Page reportSummary
Page Layout
Display issue details:
The line numbers refer to lines in the original source. Any with a line number of '0' are implicit tags added by Total Validator:
1 <!DOCTYPE html>
2 <html lang="en">
3 <head>
6 <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=UA-120055720-38">
6 </script>
7 <script>
13 </script>
16 <meta charset="utf-8">
18 <title>
18 Placements with Connected Persons
18 </title>
20 <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">
21 <link href="css/bootstrap.min.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css">
22 <link href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Lato:400,700" rel="stylesheet">
23 <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="css/jquery-ui.css">
24 <link href="css/jquery.tocify.css" rel="stylesheet">
25 <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="css/formatting-styles.css">
26 <link href="css/print.css" rel="stylesheet" media="print">
41 <link rel='shortcut icon'
href='https://www.proceduresonline.com/resources/logos/procedures/favicon.ico' type='image/x-icon'/>
42 <link rel="apple-touch-icon"
href="https://www.proceduresonline.com/resources/logos/procedures/apple-touch-icon-57x57-precomposed.png
" />
43 <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="72x72"
href="https://www.proceduresonline.com/resources/logos/procedures/apple-touch-icon-72x72-precomposed.png
" />
44 <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="114x114"
href="https://www.proceduresonline.com/resources/logos/procedures/apple-touch-icon-114x114-precomposed.png
" />
48 <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="css/procedures.css">
49 <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="css/classic-theme.css">
50 <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="css/authority.css">
51 <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="js/cookie-code/jquery.cookiebar.css">
52 <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="css/hover-box.css">
53 <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="css/mobile.css">
56 <link rel="stylesheet" id="switcher-css" type="text/css" href="css/switcher.css" media="all" />
57 <link rel="alternate stylesheet" type="text/css" href="css/dark.css" title="dark" media="all" />
58 <link rel="alternate stylesheet" type="text/css" href="css/light.css" title="light" media="all" />
59 <link rel="alternate stylesheet" type="text/css" href="css/normal.css" title="normal" media="all" />
63 </head>
64 <body onload="highlight();">
65 <a class="skip-main" href="#main">
65 Skip to main content
65 </a>
67 <div id="eantics">
67 </div>
68 <div class="print">
73 <div class="navbar navbar-fixed-top" role="navigation">
74 <div class="row banner">
75 <div id="banner">
76 <div class="container banner">
77 <div class="col-sm-4">
78 <div class="outer_logo">
78 <a href="index.html">
78 <img class="banner_logo" src="images/logo/client_logo.png" width="261" height="86"
alt="Warrington logo">
78 </a>
78 </div>
79 </div>
80 <div class="col-sm-6">
81 <div class="outer">
82 <div class="inner">
83 <header>
83 Warrington Children's Services Procedures Manual
83 </header>
84 </div>
85 </div>
86 </div>
87 </div>
89 </div>
91 </div>
92 <div class="container">
93 <div class="navbar-header">
94 <button type="button" class="navbar-toggle" data-toggle="collapse"
data-target=".navbar-collapse">
94 <span class="sr-only">
94 Toggle navigation
94 </span>
94 <span class="icon-bar">
94 </span>
94 <span class="icon-bar">
94 </span>
94 <span class="icon-bar">
94 </span>
94 </button>
95 </div>
96 <div class="collapse navbar-collapse">
100 <ul class="nav navbar-nav">
101 <li>
101 <a href="index.html">
101 Home
101 </a>
101 </li>
102 <li>
102 <a href="contents.html">
102 Policies and Procedures
102 </a>
102 </li>
103 <li class="dropdown">
103 <a class="dropdown-toggle" data-toggle="dropdown" href="#">
103 Resources
103 <span class="caret">
103 </span>
103 </a>
104 <ul class="dropdown-menu">
105 <li>
105 <a href="local_resources.html">
