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136 <h1>
136 Adoption Support
136 </h1>
141 <div class="well">
142 <p class="bold">
142 RELEVANT GUIDANCE
142 </p>
143 <p>
143 <a
href="http://www.first4adoption.org.uk/being-an-adoptive-parent/the-adoption-passport/"
target="_blank" rel="noopener">
143 The Adoption Passport: A Support Guide for Adopters
143 </a>
143 </p>
144 <p>
144 <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/adoption-support-fund-asf" target="_blank"
rel="noopener">
144 Adoption Support Fund (Mott MacDonald/DfE)
144 </a>
144 </p>
145 <p>
145 <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/adoption-statutory-guidance-2013"
target="_blank" rel="noopener">
145 Adoption Statutory Guidance 2013
145 </a>
145 </p>
146 </div>
153 <div class="section">
153 <h2 id="what_adop_support">
153 1. What is Adoption Support?
153 </h2>
154 <p>
154 Adoption Support includes any support likely to be required for an adoptive placement to
endure through to adulthood and is applicable to both existing and new situations.
154 </p>
155 <p>
155 Local authorities must make arrangements, as part of their adoption service, for the
provision of a range of adoption support services.
155 </p>
156 <p>
156 Local authorities do not have to provide the services themselves but must have made
arrangements for services to be provided by voluntary or other agencies such as Health or
Education.
156 </p>
157 </div>
158 <div class="section1">
158 </div>
164 <div class="section">
164 <h2 id="duty_to_provide">
164 2. Duty to Provide Information Concerning Adoption Support
164 </h2>
165 <p>
165 Under the Adoption and Children Act 2002 (as amended by the Children and Families Act 2014),
the local authority has a duty to provide information on adoption support services to:
165 </p>
166 <ul>
167 <li>
167 Anyone contacting the authority to request information about adopting a child;
167 </li>
168 <li>
168 Anyone informing the authority that (s)he wishes to adopt a child;
168 </li>
169 <li>
169 Any parent of an adopted child within the authority's area who requests the information;
169 </li>
170 <li>
170 Any parent of an adopted child within the authority's area of whom the authority
is/becomes aware (e.g. where a parent rings about an SEN assessment and it becomes clear
that the child is adopted).
170 </li>
171 </ul>
172 <p>
172 Information must be provided about:
172 </p>
173 <ul>
174 <li>
174 The full range of adoption support services available in the local authority area. This
includes, but is not limited to, therapeutic services, assistance in relation to contact
arrangements, and financial support;
174 </li>
175 <li>
175 The right to request an assessment for adoption support services (at any time);
175 </li>
176 <li>
176 The address and telephone number of the authority's Adoption Support Services Adviser;
176 </li>
177 <li>
177 The availability of assessments for adoption support services for persons outside the
local authority area, so that parents understand which local authority is responsible for
assessing their support needs;
177 </li>
178 <li>
178 Contact details for
178 <a href="http://www.first4adoption.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
178 first4adoption
178 </a>
178 and the local the web-based information service which provides information about
adoption;
178 </li>
179 <li>
179 Priority school admissions (where relevant). Details can be found in
179 <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-admissions-code--2"
target="_blank" rel="noopener">
179 School Admissions Code (GOV.UK)
179 </a>
179 ;
179 </li>
180 <li>
180 Priority council housing and Discretionary Housing Payments;
180 </li>
181 <li>
181 The entitlement to early education from the age of 2 years (since September 2014);
181 </li>
182 <li>
182 How to make a complaint, both under the local authority complaints procedure and to the
Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman;
182 </li>
183 <li>
183 Any other relevant services provided by the local authority;
183 </li>
184 <li>
184 Any other information that the local authority considers relevant.
184 </li>
185 </ul>
186 <p>
186 The following information must also be provided to potential and prospective adopters:
186 </p>
187 <ul>
188 <li>
188 Details of where to find information about adoption pay and leave. Details can be found
at
188 <a href="https://www.gov.uk/adoption-pay-leave" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
188 Adoption Pay and Leave (GOV.UK website)
188 </a>
188 ;
188 </li>
189 <li>
189 Information about the right to receive a copy of the child's permanence report, including
a summary of the medical adviser's report on the health of the child, before the child is
placed with them for adoption;
189 </li>
190 <li>
190 The entitlement to a life story book. This should include who provides the life story
book, what it includes and what it can be used for.
