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142 <tr>
143 <td width="94%">
143 <h1 class="h1_chaptertitle">
143 Placement for Adoption
143 </h1>
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151 <h2 class="h3_subheading_no_underline">
151 RELATED CHAPTERS
151 </h2>
152 <p>
152 <a href="g_perm_plan.html">
152 Permanence Planning Guidance
152 </a>
152 </p>
153 <p>
153 <a href="p_foster_for_adopt.html">
153 Fostering for Adoption, Concurrent Planning and Temporary Approval as Foster Carers of
Approved Prospective Adopters Procedure
153 </a>
153 </p>
154 <p>
154 <a href="../pdfs/smoking_policy.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
154 Foster Carers, Adopters Smoking and Electronic Cigarettes Policy
154 </a>
154 </p>
155 <p>
155 <a href="../client_supplied/pet_pol.doc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
155 Pet Policy and Guidance for Fostering Households
155 </a>
155 </p>
156 <h3 class="h3_subheading_no_underline">
156 RELATED GUIDANCE
156 </h3>
157 <p>
157 <a href="http://contact.rip.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
157 Contact After Adoption
157 </a>
157 - practical resources which bring together knowledge from research and practice to support
professionals to be reflective and explore their own assumptions, attitudes and values when
developing contact plans.
157 </p>
158 <p>
158 <span class="bold">
158 Note
158 </span>
158 : Milton Keynes is part of a regional adoption agency please see
158 
W885 [WCAG21 1.1.1/2.4.4/2.4.9 (A/AAA)] Do not use the URL as link text:
Describe the purpose of a link by providing descriptive text as the content of the <a> element, or provide an 'aria-label' or 'aria-labelledby' attribute. The description lets a user distinguish this link from other links in the Web page and helps the user determine whether to follow the link. The URL of the destination is generally not sufficiently descriptive. See WCAG 2.1 HTML Technique H30. <a href="https://www.adoptionconnects.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
158 https://www.adoptionconnects.co.uk/
158 </a>
158 for information.
158 </p>
159 <h3 class="h3_subheading_no_underline">
159 AMENDMENT
159 </h3>
160 <p>
160 This chapter was amended in September 2019 to reflect the national changes in adoption
registration and matching (see
160 <a href="#iap">
160 Section 7.13, Inter Agency Placements
160 </a>
160 and
160 <a href="#chi_adop_place">
160 Section 11, Children Approved for Adoption for Whom no Placement has been Identified
160 </a>
160 ).
160 </p>
161 </div>
162 <h2 class="h2_mainheading">
162 <br />
163 Contents
163 </h2>
164 <ol>
165 <li>
165 <a href="#planning_perm">
165 Planning for Permanence
165 </a>
165 </li>
166 <li>
166 <a href="#obtaining_agen">
166 Obtaining Agency Approval to Adoption Plan
166 </a>
166 </li>
167 <li>
167 <a href="#prep_adop">
167 Preparation of Child for Adoption
167 </a>
167 </li>
168 <li>
168 <a href="#counselling_supp">
168 Counselling, Support and Information-sharing for Parents
168 </a>
168 </li>
169 <li>
169 <a href="#childs_adop_med">
169 Child's Adoption Medical
169 </a>
169 </li>
170 <li>
170 <a href="#post_place">
170 Post-placement Contact
170 </a>
170 </li>
171 <li>
171 <a href="#identific_adop">
171 Identification of Adoptive Parents (including Inter Agency Placements)
171 </a>
171 </li>
172 <li>
172 <a href="#approval_matching">
172 Approval of Matching of Adoptive Parents
172 </a>
172 </li>
173 <li>
173 <a href="#plan_place">
173 Planning the Placement
173 </a>
173 </li>
174 <li>
174 <a href="#the_placement">
174 The Placement
174 </a>
174 </li>
175 <li>
175 <a href="#chi_adop_place">
175 Children Approved for Adoption for Whom no Placement has been Identified
175 </a>
175 </li>
176 <li>
176 <a href="#adopt_place_abroad">
176 Adoptive Placements Abroad
176 </a>
176 </li>
177 </ol>
178 <h2 class="h2_mainheading">
178 <br />
178 1.
178 <a name="planning_perm" id="planning_perm">
178 </a>
178 Planning for Permanence
178 </h2>
179 <table title="planning for permenence table" width="95%" border="0" cellspacing="0"
cellpadding="5">
180 <tr>
181 <td width="3%">
181 1.1
181 </td>
182 <td>
182 Every Looked After Child must have a Permanence Plan by the date of his or her second
182 <a href="http://trixresources.proceduresonline.com/nat_key/keywords/looked_aft_review.html"
target="_blank" rel="noopener">
182 Looked After Review
182 </a>
182 .
182 </td>
183 </tr>
184 <tr>
185 <td width="3%">
185 1.2
185 </td>
186 <td>
186 When an adoption plan is being considered in relation to a Looked After Child, consideration
should be given to inviting a representative of the Adoption Service to the relevant meeting.
186 </td>
187 </tr>
188 <tr>
189 <td width="3%">
189 1.3
189 </td>
190 <td>
190 In relation to a
190 <a
href="http://trixresources.proceduresonline.com/nat_key/keywords/relinquished_children.html
" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
190 Relinquished Child
190 </a>
190 , an early planning meeting should be arranged to which a representative of the Adoption
Service must be invited. Where adoption is considered to be the preferred option for a
relinquished child, it should begin family finding immediately in order to achieve early
placement following the decision.
190 </td>
191 </tr>
192 <tr>
193 <td>
193 1.4
193 </td>
194 <td>
194 Family finding should begin as soon as adoption is under consideration, and before the Agency
Decision Maker decides that the child should be placed for adoption or a
194 <a href="http://trixresources.proceduresonline.com/nat_key/keywords/placement_order.html"
target="_blank" rel="noopener">
194 Placement Order
194 </a>
194 is made.
194 </td>
195 </tr>
196 <tr>
197 <td>
197 1.5
197 </td>
198 <td>
198 In the case of siblings, an early decision should be taken as to whether it is in the best
interests of each child to be placed together or separately, and the impact on each child of
that decision. The decision should be based on a balanced assessment of the individual needs
of each child in the group, and the likely or possible consequences of each option on each
child. Factors that may need to be considered will include: the nature of the sibling group
(do the siblings know each other/ how are they related); whether the children have formed an
attachment; the health needs of each child; and each child’s view (noting that a child’s views
and perceptions will change over time).
198 </td>
199 </tr>
200 <tr>
201 <td>
201 1.6
201 </td>
202 <td>
202 <p>
202 With effect from July 2014, there is a duty (under s. 22C of the Children Act 1989 (amended
by the Children and Families Act 2014)) imposed upon local authorities that where:
202 </p>
203 <ul>
204 <li>
204 They are considering adoption for a child (this can be at an early stage, and can be
before a decision has been made by the Agency Decision Maker that the child should be
place for adoption); or
204 </li>
205 <li>
205 They are satisfied that the child ought to be placed for adoption, but do not yet have
authority to place the child for adoption (either by way of parental consent or by way of
205 <a
href="http://trixresources.proceduresonline.com/nat_key/keywords/placement_order.html"
target="_blank" rel="noopener">
205 Placement Order
205 </a>
205 );
205 </li>
206 <li>
206 Then the local authority
206 <span class="bold">
206 MUST
206 </span>
206 consider placing the child with:
207 <ul>
208 <li>
208 (Firstly) a relative, friend or
208 <a
href="http://trixresources.proceduresonline.com/nat_key/keywords/connect_pers.html
" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
208 Connected Person
208 </a>
208 who is also a local authority foster carer; or
208 </li>
209 <li>
209 Where they decide that a placement with such a person is not the most appropriate
placement for the child, they must consider placing the child with a local authority
foster carer who has been approved as a prospective adopter (a ‘dually approved
carer’).
209 </li>
210 </ul>
211 </li>
212 </ul>
212 </td>
213 </tr>
214 <tr>
215 <td>
215 1.7
215 </td>
216 <td>
216 <p>
216 In October 2017,
216 <a href="https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2017/16/section/9" target="_blank"
rel="noopener">
216 Section 9 of the Children and Social Work Act 2017
216 </a>
216 added into the list of considerations whenever a court or adoption agency is coming to a
decision relating to the adoption of a child, the child’s relationship
216 <span class="italic">
216 with any person who is a prospective adopter with whom the child is placed
216 </span>
216 , as well as the relationships which the child has with their relatives and with any other
persons the court or agency considers to be relevant.
216 </p>
217 <p>
217 See
217 <a href="p_foster_for_adopt.html">
217 Fostering for Adoption, Concurrent Planning and Temporary Approval as Foster Carers of
Approved Prospective Adopters Procedure
217 </a>
217 .
217 </p>
217 </td>
218 </tr>
219 </table>
220 <h2 class="h2_mainheading">
220 <br />
221 2.
221 <a name="obtaining_agen" id="obtaining_agen">
221 </a>
221 Obtaining Agency Approval to Adoption Plan
221 </h2>
222 <table title="obtaining agency table" width="95%" border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0">
223 <tr>
224 <td width="3%">
224 <a name="para_2.1" id="para_2.1">
224 </a>
224 2.1
224 </td>
225 <td>
225 <p>
225 From 1 September 2012, not all cases must be referred to the Adoption Panel. Cases where the
criteria apply for the local authority to apply for a
225 <a href="http://trixresources.proceduresonline.com/nat_key/keywords/placement_order.html"
target="_blank" rel="noopener">
225 Placement Order
225 </a>
225 , i.e. the child is the subject of a
225 <a href="http://trixresources.proceduresonline.com/nat_key/keywords/care_order.html"
target="_blank" rel="noopener">
225 Care Order
225 </a>
225 or the
225 <a
href="http://trixresources.proceduresonline.com/nat_key/keywords/threshold_criteria.html
" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
225 Threshold Criteria
225 </a>
225 for a Care Order are satisfied or where there is no parent or guardian, will not be referred
to the Adoption Panel for a recommendation, but will be referred directly to the Agency
Decision Maker (Adoption) for a decision. All other cases (i.e. where the parents have given
consent and there is no application for a Placement Order) will continue to be referred to
the Adoption Panel for a recommendation, which the Agency Decision Maker (Adoption) will
take into account when making a decision.
225 </p>
226 <p>
226 As soon as adoption is the Permanence Plan for the child, the child's social worker must:
226 </p>
227 <ul>
228 <li>
228 Arrange a date for the case to be referred to the Adoption Panel (where the parents have
given consent and there is no application for a Placement Order)/ Agency Decision Maker
(Adoption) (in all other cases);
228 <br />
229 <br />
230 This date must be a maximum of 2 months from the date when the adoption plan was ratified
at the child's Looked After Review. Where this timescale is not met, the reason should be
recorded;
230 </li>
231 <li>
231 Continue to provide counselling for the child - see
231 <a href="#prep_adop">
231 Section 3, Preparation of Child for Adoption
231 </a>
231 ;
231 </li>
232 <li>
232 Make a referral to the Adoption Service for a family finder to be identified.
232 </li>
233 </ul>
233 </td>
234 </tr>
235 <tr>
236 <td>
236 2.2
236 </td>
237 <td>
237 The child's social worker opens an
237 <a
href="http://trixresources.proceduresonline.com/nat_key/keywords/adoption_case_record.html
" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
237 Adoption Case Record
237 </a>
237 for the child once adoption has been identified as the permanence plan for the child at his or
her Looked After Review or, where a child has been relinquished for adoption, as soon as the
parent's request for adoption has been made. Where the plan relates to a group of siblings,
there must be a separate Adoption Case Record for each child.
237 </td>
238 </tr>
239 <tr>
240 <td>
240 2.3
240 </td>
241 <td>
241 If not already obtained, the child's social worker should obtain 2 certified copies of the
child's full birth certificate. These will be required for future Court applications and for
the prospective adopters.
241 </td>
242 </tr>
243 <tr>
244 <td>
244 2.4
244 </td>
245 <td>
245 <p>
245 The child's social worker should give both birth parents written information on adoption and
ask them to sign confirmation of receipt, a copy of which should be kept on the child's
Adoption Case Record and a further copy should be handed to the parents.
245 </p>
246 If either or both of the birth parents refuse to accept or do not receive the information,
this should be recorded, with reasons, on the child's case record and Adoption Case Record.