105 Additional Local Resources
105 </a>
105 </li>
106 <li>
106 <a href="http://trixresources.proceduresonline.com/nat_key/index.htm" target="_blank"
rel="noopener">
106 Glossary
106 </a>
106 </li>
107 <li>
107 <a href="http://trixresources.proceduresonline.com/nat_cont/index.htm"target="_blank"
rel="noopener">
107 National Contacts
107 </a>
107 </li>
108 <li>
108 <a href="http://www.minimumstandards.org/regulations.html" target="_blank"
rel="noopener">
108 Regulatory Framework
108 </a>
108 </li>
109 <li>
109 <a href="http://www.keepingchildrensafeineducation.co.uk/" target="_blank"
rel="noopener">
109 KCSIE
109 </a>
109 </li>
110 </ul>
111 </li>
112 <li>
112 <a href="using_this_manual.html">
112 Using this Manual
112 </a>
112 </li>
113 <li>
113 <a href="https://www.proceduresonline.com/pancheshire/warrington/index.html"
target="_blank" rel="noopener">
113 Safeguarding Partnership Procedures
113 </a>
113 </li>
114 </ul>
115 <ul class="nav navbar-nav navbar-right">
115 <li class="dropdown">
115 <a class="dropdown-toggle" data-toggle="dropdown" href="#">
115 Accessibility
115 <span class="caret">
115 </span>
115 </a>
115 <ul class="dropdown-menu">
115 <li>
115 <a href="#Larger" rel="light" class="styleswitch">
115 <span id="Larger">
115 Larger Text
115 </span>
115 </a>
115 </li>
115 <li class="divider">
115 </li>
115 <li>
115 <a href="#High" rel="dark" class="styleswitch">
115 <span id="High">
115 High Visibility
115 </span>
115 </a>
115 </li>
115 <li class="divider">
115 </li>
115 <li>
115 <a href="#Default" rel="normal" class="styleswitch">
115 <span id="Default">
115 Default Text
115 </span>
115 </a>
115 </li>
115 </ul>
115 </li>
115 <li>
115 <a href="zoom/search.php" class="btn btn-1 btn-1a">
115 SEARCH
115 </a>
115 </li>
115 </ul>
117 </div>
119 </div>
120 </div>
125 <div class="container" id="main">
126 <div class="col-sm-4">
127 <div id="toc">
127 </div>
129 </div>
132 <div class="col-sm-8 main_content">
133 <div class="panel panel-default">
134 <div class="share">
134 <span>
134 <a href="#Email" class="st_email glyphicon glyphicon-envelope" style="margin-right:1px;">
134 <span id="Email" class="hidden_share">
134 Email
134 </span>
134 </a>
134 </span>
134 <span>
134 <a href="#Print" id="PrintBtn" class="glyphicon glyphicon-print">
134 <span id="Print" class="hidden_share">
134 Print
134 </span>
134 </a>
134 </span>
134 </div>
135 <div class="panel-body">
136 <h1>
136 Placements with Connected Persons
136 </h1>
141 <div class="well">
142 <p>
142 The following procedure covers placements of Children in Care with a Connected Person made
on a temporary approval basis i.e. where the carers are not already approved as foster
carers.
142 </p>
143 <p class="bold">
143 RELATED GUIDANCE
143 </p>
144 <p>
144 <a
href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/children-act-1989-family-and-friends-care
" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
144 Children Act 1989: Family and Friends Care
144 </a>
144 : Statutory Guidance for Local Authorities about family and friends providing care for
children who cannot live with their parents.
144 </p>
145 <a
href="https://www.frg.org.uk/involving-families/family-and-friends-carers/assessment-tool"
target="_blank" rel="noopener">
145 Family Rights Group, Initial Family and Friends Care Assessment
145 </a>
145 : A Good Practice Guide outlines what a viability assessment for family and friend carers
should look like, what social workers should consider and how to undertake international
assessments.
146 </div>
153 <div class="section">
153 <h2 id="intro">
153 1. Introduction
153 </h2>
154 <p>
154 These provisions are to be used only in exceptional circumstances and where there are
clearly defined reasons why a full foster carer assessment cannot be undertaken before a
placement is made. There is a risk that if a child is placed before the full approval of the
carer as a local authority foster carer they may not be approved at the end of the process
resulting in a further move for the child.