190 </li>
191 </ul>
192 <p>
192 When a person requests information about a specific service, the local authority must ask
whether they would like any of the other information as well.
192 </p>
193 <p>
193 Information does
193 <span class="bold">
193 not
193 </span>
193 need to be provided where:
193 </p>
194 <ul>
195 <li>
195 The local authority has provided all the necessary information in the last 12 months and
none of the information has changed substantively;
195 </li>
196 <li>
196 A person has informed the local authority that they do not wish to receive the information
(unless the authority considers it appropriate to do so);
196 </li>
197 <li>
197 Where the information has already been sent, e.g. where the same person requests the
information a number of times in a short period.
197 </li>
198 </ul>
199 <p>
199 If the local authority refuses a person's request for information, it should give reasons
for the refusal and signpost the person to the website that holds the information.
199 </p>
200 </div>
201 <div class="section1">
201 </div>
207 <div class="section">
207 <h2 id="examples_adop_support">
207 3. Examples of Adoption Support
207 </h2>
208 <p>
208 See also
208 <a
href="http://www.first4adoption.org.uk/being-an-adoptive-parent/the-adoption-passport/"
target="_blank" rel="noopener">
208 The Adoption Passport: A Support Guide for Adopters
208 </a>
208 </p>
209 <p>
209 Adoption support is defined as including:
209 </p>
210 <ol>
211 <li>
211 Financial support to adopters. This can include paid adoption leave at similar rates to
maternity and paternity leave;
211 </li>
212 <li>
212 Priority access to social housing, and access to additional support to cover a spare room
whilst adopters wait for their child to arrive in their new home;
212 </li>
213 <li>
213 Priority admission for school places, including academies and free schools;
213 </li>
214 <li>
214 The role of the designated teacher in offering support to previously Children in Care and
to their new school. See
214 <a href="p_educ_lac.html">
214 Education of Children in Care and Previously Looked After Children Procedure
214 </a>
214 ;
214 </li>
215 <li>
215 Services to enable groups of adoptive children, adoptive parents and birth parents to
discuss matters relating to adoption;
215 </li>
216 <li>
216 Assistance, including mediation, with contact arrangements between adopted children and
their birth parents or others with whom they share a significant relationship;
216 </li>
217 <li>
217 Therapeutic services for adopted children;
217 </li>
218 <li>
218 Assistance to adoptive parents and children to support the adoptive placement and enable
it to continue, including respite care;
218 </li>
219 <li>
219 Assistance to adoptive parents and children where a placement disrupts or is at risk of
disruption;
219 </li>
220 <li>
220 A range of adoption support services, including access to counselling, information and
advice for both adoptive parents and their children, who may have complex needs;
220 </li>
221 <li>
221 Assistance with cross boundary matters;
221 </li>
222 <li>
222 Intermediary Services - see
222 <a href="p_intermed_serv.html">
222 Intermediary Services Procedure
222 </a>
222 .
222 </li>
223 </ol>
224 <p>
224 Support provided under 5) to 9) above may include cash assistance, for example to pay for a
babysitter, although this would not be regarded as financial support.