Where the parents' address is known, the child's social worker should personally deliver or
arrange for delivery by hand of a copy of the information to the address and record this on
the Adoption Case Record. See also
246 <a href="#counselling_supp">
246 Section 4, Counselling and Support for Parents
246 </a>
246 .
246 </td>
247 </tr>
248 <tr>
249 <td>
249 2.5
249 </td>
250 <td>
250 If not already obtained, the child's social worker must seek the birth parents' consent to the
disclosure of information on their medical history to facilitate the Adoption Medical for the
child - for detailed procedures, see
250 <a href="#childs_adop_med">
250 Section 5, Child's Adoption Medical
250 </a>
250 .
250 </td>
251 </tr>
252 <tr>
253 <td>
253 2.6
253 </td>
254 <td>
254 The child's social worker must discuss with the parents their views on the adoption plan, and
arrange the necessary counselling and support for both of the birth parents and any other
significant relatives - see
254 <a href="#counselling_supp">
254 Section 4, Counselling and Support for Parents
254 </a>
254 . If either or both of the parents decline or refuse counselling and/or support, then this
should be recorded, including the reasons, in the child's electronic record and Adoption Case
Record.
254 </td>
255 </tr>
256 <tr>
257 <td>
257 2.7
257 </td>
258 <td>
258 Where one or both of the birth parents cannot be found, the child's social worker must make
extensive enquiries as to their whereabouts. The social worker should write to the parent's
last known address and contact the Department of Works and Pensions and other agencies
(including the Council Tax Register, the Passport Office and the housing authority) as
appropriate. Consideration should also be given to the need to place advertisements in the
local and national press and legal advice should be sought as to any additional steps that
should be taken.
258 </td>
259 </tr>
260 <tr>
261 <td>
261 2.8
261 </td>
262 <td>
262 The child's social worker must contact the child's health visitor or school health for current
information in relation to the child's health and development.
262 </td>
263 </tr>
264 <tr>
265 <td>
265 2.9
265 </td>
266 <td>
266 The child's social worker must contact the child's school or the relevant local education
service for current information in relation to the child's educational needs.
266 </td>
267 </tr>
268 <tr>
269 <td>
269 2.10
269 </td>
270 <td>
270 The child's social worker must ask the child's carer to complete a report on the child. (This
will be required for the Child's Permanence Report - see
270 <a href="#para_2.13">
270 paragraph 2.13
270 </a>
270 ).
270 </td>
271 </tr>
272 <tr>
273 <td>
273 2.11
273 </td>
274 <td>
274 <p>
274 The child's social worker must ensure that the adoption plan addresses the issue of
post-placement and post-adoption contact. This will include a possible meeting between the
parents and the adopters, and whether there may be ongoing direct contact or indirect
contact via a letterbox system - see
274 <a href="#post_place">
274 Section 6, Post-placement Contact
274 </a>
274 .
274 </p>
275 <p>
275 If the child has siblings, the plan must analyse the relationship between each child in the
sibling group and, if the decision is to place siblings separately, address the issue of
post-placement and post-adoption contact between them.
275 </p>
275 </td>
276 </tr>
277 <tr>
278 <td>
278 2.12
278 </td>
279 <td>
279 The child's social worker must also carry out an assessment of the likely needs for adoption
support services in relation to the child (including the likely need for financial support),
the birth parents and any other person with a significant relationship to the child. For the
detailed procedures, see
279 <a href="p_adop_support.html">
279 Adoption Support Procedure
279 </a>
279 .
279 </td>
280 </tr>
281 <tr>
282 <td>
282 <a name="para_2.13" id="para_2.13">
282 </a>
282 2.13
282 </td>
283 <td>
283 <p>
283 Using all the information obtained in relation to the above, the child's social worker must
prepare the Child's Permanence Report. The Child's Permanence Report should be written by
the social worker who knows the child best, who must also be a qualified social worker with
suitable experience.
283 </p>
284 <p>
284 The following areas should be included or addressed in the Report:
284 </p>
285 <ul>
286 <li>
286 Profile of the child, based on a report from the child's current carer as well as other
information about the child's personality, nationality, racial origin, religious
persuasion, legal status and relationship with his/her birth family;
286 </li>
287 <li>
287 A summary, written by the agency’s medical adviser, of the state of the child’s health,
health history and any need for health care which might arise in the future;
287 </li>
288 <li>
288 The child's wishes in relation to the adoption plan and his or her preferred method of
communication;
288 </li>
289 <li>
289 A chronology of the child's life since birth;
289 </li>
290 <li>
290 The preparation work, undertaken and planned, with the child and the views of the child in
relation to the adoption plan and future contact with his or her birth family;
291 </li>
292 <li>
292 The views of the
292 <a
href="http://trixresources.proceduresonline.com/nat_key/keywords/childrens_guardian.html
" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
292 Children's Guardian
292 </a>
292 (where possible);
292 </li>
293 <li>
293 The views of the birth family and significant others in relation to the adoption plan and
contact and their opportunity to receive and comment on the report before the report is
presented to Adoption Panel/Agency Decision Maker;
293 </li>
294 <li>
294 A report of the child's educational history and current needs, including the
294 <a
href="http://trixresources.proceduresonline.com/nat_key/keywords/pers_education_plan.html
" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
294 Personal Education Plan (PEP)
294 </a>
294 ;
294 </li>
295 <li>
295 Any other relevant specialist reports on the child;
295 </li>
296 <li>
296 An assessment of the child's emotional and behavioural development;
296 </li>
297 <li>
297 An assessment of the child's needs for post-placement and post-adoption contact, including
with siblings, and the child's and birth relatives' needs for adoption support services;
297 </li>
298 <li>
298 A
298 <a href="http://trixresources.proceduresonline.com/nat_key/keywords/chronology.html"
target="_blank" rel="noopener">
298 Chronology
298 </a>
298 of the decisions and actions taken by the agency with respect to the child;
298 </li>
299 <li>
299 An analysis of the options for the child's future care and the alternatives to adoption
considered. This must be a balanced view and where experts' assessments are available,
their contents and recommendations - even if not supportive of the adoption plan - should
be included;
299 </li>
300 <li>
300 Where the child has siblings, whether the decision is to place siblings separately or
together and the rationale for the decision;
300 </li>
301 <li>
301 Any other information which the agency considers relevant.
301 </li>
302 </ul>
303 Those parts of the Report that contain factual information about the birth family should be
shared with the relevant family members to enable them to confirm their accuracy and agree to
it being passed on to a child in due course. Any such agreement should be clearly recorded on
the child’s case record. Each of the child’s parents should be shown those parts of the Report
which set out their views and wishes, and given the opportunity, if they so wish, to express
these in their own words. Where appropriate, the relevant sections of the Report should also
be provided to the child. When shared the parents should be asked to sign the Report to
confirm they have seen it and have had the opportunity to provide any written comments they
wish to make.
303 </td>
304 </tr>
305 <tr>
306 <td>
306 <h3 class="h3_subheading_no_underline">
306 2.14
306 <a name="presentation" id="presentation">
306 </a>
306 </h3>
306 </td>
307 <td>
307 <h3 class="h3_subheading_no_underline">
307 Presentation to the Adoption Panel
307 </h3>
308 <p>
308 See
308 <a href="#para_2.1">
308 paragraph 2.1
308 </a>
308 for circumstances when the case will be referred to the Adoption Panel, and when the case
will be referred directly to the Agency Decision Maker. Where cases are referred directly to
the Agency Decision Maker, paragraph 2.14 does not apply and the procedure is set out in
2.15 below.
308 </p>
309 <p>
309 This must take place within 6 weeks of the completion of the Child's Permanence Report.
309 </p>
310 <p>
310 To enable the Adoption Panel to consider whether the child is suitable to be placed for
adoption, the child's social worker must present the following reports:
310 </p>
311 <ol type="a">
312 <li>
312 A front sheet stating what is being reported, the reports included, the recommendations
sought and who will be attending Adoption Panel;
312 </li>
313 <li>
313 The Child's Permanence Report (including the Medical Adviser's comments) signed by the
child's social worker, the manager and the parent (if willing), and a photograph of the
child, together with the parents' written comments (if any);
313 </li>
314 <li>
314 The child's health report and the health information obtained in relation to the parents
(where the Medical Adviser so advises);
314 </li>
315 <li>
315 Legal advice about parental consent and the option of seeking a
315 <a
href="http://trixresources.proceduresonline.com/nat_key/keywords/placement_order.html"
target="_blank" rel="noopener">
315 Placement Order
315 </a>
315 ;
315 </li>
316 <li>
316 Where experts' assessments are available (including where they have been filed in Court
proceedings), their contents and recommendations - even if not supportive of the adoption
plan - should be presented to the Panel/Agency Decision Maker. The full reports should be
presented unless they are voluminous, in which case, as a minimum, those sections setting
out the experts' opinion, conclusions and recommendations should be provided. A written
summary of such reports should only be provided if all parties to the court proceedings
agree in writing that the summary is fair and accurate. Copies of the full reports should
be available for Panel members (at the panel meeting) and the Agency Decision Maker to
consult if desired.
316 </li>
317 </ol>
318 <p>
318 The child's social worker will send the relevant reports to the Panel Administrator at least
10 working days before the relevant date of the Adoption Panel.
318 </p>
319 <p>
319 The child's social worker together with his or her manager if appropriate will attend the
Panel meeting during consideration of the matter. Where a Children's Guardian has been
appointed, consideration should be given to inviting the Children's Guardian to the Panel
during consideration of this item however, there is no requirement upon the Panel to allow
the children’s guardian to attend the Panel and make oral submissions. The report of the
Children’s Guardian must not be disclosed without the leave of the court.
319 </p>
320 <p>
320 (
320 <span class="bold">
320 N.B.
320 </span>
320 Where the social worker is seeking a recommendation in relation to a proposed placement of
the child with particular prospective adopters at the same time, the procedure set out in
320 <a href="#approval_matching">
320 Section 8, Approval of Matching of Adoptive Parents
320 </a>
320 must also be followed).
320 </p>
321 <p>
321 The Panel will consider the written reports and any additional information presented
verbally. The Panel will make a recommendation to the Agency Decision Maker (Adoption).
Where the Panel recommends that the child should be placed for adoption, it must consider
and may give advice as to future contact arrangements for the child and whether an
application for a
321 <a href="http://trixresources.proceduresonline.com/nat_key/keywords/placement_order.html"
target="_blank" rel="noopener">
321 Placement Order
321 </a>
321 should be made.
321 </p>
322 <p>
322 The recommendation and advice will be recorded in writing, together with reasons, in the
Panel's minutes. A copy of the relevant minute must be held on the child's Adoption Case
Record.
322 </p>
323 <p>
323 For cases which are presented to the Adoption Panel, the final minutes must be produced
promptly and agreed by the Panel members and then sent to the Agency Decision Maker,
together with the reports considered by the Panel, to allow the decision to be made within
seven working days of receipt of the panel's recommendation and final set of panel minutes.
323 </p>
324 <p>
324 The Agency Decision Maker must record his or her decision in writing, together with reasons.
324 </p>
325 Where the Agency Decision Maker is minded to disagree with the Panel recommendation, he/she
must first discuss the case with another senior officer with relevant experience, who must not
be a Panel member. This discussion must be recorded and placed on the child's Adoption Case
Record.
325 </td>
326 </tr>
327 <tr>
328 <td>
328 <h3 class="h3_subheading_no_underline">
328 2.15
328 </h3>
328 </td>
329 <td>
329 <h3 class="h3_subheading_no_underline">
329 Referral directly to Agency Decision Maker
329 </h3>
330 <p>
330 See
330 <a href="#para_2.1">
330 paragraph 2.1
330 </a>
330 for circumstances when the case will be referred to the Adoption Panel, and when the case
will be referred directly to the Agency Decision Maker.
330 </p>
331 <p>
331 Where cases are to be referred directly to the Agency Decision Maker for a decision, a time
should be booked with the Agency Decision Maker for the decision to be made and this should
be a maximum of 2 months from the date when the adoption plan was ratified at the child's
Looked After Review. In order for the decision to be made within this timescale, the Agency
Decision Maker should be sent the same reports and information as would be submitted to the
Adoption Panel, as set out in
331 <a href="#presentation">
331 paragraph 2.14 Presentation to the Adoption Panel
331 </a>
331 .
331 </p>
332 <p>
332 The child's social worker will send the relevant reports to the Agency Adviser at least 10
working days before the relevant date booked with the Agency Decision Maker.
332 </p>
333 <p>
333 The Agency Adviser will be responsible for checking the quality of the reports before they
are submitted to the Agency Decision Maker.
