any delegation of responsibility by parents/anyone with Parental Responsibility to the Local
Authority and /or the foster carer(s) in relation to the following matters ( and identifying
any of these matters on which the local authority/parents/persons with Parental
Responsibility consider that the child may make a decision):
379 <ul>
380 <li>
380 Medical and dental treatment;
380 </li>
381 <li>
381 Education;
381 </li>
382 <li>
382 Leisure and home life;
382 </li>
383 <li>
383 Faith and religious observance;
383 </li>
384 <li>
384 Use of social media;
384 </li>
385 <li>
385 Any other matters upon which the local authority/parents/others with parental
responsibility consider appropriate.
385 </li>
386 </ul>
387 </li>
388 <li>
388 The expected duration of the arrangements and the steps to bring the arrangements to an end,
including arrangements for the child to return to live with parents/anyone with
Parental Responsibility;
388 </li>
389 <li>
389 Where the child is aged 16 or over and agrees to being provided with accommodation
under Section 20 Children Act 1989, that fact.
389 </li>
390 </ul>
391 </li>
392 <li>
392 The circumstances in which it is necessary to obtain in advance the Local Authority's
approval for the child to take part in school trips or overnight stays;
392 </li>
393 <li>
393 The Local Authority's arrangements for the financial support of the child during the placement;
393 </li>
394 <li>
394 The obligation on the carers to comply with the terms of the foster care agreement.
394 </li>
395 </ol>
396 <p>
396 The meeting also provides an opportunity to ensure that the foster carers have a copy of any
relevant court order and that full information is shared with them about the child's needs and any
behaviour management issues.
396 </p>
397 <p>
397 Except in emergency placements, the Placement Planning Meeting should be held before the
placement. Where this is not possible, it should be held at the latest within 5 working days of
the placement.
397 </p>
398 <p>
398 The child's social worker will complete and arrange for the circulation of the Care Plan and
Placement Plan to the child, parents and foster carers before or at the latest, within 5 working
days of the placement.
398 </p>
399 <p>
399 At the time of the placement, the foster carers should also be given any additional information
about details of the child's day to day needs which are not covered by the Placement
Plan/Placement Information Record but are important to ensure that the carers are in the best
possible position to help the child settle in the new placement, for example any particular fears
at night-time or the child's favourite toys.
399 </p>
400 <p>
400 The child's social worker must provide the child and the parent with written information about
coming into care, including information on using the Complaints Procedure.
400 </p>
401 <p>
401 In addition, as indicated above, the social worker should ensure that any other information about
the placement that is available for the child is obtained and given to him/her. Children must
understand house expectations before the placement is made.
401 </p>
402 <p>
402 In all cases, the child should be accompanied to the placement by the social worker and helped to
settle in. Suitable luggage should be used and a child's belongings should never be transported in
bin-bags or other inappropriate containers.
402 </p>
403 <h3 id="notific_placement">
403 5. Notification of Placement
403 </h3>
404 <p>
404 The child's social worker and the Placement Service will update the child's electronic records
with the details of the placement and ensure that notification is sent to the finance section so
as to trigger payments to the foster carer.
404 </p>
405 <p>
405 The notifications should be before the start of the placement, wherever possible, or within 5
working days.
405 </p>
406 <p>
406 Notification of the placement will also be sent by the child's social worker to the Designated
Nurse for Looked After Children, the education service, the relevant local Children's Services (if
the placement is in the area of a different local authority and the child's GP.
406 </p>
407 <p>
407 The child's social worker will notify all family members consulted and involved in the
decision-making process of the placement.
407 </p>
408 <p>
408 The child's social worker must also notify the allocated Independent Reviewing Officer or, if it
is the first placement, the Independent Review and Conferencing Team of the placement. This
notification will trigger the appointment of an Independent Reviewing Officer if it is the first
placement, and the setting up of arrangements for a Looked After Review.
408 </p>
409 <p>
409 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.
409 </p>
410 <p>
410 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 and any
health professional or YOT worker actively involved with the child.