224 </p>
225 </div>
226 <div class="section1">
226 </div>
232 <div class="section">
232 <h2 id="when_to_assess">
232 4. When to Assess the Need for Adoption Support
232 </h2>
233 <table title="When to Assess the Need for Adoption Support" class="table">
234 <tbody>
235 <tr>
236 <td>
236 <p>
236 4.1
236 </p>
236 </td>
237 <td>
237 <p>
237 <a id="para_three_point_one">
237 </a>
237 In relation to adoptions arranged by the agency, practitioners must assess the need
for adoption support at the following stages of care and permanence planning:
237 </p>
238 <ol style="list-style-type:lower-alpha">
239 <li>
240 <p>
240 When preparing the Child's Permanence Report for presentation to the Adoption
Panel as to whether the child should be placed for adoption;
240 </p>
241 </li>
242 <li>
243 <p>
243 When preparing the Prospective Adopter's Report for presentation to the Adoption
Panel as to the suitability of prospective adoptive parents to adopt;
243 </p>
244 </li>
245 <li>
246 <p>
246 When considering and preparing the Adoption Placement Report for presentation to
the Adoption Panel in relation to the proposed placement of a child with
particular prospective adopters.
246 </p>
247 </li>
248 </ol>
248 </td>
249 </tr>
250 <tr>
251 <td>
251 <p>
251 4.2
251 </p>
251 </td>
252 <td>
252 <p>
252 <a id="para_three_point_two">
252 </a>
252 In relation to placements arranged by the agency, adoption support must also always
be considered at a child's Adoption Reviews following the adoptive placement.
252 </p>
253 <p>
253 See
253 <a href="p_adoption_reviews.html">
253 Adoption Reviews Procedure
253 </a>
253 </p>
253 </td>
254 </tr>
255 <tr>
256 <td>
256 <p>
256 4.3
256 </p>
256 </td>
257 <td>
257 <p>
257 <a id="para_three_point_three">
257 </a>
257 Local authorities must also undertake assessments of need for adoption support at
the request of the following:
257 </p>
258 <ol style="list-style-type:lower-roman">
259 <li>
260 <p>
260 Children who may be adopted, their parents or guardians;
260 </p>
261 </li>
262 <li>
263 <p>
263 Persons wishing to adopt a child;
263 </p>
264 </li>
265 <li>
266 <p>
266 Adopted persons, their parents, birth parents and former guardians;
266 </p>
267 </li>
268 <li>
269 <p>
269 Other children of adoptive parents (whether or not they are adopted);
269 </p>
270 </li>
271 <li>
272 <p>
272 Birth siblings of adopted children;
272 </p>
273 </li>
274 <li>
275 <p>
275 Relatives of the adopted child or other persons with whom the child has a
beneficial relationship.
275 </p>
276 </li>
277 </ol>
278 <p>
278 The requirement to assess the need for support is limited to the entitlement to
services of the person making the request.
278 </p>
279 <p>
279 As well as adoptions arranged by the local authority, children adopted from abroad
are entitled to be assessed for therapeutic services and disruption support. It is
only where the adoption is by a step parent that there is no requirement to carry
out an assessment, although in such cases, counselling, advice and information may
be offered as appropriate.
279 </p>
279 </td>
280 </tr>
281 </tbody>
282 </table>
283 </div>
284 <div class="section1">
284 </div>
290 <div class="section">
291 <h2 id="carry">
291 5. Which Local Authority Should Carry out the Assessment?
291 </h2>
292 <p>
292 The table below sets out which local authority has responsibility for carrying out the
assessment of need for adoption support, and in what circumstances.