333 </p>
334 <p>
334 In making the decision the Agency Decision Maker may discuss the case with the Agency
Adviser, Medical Adviser and legal adviser. However, there is no provision for adjourning
the decision to allow time for taking advice.
334 <span class="bold">
334 N.B.
334 </span>
334 The Agency Decision Maker (Adoption) is expressly prohibited from referring a case to the
Adoption Panel for advice.
334 </p>
334 </td>
335 </tr>
336 <tr>
337 <td>
337 <h3 class="h3_subheading_no_underline">
337 2.16
337 </h3>
337 </td>
338 <td>
338 <h3 class="h3_subheading_no_underline">
338 After the Decision
338 </h3>
339 <p>
339 The parents will be informed orally of the agency's decision within two working days and
written confirmation should be sent to them within five working days. These arrangements
will be made by the Agency Decision Maker in conjunction with the child's social worker.
339 </p>
340 <p>
340 The letter setting out the agency decision will be sent by recorded delivery, except where
delivery by hand has been agreed as appropriate, in which case the letter will be forwarded
to the social worker for delivery by hand.
340 </p>
341 <p>
341 The child's social worker will also ensure that the child is informed of the decision in a
timely and age-appropriate way.
341 </p>
342 In cases where the case has been presented to the Adoption Panel and the decision is different
from the Panel's recommendation, a copy of the Panel minute should also be sent to the
parents.
342 </td>
343 </tr>
344 <tr>
345 <td>
345 2.17
345 </td>
346 <td>
346 Where the Designated Manager (Placement Orders) has made a decision to seek a Placement Order
in relation to the child, the child's social worker should consult Legal Services in order to
prepare the Court application. The child's social worker should inform the child's
346 <a
href="http://trixresources.proceduresonline.com/nat_key/keywords/indep_reviewing_officer.html
" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
346 Independent Reviewing Officer
346 </a>
346 of the Court timetable including when the placement application is filed.
346 <span class="bold">
346 N.B.
346 </span>
346 Local authorities cannot make applications for Placement Orders until it has been decided by
the Agency Decision Maker that the child is suitable to be placed for adoption.
346 </td>
347 </tr>
348 <tr>
349 <td>
349 2.18
349 </td>
350 <td>
350 Where there is parental consent to the child's adoptive placement and/or advance parental
consent to the child's adoption, and the child is more than 6 weeks old, the child's social
worker must arrange for a written request to be sent to CAFCASS to appoint an officer to
witness the consent. Where there is parental consent to the child's placement and the child is
less than 6 weeks old, the social worker should ask the parents to sign a written agreement in
the prescribed form to facilitate an early placement.
350 </td>
351 </tr>
352 <tr>
353 <td>
353 2.19
353 </td>
354 <td>
354 <p>
354 The social worker should send to the CAFCASS office closest to the parents' address, a
certified copy of the child's birth certificate, the name and address of the parent, a
chronology of the actions and decisions made by the local authority and confirmation that
the parents have received counselling and written information on the legal implications of
giving consent to the placement/adoption.
354 </p>
354 Where the child lives in Wales, the request should be forwarded to the Welsh National
Assembly.
354 </td>
355 </tr>
356 <tr>
357 <td>
357 2.20
357 </td>
358 <td>
358 On receipt of the parent's consent witnessed by the CAFCASS officer, the original must be
placed on the child's Adoption Case Record (as it will be required for the future adoption
application).
358 </td>
359 </tr>
360 </table>
361 <h2 class="h2_mainheading">
361 <br />
361 3.
361 <a name="prep_adop" id="prep_adop">
361 </a>
361 Preparation of Child for Adoption
361 </h2>
362 <table width="95%" border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" title="section 3 - Preparation of Child
for Adoption">
363 <tr>
364 <td width="3%">
364 3.1
364 </td>
365 <td>
365 <p>
365 The child's social worker will ensure that Life Story Work with the child continues with the
aim as far as possible that:
365 </p>
366 <ul>
367 <li>
367 The child has an understanding of the reasons for the adoption plan and what adoption will
mean;
367 </li>
368 <li>
368 The child has an opportunity to express his or her wishes and feelings about the future;
and
368 </li>
369 <li>
369 The child has information on his or her birth family, which is kept safe and provided to
the adopters and the child at the appropriate time.
369 </li>
370 </ul>
371 <p>
371 As part of the above, the child will be given a Children's Guide to Adoption as soon as
adoption is part of the child's Care Plan. Any information given to the child should be
confirmed in writing and any discussions with the child should be fully recorded. The
child's preferred method of communication should be known and there should be no assumption
that a child is unable to communicate. An interpreter should be arranged where necessary to
ensure that there is effective communication with the child.
371 </p>
372 <p>
372 The social worker should specifically ensure that the child's wishes in relation to
adoption, religious and cultural upbringing and contact with his or her birth family are
ascertained.
372 </p>
372 Where a child's wishes are not acted upon, for example a child's wish to be placed with his or
her siblings, this should be explained to the child, with reasons, and should be fully
recorded.
372 </td>
373 </tr>
374 <tr>
375 <td width="3%">
375 3.2
375 </td>
376 <td>
376 The foster carers' supervising social worker will support the foster carers in playing their
part in the implementation of the plan, including careful recording by the foster carers of
any changes in the child's behaviour.
376 </td>
377 </tr>
378 <tr>
379 <td>
379 3.3
379 </td>
380 <td>
380 <p>
380 Once an adoptive placement has been identified and approved, the child's social worker is
responsible for ensuring the child is properly prepared for the first meeting with the
prospective adoptive family and is appropriately counselled during the period of
introductions - see
380 <a href="#plan_place">
380 Section 9, Planning the Placement
380 </a>
380 .
380 </p>
380 As part of the preparation of the child for the adoptive placement, information will be
provided to ensure that s/he has a proper understanding about the accommodation and others
living at the prospective adoptive home, the contact arrangements with the birth family and
how to contact his or her social worker.
380 </td>
381 </tr>
382 <tr>
383 <td>
383 3.4
383 </td>
384 <td>
384 The child's social worker will encourage the parents to write a 'Later Life' letter for the
child, and to provide information to enable the social worker to write a 'Later Life' letter
for the child (to give to the adopters) within 10 working days of adoption ceremony, i.e. the
ceremony to celebrate the making of the adoption order.
384 </td>
385 </tr>
386 </table>
387 <h2 class="h2_mainheading">
387 <br />
387 4.
387 <a name="counselling_supp" id="counselling_supp">
387 </a>
387 Counselling, Support and Information-sharing for Parents
387 </h2>
388 <h3 class="h3_subheading_no_underline">
388 4.1 Counselling and Support for Parents
388 </h3>
389 <table width="95%" border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" title="section 4 - Counselling and
Support for Parents">
390 <tr>
391 <td width="3%">
391 4.1.1
391 </td>
392 <td>
392 Both parents must be offered counselling and support irrespective of whether they have
392 <a href="http://trixresources.proceduresonline.com/nat_key/keywords/parental_respons.html"
target="_blank" rel="noopener">
392 Parental Responsibility
392 </a>
392 unless there are exceptional circumstances, in which case legal advice should be taken and the
reasons for not arranging counselling recorded.
392 </td>
393 </tr>
394 <tr>
395 <td width="3%">
395 4.1.2
395 </td>
396 <td>
396 It may also be appropriate for members of the extended family to receive counselling or
support, where they have played a significant role in the child's life.
396 </td>
397 </tr>
398 <tr>
399 <td>
399 4.1.3
399 </td>
400 <td>
400 The child's social worker must explain to both parents (including a parent without Parental
Responsibility) the reasons for the adoption plan and the key stages of the adoption process,
including the likely time-scales and possible contact arrangements; in addition the social
worker should provide them with written information on the adoption process covering the areas
set out in
400 <a href="#para_4.8">
400 paragraph 4.1.8
400 </a>
400 a) to g), l) and m) below and this should be recorded. (See
400 <a href="#fairness">
400 Section 4.2, Procedural Fairness
400 </a>
400 )
400 </td>
401 </tr>
402 <tr>
403 <td>
403 4.1.4
403 </td>
404 <td>
404 <p>
404 If either or both of the birth parents refuse to accept or do not receive the written
information, this should be recorded, including the reasons, on the child's case file and
Adoption Case Record.
404 </p>
405 <p>
405 Where the parents' address is known, the child's social worker should personally deliver or
arrange for delivery by hand of a copy of the information to the address and record this on
the Adoption Case Record.
405 </p>
405 </td>
406 </tr>
407 <tr>
408 <td>
408 4.1.5
408 </td>
409 <td>
409 The child's social worker must also seek to ascertain the parent's views on the matters set
out in
409 <a href="#h_and_k">
409 paragraph 4.1.8, h) and k)
409 </a>
409 below and offer to arrange independent support for both birth parents (including unmarried
fathers). The purpose of the support is to ensure that the alternatives to adoption have been
explored and the implications of adoption fully discussed. It also offers the parents the
opportunity to express their views in relation to the plans for the child, and to be involved
in planning for the child's future wherever possible. Where the offer of support is accepted,
the social worker should make the necessary arrangements for a referral for independent
support to be made.
409 </td>
410 </tr>
411 <tr>
412 <td>
412 4.1.6
412 </td>
413 <td>
413 The support may need to be provided by a specialist worker, for example where the parent has
poor mental health or learning disabilities. If so, the social worker should ensure that an
appropriate resource is identified.
413 </td>
414 </tr>
415 <tr>
416 <td>
416 4.1.7
416 </td>
417 <td>
417 The specific needs of parents arising from their ethnicity must always be taken into account.
An interpreter must be arranged where English is not their preferred language.
417 </td>
418 </tr>
419 <tr>
420 <td>
420 <a name="para_4.8" id="para_4.8">
420 </a>
420 4.1.8
420 </td>
421 <td>
421 <p>
421 The counselling and support will cover the following areas:
421 </p>
422 <ol type="a">
423 <li>
423 Explaining the key stages of the adoption process and likely time-scales;
423 </li>
424 <li>
424 Explaining, where appropriate, the procedure for seeking a Placement Order;
424 </li>
425 <li>
425 Explaining the parents' legal rights, including to apply for a Contact Order, the right of
the unmarried father to seek a Parental Responsibility Order or a
425 <a
href="http://trixresources.proceduresonline.com/nat_key/keywords/chi_arrange_orders.html
" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
425 Child Arrangements Order
425 </a>
425 in relation to the child;
425 </li>
426 <li>
426 Explaining the role of the Adoption Panel/Agency Decision Maker;
426 </li>
427 <li>
427 Explaining the role of
427 <a href="http://trixresources.proceduresonline.com/nat_key/keywords/cafcass.html"
target="_blank" rel="noopener">
427 CAFCASS
427 </a>
427 in witnessing consent or acting as the
427 <a
href="http://trixresources.proceduresonline.com/nat_key/keywords/childrens_guardian.html
" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
427 Children's Guardian
427 </a>
427 ;
427 </li>
428 <li>
428 Explaining the way the
428 <a
href="http://trixresources.proceduresonline.com/nat_key/keywords/adoption_contact_register
.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
428 Adoption Contact Register
428 </a>
428 works and how an adopted adult may seek information about the birth family in the future
or register a wish not to be contacted;
428 </li>
429 <li>
429 Explaining how prospective adoptive parents are assessed;
429 </li>
430 <li>
430 <a name="h_and_k" id="h_and_k">
430 </a>
430 Ascertaining the parents' views on the adoption plan, including the selection of the
adoptive family, any specific ethnic, cultural or religious needs of the child, and any
plan to separate a sibling group. Their views on these issues should be recorded;
430 </li>
431 <li>
431 Dealing with grief and loss;
431 </li>
432 <li>
432 Where there is parental consent to the adoption, explaining the process for giving their
written consent to an adoptive placement or advance consent to the adoption (including the
role of CAFCASS), their right to state that they do not wish to be informed of an adoption
application, and that they have the right to withdraw their consent to an adoptive
placement at any time up to the making of an adoption application, but the restriction of
their rights to do so after an adoption application has been made;
432 </li>
433 <li>
433 Ascertaining the parents' views on post-placement and post-adoption contact including
whether they would wish to meet the adoptive family and if so, how they might prepare for
this;
433 </li>
434 <li>
434 Providing information to the parents on national and local support groups, and other
possible sources of help;
434 </li>
435 <li>
435 Explaining how the parents may be able to provide information to be passed to adopters,
for example, on the child's birth and early life, which may be of benefit to the child;
435 </li>
436 </ol>
436 </td>
437 </tr>
438 <tr>
439 <td>
439 4.1.9
439 </td>
440 <td>
440 The parents should be encouraged to seek legal advice particularly where they are opposed to
the adoption plan. Where there is an unmarried father without Parental Responsibility, the
social worker should also ascertain if he intends to apply for a Parental Responsibility Order
and a Child Arrangements Order.