410 </p>
411 <p>
411 It will be necessary for the foster carer or 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.
411 </p>
412 <p>
412 In relation to a first Looked After placement it will also be necessary for the social worker to
liaise with the Designated Nurse for Looked After Children to arrange a Health Care Assessment -
see
412 <a href="p_healthcare_assmt.html">
412 Health Care Assessments and Plans Procedure
412 </a>
412 for further details. The social worker must also contact the relevant school of, where the child
does not have a school place, the relevant education officer with a view to the completion of a
Personal Education Plan - see
412 <a href="p_educ_lac.html">
412 Education of Looked After and Previously Looked After Children Procedure
412 </a>
412 .
412 </p>
413 <p>
413 For any new placement, 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.
413 </p>
414 <h3 id="support_monit">
414 6. Support and Monitoring of Placements
414 </h3>
415 <p>
415 The child's social worker must visit the child in the placement within one week of the placement
and then, at a minimum, every six weeks during the first year, thereafter every six weeks (three
months if the placement is intended to last until the child is 18). For children in long-term
foster placements visits after the first year should not be less frequent than six monthly - see
415 <a href="p_sw_visits.html">
415 Social Worker Visits to Looked After Children Procedure
415 </a>
415 .
415 </p>
416 <p>
416 The foster carer will also receive support and supervision from their supervising social worker
(for in-house placements) - see
416 <a href="p_sup_fos_carer.html">
416 Supervision and Support of Foster Carers Procedure
416 </a>
416 - and from the independent fostering agency (for external placements).
416 </p>
417 <p>
417 Where there are concerns in relation to the progress of the placement, consideration should be
given to seeking additional resources to assist the carers.
417 </p>
418 <p>
418 Where there are any changes to the type of placement or to the child's legal status during the
placement, the child's social worker must update the child's electronic records.
418 </p>
419 <p>
419 The records should be monitored for quality, adequacy and retention.
419 </p>
420 <p>
420 A Looked After Review should be convened where:
420 </p>
421 <ul>
422 <li>
422 The child is, or has been, persistently absent from the placement;
422 </li>
423 <li>
423 The placement provider, parents or area authority are concerned that the child is at risk of
harm; or
423 </li>
424 <li>
424 The child so requests, unless the Independent Reviewing Officer considers that the review is not
justified.
424 </li>
425 </ul>
426 <p>
426 See also
426 <a href="p_look_aft_rev.html">
426 Looked After Reviews Procedure
426 </a>
426 .
426 </p>
427 <h3 id="ending_placements">
427 7. Ending of Placements
427 </h3>
428 <p>
428 When the placement ends, the child's social worker must update the child's electronic records. The
Placement Service must notify the finance section so that payments to the carer/provider will
cease. The social worker and the Placement Service will also send copies to those notified when
the placement was made.
428 </p>
429 <p>
429 All written information on the child, which the foster carer holds, should be transferred to the
supervising social worker for transfer to the child's social worker.
429 </p>
430 <p>
430 In appropriate cases, the foster carer should be asked to complete an end of placement report.
430 </p>
431 <p>
431 Children must, when they leave the home, be helped to understand the reasons and be supported with
the transition - including return home and independence.
431 </p>
432 <p>
432 Foster carers must be supported to maintain links with children who leave their care, where
appropriate.
432 </p>
433 <p>
433 Where the placement ends in an unplanned way, consideration should be given to holding a
Disruption Meeting - see
433 <a href="p_place_disrup_meet.html">
433 Placement Planning and Disruption Meetings Procedure
433 </a>
433 .
433 </p>
434 <p>
434 Where a former carer's records are requested by a new agency, these must be made available within
one month of the request.
434 </p>
435 <h3 id="tempor">
435 8. Temporary Approval as Foster Carers of Approved Prospective Adopters
435 </h3>
436 <p>
436 A person who is approved as a prospective adopter may be given temporary approval as a local
authority foster carer for a named Looked After child, where the local authority consider that
this is in the child's best interests.