292 </p>
293 
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294 <tbody>
295 <tr class="table_header">
296 <td>
296 Circumstance
296 </td>
297 <td>
297 Responsibility for Assessment
297 </td>
298 </tr>
299 <tr>
300 <td class="table_row_even">
300 <p>
300 Child being Looked After and in respect of whom an adoption plan is being considered
300 </p>
300 </td>
301 <td>
301 <p>
301 The local authority looking after the child
301 </p>
301 </td>
302 </tr>
303 <tr>
304 <td class="table_row_even">
304 <p>
304 Child placed with or adopted by family living in the area of the local authority
arranging the adoption
304 </p>
304 </td>
305 <td>
305 <p>
305 The local authority for the area where the child and adopters live
305 </p>
305 </td>
306 </tr>
307 <tr>
308 <td class="table_row_even">
308 <p>
308 Child placed with and/or adopted by family living outside the local authority area
308 </p>
308 </td>
309 <td>
309 <p>
309 The placing local authority has responsibility at the time of the placement and for
up to 3 years after the Adoption Order is made, and then the local authority where
the adopters live will have the responsibility
309 </p>
309 </td>
310 </tr>
311 <tr>
312 <td class="table_row_even">
312 <p>
312 In all other cases (i.e. non agency placements except step parent adoptions)
312 </p>
312 </td>
313 <td>
313 <p>
313 The local authority where the requester lives must assess
313 </p>
313 </td>
314 </tr>
315 </tbody>
316 </table>
317 </div>
318 <div class="section1">
318 </div>
324 <div class="section">
324 <h2 id="which_local_auth">
324 6. Which Local Authority Should Provide Support?
324 </h2>
325 <p>
325 The local authority responsible for carrying out the assessment of need should provide
support to meet the identified needs.
325 </p>
326 <p>
326 The exception to this is where ongoing financial support and/or supporting contact
arrangements have been agreed by the placing authority before the Adoption Order was made,
in which case the responsibility to provide such support will remain with that authority for
as long as eligibility for the service continues.
326 </p>
327 </div>
328 <div class="section1">
328 </div>
334 <div class="section">
334 <h2 id="process_assess">
334 7. Process of Assessment for Adoption Support
334 </h2>
335 <p>
335 In all cases where an assessment is required, the practitioners involved should conduct
assessments by following the guidance set out in
335 <a href="http://www.workingtogetheronline.co.uk/chapters/chapter_one.html#assessments"
target="_blank" rel="noopener">
335 Working Together to Safeguard Children
335 </a>
335 . The assessment should take account of the adoption context and, where the assessment
relates to the child, all the developmental needs of the child should be covered including
health, education and emotional needs, and contact issues. The relevant education service
and health trust should be consulted as necessary.
335 </p>
336 <p>
336 Assessments of need for adoption support under
336 <a href="#para_three_point_one">
336 paragraph 4.1 (a) and (b)
336 </a>
336 above should be carried out by the child's social worker and/or the prospective
adopters' social worker as appropriate prior to being presented to the Adoption Panel. The
assessment under
336 <a href="#para_three_point_one">
336 paragraph 4.1.(c)
336 </a>
336 at the time of the child's proposed placement with prospective adopters should be
considered at the Matching Meeting and also have the approval of the
336 <a href="pr_desg_man.html#adopt_spt" title="my_first_designated_manager_link">
336 Designated Manager (Adoption Support)
336 </a>
336 prior to being presented to the Adoption Panel with the Adoption Placement Report. At all
stages, the Adoption Panel must consider and may give advice on the proposed adoption
support and this advice will be considered by the
336 <a href="pr_desg_man.html#agency_adopt">
336 Agency Decision Maker
336 </a>
336 , before making a final decision on the contents of the Adoption Support Plan - see
336 <a href="p_place_adop.html">
336 Placement for Adoption Procedure
336 </a>
336 .
336 </p>
337 <p>
337 Any assessment (under
337 <a href="#para_three_point_two">
337 paragraph 4.2
337 </a>
337 ) considered necessary at an Adoption Review, as a result of which a change in the Adoption
Support Plan is required, should be referred to the Designated Manager (Adoption Support)
for approval who will consider whether the case should be referred back to the Adoption
Panel and the Agency Decision Maker.
337 </p>
338 <p>
338 Requests for assessment for adoption support under
338 <a href="#para_three_point_three">
338 paragraph 4.3
338 </a>
338 above will be allocated to a social worker to carry out an assessment, with advice from the
Adoption Support Services Adviser as necessary. The assessing social worker will usually
need to interview the person being assessed - where this is a child, the adoptive parents
will also need to be interviewed depending on the case and the age, understanding and wishes
of the child.