440 </td>
441 </tr>
442 <tr>
443 <td>
443 4.1.10
443 </td>
444 <td>
444 The parents and their solicitors, if appropriate, must be sent copies of any written consents
and/or recording of their views.
444 </td>
445 </tr>
446 <tr>
447 <td>
447 4.1.11
447 </td>
448 <td>
448 Where the parents refuse or decline to accept counselling and/or support, the child's social
worker must record the attempts made to persuade the parents and the reasons for their refusal
in the child's file and Adoption Case Record.
448 </td>
449 </tr>
450 <tr>
451 <td>
451 4.1.12
451 </td>
452 <td>
452 Where the parents are seeking to have an expected child adopted, the counselling must start
before the baby's birth. In addition, the child's social worker must cover practical tasks
such as the arrangements for the birth, the parents' own contact with the child after the
birth, the intended length of the mother's hospital stay and their wishes regarding the timing
of the placement. After the child's birth, the counselling and support must continue. The
social worker should then confirm with the parents that they still wish to pursue adoption for
the child.
452 </td>
453 </tr>
454 <tr>
455 <td>
455 4.1.13
455 </td>
456 <td>
456 The social worker should arrange for photographs to be taken of the child and, if they agree,
the parents and other significant people and places, for inclusion in the child's Life Story
Book.
456 </td>
457 </tr>
458 </table>
459 <h3 class="h3_subheading_no_underline">
459 4.2
459 <a name="fairness" id="fairness">
459 </a>
459 Procedural Fairness
459 </h3>
460 <p>
460 The local authority must ensure that the parents are informed and advised of the key stages of the
plan for adoption so that the parents have every opportunity to challenge the plan. The adoption
agency/local authority must be clear as to when it needs leave of the court to place a child and
when a placement can be made without leave of the court.
460 </p>
461 <p>
461 In a
461 <a href="http://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/Admin/2017/1041.html" target="_blank"
rel="noopener">
461 judicial review, R (On the Application Of EL) v Essex County Council [2017] EWHC 1041 (Admin)
461 </a>
461 , the High Court found that the local authority adoption agency had engaged in a
‘race’ to place the child for adoption before the birth mother could seek to issue a
legal challenge:
461 </p>
462 <p>
462 ‘…, by not informing the [birth mother] of the existence and timing of the placement plan
and then……by advancing the time for placement, the local authority deliberately for welfare
reasons sought to prevent the[birth mother] from making an application to revoke the placement
order by placing the child before the (birth mother) had issued her application for leave’.
(para 68)
462 </p>
463 <p>
463 The Court declared that the child had not been lawfully placed for adoption and quashed that
decision to place.
463 </p>
464 <p>
464 The Court reiterated the general considerations highlighted in R v SSHD ep Doody
464 <a href="http://www.bailii.org/uk/cases/UKHL/1993/8.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
464 [1994] 1 AC 531
464 </a>
464 in relation to procedural fairness:
464 </p>
465 <ol type="i">
466 <li>
466 There is the opportunity for the person affected to make representation before the decision is
acted upon;
466 </li>
467 <li>
467 The affected person is provided with information so that they can act in a timely way;
467 </li>
468 <li>
468 This information should relate ‘to the relevant legal or administrative process or to
facts relating to when a decision is to be made and put into effect’.
468 </li>
469 </ol>
470 <p>
470 Therefore, as a matter of good practice, and especially where parents have indicated their
opposition to an adoption order, the social worker should inform them in a timely way, and in
writing, of their intention to proceed with the plan of placement for adoption. (
470 <span class="bold">
470 Note
470 </span>
470 : where the child is already in placement and is being adopted by, for example a foster carer, the
same notice should be sent in respect of changing the status from that of being a ‘Looked
After Placement’, to that of being ‘Placed for Adoption’).
470 </p>
471 <p>
471 Legal advice
471 <span class="bold">
471 must
471 </span>
471 be sought as appropriate.
471 </p>
472 <h2 class="h2_mainheading">
472 <br />
472 5.
472 <a name="childs_adop_med" id="childs_adop_med">
472 </a>
472 Child's Adoption Medical
472 </h2>
473 <table width="95%" border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" title="section 5 - Child's Adoption
Medical">
474 <tr>
475 <td width="3%">
475 <a name="para_5.1" id="para_5.1">
475 </a>
475 5.1
475 </td>
476 <td>
476 As soon as the adoption plan becomes part of the child's Care Plan, the child's social worker
should write to the Medical Adviser regarding an adoption medical for the child. The Medical
Adviser should be asked for advice on whether a full developmental medical is required and if
so, who should conduct the medical and whether any tests or opinions are required. (In some
cases, the Medical Adviser may consider that there is already sufficient up-to-date health
information on the child and a further medical examination is not required).
476 </td>
477 </tr>
478 <tr>
479 <td width="3%">
479 5.2
479 </td>
480 <td>
480 The child's social worker should send the Forms B and M (requesting an obstetric report on the
mother and neo-natal report on the child) to the hospital social work team (if one exists at
the hospital where the child was born) or the Hospital Administrator with a request that the
Form be completed and returned to the social worker. Where the child was born at home, the
Form should be sent to the mother's GP.
480 </td>
481 </tr>
482 <tr>
483 <td width="3%">
483 5.3
483 </td>
484 <td>
484 <p>
484 The child's social worker should write to the Medical Adviser requesting a medical for the
child and at the same time inform the Medical Adviser when Forms B and M were requested.
484 </p>
484 The procedure needs to be started without delay so that the adoption medical can be arranged;
the adoption medical must take place before the child's plan for adoption is considered by the
Adoption Panel/Agency Decision Maker, (unless the Medical Adviser has advised it unnecessary -
see
484 <a href="#para_5.1">
484 paragraph 5.1
484 </a>
484 ). The Medical Adviser must be in a position to advise the Panel/Agency Decision Maker of the
child's health needs.
484 </td>
485 </tr>
486 <tr>
487 <td width="3%">
487 5.4
487 </td>
488 <td>
488 The child's social worker must seek the cooperation of both birth parents to provide written
consent to the disclosure of medical information if this has not already been provided,
including obtaining their consent to the Medical Adviser approaching their GP if necessary, as
well as obtaining their written consent to the obstetric report on the mother and neo-natal
report on the child.
488 </td>
489 </tr>
490 <tr>
491 <td>
491 5.5
491 </td>
492 <td>
492 The importance of the disclosure of medical information must be explained to the parents but
where the parents refuse to sign consent forms, the social worker must complete as much as
possible on the relevant forms, record the attempts made to engage the parents and the reasons
for refusal in the child's file and Adoption Case Record, and inform the Medical Adviser of
the position.
492 </td>
493 </tr>
494 <tr>
495 <td>
495 5.6
495 </td>
496 <td>
496 The child's social worker should send the relevant age-appropriate BAAF Form for completion
after the medical.
496 </td>
497 </tr>
498 <tr>
499 <td>
499 5.7
499 </td>
500 <td>
500 The foster carer should attend the medical with the child and, if appropriate, the child's
social worker should also attend.
500 </td>
501 </tr>
502 <tr>
503 <td>
503 5.8
503 </td>
504 <td>
504 The information on the child's medical report must be kept up to date if a placement is not
immediately forthcoming. This must be done twice yearly for a child aged below 2 and annually
for a child of 2 and above. The Medical Adviser may, however, make specific recommendations in
relation to particular children.
504 </td>
505 </tr>
506 </table>
507 <h2 class="h2_mainheading">
507 <br />
507 6.
507 <a name="post_place" id="post_place">
507 </a>
507 Post-placement Contact
507 </h2>
508 <table width="95%" border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" title="section 6 - Post-Placement
Contact">
509 <tr>
510 <td width="3%">
510 6.1
510 </td>
511 <td>
511 The child's social worker must undertake a written assessment as to the best interests of the
child to support any contact proposals as part of an adoption plan, or reasons why no contact
is recommended. This assessment will take account of the views of the child, the parents, the
foster carers and any other significant family members, as well as evidence of attachment and
the quality of relationships, based on observations of contact and the child's behaviour
before, during and after contact.
511 </td>
512 </tr>
513 <tr>
514 <td width="3%">
514 6.2
514 </td>
515 <td>
515 Where there is a sibling group, each child must be assessed separately and together as a
group.
515 </td>
516 </tr>
517 <tr>
518 <td>
518 6.3
518 </td>
519 <td>
519 The assessment should determine whether post-placement and post-adoption contact between the
child and the parents and/or siblings would be in the child's best interests, and if so, what
form it should take. The nature and frequency of contact will be influenced by the need to
maintain attachments and/or long-term identity issues.
519 </td>
520 </tr>
521 <tr>
522 <td>
522 6.4
522 </td>
523 <td>
523 <p>
523 Post-placement and post-adoption contact may take the following forms:
523 </p>
524 <ol type="a">
525 <li>
525 Adoptive parents providing non-identifying information about the child to the birth family
through letter-box contact organised and maintained by the adoption service (one way
indirect contact);
525 </li>
526 <li>
526 Adoptive parents and the birth family sharing non-identifying information about themselves
through letter-box contact organised and maintained by the adoption service (two way
indirect contact);
526 </li>
527 <li>
527 Direct letter box and/or telephone contact between the adoptive parents and the birth
family;
527 </li>
528 <li>
528 Direct face-to-face contact between the child and the birth family, which may be organised
and maintained by the adoption service, where such continuing support is appropriate.
528 </li>
529 </ol>
529 </td>
530 </tr>
531 <tr>
532 <td>
532 6.5
532 </td>
533 <td>
533 Any proposed post-placement and post-adoption contact should be in line with any Court Orders.
533 </td>
534 </tr>
535 <tr>
536 <td>
536 6.6
536 </td>
537 <td>
537 Where post-placement and post-adoption contact is considered to be in the child's interests,
it should be part of the information shared with prospective adoptive parents during the
matching process - see
537 <a href="#identific_adop">
537 Section 7, Identification of Adoptive Parents (including Inter Agency Placements)
537 </a>
537 and also part of the planning of the placement - see
537 <a href="#plan_place">
537 Section 9, Planning the Placement
537 </a>
537 .
537 </td>
538 </tr>
539 </table>
540 <p>
540 When making an Adoption Order,
540 <span class="bold">
540 or at any time afterwards
540 </span>
540 , the court may (upon application or on its own initiative) make an order for contact with, or an
order prohibiting contact with, the person(s) named in the order. Such orders have effect until
the child’s 18th birthday, unless revoked sooner.
540 </p>
541 <p>
541 An order for contact requires the adopter to allow the child to visit, stay with or otherwise have
contact with, the person named in the order.
541 </p>
542 <p>
542 The following people may be named in an order:
542 </p>
543 <ul>
544 <li>
544 The child;
544 </li>
545 <li>
545 The Agency;
545 </li>
546 <li>
546 Any person who (but for the child’s adoption) would be related to the child by blood (including
half-blood), marriage or civil partnership;
546 </li>
547 <li>
547 Any former guardian of the child;
547 </li>
548 <li>
548 Any person who had Parental Responsibility for the child immediately before the making of the
Adoption Order;
548 </li>
549 <li>
549 Any person with whom the child has lived for a period of at least one year (this period need not
be continuous, but must be within the last 5 years);
549 </li>
550 <li>
550 Any person who had a previous order for contact under Children Act 1989, which order ceased to
have effect upon the agency being authorised to place the child for adoption;
550 </li>
551 <li>
551 Any person who had a
551 <a href="http://trixresources.proceduresonline.com/nat_key/keywords/chi_arrange_orders.html"
target="_blank" rel="noopener">
551 Child Arrangements Order
551 </a>
551 (previously Residence Order) immediately before the agency was authorised to place the child for
adoption;
551 </li>
552 <li>
552 Any person who had care of the child under the inherent jurisdiction of the High
Court immediately before the agency was authorised to place the child for adoption.
552 </li>
553 </ul>
554 <p>
554 The adopters or the child may apply without the leave of the court, whilst any other person,
including the child’s birth parents and other birth relatives, e.g. grandparents or siblings,
would need the court’s leave to apply.