154 </p>
155 <p>
155 As with any placement the responsible Authority must be satisfied that the placement is:
155 </p>
156 <ul>
157 <li>
157 The most suitable means to safeguard and promote the child's welfare, notwithstanding the
Connected Person is not yet approved as a foster carer;
157 </li>
158 <li>
158 The Authority must be satisfied that it is necessary for the child to be placed with the
Connected Person before the Connected Person's suitability to be a foster carer has been
assessed in accordance with the Regulations.
158 </li>
159 </ul>
160 <p>
160 A Connected Person is defined as 'a relative, friend or other person connected with a child.
The latter is someone who would not fit the term 'relative or friend', but who has a
pre-existing relationship with the child. It could be someone who knows the child in a more
professional capacity such as (for example) a child-minder, a teacher or a youth worker'.
160 </p>
161 <p>
161 Relative is defined as 'a grandparent, brother, sister, uncle or aunt (whether of the full
blood or half blood or by marriage or civil partnership) or step-parent'.
161 </p>
162 <p>
162 The procedure sets out the checks that need to be made before such a placement can be made.
162 </p>
163 <p>
163 It also covers the procedure to be followed to carry out the required assessment and
approval of the Connected Person as foster carers if the placement is to last longer than 16
weeks.
163 </p>
164 </div>
165 <div class="section1">
165 </div>
171 <div class="section">
171 <h2 id="not_apply">
171 2. Situations Where these Procedures do not Apply
171 </h2>
172 <p>
172 These procedures do not apply where a child (under 16 years) goes to live with a relative or
friend and this is a private arrangement between the parent/person with Parental
Responsibility and carer.
172 </p>
173 <p>
173 If this placement continues for 28 days or more, the child may come within the definition of
a Privately Fostered child, in which case the local authority's duties in relation to the
placement are set out in the
173 <a href="p_private_fost.html">
173 Private Fostering Procedure
173 </a>
173 .
173 </p>
174 </div>
175 <div class="section1">
175 </div>
181 <div class="section">
181 <h2 id="imm_plac">
181 3. Interim Approval of Placements of Children in Care with Connected Persons
181 </h2>
182 <p>
182 Before any placement with a Connected Person who is not already approved as a foster carer
is made, the approval of the Nominated Officer is required.
182 </p>
183 <p>
183 Any such approval can only be given for 16 weeks from the date of the placement. After that
period of time, further assessment must be carried out and further approval sought - see
183 <a href="#conn_pers">
183 Section 5, Assessment and Approval of a Connected Person as Foster Carers
183 </a>
183 .
183 </p>
184 <p>
184 Matters to be taken into account when assessing the suitability of a Connected Person to
care for the child are:
184 </p>
185 <ol style="list-style-type:lower-alpha">
186 <li>
186 The nature and quality of any existing relationship with the child;
186 </li>
187 <li>
187 Their capacity to care for children and, in particular in relation to the child (or
children) concerned, to provide for their physical needs and appropriate medical and
dental care; to protect the child adequately from harm or danger including from any person
who presents a risk of harm to the child; to ensure that the accommodation and home
environment is suitable including where relevant an initial risk assessment of any pets,
together with the environment in which the pet is kept; in relation to the child's age and
developmental stage, to promote their learning and development; to provide a stable family
environment which will promote secure attachments for the child, including promoting
positive contact with parents and other connected persons, unless this is not consistent
with the child's welfare;
187 </li>
188 <li>
188 State of health (physical, emotional and mental), and medical history including current or
past issues of domestic violence, substance misuse or mental health problems;
188 </li>
189 <li>
189 Family relationships and the composition of the household, including the identity of all
other members of the household, their age and the nature of any relationship with the
connected person and each other including any sexual relationship; any relationship with
the parents; any relationship between the child and other members of the household; other
adults (not members of the household) likely to have regular contact with the child; any
current or previous domestic violence between members of the household, including the
connected person;
189 </li>
190 <li>
190 Their family history, including their childhood and upbringing, and the strengths and
difficulties of their parents or others who cared for them; their relationship with
parents and siblings and each other; educational achievement and any learning
difficulty/disability; chronology of significant life events; particulars of other
relatives and their relationships with the child and the connected person;
190 </li>
191 <li>
191 Any criminal offences of which they have been convicted or in respect of which they have
been cautioned;
191 </li>
192 <li>
192 Past and present employment and other sources of income;
192 </li>
193 <li>
193 Nature of the neighbourhood and resources available in the community to support the child
and the Connected Person.