338 </p>
339 <p>
339 An assessment will not be required before providing advice and information.
339 </p>
340 <p>
340 Where an assessment is carried out as a result of a request under
340 <a href="#para_three_point_three">
340 paragraph 4.3
340 </a>
340 , a written report of the assessment should be produced and agreed by the Designated Manager
(Adoption Support).
340 </p>
341 <p>
341 A copy of the assessment report, once approved, should be sent to the person assessed with
notice of the outcome of the assessment, which should state:
341 </p>
342 <ol>
343 <li>
343 The person's assessed needs for support;
343 </li>
344 <li>
344 Whether the local authority proposes to provide adoption support services and if so, what
the proposed services are;
344 </li>
345 <li>
345 Where the assessment relates to the need for financial support, how this has been
determined and calculated and the conditions to be attached, (see
345 <a href="#financial_support">
345 Section 9, Financial Support
345 </a>
345 ).
345 </li>
346 </ol>
347 <p>
347 Where the person assessed is a child, and it is not appropriate to send the notice to the
child, notices should be sent to the adoptive parent or the most appropriate adult.
347 </p>
348 <p>
348 Where services are proposed, a draft Adoption Support Plan should usually be attached to the
notice and those assessed should be allowed time to consider and make representations on the
proposal as set out in
348 <a href="#adop_aupport">
348 Section 8, The Adoption Support Plan
348 </a>
348 .
348 </p>
349 <p>
349 Where the service proposed is one-off, the notice of the outcome of the assessment will be
sufficient to outline what is proposed and a draft plan will not be required.
349 </p>
350 </div>
351 <div class="section1">
351 </div>
357 <div class="section">
357 <h2 id="adop_aupport">
357 8. The Adoption Support Plan
357 </h2>
358 <h3>
358 8.1 Contents of Adoption Support Plan
358 </h3>
359 <p>
359 An Adoption Support Plan should set out clearly:
359 </p>
360 <ol>
361 <li>
361 The objectives of the plan and the key services to be provided;
361 </li>
362 <li>
362 The timescales for achieving the plan;
362 </li>
363 <li>
363 Those responsible for implementing the plan and the respective roles of others; what
should be provided, when and by whom;
363 </li>
364 <li>
364 The criteria that will be used to evaluate the success of the plan;
364 </li>
365 <li>
365 The procedures that will be put in place to review the services to be provided and the
plan.
365 </li>
366 </ol>
367 <p>
367 The Adoption Support Plan will need to be completed after consultation with the appropriate
Health Trust, CAMHS or education service where any special arrangements may need to be made.
Where the child is placed in the area of another local authority, the agencies in that
authority's area will need to be consulted as to what services may be available for the
adopters and the adopted children. In these circumstances, the prospective adopters should
be assisted with any cross-boundary issues that may arise.
367 </p>
368 <p>
368 The Adoption Support Plan should include any proposed financial support, how the amount has
been calculated, where it is to be paid in instalments - the frequency of payment, the
period over which it will be paid and when the first payment is to be made, the conditions
and the consequences of failing to meet them and the arrangements for review, variation and
termination, (see
368 <a href="#financial_support">
368 Section 9, Financial Support
368 </a>
368 ).
368 </p>
369 <h3>
369 8.2 Consultation with proposed recipients of adoption support
369 </h3>
370 <p>
370 Once a proposed Adoption Support Plan has the approval of the
370 <a href="pr_desg_man.html#adopt_spt" title="my_first_designated_manager_link">
370 Designated Manager (Adoption Support)
370 </a>
370 , a copy should be sent to the proposed recipients of the support, as well as to any party
involved in the delivery of the plan.
