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282 <h2>
282 Exemptions and Extensions/Variations to Foster Carer Approval
282 </h2>
284 </div>
287 <div id="scope_box">
288 <h3>
288 SCOPE OF THIS CHAPTER
288 </h3>
289 <p>
289 Please note that applications for exemption in relation to foster carers living in a different
local authority area must be made to the manager of the fostering service for the local authority
in whose area the foster carer lives.
289 </p>
290 <h3>
290 AMENDMENT
290 </h3>
291 <p>
291 This chapter was reviewed and amended by Bexley in April 2017, to reflect local processes and
procedure.
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292 <div id="sections">
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294 Contents
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295 <ol>
296 <li>
296 <a href="#usual_fost">
296 Usual Fostering Limit on Number of Children
296 </a>
296 </li>
297 <li>
297 <a href="#applic_exemp">
297 Reasons Why an Exemption may be Considered
297 </a>
297 </li>
298 <li>
298 <a href="#process_exemp">
298 The Process for Exemptions
298 </a>
298 </li>
299 <li>
299 <a href="#rev_monit">
299 Review and Monitoring of Exemptions
299 </a>
299 </li>
300 <li>
300 <a href="#exten">
300 Extension/Variation to the Foster Carer's Terms of Approval
300 </a>
300 </li>
301 </ol>
302 <h3 id="usual_fost">
302 1. Usual Fostering Limit on Number of Children
302 </h3>
303 <p>
303 A person may not foster more than three children in each foster home except where all the children
are siblings.
303 </p>
304 <p>
304 In all other circumstances, foster carers may only exceed this number if an exemption has been
agreed.
304 </p>
305 <h3 id="applic_exemp">
305 2. Reasons Why an Exemption may be Considered
305 </h3>
306 <p>
306 Applications for an exemption will usually be made because of the following exceptional
circumstances:
306 </p>
307 <ol style="list-style-type:lower-alpha">
308 <li>
308 The child concerned was previously placed with the foster carers and his or her placement
elsewhere has disrupted;
308 </li>
309 <li>
309 The foster carers have special skills to meet the child's needs which are not available
elsewhere;
309 </li>
310 <li>
310 The placement of the child over the limit is the most appropriate way of meeting the child's
needs arising from disability, race, religion, language and/or culture;
310 </li>
311 <li>
311 The placement is required to keep siblings together.
311 </li>
312 </ol>
313 <p>
313 Applications can only be made with the agreement of the foster carers concerned. When considering
an exemption the following factors should be regarded.
314 </p>
315 <ol style="list-style-type:lower-alpha">
316 <li>
316 The number, ages and circumstances of the children concerned;
316 </li>
317 <li>
317 The arrangements proposed for the care and accommodation of the children concerned;
317 </li>
318 <li>
318 The relationship between the foster carers and the children concerned;
318 </li>
319 <li>
319 The period of time over which the placement is likely to last;
319 </li>
320 <li>
320 The likely effect on the children concerned and any other children living in the household;
320 </li>
321 <li>
321 The foster carers' capacity to provide sufficient care for all the children in the placement;
321 </li>
322 <li>
322 The need to safeguard and promote the welfare of the fostered children / young people and any
other children / young people who live in the foster home.
322 </li>
323 </ol>
324 <h3 id="process_exemp">
324 3. The Process for Exemptions
324 </h3>
325 <h4>
325 3.1 Planned Exemptions
326 </h4>
327 <p>
327 The need for an exemption will be identified at the point when a member of the Placements Team are
seeking to identify a suitable placement for a child or children.
327 </p>
328 <p>
328 Where a foster carer is identified as the most appropriate option to meet the child's needs, and
this is agreed by the supervising social worker for the carers and the foster carer, the duty
social worker should consult with the manager and if agreed prepare an application for an
exemption.
328 </p>
329 <p>
329 The social worker(s) to any other child in the placement should also be consulted in order to seek
their views on any impact (positive or negative) from a further placement commencing.
329 </p>
330 <p>
330 All applications for planned exemption for foster carers living in the local authority area must
be made in writing, supported by reasons, to the Agency Decision Maker for approval. Where the
foster carers live in a different local authority area, the application must be made to the
manager of the fostering service for that area. The written application will be prepared by the
supervising social worker for the foster carers in conjunction with the relevant child's social
worker.
330 </p>
331 <p>
331 The decision whether or not to grant an exemption will be recorded in writing, together with
reasons. Any exemption will be specific to a child or children and can be subject to conditions.
The foster carer will be notified in writing of the decision.
331 </p>
332 <p>
332 Upon the granting of an exemption, a time limit will be specified and an exemption can only extend
beyond that date if the Designated Manager for the relevant local authority area authorises it.
332 </p>
333 <p>
333 The decision must be recorded.
333 </p>
334 <p>
334 The decision will be reported to the next available Fostering Panel for ratification.
334 </p>
335 <h4>
335 3.2 Emergency Exemptions
335 </h4>
336 <p>
336 The Duty Manager for the Out of Hours Service can agree for a child to be placed in a foster home
above the usual limit in an emergency i.e. without the agreement of the Agency Decision Maker.
This agreement will only last until the next working day.
336 </p>
337 <p>
337 An application for exemption beyond the next working day must then be made to the Agency Decision
Maker and any such emergency exemption needs to be presented to the next available Fostering
Panel, as with planned exemptions.
337 </p>
338 <p>
338 An interim decision by the Agency Decision Maker may be necessary pending full consideration of
the exemption.
338 </p>
339 <p>
339 As with 3.1, the emergency and interim approval can only be given by the local authority for the
area where the foster carers reside. Depending on the local authority involved, there may be
arrangements in place for a Duty Manager within the local authority to agree an emergency or
interim exemption. If such arrangements exist, an application for an emergency or interim
exemption must be made to the relevant manager in line with their procedures. Otherwise an
emergency exemption cannot be granted.
339 </p>
340 <p>
340 Any emergency or interim decisions to grant an exemption must be confirmed in writing and copies
of the decision, together with the reasons, must be placed on the child's file and the foster
carer's case record. A copy must also be sent to the foster carer.
340 </p>
341 <p>
341 The decision must be recorded.
341 </p>
342 <h3 id="rev_monit">
342 4. Review and Monitoring of Exemptions
342 </h3>
343 <p>
343 The Fostering Panel will be responsible for the ongoing monitoring of the exemption.
343 </p>
344 <p>
344 The Fostering Service is responsible for recording the ending of the exemption when the exemption
is no longer required.
344 </p>
345 <h3 id="exten">
345 5. Extension/Variation to the Foster Carer's Terms of Approval
345 </h3>
346 <p>
346 The placement must also be compatible with the foster carer's terms of approval. If the placement
would not be compatible, then an extension/variation to their terms of approval will be required.
(This will usually be in addition to an extension to the usual number of children, as detailed
above.)
346 </p>
347 <p>
347 All requests for extensions and variations must be presented in writing to the Fostering Panel and
thereafter the
347 <a href="files/sod_decision_making.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
347 Agency Decision Maker
347 </a>
347 .
347 </p>
348 <p>
348 The only exception to this is where an emergency extension or variation to approval is required to
enable a placement to take place before the case has been presented to the Fostering Panel. In
these circumstances, the Agency Decision Maker can agree an emergency extension of the foster
carer's approval to allow the placement to go ahead. This decision can only last up to four weeks
and will need to be ratified, if still required, at the next fostering panel.
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