193 <br>
194 <br>
195 (
195 <a href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2010/959/schedule/4/made" target="_blank"
rel="noopener">
195 Schedule 4 Children Act 1989 Matters to be taken into account when assessing the
suitability of a connected person
195 </a>
195 ).
195 </li>
196 </ol>
197 <p>
197 The home must be visited by the social worker as part of the assessment of the suitability
of arrangements.
197 </p>
198 <p>
198 The child's wishes and feelings (subject to age and understanding) must be ascertained and
recorded and wherever possible, an opportunity must be provided for the child to visit the
home before the decision is finalised.
198 </p>
199 <p>
199 The views of parents/ those with Parental Responsibility must also be obtained.
199 </p>
200 <p>
200 The proposed carer should be given information about the assessment process which will
follow if the placement is to last longer than 16 weeks, including the need for Disclosure
and Barring Service checks and other agency enquiries on all members of the household aged
18 and over, as well as interviews with referees, adult children and ex-partners, which will
be part of any such fostering assessment.
200 </p>
201 <p>
201 Where the social worker is in any doubt as to the suitability of the placement, they should
consult the Fostering Service for advice before the placement is agreed.
201 </p>
202 <p>
202 Where the placement appears suitable and is approved by the
202 <a href="pr_desg_man.html#nom_off_immediate" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
202 Nominated Officer
202 </a>
202 , a written Placement Agreement should be completed by the child's social worker with the
proposed carer.
202 </p>
203 <p>
203 The prospective carers need to be made aware that any approval is only temporary and does
not imply continued approval beyond the 16 weeks.
203 </p>
204 <p>
204 The placement may only continue after 16 weeks if the carer is approved as a foster carer -
see
204 <a href="#conn_pers">
204 Section 5, Assessment and Approval of a Connected Person as Foster Carers
204 </a>
204 - or in exceptional circumstances where the temporary approval is extended.
204 </p>
205 <p>
205 This temporary approval can be extended for a further period of up to 8 weeks (if it is
likely to expire before the assessment is completed) or until the outcome of an Independent
Review (if the outcome of the assessment is that the Connected Person is not approved and
seeks a review of the decision - see
205 <a href="p_ass_app_fost.html">
205 Assessment and Approvals of Foster Carers Procedure
205 </a>
205 ). The IRO must also be informed. A decision to extend the temporary approval must be
approved by the Nominated Officer.
205 </p>
206 <p>
206 As the connected person will be temporarily approval as a foster carer, the Connected Person
will be required to sign a foster carer agreement. A Connected Person approved under these
regulations will be entitled to the same support and services including fees, allocation of
social worker and allowances as a foster carer.
206 </p>
207 <p>
207 Before deciding whether to extend the approval, the Local Authority must consider if the
placement is still the most appropriate placement available, and it must be considered by
the Fostering Panel before the above approval is given.
207 </p>
208 </div>
209 <div class="section1">
209 </div>
215 <div class="section">
215 <h2 id="placement">
215 4. The Placement
215 </h2>
216 <p>
216 On the placement of the child, the child's social worker will ensure the child's Care Plan
and the written Placement Plan is given to the carer. If it is not reasonably practicable to
prepare the Placement Plan before making the placement, the Placement Plan must be prepared
within 5 working days of the start of the placement.
216 </p>
217 <p>
217 If the child was not previously a Child in Care, the child's social worker will send a
notification of the child's placement and a request for the child's first Case Review to the
Independent Review Unit.
217 </p>
218 <p>
218 If the child was already a Child in Care, the social worker will send notification of the
placement to the child's independent reviewing officer.
218 </p>
219 <p>
219 The child's social worker must visit and see the child alone in the placement (unless the
child refuses) each week until the first Case Review and thereafter at intervals of not more
than 4 weeks during the period of temporary approval. This also applies where the child is
placed under an Interim Care Order. The visits are to be fully recorded as statutory visits.