370 </p>
371 <p>
371 The recipients of the proposed support should be given 10 working days to consider the
proposals and make representations to the local authority about the proposed plan. Any
representations made should be considered by the Designated Manager (Adoption Support), who
will amend the draft plan as appropriate and inform the recipients of the outcome of their
considerations.
371 </p>
372 <h3>
372 8.3 Approval of Adoption Support Plan
372 </h3>
373 <p>
373 In relation to proposed agency adoptive placements, the proposed Adoption Support Plan will
be submitted to the Adoption Panel when the proposed placement of a child with particular
prospective adopters is recommended. The final Adoption Support Plan will be approved,
taking into account any advice given by the Adoption Panel. See
373 <a href="p_place_adop.html">
373 Placement for Adoption Procedure
373 </a>
373 .
373 </p>
374 <p>
374 In relation to other situations in which adoption support is proposed, the Adoption Support
Plan will be approved by the Designated Manager (Adoption Support).
374 </p>
375 <h3>
375 8.4 Distribution of Adoption Support Plan
375 </h3>
376 <p>
376 A copy of the final plan should go to all those involved in implementing it, and to the
recipients of services (or appropriate adult). Where the child has an Independent Reviewing
Officer, a copy should be sent to them.
376 </p>
377 <h3>
377 8.5 Reviews of Adoption Support Plan
377 </h3>
378 <p>
378 Where adoption support is in place prior to an Adoption Order, the Adoption Support Plan
should be reviewed at the reviews of the adoptive placement - see
378 <a href="p_adoption_reviews.html">
378 Adoption Reviews Procedure
378 </a>
378 - or at any time if there is a significant change of circumstances, within 4 weeks of the
notification of the change.
378 </p>
379 <p>
379 After the Adoption Order has been made, the Adoption Support Plan will be reviewed if a
change in circumstances is brought to the notice of the local authority. The Adoption
Service Manager will decide on the format and content of any such review, which will depend
on the circumstances of the case. It may refer to only one element of the Plan or be
relatively minor in which case an exchange of correspondence may be sufficient. (For annual
reviews of financial support, see
379 <a href="#eight_point_seven">
379 Section 9.7, Annual Review of Support
379 </a>
379 ).
379 </p>
380 <p>
380 Where the change of circumstances is substantial, such as a serious change in the behaviour
of the child, it may be appropriate to conduct a new assessment of needs involving other
parties.
380 </p>
381 <p>
381 If as a result of a review, whether before or after an Adoption Order has been made, it is
proposed to vary or terminate the support, the proposed change must be referred to the
Designated Manager (Adoption Support) for approval, who, in the case of agency adoptive
placements, may decide to refer the case back to the Adoption Panel for information and
advice and then to the Agency Decision Maker for a decision to be made.
381 </p>
382 <p>
382 Once approved, the person concerned must be notified of the proposed change, together with a
copy of the revised Adoption Support Plan in draft. They must then be given 10 working days
to make representations on the proposals.
382 </p>
383 <p>
383 Any such representations should be submitted to the
383 <a href="pr_desg_man.html#adopt_spt">
383 Designated Manager (Adoption Support)
383 </a>
383 whose decision as to the final contents of the revised Adoption Support Plan should take
into account any representations made.
383 </p>
384 <p>
384 Notice of the decision must then be sent to the person concerned with reasons and, where
appropriate, a copy of the revised plan.
384 </p>
385 <h3>
385 8.6 Urgent Cases
385 </h3>
386 <p>
386 Where there is an urgent need for support, the support can be provided before a Plan is
drawn up but the above procedure should then be followed as soon as possible.
386 </p>
387 </div>
388 <div class="section1">
388 </div>
394 <div class="section">
394 <h2 id="financial_support">
394 9. Financial Support
394 </h2>
395 <h3>
395 9.1 Introduction
395 </h3>
396 <p>
396 Financial support is intended to supplement existing means of support available to adoptive
parents and the child or children being adopted. Adopters must be given advice of
entitlements to employee's rights to leave and pay, benefits, tax credits and allowances,
and these should be taken into account when considering amounts of financial support.