554 </p>
555 <p>
555 In deciding whether to grant leave to apply, the court must consider:
555 </p>
556 <ul>
557 <li>
557 Any risk there might be of the proposed application disrupting the child’s life to such an
extent that s/he would be harmed by it (within the meaning of the 1989 Act);
557 </li>
558 <li>
558 The applicant’s connection with the child; and
558 </li>
559 <li>
559 Any representations made to the court by the child and/or the adopter/prospective adopter.
559 </li>
560 </ul>
561 <p>
561 Orders may contain directions about how they are to take effect, or may be made subject to such
conditions as the court thinks appropriate.
561 </p>
562 <p>
562 The court will issue a timetable and directions with the aim of resolving the application without
delay.
562 </p>
563 <p>
563 Applications prohibiting contact are unlikely to be necessary in the majority of cases and are
only likely to be appropriate to stop unwanted, unsolicited and potentially harmful contact with
the child, or to prevent such contact happening.
563 </p>
564 <p>
564 The circumstances in which a birth parent, relative or other person are most likely to seek the
court’s leave to apply for an order for contact after adoption are where an agreement for some
form of continuing contact had been made, but was not adhered to.
564 </p>
565 Application can be made to the court to vary or revoke such orders, by the child, adopter or person
named in the order.
566 <h2 class="h2_mainheading">
566 <br />
567 7.
567 <a name="identific_adop" id="identific_adop">
567 </a>
567 Identification of Adoptive Parents (including Inter Agency Placements)
567 </h2>
568 <p>
568 See also
568 <a href="p_foster_for_adopt.html">
568 Fostering for Adoption, Concurrent Planning and Temporary Approval as Foster Carers of Approved
Prospective Adopters Procedure
568 </a>
568 .
568 </p>
569 <p>
569 The adoption agency has a duty to identify prospective adopters as soon as reasonably practicable.
Family finding should begin as soon as adoption is under consideration, and before the Agency
Decision Maker decides that the child should be placed for adoption or a Placement Order is made.
569 </p>
570 <p>
570 In determining whether a prospective adopter may be suitable to adopt the child, an assessment
must be made of the ability of the prospective adopter to meet the needs of the child throughout
childhood.
570 </p>
571 <p>
571 Consideration must be given as to whether there are suitable carers available under the
571 <a href="p_foster_for_adopt.html">
571 Fostering for Adoption, Concurrent Planning and Temporary Approval as Foster Carers of Approved
Prospective Adopters Procedure
571 </a>
571 .
571 </p>
572 <p>
572 The overall time-scale for matching a child with a prospective adoptive family is:
572 </p>
573 <ul>
574 <li>
574 The match is to be identified, recommended by the Adoption Panel and approved within 6 months of
the agency's formal approval that the child is suitable to be placed for adoption, except in the
following cases;
574 </li>
575 <li>
575 Where a parent requests adoption for a child of less than six months of age, the match is to be
identified, recommended by the Adoption Panel and approved within 3 months of the agency's
formal approval that the child is suitable to be placed for adoption.
575 <br />
576 <br />
577 </li>
578 </ul>
579 <table width="95%" border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" title="section 7 - Identification of
Adoptive Parents">
580 <tr>
581 <td width="3%">
581 7.1
581 </td>
582 <td>
582 Following the identification of the family finder (see
582 <a href="#para_2.1">
582 paragraph 2.1
582 </a>
582 ), the timing of the start of the family finding will depend on the legal position and be
agreed between the child's social worker and the family finder.
582 </td>
583 </tr>
584 <tr>
585 <td width="3%">
585 7.2
585 </td>
586 <td>
586 <p>
586 The child's social worker and the family finder will address the following issues:
586 </p>
587 <ol type="a">
588 <li>
588 The preparation of the child's profile and to identify any other information about the
child, which is needed in order to identify a suitable family;
588 </li>
589 <li>
589 To consider who should undertake the preparation of the child, and to determine how the
child may be involved in and express views about the process of finding a family;
589 </li>
590 <li>
590 To discuss parental involvement in the placement process (and parental consent to
advertising, if applicable);
590 </li>
591 <li>
591 To agree that the social worker will keep Legal Services informed of developments and seek
the Court's leave to advertising where Court proceedings are ongoing;
591 </li>
592 <li>
592 To consider whether or not the child's current carer would be appropriate as a prospective
permanent placement - if so, see
592 <a href="#seven_eleven">
592 paragraph 7.12
592 </a>
592 ;
592 </li>
593 <li>
593 To plan the family finding work, giving consideration to the availability of in-house
approved families, the opportunity of an inter-agency placement, and advertising for
families in the national, local and ethnic media. To agree time-scales for the family
finding work including the holding of progress meetings.
593 <br />
594 <br />
595 The child's social worker, current foster carer and the family finder will complete the
child's profile, identifying the child's needs in relation to a new family, including
ethnicity, culture, religion, language, contact with birth family and existing networks,
education, health, other special needs and location, and the qualities required in the
adoptive family, based on the child's identified placement needs. The profile should
identify which needs are essential and which preferred. (Note: If the prospective adopter
can meet most of the child’s needs, the social worker must not delay placing a child with
the prospective adopter because they are single, older than other adopters or does not
share the child’s racial or cultural background).
595 <br />
596 <br />
597 Where the profile indicates the child should not be placed locally, there should also be a
written risk assessment to support this conclusion.
597 </li>
598 </ol>
598 </td>
599 </tr>
600 <tr>
601 <td width="3%">
601 7.3
601 </td>
602 <td>
602 <p>
602 The family finder will consider whether there are any potentially suitable in-house approved
families (including families going through the assessment process) by sharing the child's
profile with the Adoption Service and reading copies of any available
602 <a
href="http://trixresources.proceduresonline.com/nat_key/keywords/prospective_adopters_report
.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
602 Prospective Adopter's Reports
602 </a>
602 .
602 </p>
602 Where foster carers express an interest in adopting a child placed with them, see
602 <a href="#seven_eleven">
602 paragraph 7.12
602 </a>
602 .
602 </td>
603 </tr>
604 <tr>
605 <td>
605 7.4
605 </td>
606 <td>
606 <a name="seven_four" id="seven_four">
606 </a>
606 Where there are potentially suitable in-house approved families indicating an interest, the
family's adoption link worker will visit to clarify whether they wish to be considered. In
complex cases, the child's social worker will accompany the link worker to enable specific
issues to be discussed.
606 </td>
607 </tr>
608 <tr>
609 <td>
609 7.5
609 </td>
610 <td>
610 Where suitable in-house approved adoptive families are available, the family finder will
arrange a Matching Meeting involving the child's social worker, the social worker's manager
and the adoption link workers for the potential families. The Adoption Service Manager or
his/her nominee will chair the meeting.
610 </td>
611 </tr>
612 <tr>
613 <td>
613 7.6
613 </td>
614 <td>
614 <p>
614 The purpose of the meeting is to consider the available in-house approved potential
families, and decide which appears the best able to meet the child's needs. The meeting
should also consider:
614 </p>
615 <ul>
616 <li>
616 The preparation of the child, the present carers and the prospective adopters for the
proposed placement, including the sharing of information with the prospective adopters;
616 </li>
617 <li>
617 The preparation of the birth family and the information to be given;
617 </li>
618 <li>
618 The allocation of preparatory tasks for the introductory work;
618 </li>
619 <li>
619 The proposed
619 <a
href="http://trixresources.proceduresonline.com/nat_key/keywords/adoption_support_plan.htm
l" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
619 Adoption Support Plan
619 </a>
619 and any proposed contact arrangements;
619 </li>
620 <li>
620 The designated roles and responsibilities for completing the Adoption Placement Report and
the proposed Adoption Support Plan.
620 </li>
621 </ul>
621 </td>
622 </tr>
623 <tr>
624 <td>
624 7.7
624 </td>
625 <td>
625 The relevant adoption link workers for the family/families concerned will inform the selected
family and the unsuccessful families of the decision, together with reasons, on the same day
as the meeting. They will also offer follow up discussions as required.
625 </td>
626 </tr>
627 <tr>
628 <td>
628 7.8
628 </td>
629 <td>
629 <p>
629 Ethnicity must not be placed above everything else when identifying potential adopters for
children.
629 </p>
630 <p>
630 It is unacceptable for a child to be denied adoptive parents solely on the grounds that the
child and prospective adopter do not share the same racial or cultural background.
630 </p>
631 <p>
631 If a prospective adopter can meet most of the child's needs, but, for example they do not
share the child's racial or cultural background, the core issue is what qualities,
experiences and attributes the prospective adopter can draw on and their level of
understanding of the discrimination and racism the child may be confronted with when growing
up, at both an individual and institutional level. A prospective adopter can be matched with
a child with whom they do not share the same ethnicity, if they can respect, reflect or
actively develop a child’s racial identity from the point they are matched and as they
develop throughout their childhood. The prospective adopter needs to demonstrate that they
fully understand that having a child from a different ethnic group will present a number of
challenges, not least that there may be visible differences that can affect a child’s
self-esteem and increase their possible feelings of difference. For example, the child may
have to deal with questions from their peers about why they are ‘different’ to their family.
631 </p>
632 <p>
632 With effect from July 2014, by virtue of the Children and Families Act 2014, adoption
agencies no longer have to give due consideration to a child’s religious persuasion, racial
origin and cultural and linguistic background when matching a child and prospective
adopters.
632 </p>
633 <p>
633 When a child has developed a sense of his or her culture or religion, and where he or she
has already begun to speak a language other than English, it is important to find
prospective adopters who, while not necessarily sharing any of these, are willing and able
to help the child develop these important elements of their future identity.
633 </p>
634 Where a child is very young, particularly when still in infancy, it is important not to make
assumptions about religion, culture or language and these should not be imposed on a very
young child. A sense of one’s culture is developed over time and it should not be assumed that
an infant possesses a cultural, linguistic or religious background. These issues can be
explored with the child as he or she grows up and a sensitive prospective adopter will
encourage the child, if he or she wishes to do so, to probe these aspects of their birth
parents’ background. All prospective adopters should help children placed with them to
understand and appreciate their background and, particularly in the case of older children,
their religion, linguistic or cultural background, for example, celebrating cultural or
religious festivals. Prospective adopters should be able to access support, education and
training to strengthen their skills together with their knowledge and understanding of the
child’s birth heritage, to help the child develop a healthy racial and adoptive identity.
634 </td>
635 </tr>
636 <tr>
637 <td>
637 7.9
637 </td>
638 <td>
638 The family finder will provide the selected prospective adopters with full information on the
child, including the Child's Permanence Report, the child's profile, a full description of the
birth family including any siblings and the reasons for any decision to place the child
separately, the child's medical history (including the birth details), the carer's report on
the child, the current school reports and the child's
638 <a
href="http://trixresources.proceduresonline.com/nat_key/keywords/pers_education_plan.html"
target="_blank" rel="noopener">
638 PEP
638 </a>
638 . The items provided should be clearly recorded and the prospective adopters should be asked
to sign confirmation of receipt of this information.
638 </td>
639 </tr>
640 <tr>
641 <td>
641 7.10
641 </td>
642 <td>
642 The family finder should also arrange to meet the prospective adopters, with the child's
social worker (and carer if appropriate), to give any further information to them and ensure
they have a clear picture of the child and understand fully the implications of the
information they have received. In appropriate cases, the prospective adopters should have the
opportunity to meet other specialists involved with the child, for example the Medical
Adviser.
642 </td>
643 </tr>
644 <tr>
645 <td>
645 7.11
645 </td>
646 <td>
646 If there are no suitable in-house prospective or approved adoptive carers who can meet the
child's identified essential needs, the adoption worker must explore inter-agency options.
646 </td>
647 </tr>
648 <tr>
649 <td>
649 7.12
649 </td>
650 <td>
650 <p>
650 <a name="seven_eleven" id="seven_eleven">
650 </a>
650 Where foster carers express an interest in adopting a child they are looking after, and
there is an adoption plan for the child, the family finder will talk to them about the
implications of adoption and will convene a Matching Meeting involving the child's social
worker, his or her line manager and the foster carers' supervising social worker (with his
or her line manager where appropriate). The chair of the meeting will be the Adoption
Service Manager or his/her nominee. If the outcome of the meeting is that the foster carers
appear to be able to meet the child's essential needs, the case will be allocated for an
assessment of the foster carers as adopters to proceed (see
650 <a href="p_assess_approval.html">
650 Assessment and Approvals of Prospective Adopters Procedure
650 </a>
650 ).