219 </p>
220 <p>
220 The child's social worker will update the electronic record with the details of the
placement and notify the finance section of the placement to trigger payments to the carer.
220 </p>
221 <p>
221 Notification of the placement will also be sent by the child's social worker to the relevant
local Children's Services Department if the placement is in a different local authority
area.
221 </p>
222 <p>
222 The child's social worker will notify all family members consulted and involved in the
decision-making process of the placement.
222 </p>
223 <p>
223 These notifications must be made in writing, advising of the placement decision and the name
and address of the person with whom the child is to be placed. They must be sent before the
placement wherever possible or within 5 working days of the placement.
223 </p>
224 <p>
224 The child's social worker should also notify - preferably in writing but it may be verbally
- all those involved in the day to day arrangements for the child, including nursery/school,
GP and any health professional or YOS worker actively involved with the child.
224 </p>
225 <p>
225 It will be necessary for the child's social worker to ensure the child is registered with a
GP, Dentist and Optician, either retaining practices known to them (which is preferable) or
in the area where they are placed.
225 </p>
226 <p>
226 In relation to a first Child in Care placement it will also be necessary for the social
worker to arrange a Health Assessment - see
226 <a href="p_healthcare_assmt.htm">
226 Health Care Assessments and Plans Procedure
226 </a>
226 .
226 </p>
227 <p>
227 The social worker must also arrange for the completion of a Personal Education Plan - see
the
227 <a href="p_educ_lac.html">
227 Education of Children in Care and Previously Looked After Children Procedure
227 </a>
227 . 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.
227 </p>
228 </div>
229 <div class="section1">
229 </div>
235 <div class="section">
235 <h2 id="conn_pers">
235 5. Assessment and Approval of Connected Persons as Foster Carers
235 </h2>
236 <p>
236 If the plan is for the placement to last longer than 16 weeks, the fostering assessment
process should commence as soon as possible after the placement is made and the child's
social worker should make a referral to the Fostering Service immediately so that a social
worker will be allocated for this purpose. The pre-placement assessment should be sent to
the Fostering Service as part of the referral.
236 </p>
237 <p>
237 This temporary approval can be extended for a further period of up to 8 weeks (if it is
likely to expire before the assessment is completed) or until the outcome of the Independent
Review (if the outcome of the assessment is that the Connected Person is not approved and
seeks a review of the decision - see
237 <a href="p_ass_app_fost.html">
237 Assessment and Approvals of Foster Carers Procedure
237 </a>
237 ).
237 </p>
238 <p>
238 Before deciding whether to extend the approval, the Local Authority must consider if the
placement is still the most appropriate placement available, and it must be considered by
the Fostering Panel before the above approval is given. The IRO must also be informed. A
decision to extend the temporary approval must be approved by the Nominated Officer.
238 </p>
239 <p>
239 A file will be opened for the foster carer's assessment. The allocated assessing social
worker will immediately arrange for a slot to be booked on the Fostering Panel within 16
weeks for the assessment to be considered.
239 </p>
240 <p>
240 The allocated assessing social worker will check proof of identity from the proposed carers
and arrange for the carers and members of the household aged 16 and over to complete
applications for Disclosure and Barring Service checks and consent to other agency checks.
240 </p>
241 <p>
241 The signed consent form and Disclosure and Barring Service forms will be given to the
administrative staff in the Fostering Service who will send off for the necessary checks as
set out in
241 <a href="p_ass_app_fost.html#checks_ref">
241 Assessment and Approvals of Foster Carers Procedure, Checks and References
241 </a>
241 .
241 </p>
242 <p>
242 The allocated worker will explain the assessment process to the carers and provide them with
written information.
242 </p>
243 <p>
243 The procedure for the assessment and approval is as for all applicants - see
243 <a href="p_ass_app_fost.html">
243 Assessment and Approvals of Foster Carers Procedure
243 </a>
243 .
243 </p>
244 <p>
244 If and when the carers are approved as foster carers, the procedures in relation to support,
supervision and review of the foster carers are the same as for all approved foster carers.