436 </p>
437 <p>
437 Before giving such approval, the responsible authority must:
437 </p>
438 <ul>
439 <li>
439 Assess the suitability of that person to care for the child as a foster care; and
439 </li>
440 <li>
440 Consider whether, in all the circumstances and taking into account the services to be provided
by the responsible authority, the proposed arrangements will safeguard and promote the
child's welfare and meet the child's needs as set out in the Care Plan.
440 </li>
441 </ul>
442 <p>
442 The temporary approval period expires when:
442 </p>
443 <ul>
444 <li>
444 The placement is terminated by the local authority;
444 </li>
445 <li>
445 The approval as a prospective adopter is terminated;
445 </li>
446 <li>
446 The prospective adopter is approved as a foster carer;
446 </li>
447 <li>
447 The prospective adopter gives 28 days' written notice that they no longer wish to be temporarily
approved as a foster parent in relation to the child; or
447 </li>
448 <li>
448 The child is placed for adoption with the prospective adopter.
448 </li>
449 </ul>
450 <h3 id="long_term_foster_place">
450 9. Long Term Foster Placement
450 </h3>
451 <p>
451 Where it is the case that the most appropriate route to permanence is long-term foster care, the
regulations set out the arrangements for making such a placement, including:
451 </p>
452 <ul>
453 <li>
453 That foster care is the plan for permanence and is recorded in the child's care plan, (Reg
5(a));
453 </li>
454 <li>
454 That the foster carer has agreed to act as the child's foster carer until the child ceases to be
looked after;
454 </li>
455 <li>
455 That the responsible authority has confirmed the nature of the arrangement with the foster
carer(s), the birth parent and the child; and
455 </li>
456 <li>
456 The child and foster carer have a clear understanding of the support services they will receive
to promote the placement.
456 </li>
457 </ul>
458 <p>
458 The assessment and planning process for long-term foster care should address the child's current
needs and likely future needs, and the capacity of the foster carer to meet these needs now and in
the future. The length of placement will vary according to the child's age and the long-term plan
for the child, including the transition to adulthood. These factors must all be taken into account
in planning for support and services where long - term foster care has been identified as the plan
for permanence for a child.
458 </p>
459 <p>
459 Before deciding to place a child in a long-term foster placement, (whether or not this means
moving to a new carer) the ability of the identified long-term foster carer to care for the child
both now and in the future should be assessed. The support and services which will be needed to
ensure that the placement is stable, secure and meets the child's needs should be identified
taking into account the carer's previous fostering or other childcare experience, family
configuration (including placement of other children under fostering arrangements), existing
relationship (if any) with the child, knowledge and skills and capacity to care for the child long
term under a fostering arrangement.
459 </p>
460 <p>
460 It is imperative that the foster carer fully understands and explicitly agrees to the long term
commitment they are making to the child [regulation 22B (2)(f)]. A record of the discussion of
these matters including the outcome should be made as part of the assessment process.
460 </p>
461 <p>
461 The decision to place a child in a long-term foster placement with a particular foster carer
should be discussed and recorded as part of the review process. This decision should then be
recorded in the placement plan and agreed and signed by the foster carer [regulation 9(3)].
461 </p>
462 <p>
462 Where it is agreed that the child will be placed in a long-term foster placement, this should be
communicated clearly to the foster carer, the child's parents or any other person who is not a
parent but has parental responsibility and the child. (Reg 2(1)).
462 </p>
463 <p>
463 Where the decision has been taken that the plan for permanence is long-term foster care and the
child is in an existing foster care placement, it may be that the carer and (where appropriate)
the child want the existing foster placement to be the long-term foster placement. Such a proposal
should be considered in a reasonable timescale taking into account the existing relationship
between the child and the foster carer, the length of time in placement, the child's relationships
with the foster carer's wider family and community. Consideration should also be given to the
progress the child has made in the placement, recorded through the case review process.
463 </p>
464 There may be circumstances where it is not considered appropriate to assess the ability of the
current foster carer as the long-term carer for the child. In these instances, the reasons for this
decision should be clearly set out in writing to the foster carer. This decision should also be
communicated to the child where it is appropriate to their age and understanding.
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