650 </p>
651 <p>
651 If they are approved as adopters, the requirements set out in
651 <a href="#approval_matching">
651 Section 8, Approval of Matching of Adoptive Parents
651 </a>
651 as to the approval of the matching and in
651 <a href="#the_placement">
651 Section 10, The Placement
651 </a>
651 as to the provision of information and notification of the placement must be followed.
651 </p>
652 <p>
652 If the outcome of the meeting is that the foster carers are not able to meet the child's
essential needs, the recruitment of adopters as set out in the preceding and following
paragraphs of this chapter will apply. The foster carers' supervising worker will provide
support and counselling to the foster carers as appropriate.
652 </p>
653 <p>
653 If the foster carers decide to proceed with an application to adopt the child without the
agreement of the agency, the procedure set out in Non-Agency Adoptions will apply.
653 </p>
653 </td>
654 </tr>
655 <tr>
656 <td>
656 <h3 class="h3_subheading_no_underline">
656 7.13
656 </h3>
656 </td>
657 <td>
657 <h3 class="h3_subheading_no_underline">
657 <a name="iap" id="iap">
657 </a>
657 Inter Agency Placements
657 </h3>
658 <p>
658 The Adoption Service Manager will ensure that consideration is given to all options for
placement which will include referrals to the Regional Consortium and other inter agency
placements (for example through publicity in the specialist or wider press) according to the
identified needs of the child. It should be borne in mind that the most suitable family may
be one that has been approved by another agency.
658 </p>
659 Where it is considered that a placement of the child with overseas adopters would be
appropriate, see
659 <a href="#adopt_place_abroad">
659 Section 12, Adoptive Placements Abroad
659 </a>
659 .
659 </td>
660 </tr>
661 <tr>
662 <td>
662 7.14
662 </td>
663 <td>
663 <p>
663 Where recruitment of adopters from another agency has been authorised, the family finder
will undertake the following:
663 </p>
664 <ul>
665 <li>
665 Check that either the parents (for an
665 <a href="http://trixresources.proceduresonline.com/nat_key/keywords/accommodated.html"
target="_blank" rel="noopener">
665 Accommodated
665 </a>
665 child) and/or the child's social worker's manager have signed the Consent to Publicity
Form and/or the Court's leave has been granted where Court proceedings are ongoing;
665 </li>
666 <li>
666 Arrange for professional photographs to be taken of the child for publicity purposes;
666 </li>
667 <li>
667 Agree with the child's social worker which publications are to be used for publicity
purposes, and draw up suitable profiles.
667 </li>
668 </ul>
668 </td>
669 </tr>
670 <tr>
671 <td>
671 7.15
671 </td>
672 <td>
672 Other members of the Adoption Service as well as the child's social worker should be made
aware of the dates of the publicity and a response to callers should be agreed.
672 </td>
673 </tr>
674 <tr>
675 <td>
675 7.16
675 </td>
676 <td>
676 <p>
676 Responses from families not yet approved should be dealt with as follows:
676 </p>
677 <ol type="a">
678 <li>
678 Take details of the family;
678 </li>
679 <li>
679 Give limited, anonymised information about the child, in order to help the caller decide
whether this is a situation they wish to pursue;
679 </li>
680 <li>
680 Give general information about the adoption and family finding process, bearing in mind
that the caller has not gone through the assessment and preparation process;
680 </li>
681 <li>
681 Arrange a more appropriate time to hold or continue the discussion, as appropriate;
681 </li>
682 <li>
682 If, on the basis of the discussions held, it is not considered appropriate, having regard
to the needs of the child, to pursue the response, the caller should be advised of the
decision, with reasons, and provided with contact details of other agencies which may be
of help to them.
682 </li>
683 </ol>
683 </td>
684 </tr>
685 <tr>
686 <td>
686 7.17
686 </td>
687 <td>
687 <p>
687 Responses from already approved families should be dealt with as follows:
687 </p>
688 <ol type="a">
689 <li>
689 Take details of the family;
689 </li>
690 <li>
690 Give limited, anonymised information about the child, in order to help the caller decide
whether this is a situation they wish to pursue;
690 </li>
691 <li>
691 Give general information about how the family finding is being conducted, bearing in mind
that the family's own agency may approach this in a different way;
691 </li>
692 <li>
692 If, on the basis of the discussions held, it is not considered appropriate, having regard
to the needs of the child, to pursue the response, the caller should be advised of the
decision, with reasons;
692 </li>
693 <li>
693 If the family is considered suitable, their details and the names of their agency and link
worker should be taken. The family should be asked to inform their link worker of their
approach to the borough and that the family finder will contact the link worker;
693 </li>
694 <li>
694 The family finder should then contact the family's link worker and share information about
the child and the family. Where it is considered that the match is not appropriate, the
family's link worker should be asked to discuss this with the family and the family finder
need take no further action;
694 </li>
695 <li>
695 If it is considered that the link should be pursued, the adoptive family's link worker and
the family finder should agree to exchange the
695 <a
href="http://trixresources.proceduresonline.com/nat_key/keywords/prospective_adopters_repo
rt.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
695 Prospective Adopter's Report
695 </a>
695 and the Child's Permanence Report, with a follow up discussion after they have been read.
695 <br />
696 <br />
697 The family finder should also forward to the adoptive family's link worker information
about the agency's adoption support;
697 </li>
698 <li>
698 The adoptive family's link worker may wish to visit the family to go through the
Child's Permanence Report, and should be asked to indicate as soon as possible whether or
not the family wish to proceed.
698 </li>
699 </ol>
699 </td>
700 </tr>
701 <tr>
702 <td>
702 7.18
702 </td>
703 <td>
703 <p>
703 The procedure outlined in
703 <a href="#seven_four">
703 paragraphs 7.4 to 7.8 above
703 </a>
703 will then be followed and the child's social worker and family finder will visit potential
families prior to a Matching Meeting being held.
703 </p>
704 <p>
704 Once a suitable match has been identified, (whether with in-house approved adopters, inter
agency or a foster carer approved as an adopter), the child's social worker, prospective
adopters' link worker and the family finder should prepare an Adoption Placement Report and
a proposed
704 <a
href="http://trixresources.proceduresonline.com/nat_key/keywords/adoption_support_plan.html
" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
704 Adoption Support Plan
704 </a>
704 giving details of the family recommended, evaluating how this family may meet the child's
needs and setting out the proposed adoption support services to be offered to the child,
adoptive family and birth family. This will include including the support to be provided to
the prospective adopters to promote the child's educational achievements and participation
in leisure activities; to help the child develop positive relationships; and to manage any
challenging behaviour which the child may display, The support plan will also include
arrangements for contact including how to deal with unauthorised or unmediated contact
through online social networking sites. For further information, please see
704 <a href="p_adop_support.html">
704 Adoption Support Procedure
704 </a>
704 .
704 </p>
705 <p>
705 The Adoption Placement Report must be written by a qualified social worker with suitable
experience and must include the prospective adopter's views on the proposed placement,
contact arrangements (including meeting with the birth parents), adoption support and any
proposed restrictions on their exercise of Parental Responsibility after the placement.
705 </p>
705 </td>
706 </tr>
707 <tr>
708 <td>
708 7.19
708 </td>
709 <td>
709 The child's social worker, family finder, the prospective adopters' link worker and their
respective managers should sign both documents.
709 </td>
710 </tr>
711 <tr>
712 <td>
712 7.20
712 </td>
713 <td>
713 The family finder should also contact the Panel Administrator to arrange a date for the
Adoption Panel to consider the proposed placement.
713 </td>
714 </tr>
715 <tr>
716 <td>
716 7.21
716 </td>
717 <td>
717 The child's social worker will keep the parents and child informed of progress (unless the
parent has stated that he or she do not wish to be kept informed).
717 </td>
718 </tr>
719 <tr>
720 <td>
720 7.22
720 </td>
721 <td>
721 The family finder should provide a copy of the Adoption Placement Report to the prospective
adopters and give 10 working days to them to submit any written comments on its contents, or
ask them to sign a disclaimer if they do not require the full 10 working days. A copy of the
signed disclaimer should be held on the child's Adoption Case Record.
722 </td>
722 </tr>
723 </table>
724 <h2 class="h2_mainheading">
724 <br />
725 8.
725 <a name="approval_matching" id="approval_matching">
725 </a>
725 Approval of Matching of Adoptive Parents
725 </h2>
726 <p>
726 The overall time-scale for matching a child with a prospective adoptive family is:
726 </p>
727 <ul>
728 <li>
728 The match is to be recommended by the Adoption Panel within 6 months of the agency's formal
approval that the child should be placed for adoption, except in the following cases;
728 </li>
729 <li>
729 Where a parent requests adoption for a child of less than six months of age, the match is to be
recommended by the Adoption Panel within 3 months of the agency's formal approval that the child
should be placed for adoption.
729 </li>
730 </ul>
731 <p>
731 Where these timescales are not met, the Adoption Panel should record the reasons.
731 </p>
732 <table width="95%" border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" title="section 8 - Approval Of Matching
of Adoptive Parents">
733 <tr>
734 <td width="3%">
734 <h3 class="h3_subheading_no_underline">
734 8.1
734 </h3>
734 </td>
735 <td>
735 <h3 class="h3_subheading_no_underline">
735 Presentation to the Adoption Panel
735 </h3>
736 <p>
736 The family finder must present the following reports to the Adoption Panel:
736 </p>
737 <ol type="a">
738 <li>
738 A front sheet stating what is being reported, the reports included, recommendations sought
and who will be attending Adoption Panel;
738 </li>
739 <li>
739 The Child's Permanence Report (with an update medical report no more than 6 months old);
739 </li>
740 <li>
740 The Prospective Adopter's Report, updated as necessary, on the identified prospective
adopters and a recent medical (in the last 2 years);
740 </li>
741 <li>
741 The Adoption Placement Report;
741 </li>
742 <li>
742 The proposed Adoption Support Plan;
742 </li>
743 <li>
743 The proposals regarding post-placement and post-adoption contact;
743 </li>
744 <li>
744 The views of the prospective adopters on the Prospective Adopter's Report and the proposed
contact arrangements.
744 </li>
745 </ol>
745 </td>
746 </tr>
747 <tr>
748 <td width="3%">
748 8.2
748 </td>
749 <td>
749 The family finder will send the relevant reports to the Panel Administrator at least 10
working days before the date of the Adoption Panel.
749 </td>
750 </tr>
751 <tr>
752 <td width="3%">
752 8.3
752 </td>
753 <td>
753 The Panel Administrator will arrange for the Panel minutes in relation to the recommendations
that the child should be placed for adoption and, where in-house approved, that the
prospective adopters are suitable to be adopters, to be circulated to Panel members, with the
reports. Where there is a proposed inter-agency placement, the family finder will obtain the
relevant Panel minutes for circulation.
753 </td>
754 </tr>
755 <tr>
756 <td>
756 8.4
756 </td>
757 <td>
757 The child's social worker, the family finder and the prospective adopters' link worker will
attend the Adoption Panel during consideration of the matter. Where a Children's Guardian has
been appointed, consideration should be given to inviting the Children's Guardian to the Panel
during consideration of this item.
757 </td>
758 </tr>
759 <tr>
760 <td>
760 8.5
760 </td>
761 <td>
761 The Adoption Panel's recommendation as to whether the child should be placed for adoption with
the particular prospective adopters will be recorded in writing, together with reasons, in the
Panel's minutes. The Panel must also consider and may give advice in relation to the proposed
adoption support, the proposed arrangements for contact and any proposed restrictions on the
exercise of Parental Responsibility by the prospective adopters and/or the birth parents. A
copy of the relevant minute must be placed on the child's and the prospective adopters'
Adoption Case Records.
761 </td>
762 </tr>
763 <tr>
764 <td>
764 8.6
764 </td>
765 <td>
765 The prospective adopters' link worker will convey the Panel's recommendation orally to the
prospective adopters within 24 hours.
765 </td>
766 </tr>
767 <tr>
768 <td>
768 8.7
768 </td>
769 <td>
769 <p>
769 After the Panel has considered the reports and made a written recommendation, the minute and
reports considered by the Panel will be sent to the Agency Decision Maker who will make a
decision based on this information within 7 working days of the Panel meeting. In urgent
cases, for example where the Court timetable requires it, this timescale should be reduced
to 5 working days. The decision will be recorded in writing.
