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18 Placements in Foster Care
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135 <div class="panel-body">
136 <h1>
136 Placements in Foster Care
136 </h1>
141 <div class="well">
142 <p class="bold">
142 SCOPE OF THIS CHAPTER
143 </p>
144 <p>
144 This procedure applies to all placements of children in foster care including placements
with independent fostering agencies.
144 </p>
145 <p>
145 For placements of Children in Care with connected persons who are not approved foster carers
at the start of the placement, see
145 <a href="p_place_conn_pers.html">
145 Placements with Connected Persons Procedure
145 </a>
145 .
145 </p>
146 <p>
146 See
146 <a href="p_dec_look_aft.html">
146 Decision to Look After and Care Planning Procedure
146 </a>
146 for procedures relating to the initial decision to look after a child, and the drafting and
approval of the care plan and other essential documentation.
146 </p>
147 Children may also be placed in foster care following a remand to local authority
accommodation, see
147 <a href="p_rem_la_yth_det_accomm.html">
147 Remands to Local Authority Accommodation or to Youth Detention Accommodation Procedure
147 </a>
147 .
148 </div>
155 <div class="section">
155 <h2 id="consultation">
155 1. Consultation
155 </h2>
156 <p>
156 At the point that it is determined that a placement may be required, and throughout the
subsequent process of identification, planning and placement, the social worker must consult
and take account of the views of the following people:
156 </p>
157 <ol style="list-style-type:lower-alpha">
158 <li>
158 The child;
158 </li>
159 <li>
159 The child's parents;
159 </li>
160 <li>
160 Anyone who is not a parent but has been caring for or looking after the child;
160 </li>
161 <li>
161 Other members of the child's family who are significant to the child or who have a contact
order in their favour in relation to the child;
161 </li>
162 <li>
162 The child's school or the education service;
162 </li>
163 <li>
163 The Youth Offending Service, if the child is known to them;
163 </li>
164 <li>
164 Any other relevant person, e.g. nursery, health care professional, Children's Guardian.
164 </li>
165 </ol>
166 <p>
166 The views of these people should be given by them, in writing, or should be recorded by the
social worker. If the child's wishes are not acted upon, the reason should be given.
166 </p>
167 </div>
168 <div class="section1">
168 </div>
174 <div class="section">
174 <h2 id="place_req">
174 2. Placement Request
174 </h2>
175 <p>
175 Where a decision has been made that a child requires a foster placement, the child's social
worker should request a placement by contacting the duty social worker at the Fostering
Service.
175 </p>
176 <p>
176 In making this request, the social worker will be asked to provide information about the
child, the type of placement sought, the care plan, the date by which the placement is
required, the likely length of time for which the placement is required and the expected
level of contact between the child and parents. The social worker should also outline any
risks associated with the placement.
176 </p>
177 <p>
177 The duty social worker at the Fostering Service will check whether an in-house placement is
available that appears to be appropriate to meet the child's needs. If such a placement is
available or if there is a possibility of a placement by the required date, the social
worker will be advised accordingly.
177 </p>
178 <p>
178 If no appropriate in-house placements are available and the child requires a placement
without delay, the duty social worker at the Fostering Service will obtain the agreement of
the Fostering Service Manager to make enquiries with independent fostering agencies to
identify a suitable placement.
178 </p>
179 <p>
179 Where there is a child already in the proposed foster placement, contact should be made with
the social worker for that child and where the child is from a different local authority,
the consent of that child's local authority should be sought by the duty social worker at
the Fostering Service.
179 </p>
180 </div>
181 <div class="section1">
181 </div>
187 <div class="section">
187 <h2 id="ident_approv">
187 3. Matching and Approval of Placement
187 </h2>
188 <p>
188 The matching process should consider the child's needs especially regarding the following
key areas:
188 </p>
189 <ul>
190 <li>
190 The child's education;
190 </li>
191 <li>
191 The expectations around contact with relatives and friends;
191 </li>
192 <li>
192 The child's identity/race/culture;
192 </li>
193 <li>
193 The child's history;
193 </li>
194 <li>
194 The child's behaviour;
194 </li>
195 <li>
195 The child's health;
195 </li>
196 <li>
196 The focus of the placement.
196 </li>
197 </ul>
198 <p>
198 The matching process should also consider the carer's availability and:
198 </p>
199 <ul>
200 <li>
200 Their experience;
200 </li>
201 <li>
201 Their strengths;
201 </li>
202 <li>
202 The family composition;
202 </li>
203 <li>
203 The distance from the foster home to the child's school;
203 </li>
204 <li>
204 Other children in the placement;
204 </li>
205 <li>
205 The foster carer's children.
205 </li>
206 </ul>
207 <p>
207 Once a potential placement has been identified, the child's social worker will liaise with
the foster carer's supervising social worker (who may be from an independent fostering
agency) to agree arrangements for the placement. At this stage, the social worker will also
discuss the child with the prospective foster carer and, in particular, share/clarify any
risks associated with the placement with the foster carers and the supervising social
worker. Wherever possible, the child's social worker should visit potential carers and as
required consult with other professionals, prior to a decision about the appropriateness of
a placement being made.