244 </p>
245 </div>
246 <div class="section1">
246 </div>
252 <div class="section">
252 <h2 id="ending">
252 6. Ending the Placement
252 </h2>
253 <p>
253 When the placement ends, the child's social worker must update the child's electronic record
and send notification to the finance section so that payments to the carer/provider will
cease.
253 </p>
254 <p>
254 The social worker will also send copies to those notified when the placement was made.
254 </p>
255 Where appropriate, consideration may be given to holding a Disruption Meeting in which case
the procedure set out in
255 <a href="p_place_disrup_meet.html">
255 Placement Planning and Disruption Meetings Procedure
255 </a>
255 should be followed.
255 </div>
256 <div class="section1">
256 </div>
259 </div>
262 <div id="footer">
263 <div class="copyright">
264 <p>
264 <a href="http://www.trixonline.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
264 <img src="images/logo/trix-logo.png" width="75" height="75" alt="trix logo">
264 </a>
264 Copyright© signisgroup
264 </p>
265 </div>
266 </div>
267 </div>
268 </div>
270 </div>
272 </div>
273 <div class="container">
275 <div class="modal modal-wide fade" id="myModal" tabindex="-1" role="dialog" aria-labelledby="myModal"
aria-hidden="true">
277 <div class="modal-dialog modal-lg">
277 <div class="modal-content">
277 <div class="modal-header">
277 <strong>
277 Local Resources
277 </strong>
277 </div>
277 <div class="modal-body">
279 
E960 [WCAG21 4.1.2 (A)] Do not use role=presentation|none or aria-hidden=true on a focusable element:
Using either of these on a sequentially focusable element will result in some users focusing on 'nothing'. A sequentially focusable element is an interactive element, or one with a positive 'tabindex'. See Fourth Rule of ARIA Use. <iframe src="https://proceduresonline.com/trixcms1/warringtoncs/doc-library/" title="Document library
popup">
279 </iframe>
281 <script>
281 </script>
281 </div>
281 <div class="modal-footer">
281 E960 [WCAG21 4.1.2 (A)] Do not use role=presentation|none or aria-hidden=true on a focusable element:
Using either of these on a sequentially focusable element will result in some users focusing on 'nothing'. A sequentially focusable element is an interactive element, or one with a positive 'tabindex'. See Fourth Rule of ARIA Use. <a href="#closepopup1" id="closepopup1" class="close" data-dismiss="modal" aria-hidden="true">
281 Close
281 </a>
281 </div>
281 </div>
281 </div>
281 </div>
281 </div>
283 <script src="js/val/test/jquery-1.11.3.min.js" defer>
283 </script>
284 <script type="text/javascript" src="js/highlight.js" defer>
284 </script>
285 <script src="js/iframe/iframeResizer.js">
285 </script>
287 <script src="https://maxcdn.bootstrapcdn.com/bootstrap/3.3.7/js/bootstrap.min.js" defer>
287 </script>
288 <script src="js/jqueryui/jquery-ui-1.9.1.custom.min.js" defer>
288 </script>
289 <script src="js/jquery.tocify.js" defer>
289 </script>
290 <script src="js/dropdowns-enhancement.js" defer>
290 </script>
291 <script src="js/scroll.js" defer>
291 </script>
292 <script src="js/custom.js" defer>
292 </script>
293 <script src="js/dmss.js" defer>
293 </script>
294 <script type="text/javascript"
src="https://cabbiepete.github.io/jQuery-Share-Email/js/jquery.tmpl.min.js" defer>
294 </script>
296 <script type="text/javascript" src="js/jQuery.print.js" defer>
296 </script>
297 <script src="js/jquery.shareemail.js" type="text/javascript" defer>
297 </script>
298 <script src="js/cookie-code/jquery.cookiebar.js" defer>
298 </script>
301 <a id="scrollup">
301 <i class="up">
301 </i>
301 </a>
302 <div id="background">
303 <p id="bg_text">
303 Trix procedures
303 </p>
304 <p id="bg_text_msg">
304 Only valid for 48hrs
304 </p>
305 </div>
310 <script type="text/javascript">
318 </script>
321 </body>
322 </html>