769 </p>
770 <p>
770 If the Panel has given advice in relation to adoption support, proposed contact and/or the
exercise of Parental Responsibility by the prospective adopters and/or the birth parents,
the Agency Decision Maker may express a view on such advice.
770 </p>
771 <p>
771 Where the Agency Decision Maker is minded to disagree with the Panel recommendation, he/she
must first discuss the case with another senior officer with relevant experience, who must
not be a Panel member. This discussion must be recorded and placed on the child's and the
prospective adopter's Adoption Case Record.
771 </p>
771 </td>
772 </tr>
773 <tr>
774 <td>
774 8.8
774 </td>
775 <td>
775 The child's social worker will convey the decision orally to the parents within 2 working
days.
775 </td>
776 </tr>
777 <tr>
778 <td>
778 8.9
778 </td>
779 <td>
779 The prospective adopters' link worker will convey the decision orally to the prospective
adopters within 2 working days.
779 </td>
780 </tr>
781 <tr>
782 <td>
782 8.10
782 </td>
783 <td>
783 The Panel Administrator will prepare written notification of the decision to be signed by the
Agency Decision Maker and once signed, sent to the child's social worker for sending by
recorded or hand delivery to the parents within 5 working days.
783 </td>
784 </tr>
785 <tr>
786 <td>
786 8.11
786 </td>
787 <td>
787 The Panel Administrator will send the written notification, signed by the Agency Decision
Maker, to the prospective adopters' link worker for sending to the adopters within 5 working
days. Copies of this letter will also be sent to the family finder and the child's social
worker.
787 </td>
788 </tr>
789 </table>
790 <h2 class="h2_mainheading">
790 <br />
790 9.
790 <a name="plan_place" id="plan_place">
790 </a>
790 Planning the Placement
790 </h2>
791 <table width="95%" border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" title="section 9 - Planning the
Placement">
792 <tr>
793 <td width="3%">
793 9.1
793 </td>
794 <td>
794 Once the matching has been approved and the legal position allows it, the family finder will
convene a Placement Planning Meeting to draw up an Adoption Placement Plan, confirming the
details of the introductions, placement and post-placement work. The Adoption Service Manager
or his/her nominee will chair the meeting.
794 </td>
795 </tr>
796 <tr>
797 <td width="3%">
797 9.2
797 </td>
798 <td>
798 For inter agency placements, a separate meeting will also be required, involving the Adoption
Service Manager or his/her nominee, to complete BAAF Form H1 which details the contract
between the agencies and the adoptive family in relation to the placement.
798 </td>
799 </tr>
800 <tr>
801 <td width="3%">
801 9.3
801 </td>
802 <td>
802 <p>
802 The purpose of the first Placement Planning Meeting is to draw up a proposed Adoption
Placement Plan. The Adoption Placement Plan should include:
802 </p>
803 <ul>
804 <li>
804 Whether the placement is to be made under a Placement Order or with parental consent;
804 </li>
805 <li>
805 The arrangements for preparing the child and the prospective adopter for the placement
(see below);
805 </li>
806 <li>
806 The proposed date of the placement, who will be present when the placement takes place;
806 </li>
807 <li>
807 The Adoption Support Plan including the support to be provided to the prospective adopters
to promote the child's educational achievements and participation in leisure activities;
to help the child develop positive relationships; and to manage any challenging behaviour
which the child may display;
807 </li>
808 <li>
808 Whether and to what extent, the exercise of Parental Responsibility by the prospective
adopters and/or the birth parents is to be restricted, including the delegation of
decision making to the prospective adopters about the child's health needs and under what
circumstances consent to medical treatment needs to be obtained;
808 </li>
809 <li>
809 The arrangements for the monitoring and supervision of the placement (including contact
details of key support staff during office hours and out of hours);
809 </li>
810 <li>
810 The dates on which the life story book and any Later Life letters will be passed to the
prospective adopters (usually within 10 working days of the adoption ceremony, i.e. the
ceremony to celebrate the making of the adoption order);
810 </li>
811 <li>
811 The date and arrangements for the first Adoption Review;
811 </li>
812 <li>
812 Any post-placement contact between the child and members of his or her birth family and/or
the child and the foster carers; and
812 </li>
813 <li>
813 Clarification of who will make the necessary notifications of the placement (see
813 <a href="#the_placement">
813 Section 10, The Placement
813 </a>
813 ).
813 </li>
814 </ul>
815 <p>
815 It will also set out the steps required leading up to the child's placement with the
prospective adopters, including the first meeting between the child and the prospective
adoptive family, the programme of and detailed arrangements for their introductions (dates,
times, venues, transport and accommodation), the reimbursement of any expenses of the
introductions, any other financial assistance to enable the placement to occur and, where
appropriate, a meeting between the parents and the prospective adopters.
815 </p>
816 As part of the preparation of the child for the adoptive placement, information will be
provided to ensure that s/he has a proper understanding about the accommodation and others
living at the prospective adoptive home, the contact arrangements with the birth family and
how to contact his or her social worker.
816 </td>
817 </tr>
818 <tr>
819 <td>
819 9.4
819 </td>
820 <td>
820 The Adoption Placement Plan will also address when the prospective adopters will be supplied
with all relevant written information about the child and who will provide it (for a full list
of information to be supplied - see
820 <a href="#the_placement">
820 Section 10, The Placement
820 </a>
820 ).
820 </td>
821 </tr>
822 <tr>
823 <td>
823 9.5
823 </td>
824 <td>
824 The child's social worker must ascertain the child's views and report these to the meetings.
824 </td>
825 </tr>
826 <tr>
827 <td>
827 9.6
827 </td>
828 <td>
828 Those attending Placement Planning Meetings will be the child's social worker, his/her manager
as appropriate, the foster carers, the foster carers' supervising social worker, the family
finder, representatives of the health trust (where appropriate), the prospective adopters and
their link worker, and any other worker engaged in direct work with the child.
828 </td>
829 </tr>
830 <tr>
831 <td>
831 9.7
831 </td>
832 <td>
832 The child's first meeting with the prospective adopters should be on the child's familiar
territory (unless the child is older and requests otherwise) and a social worker should be
present. The pattern of introductory visits thereafter will depend on the child's age, needs
and stage of development but consideration will be given to a gradual introductory programme
involving visits increasing in length, progressing to an overnight stay, a weekend stay and in
exceptional circumstances with an older child, a longer period prior to the final move.
832 </td>
833 </tr>
834 <tr>
835 <td>
835 9.8
835 </td>
836 <td>
836 <p>
836 The family finder will be responsible for coordinating Placement Planning Meetings. However,
all workers involved must be clear about their respective roles and responsibilities in the
implementation of the plan, and what should happen in the event of difficulties. Changes to
the Adoption Placement Plan can only be made with the agreement of the family finder or the
Chair of the meeting and must be notified to the prospective adopters in writing.
836 </p>
837 The child's social worker is expected to be in regular and frequent contact with the child,
foster carer and prospective adopter during the period of the introductions and all involved
share information with each other on a regular basis, at the frequency identified at the
Placement Planning Meetings. The Adoption Placement Plan will then be reviewed at an agreed
date - see paragraph 9.10 below. The Plan will identify the named workers and when they will
have contact with the child.
837 </td>
838 </tr>
839 <tr>
840 <td>
840 9.9
840 </td>
841 <td>
841 The child's social worker will advise the parents of the plan whilst maintaining the
confidentiality of the placement (unless the parent has stated that he or she does not wish to
be kept informed).
841 </td>
842 </tr>
843 <tr>
844 <td>
844 9.10
844 </td>
845 <td>
845 <p>
845 At the mid-point of the introductions, a second Placement Planning Meeting will be held, at
which the following areas will be addressed:
845 </p>
846 <ol type="a">
847 <li>
847 The progress of the introductions - has the necessary action identified at the previous
meeting been taken, and the plan been followed? - If not, why not?
847 </li>
848 <li>
848 The views of each participant as to the above;
848 </li>
849 <li>
849 The identification of the positives;
849 </li>
850 <li>
850 The identification of any difficulties;
850 </li>
851 <li>
851 The development of the next stage of the plan;
851 </li>
852 <li>
852 The finalisation of the arrangements for the placement.
852 </li>
853 </ol>
853 </td>
854 </tr>
855 <tr>
856 <td>
856 9.11
856 </td>
857 <td>
857 A further meeting can be called by any of the parties if issues of concern arise.
857 </td>
858 </tr>
859 <tr>
860 <td>
860 9.12
860 </td>
861 <td>
861 All Placement Planning Meetings should have the same people invited and take place at a venue
accessible to all parties.
861 </td>
862 </tr>
863 <tr>
864 <td>
864 9.13
864 </td>
865 <td>
865 Where the child is to be adopted by his or her foster carers, whilst there will be no need for
a plan for introductions, the social worker should still convene a Placement Planning Meeting,
in order to draw up the Adoption Placement Plan to cover the areas other than introductions as
set out above and to specify the date when the placement is to be regarded as an adoptive
placement.
865 </td>
866 </tr>
867 <tr>
868 <td>
868 9.14
868 </td>
869 <td>
869 A copy of the final Adoption Placement Plan, signed by the child's social worker, should be
given to the prospective adopters, their link worker and the child's
869 <a
href="http://trixresources.proceduresonline.com/nat_key/keywords/indep_reviewing_officer.html
" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
869 Independent Reviewing Officer
869 </a>
869 . The prospective adopters must confirm in writing that they wish the placement to proceed and
that they agree to the Adoption Placement Plan. A copy must be retained on the child's
Adoption Case Record.
869 </td>
870 </tr>
871 <tr>
872 <td>
872 9.15
872 </td>
873 <td>
873 Where contact is part of the adoption plan, the proposals must be drawn up in written
agreements to be signed by the birth parents and the prospective adoptive parents. The
agreements must specify the form and timing of the contact and the arrangements for putting
the contact in place. The agreements must also specify that the arrangements may change
dependent upon the wishes of the child. The agreement should also include how the prospective
adopters should deal with unauthorised or unmediated contact through online social networking
sites. All parties must sign and retain copies of the agreement. The parent's copy should not
reveal any identifying information about the placement. See also
873 <a href="#post_place">
873 Section 6, Post-placement Contact
873 </a>
873 .
873 </td>
874 </tr>
875 <tr>
876 <td>
876 9.16
876 </td>
877 <td>
877 If the Adoption Placement Plan is varied or terminated, the child must be informed in a timely
and age appropriate way.
877 </td>
878 </tr>
879 <tr>
880 <td>
880 9.17
880 </td>
881 <td>
881 Where the Adoption Placement Plan is terminated, the parents must be informed (unless the
parent has stated that he or she does not wish to be kept informed).
881 </td>
882 </tr>
883 <tr>
884 <td>
884 9.18
884 </td>
885 <td>
885 If the Adoption Placement Plan is terminated, the Adoption Service Manager should consider the
best way to conduct a disruption meeting - see
885 <a href="p_disrup_adopt_plac.html">
885 Disruption of Adoptive Placements Procedure
885 </a>
885 .
885 </td>
886 </tr>
887 <tr>
888 <td>
888 9.19
888 </td>
889 <td>
889 In the event of the placement's termination, direct work will be undertaken with the child to
make sense of the reasons why the placement broke down and to prepare the child for any future
placement.
889 </td>
890 </tr>
891 <tr>
892 <td>
892 9.20
892 </td>
893 <td>
893 In this event, the child's social worker and family finder must re-start the process of
identifying a suitable prospective adoptive family or amend the plan for the child (depending
on the outcome of the Disruption Meeting).
893 </td>
894 </tr>
895 </table>
896 <h2 class="h2_mainheading">
896 <br />
896 10.
896 <a name="the_placement" id="the_placement">
896 </a>
896 The Placement
896 </h2>
897 <table width="95%" border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" title="section 10 - The Placement">
898 <tr>
899 <td width="3%">
899 10.1
899 </td>
900 <td>
900 Once the matching of the child has been approved, the adoption agency has authority to place
the child (either through a
900 <a href="http://trixresources.proceduresonline.com/nat_key/keywords/placement_order.html"
target="_blank" rel="noopener">
900 Placement Order
900 </a>
900 or Parental Consent), the plan of introductions has been successfully completed and the
Adoption Placement Plan has been completed and signed by all parties, the placement can go
ahead. A social worker must be present when the placement takes place.