207 </p>
208 <p>
208 In relation to the sharing of bedrooms, each child over 3 should have their own bedroom, or
where this is not possible, the placing authority must agree to the sharing of the bedroom
and this must therefore be addressed during the matching process.
208 </p>
209 <p>
209 Where the proposed placement is an in-house placement, it will then be presented to the
social worker's manager for approval.
209 </p>
210 <p>
210 If the placement is outside the foster carer's terms of approval or an exemption is
required, see
210 <a href="p_fost_exemp.html">
210 Exemptions and Extensions/Variations to Foster Carer Approval Procedure
210 </a>
210 .
210 </p>
211 <p>
211 If the proposed placement is with an independent fostering agency, the Designated Manager
(External Placements) must approve the placement and a written agreement must be drawn up
with the fostering agency setting out the precise terms and conditions between the local
authority and the agency in relation to the placement. Where the placement is with
independent foster carers who live outside the local authority area, see also
211 <a href="p_out_area_place.html">
211 Out of Area Placements Procedure
211 </a>
211 .
211 </p>
212 <p>
212 <span class="bold">
212 N.B.
212 </span>
212 In addition to the above approvals, in order to avoid placements that disrupt a child's
education,the
212 <a href="pr_desg_man.html#nom_off_disruption">
212 Nominated Officer
212 </a>
212 must approve any change of placement affecting a child in Key Stage 4 except in an
emergency/ where the placement is terminated because of an immediate risk of serious harm to
the child or to protect others from serious injury - see
212 <a href="p_educ_lac.html">
212 Education of Children in Care and Previously Looked After Children Procedure
212 </a>
212 .
212 </p>
213 <p>
213 If the relevant manager approves the foster placement, the placement planning process can
start - see
213 <a href="#placement_planning">
213 Section 4, Placement Planning
213 </a>
213 .
213 </p>
214 The social worker may then arrange an introductory visit to the proposed placement, with the
child (if old enough) and parents (if appropriate).
214 </div>
215 <div class="section1">
215 </div>
221 <div class="section">
221 <h2 id="placement_planning">
221 4. Placement Planning
221 </h2>
222 <p>
222 Before the child is placed, the child's social worker will arrange a Placement Planning
Meeting after liaising with the foster carer and the foster carer's supervising social
worker (who may be from an independent fostering agency). The meeting will usually be held
in the new placement. See also
222 <a href="p_place_disrup_meet.html">
222 Placement Planning and Disruption Meetings Procedure
222 </a>
222 .
222 </p>
223 <p>
223 Participants will include:
223 </p>
224 <ul>
225 <li>
225 The parent;
225 </li>
226 <li>
226 The child (if appropriate);
226 </li>
227 <li>
227 The foster carer;
227 </li>
228 <li>
228 The supervising social worker;
228 </li>
229 <li>
229 Any other relevant professionals, e.g. a representative from the child's school;
229 </li>
230 <li>
230 Anyone else considered appropriate or who will have a role in the placement.
230 </li>
231 </ul>
232 <p>
232 The purpose of the first Placement Planning Meeting is to finalise the Placement Plan (which
will be recorded on the Placement Information Record). This will involve a discussion of the
child's needs to ensure careful matching, including the child's personal history, religious
persuasion, cultural and linguistic background and racial origin, as well as the child's
health and education needs and how these are to be met. It will also include the
arrangements for registering the child with local health professionals (GP, dentist and
optician).
232 </p>
233 <p>
233 In addition the Placement Planning Meeting will consider the type of introduction process
required, for example whether arrangements should be made for the child, parents and the
social worker to visit the foster home and/or whether it may be appropriate to have an
introductory overnight stay. Children should be able to visit the foster home and talk in
private with the carer. If this is not possible, arrangements may be made for the carers to
visit the child and parents; or for information about the foster carers to be sent to the
child and/or the parents, for example about routines in the foster home, bedtimes, meals,
visitors, pocket money, school, privacy and the overall expectations in relation to the
child's behaviour within the home.