396 </p>
397 <h3 id="para_costs">
397 9.2 Criteria
397 </h3>
398 <p>
398 The circumstances in which provision of financial support may be paid are as follows:
398 </p>
399 <ol style="list-style-type:lower-roman">
400 <li>
400 Where it is necessary to ensure that adoptive parents can look after a child;
400 </li>
401 <li>
401 Where the child needs special care which requires a greater expenditure of resources by
reason of illness, disability, emotional or behavioural difficulties or the continuing
consequences of neglect - and the child's condition is serious and long-term;
401 </li>
402 <li>
402 Where it is necessary for the local authority to make any special arrangements to
facilitate the placement or the adoption by reason of the age or ethnic origin of the
child or the desirability of the child being placed with siblings or a child with whom
they have previously shared a home;
402 </li>
403 <li>
403 Where such support is to meet the recurring costs of travel for visits for the child to
members of the birth family/significant others;
403 </li>
404 <li>
404 Where the local authority considers it appropriate to contribute towards expenditure on
legal costs, including Court fees (in cases where the adoption is supported by the local
authority), or expenses associated with the child's introduction to adoptive parents or
expenditure on accommodating the child (e.g. adaptations to the home, furniture, clothing
or transport).
404 </li>
405 </ol>
406 <h3>
406 9.3 Types of Payment
406 </h3>
407 <p>
407 Payment to adoptive parents may be made in the following ways:
407 </p>
408 <ul>
409 <li>
409 Regular payments - which will be based upon the developmental age of the child and
calculated as agreed from time to time by the local authority;
409 </li>
410 <li>
410 Lump sum payments (settling in costs, special needs and adaptations), which will cover
items or adaptations that are required as a consequence of assessment of each child's
individual needs. Payment may be in instalments and will end at a time specified by the
local authority;
410 </li>
411 <li>
411 Payments in special circumstances (for example, a child with additional needs or where
foster carers adopt a child for whom they are already caring or where adopters incur legal
expenses in contested cases). Payment may be in instalments and may end at a time
specified by the local authority.
411 </li>
412 </ul>
413 <p>
413 Financial support cannot generally include the "reward" element which may be payable to
foster carers and neither will payments be made so as to provide an income. However,
payments may be paid above the usual level where it is regarded as necessary to ease the
transition from foster care to adoption. Generally such additional payments can be paid for
a period of 2 years although in exceptional circumstances, additional payments may be paid
for a longer period.
413 </p>
414 <h3>
414 9.4 Assessment for Financial Support
414 </h3>
415 <p>
415 Where regular financial support is considered appropriate, the amount to be paid to adoptive
parents may be determined by an assessment of their means. This will take account of the
adopters' income and resources (excluding their home), reasonable outgoings and commitments,
and the financial needs and resources of the child. (
415 <span class="bold">
415 N.B.
415 </span>
415 Support provided under
415 <a href="#para_costs">
415 Section 9.2 (v)
415 </a>
415 to assist with legal costs or expenses associated with the child's introduction to the
placement will not be subject to an assessment of means).
415 </p>
416 <p>
416 As part of this assessment, the adopters should be asked to complete a Financial Assessment
Form and the completed form should be forwarded to the Finance Department. The Adoption
Service Manager will decide the level of support to be included in the draft Adoption
Support Plan (see
416 <a href="#adop_aupport">
416 Section 8, The Adoption Support Plan
416 </a>
416 ), having regard to this assessment, and obtain budgetary approval as necessary depending on
the amount.
416 </p>
417 <p>
417 In relation to proposed financial support for a new placement, the Adoption Support Plan
will be submitted to the Adoption Panel with the Adoption Placement Report when a matching
recommendation is being considered. See
417 <a href="p_place_adop.html">
417 Placement for Adoption Procedure
417 </a>
417 .