900 </td>
901 </tr>
902 <tr>
903 <td width="3%">
903 10.2
903 </td>
904 <td>
904 <p>
904 Prior to the placement, the child's social worker must ensure that all the following
information/items have been provided to the prospective adopters:
904 </p>
905 <ol type="a">
906 <li>
906 Authority to consent to medical and dental treatment;
906 </li>
907 <li>
907 The parent-held Child Health Record;
907 </li>
908 <li>
908 Any letters, photographs or mementos from the birth family, including a 'Later in
Life' letter from the birth parent if possible, and the Life Story Book;
908 </li>
909 <li>
909 The child's birth certificate;
909 </li>
910 <li>
910 The child's passport (if applicable);
910 </li>
911 <li>
911 A copy of the Care Order (if applicable), Placement Order (if applicable) and any other
Court Orders that exist;
911 </li>
912 <li>
912 A copy of the Parental Consent to the Placement and Advance Consent to Adoption (if
applicable);
912 </li>
913 <li>
913 A written plan of the contact arrangements pre and post adoption with the birth parents
and any previous carers;
913 </li>
914 <li>
914 The
914 <a
href="http://trixresources.proceduresonline.com/nat_key/keywords/adoption_support_plan.htm
l" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
914 Adoption Support Plan
914 </a>
914 , including a named post-adoption social worker;
914 </li>
915 <li>
915 The Adoption Placement Plan including arrangements for support and visits by the
child's social worker and their own social worker;
915 </li>
916 <li>
916 Any other relevant information, including specialist reports (subject to the author's
consent).
916 </li>
917 </ol>
917 The prospective adopters should be asked to sign confirmation of receipt. Where the
information/items are provided at different times, the prospective adopters must sign and date
confirmation of receipt on each occasion.
917 </td>
918 </tr>
919 <tr>
920 <td>
920 10.3
920 </td>
921 <td>
921 Prior to the placement, notification must be sent by the worker identified in the Adoption
Placement Plan to the present and new GP, the local authority (where the adoptive family live
outside the borough), the relevant Health Trust and, if the child is at nursery or of school
age, the relevant local education authority (with information about the child's education
history and whether the child has special needs). These notifications are still required where
the prospective adopters were previously the child's foster carers.
921 </td>
922 </tr>
923 <tr>
924 <td>
924 10.4
924 </td>
925 <td>
925 Prior to the placement, the Medical Adviser should be requested to send a medical report on
the child to the child's new GP and, in appropriate cases, to meet the adopters to discuss
medical issues.
926 </td>
926 </tr>
927 <tr>
928 <td>
928 10.5
928 </td>
929 <td>
929 Where the child's foster carers are the prospective adopters, the adoption service must
confirm in writing to them the date from which the placement becomes an adoptive placement.
929 </td>
930 </tr>
931 <tr>
932 <td>
932 10.6
932 </td>
933 <td>
933 The child's social worker must inform the parents of the date of the placement, unless the
parents have stated that they do not wish to be kept informed. No identifying information
about the placement should be conveyed to birth parents or relatives. (See also
933 <a href="#fairness">
933 Section 4.2, Procedural Fairness
933 </a>
933 )
933 </td>
934 </tr>
935 <tr>
936 <td>
936 10.7
936 </td>
937 <td>
937 The child's social worker should ensure the date of the placement is recorded, so that the
records identifies that the child is placed for adoption but does not show the placement
address.
937 </td>
938 </tr>
939 <tr>
940 <td>
940 10.8
940 </td>
941 <td>
941 The family finder will inform the Panel Administrator of the date of the placement as soon as
it is made and inform the relevant finance officer where the Adoption Support Plan includes
financial support so that payments can start.
941 </td>
942 </tr>
943 </table>
944 <h2 class="h2_mainheading">
944 <br />
944 11.
944 <a name="chi_adop_place" id="chi_adop_place">
944 </a>
944 Children Approved for Adoption for Whom no Placement has been Identified
944 </h2>
945 <table width="95%" border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" title="section 11 - Children Approved
for Adoption for Whom no Placement has been Identified">
946 <tr>
947 <td width="3%">
947 11.1
947 </td>
948 <td>
948 The child will be the subject of regular Adoption Reviews, chaired by an Independent Reviewing
Officer - see
948 <a href="p_adoption_reviews.html">
948 Adoption Reviews Procedure
948 </a>
948 .
948 </td>
949 </tr>
950 <tr>
951 <td width="3%">
951 11.2
951 </td>
952 <td>
952 In all cases, where a child has been approved for adoption but not placed within 6 months, the
child's social worker must present a further report to the Adoption Panel identifying the
length of the delay, the reasons and the steps being taken to address any difficulties,
including consideration of a review of the adoption plan and/or a possible change to long-term
fostering/separation of siblings.
952 </td>
953 </tr>
954 <tr>
955 <td>
955 11.3
955 </td>
956 <td>
956 The Adoption Panel may request an earlier progress report on an individual case when first
considering the child.
956 </td>
957 </tr>
958 <tr>
959 <td>
959 11.4
959 </td>
960 <td>
960 The outcome of any reviews by the Adoption Panel should be notified to the child (if old
enough), the birth parents (in appropriate cases) and any other relevant person.
960 </td>
961 </tr>
962 </table>
963 <h2 class="h2_mainheading">
963 <br />
963 12.
963 <a name="adopt_place_abroad" id="adopt_place_abroad">
963 </a>
963 Adoptive Placements Abroad
963 </h2>
964 <p>
964 Where an adoptive placement outside the UK appears to be a viable option, and consultation with
the child (if old enough) supports this, the proposal must be considered at a child's
964 <a href="http://trixresources.proceduresonline.com/nat_key/keywords/looked_aft_review.html"
target="_blank" rel="noopener">
964 Looked After Review
964 </a>
964 before becoming part of the child's
964 <a href="http://trixresources.proceduresonline.com/nat_key/keywords/care_plan.html"
target="_blank" rel="noopener">
964 Care Plan
964 </a>
964 .
964 </p>
965 <p>
965 The child may be considered for an adoptive placement with known prospective adopters in which
case it will be for the adoption agency to satisfy itself that the prospective adopters are
suitable to adopt the child. Otherwise, the child may be referred to the Department for Education
for a suitable linking to be identified, (see below).
965 </p>
966 <p>
966 In either circumstance, the case must be referred to the Adoption Panel in accordance with Section
1 of this procedure, seeking a formal recommendation that adoption outside the UK is in the best
interests of the child. The Child's Permanence Report must include an assessment of the
possibility of placing the child for adoption in the British Isles and consideration of whether
adoption of the child by a person in a particular country would be in the best interests of the
child.
966 </p>
967 <p>
967 The Agency Decision Maker must consider the recommendation and decide whether the child should be
placed for adoption overseas. The notification to the child (if old enough) and the parents must
include an explanation of the placement possibilities in the British Isles and abroad.
967 </p>
968 <p>
968 Where a decision is made to pursue the option of placement overseas, the child's social worker
should consult with Legal Services about the legal process, and seek the approval of the
Designated Manager (Placement Orders) to an application for a Placement Order.
968 </p>
969 <h3 class="h3_subheading_no_underline">
969 Where no Prospective Adopters have been Identified
969 </h3>
970 <p>
970 Where such a decision is made to place the child overseas, the child's social worker must notify
the Department for Education of the following:
970 </p>
971 <ol>
972 <li>
972 The child's file reference number;
972 </li>
973 <li>
973 The child's name;
973 </li>
974 <li>
974 The child's date of birth;
974 </li>
975 <li>
975 The gender of the child;
975 </li>
976 <li>
976 The reasons why the decision has been made that adoption outside the UK may be suitable for the
child;
976 </li>
977 <li>
977 The date of any Placement Order.
977 </li>
978 </ol>
979 <p>
979 The Department for Education maintains a list of children waiting for inter country adoption.
979 </p>
980 <p>
980 If a decision is made after the child's name is placed on the list that an overseas adoptive
placement is no longer appropriate, the child's social worker must inform the Department for
Education so that the child's details are removed from the list.
980 </p>
981 <p>
981 Where the Department for Education receive an application from a foreign country, it will check
that the prospective adopters have been assessed as eligible and suitable, and that they meet the
age requirement of the UK law, and if so, consider whether there are children of the age and
gender to match the prospective adopters' approval.
981 </p>
982 <p>
982 Where there are children on the list who appear, on the face of it, to match the prospective
adopters, the Department for Education will send the relevant papers on the prospective adopters
to the local authority looking after the child.
982 </p>
983 <p>
983 Upon receipt of the papers, the child's social worker in conjunction with the Adoption Service
will consider whether the prospective adopters would meet the child's needs. Where necessary,
additional information should be requested from the overseas authority via the Department for
Education.
983 </p>
984 <p>
984 Where it is decided that the prospective adopters are not suitable, the Department for Education
should be notified and the papers returned.
984 </p>
985 <p>
985 Where it is decided that the prospective adopters are suitable, the Department for Education
should be notified and the proposed match referred to the Adoption Panel for consideration in
accordance with the usual procedure. Included in the papers to be presented to the Panel must be
the report on the prospective adopters by the foreign authority.
985 </p>
986 <p>
986 The child's social worker must notify the Department for Education of the decision made.
986 </p>
987 <p>
987 Where the decision is to proceed with the placement, the child's social worker must send the
987 <a href="http://trixresources.proceduresonline.com/nat_key/keywords/childs_perm_report.html"
target="_blank" rel="noopener">
987 Child's Permanence Report
987 </a>
987 , together with any Placement Order and a recent photograph of the child, to the Department for
Education for onward transmission to the overseas authority and the prospective adopters.
987 </p>
988 <p>
988 Where the prospective adopters decide to go ahead with the placement, they will be required to
travel to meet the child.
988 </p>
989 <p>
989 The matching procedures will then apply as for any other potential placement.
989 </p>
990 <p>
990 Placement Planning Meetings should be convened in accordance with the usual procedure (see
990 <a href="#plan_place">
990 Section 9, Planning the Placement
990 </a>
990 ) to plan the prospective adopters' first meeting with the child, introductions and where the
placement goes ahead, regular reports should be required from the relevant overseas authority
after the placement.
990 </p>
991 <p>
991 If the prospective adopters still wish to go ahead and the Placement Planning Meeting confirms
that the placement meets the child's needs, the child's social worker must inform the Department
for Education, who will contact the overseas authority to confirm that they are content for the
placement to go ahead and that the child will be permitted to enter and reside permanently. In
these circumstances, the Department for Education will enter the necessary agreement with the
overseas authority.
991 </p>
992 <p>
992 The child's social worker can then arrange for the placement to go ahead.
992 </p>
993 <p>
993 The prospective adopters will need to seek independent legal advice about the need to apply for a
Convention Adoption Order in the UK (which will require the child to be with the adopters for at
least 6 months prior to the application) or a Section 84 Order from the High Court granting them
Parental Responsibility to take the child outside the UK for the purposes of adoption (which will
require the child to be with the adopters for at least 10 weeks prior to the application). In
either case, the Court will require a social worker's report.
993 </p>
994 <p>
994 The prospective adopters will need to arrange for the foreign authority to monitor the placement
as required by the Placement Planning Meeting.
994 </p>
995 <h3 class="h3_subheading_no_underline">
995 Where Prospective Adopters have been identified
995 </h3>
996 <p>
996 It will be for the adoption agency to satisfy itself that the prospective adopters are suitable to
adopt the child. The assessment should usually be carried out in the prospective adopters' country
and then sent to the adoption agency in the same way as for any other prospective adopter.
996 </p>
997 <p>
997 The matching procedures will then apply as for any other potential placement.
997 </p>
998 <p>
998 Placement Planning Meetings should be convened in accordance with the usual placement procedures
(see
998 <a href="#plan_place">
998 Section 9, Planning the Placement
998 </a>
998 ) to plan the prospective adopters' first meeting with the child, introductions and where the
placement goes ahead, regular reports should be required from the relevant overseas authority
after the placement.
998 </p>
999 <p>
999 The prospective adopters will need to seek independent legal advice about the need to apply for a
Section 84 Order from the High Court granting them parental responsibility to take the child
outside the UK for the purposes of adoption (which will require the child to be with the adopters
for at least 10 weeks prior to the application). Where such an application is made, the Court will
require a social worker's report.
999 </p>
1000 <p>
1000 The child's social worker will need to arrange for the foreign authority to monitor the placement
as required by the Placement Planning Meeting.
1000 </p>
1001 <p class="end_of_chapter">
1001 End
1001 </p>
1002 </div>
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