233 </p>
234 <p>
234 For children placed in foster care, the Placement Plan should cover the following issues in
addition to those for all placements set out in the
234 <a href="p_dec_look_aft.html">
234 Decision to Look After and Care Planning Procedure
234 </a>
234 :
234 </p>
235 <ol>
236 <li>
236 The type of accommodation to be provided and the address;
236 </li>
237 <li>
237 Where the authority has, or is notified of, Child Protection concerns relating to the
child, or the child has gone missing from the placement or from any previous placement,
the day to day arrangements put in place by the appropriate person (placement provider) to
keep the child safe;
237 </li>
238 <li>
238 The child's personal history, religious persuasion, cultural and linguistic background and
racial origin;
238 </li>
239 <li>
239 Where the child is accommodated:
240 <ul>
241 <li>
241 The respective responsibilities of the Local Authority and parents/anyone with
Parental Responsibility;
241 </li>
242 <li>
242 Any delegation of responsibility by parents/anyone with Parental Responsibility to the
Local Authority and /or the foster carer(s) in relation to the following matters ( and
identifying any of these matters on which the local authority/parents/persons with
Parental Responsibility consider that the child may make a decision):
243 <ul>
244 <li>
244 Medical and dental treatment;
244 </li>
245 <li>
245 Education;
245 </li>
246 <li>
246 Leisure and home life;
246 </li>
247 <li>
247 Faith and religious observance;
247 </li>
248 <li>
248 Use of social media;
248 </li>
249 <li>
249 Any other matters upon which the local authority/parents/others with parental
responsibility consider appropriate.
249 </li>
250 </ul>
251 </li>
252 <li>
252 The expected duration of the arrangements and the steps to bring the arrangements to
an end, including arrangements for the child to return to live with
parents/anyone with Parental Responsibility;
252 </li>
253 <li>
253 Where the child is aged 16 or over and agrees to being provided with
accommodation under Section 20 Children Act 1989, that fact.
253 </li>
254 </ul>
255 </li>
256 <li>
256 The circumstances in which it is necessary to obtain in advance the Local
Authority's approval for the child to take part in school trips or overnight stays;
256 </li>
257 <li>
257 The Local Authority's arrangements for the financial support of the child during the
placement;
257 </li>
258 <li>
258 The obligation on the carers to comply with the terms of the foster care agreement.
258 </li>
259 </ol>
260 <p>
260 The meeting also provides an opportunity to ensure that the foster carers have a copy of any
relevant court order and that full information is shared with them about the child's needs
and any behaviour management issues.
260 </p>
261 <p>
261 Except in emergency placements, the Placement Planning Meeting should be held before the
placement. Where this is not possible, it should be held in order that the Placement Plan is
prepared within 5 working days of the start of the placement.
261 </p>
262 <p>
262 The child's social worker will complete and arrange for the circulation of the Care Plan and
Placement Plan to the child, parents and foster carers before or at the latest, within 5
working days of the placement.
262 </p>
263 <p>
263 At the time of the placement, the foster carers should also be given any additional
information about details of the child's day to day needs which are not covered by the
Placement Plan/Placement Information Record but are important to ensure that the carers are
in the best possible position to help the child settle in the new placement, for example any
particular fears at night-time or the child's favourite toys.
263 </p>
264 <p>
264 The child's social worker must provide the child and the parent with written information
about coming into care, including information on using the Complaints Procedure.
264 </p>
265 <p>
265 In addition, as indicated above, the social worker should ensure that any other information
about the placement that is available for the child is obtained and given to them. Children
must understand house expectations before the placement is made.
265 </p>
266 In all cases, the child should be accompanied to the placement by the social worker and helped
to settle in. Suitable luggage should be used and a child's belongings should never be
transported in bin-bags or other inappropriate containers.
266 </div>
267 <div class="section1">
267 </div>
273 <div class="section">
273 <h2 id="notific_placement">
273 5. Notification of Placement
273 </h2>
274 <p>
274 The child's social worker will update the child's electronic records with the details of the
placement and ensure that notification is sent to the finance section so as to trigger
payments to the foster carer.
274 </p>
275 <p>
275 The notifications should be before the start of the placement, wherever possible, or within
5 working days.
275 </p>
276 <p>
276 Notification of the placement will also be sent by the child's social worker to the Nurse
for Children in Care, the education service, the relevant local Children's Services (if the
placement is in the area of a different local authority) and the child's GP.
276 </p>
277 <p>
277 The child's social worker will notify all family members consulted and involved in the
decision-making process of the placement.