417 </p>
418 <h3>
418 9.5 Notification
418 </h3>
419 <p>
419 The adopters will be sent written confirmation of the decision to provide financial support.
This will include the amount and terms of the support and information about annual reviews.
419 </p>
420 <h3>
420 9.6 Terms and Conditions
420 </h3>
421 <p>
421 If it is decided that financial support should be given to adoptive parents, payment may be
subject to conditions and a date specified by which the condition is to be met.
421 </p>
422 <p>
422 Prior to making financial support available to prospective or adoptive parents, they will be
required to inform the adoption service:
422 </p>
423 <ol style="list-style-type:lower-roman">
424 <li>
424 Of changes to their home address;
424 </li>
425 <li>
425 If the child (for any reason) no longer lives with them;
425 </li>
426 <li>
426 If there are any changes to their financial situation/the resources of the child.
426 </li>
427 </ol>
428 <p>
428 Where information is given orally, adoptive parents must confirm this in writing within 7
days.
428 </p>
429 <p>
429 Should adoptive parents fail to comply with the requirements, the authority may suspend
payment of the financial support provided.
429 </p>
430 <h3 id="eight_point_seven">
430 9.7 Annual Review of Support
430 </h3>
431 <p>
431 Adoptive parents must also agree to complete and supply the authority with an annual
statement of their circumstances for the annual review.
431 </p>
432 <p>
432 The adopters should specify the following in the statement:
432 </p>
433 <ol style="list-style-type:lower-roman">
434 <li>
434 Their financial circumstances;
434 </li>
435 <li>
435 The financial needs and resources of the child or children;
435 </li>
436 <li>
436 Their home address and whether or not the child or children live at home with them;
436 </li>
437 <li>
437 If there have been any changes to their own or the child/children's circumstances.
437 </li>
438 </ol>
439 <p>
439 The Adoption Service will carry out an annual review of the financial support, taking into
account the information given. Any proposed variation or termination of the financial
support must be notified to the person(s) concerned and dealt with by the Adoption Service
in accordance with the procedure set out in
439 <a href="#adop_aupport">
439 Section 8, The Adoption Support Plan
439 </a>
439 . Any decision to vary or terminate should also consider whether it is appropriate to seek
to recover all or any of the financial support already paid.
439 </p>
440 <p>
440 Should adoptive parents fail to supply an annual statement, the authority must send a
written reminder and give 28 days to comply. If they fail to comply, the authority may
suspend payment of the financial support provided.
440 </p>
441 <h4>
441 Remuneration for former foster parents
441 </h4>
442 <p>
442 Where the adopter previously fostered the child they are adopting, and they received
remuneration in the financial support paid to them as the child's foster parent, the local
authority may continue to pay remuneration for a transitional period of 2 years from the
date of the adoption order. This can continue for longer than 2 years if the local authority
considers the case to be exceptional.
442 </p>
443 <p>
443 The decision to include remuneration must have been taken before the making of the adoption
order.
443 </p>
444 <h3>
444 9.8 Ending of Financial Support
444 </h3>
445 <p>
445 Financial support will end in the following circumstances:
445 </p>
446 <ul>
447 <li>
447 When a child reaches age 18, unless they continue in full time education or training when
support may continue until the end of the course of education or training being
undertaken, subject to any other financial support the child may be entitled to receive;
447 </li>
448 <li>
448 Where a child ceases full-time education or training and commences employment;
448 </li>
449 <li>
449 Where a child qualifies for income support or job seekers allowance in their own right;
449 </li>
450 <li>
450 Where circumstances have changed significantly and the criteria are no longer met;
450 </li>
451 <li>
451 If a child leaves the adoptive home and this is regarded as a permanent departure;
451 </li>
452 <li>
452 Temporary absences do not apply, e.g. boarding school, hospital, and respite care;
452 </li>
453 <li>
453 The child dies.
453 </li>
454 </ul>
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