277 </p>
278 <p>
278 The child's social worker must also notify the allocated independent reviewing officer or,
if it is the first placement, the Independent Review Unit of the placement. This
notification will trigger the appointment of an Independent Reviewing Officer if it is the
first placement, and the setting up of arrangements for a Case Review.
278 </p>
279 <p>
279 These notifications must be made in writing, advising of the placement decision and the name
and address of the person with whom the child is to be placed.
279 </p>
280 <p>
280 The child's social worker should also notify - preferably in writing but it may be verbally
- all those involved in the day to day arrangements for the child, including nursery/school
and any health professional or YOT worker actively involved with the child.
280 </p>
281 <p>
281 It will be necessary for the foster carer or the child's social worker to ensure the child
is registered with a GP, Dentist and Optician, either retaining practices known to them
(which is preferable) or in the area where they are placed.
281 </p>
282 <p>
282 In relation to a first Child in Care placement it will also be necessary for the social
worker to liaise with the Nurse for Children in Care to arrange a Health Care Assessment -
see
282 <a href="p_healthcare_assmt.htm">
282 Health Care Assessments and Plans Procedure
282 </a>
282 for further details. The social worker must also contact the relevant school or, where the
child does not have a school place, the relevant education officer with a view to the
completion of a Personal Education Plan - see
282 <a href="p_educ_lac.html">
282 Education of Children in Care and Previously Looked After Children Procedure
282 </a>
282 .
282 </p>
283 <p>
283 For any new placement, every effort should be made to enable the child to remain at the same
school unless there are reasons which would be detrimental to their well being.
283 </p>
284 </div>
285 <div class="section1">
285 </div>
291 <div class="section">
291 <h2 id="support_monit">
291 6. Support and Monitoring of Placements
291 </h2>
292 <p>
292 The child's social worker must visit the child in the placement within 1 week of the
placement and then, at a minimum, every 6 weeks during the first year, thereafter every 6
weeks (3 months if the placement is intended to last until the child is 18). For children in
long-term foster placements visits after the first year should not be less frequent than 6
monthly - see
292 <a href="p_sw_visits.html">
292 Social Worker Visits to Children in Care Procedure
292 </a>
292 .
292 </p>
293 <p>
293 The foster carer will also receive support and supervision from their supervising social
worker (for in-house placements) - see
293 <a href="p_sup_fos_carer.html">
293 Supervision and Support of Foster Carers Procedure
293 </a>
293 - and from the independent fostering agency (for external placements).
293 </p>
294 <p>
294 Where there are concerns in relation to the progress of the placement, consideration should
be given to seeking additional resources to assist the carers.
294 </p>
295 <p>
295 Where there are any changes to the type of placement or to the child's legal status during
the placement, the child's social worker must update the child's electronic records.
295 </p>
296 <p>
296 The records should be monitored for quality, adequacy and retention.
296 </p>
297 <p>
297 A Case Review should be convened where:
297 </p>
298 <ul>
299 <li>
299 The child is, or has been, persistently absent from the placement;
299 </li>
300 <li>
300 The placement provider, parents or area authority are concerned that the child is at risk
of harm; or
300 </li>
301 <li>
301 The child so requests, unless the Independent Reviewing Officer considers that the review
is not justified.
301 </li>
302 </ul>
303 <p>
303 See also
303 <a href="p_look_aft_rev.html">
303 Case Reviews Procedure
303 </a>
303 .
303 </p>
304 </div>
305 <div class="section1">
305 </div>
311 <div class="section">
311 <h2 id="ending_placements">
311 7. Ending of Placements
311 </h2>
312 <p>
312 When the placement ends, the child's social worker must update the child's electronic
records and notify the finance section so that payments to the carer/provider will cease.
The social worker will also send copies to those notified when the placement was made.
312 </p>
313 <p>
313 All written information on the child, which the foster carer holds, should be transferred to
the supervising social worker for transfer to the child's social worker.
313 </p>
314 <p>
314 In appropriate cases, the foster carer should be asked to complete an end of placement
report.
314 </p>
315 <p>
315 Children must, when they leave the home, be helped to understand the reasons and be
supported with the transition - including return home and independence.
315 </p>
316 <p>
316 Foster carers must be supported to maintain links with children who leave their care, where
appropriate.
316 </p>
317 <p>
317 Where the placement ends in an unplanned way, consideration should be given to holding a
Disruption Meeting - see
317 <a href="p_place_disrup_meet.html">
317 Placement Planning and Disruption Meetings Procedure
317 </a>
317 .
317 </p>
318 <p>
318 Where a former carer's records are requested by a new agency, these must be made available
within 1 month of the request.
318 </p>
319 </div>
320 <div class="section1">
320 </div>
326 <div class="section">
326 <h2 id="tempor">
326 8. Temporary Approval as Foster Carers of Approved Prospective Adopters
326 </h2>
327 <p>
327 A person who is approved as a prospective adopter may be given temporary approval as a local
authority foster carer for a named Looked After child, where the local authority consider
that this is in the child's best interests.
327 </p>
328 <p>
328 Before giving such approval, the responsible authority must:
328 </p>
329 <ul>
330 <li>
330 Assess the suitability of that person to care for the child as a foster care; and
330 </li>
331 <li>
331 Consider whether, in all the circumstances and taking into account the services to be
provided by the responsible authority, the proposed arrangements will safeguard and
promote the child's welfare and meet the child's needs as set out in the Care Plan.
331 </li>
332 </ul>
333 <p>
333 The temporary approval period expires when:
333 </p>
334 <ul>
335 <li>
335 The placement is terminated by the local authority;
335 </li>
336 <li>
336 The approval as a prospective adopter is terminated;
336 </li>
337 <li>
337 The prospective adopter is approved as a foster carer;
337 </li>
338 <li>
338 The prospective adopter gives 28 days' written notice that they no longer wish to be
temporarily approved as a foster parent in relation to the child; or
338 </li>
339 <li>
339 The child is placed for adoption with the prospective adopter.
339 </li>
340 </ul>
341 </div>
342 <div class="section1">
342 </div>
348 <div class="section">
348 <h2 id="long_term_foster_place">
348 9. Long Term Foster Placement
348 </h2>
349 <p>
349 Where it is the case that the most appropriate route to permanence is long-term foster care,
the regulations set out the arrangements for making such a placement, including:
349 </p>
350 <ul>
351 <li>
351 That foster care is the plan for permanence and is recorded in the child's care plan, (Reg
5(a));
351 </li>
352 <li>
352 That the foster carer has agreed to act as the child's foster carer until the child ceases
to be looked after;
352 </li>
353 <li>
353 That the responsible authority has confirmed the nature of the arrangement with the foster
carer(s), the birth parent and the child; and
353 </li>
354 <li>
354 The child and foster carer have a clear understanding of the support services they will
receive to promote the placement.
354 </li>
355 </ul>
356 <p>
356 The assessment and planning process for long-term foster care should address the child's
current needs and likely future needs, and the capacity of the foster carer to meet these
needs now and in the future. The length of placement will vary according to the child's age
and the long-term plan for the child, including the transition to adulthood. These factors
must all be taken into account in planning for support and services where long - term foster
care has been identified as the plan for permanence for a child.
356 </p>
357 <p>
357 Before deciding to place a child in a long-term foster placement, (whether or not this means
moving to a new carer) the ability of the identified long-term foster carer to care for the
child both now and in the future should be assessed. The support and services which will be
needed to ensure that the placement is stable, secure and meets the child's needs should be
identified taking into account the carer's previous fostering or other childcare experience,
family configuration (including placement of other children under fostering arrangements),
existing relationship (if any) with the child, knowledge and skills and capacity to care for
the child long term under a fostering arrangement.
357 </p>
358 <p>
358 It is imperative that the foster carer fully understands and explicitly agrees to the long
term commitment they are making to the child [regulation 22B (2)(f)]. A record of the
discussion of these matters including the outcome should be made as part of the assessment
process.
358 </p>
359 <p>
359 The decision to place a child in a long-term foster placement with a particular foster carer
should be discussed and recorded as part of the review process. This decision should then be
recorded in the placement plan and agreed and signed by the foster carer [regulation 9(3)].
359 </p>
360 <p>
360 Where it is agreed that the child will be placed in a long-term foster placement, this
should be communicated clearly to the foster carer, the child's parents or any other person
who is not a parent but has parental responsibility and the child. (Reg 2(1)).
360 </p>
361 <p>
361 Where the decision has been taken that the plan for permanence is long-term foster care and
the child is in an existing foster care placement, it may be that the carer and (where
appropriate) the child want the existing foster placement to be the long-term foster
placement. Such a proposal should be considered in a reasonable timescale taking into
account the existing relationship between the child and the foster carer, the length of time
in placement, the child's relationships with the foster carer's wider family and community.
Consideration should also be given to the progress the child has made in the placement,
recorded through the case review process.
361 </p>
362 There may be circumstances where it is not considered appropriate to assess the ability of the
current foster carer as the long-term carer for the child. In these instances, the reasons for
this decision should be clearly set out in writing to the foster carer. This decision should
also be communicated to the child where it is appropriate to their age and understanding.
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