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 Placement for Adoption
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 Placement for Adoption
136 </h1>
141 <div class="well">
142 <p class="bold">
142 RELATED CHAPTERS
142 </p>
143 <p>
143 This chapter should be read in conjunction with the
143 <a href="files/permanence_policy.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
143 Securing Permanence Procedure
143 </a>
143 and
143 <a href="p_foster_for_adopt.html">
143 Early Permanence Placements / Fostering for Adoption Procedure
143 </a>
143 .
143 </p>
144 <p>
144 <a href="p_relinquished_children.html">
144 Relinquished Children Procedure
144 </a>
144 </p>
145 <p class="bold">
145 RELATED GUIDANCE
146 </p>
147 <a href="http://contact.rip.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
147 Contact After Adoption
147 </a>
147 - Support materials for practitioners working on making positive post-adoption contact plans
and supporting birth relatives and adopters through contact planning for their child.
147 </div>
154 <div class="section">
154 <h2 id="planning_perm">
154 1. Planning for Permanence
154 </h2>
155 <table class="table" title="planning for permenence table">
156 <tbody>
157 <tr>
158 <td>
158 <p>
158 1.1
158 </p>
158 </td>
159 <td>
159 <p>
159 Every Child in Care must have a Permanence Plan by the date of their second Case
Review.
159 </p>
159 </td>
160 </tr>
161 <tr>
162 <td>
162 <p>
162 1.2
162 </p>
162 </td>
163 <td>
163 <p>
163 When an adoption plan is being considered in relation to a Child in Care,
consideration should be given to inviting a representative of the Adoption Service
to the relevant meeting.
163 </p>
163 </td>
164 </tr>
165 <tr>
166 <td>
166 <p>
166 1.3
166 </p>
166 </td>
167 <td>
167 <p>
167 In relation to a Relinquished Child, 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.
167 </p>
167 </td>
168 </tr>
169 <tr>
170 <td>
170 <p>
170 1.4
170 </p>
170 </td>
171 <td>
171 <p>
171 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.
171 </p>
171 </td>
172 </tr>
173 <tr>
174 <td>
174 <p>
174 1.5
174 </p>
174 </td>
175 <td>
175 <p>
175 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).
175 </p>
175 </td>
176 </tr>
177 <tr>
178 <td>
178 <p>
178 1.6
178 </p>
178 </td>
179 <td>
179 <p>
179 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:
179 </p>
180 <ul>
181 <li>
181 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
181 </li>
182 <li>
182 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 Placement Order);
182 </li>
183 <li>
183 Then the local authority
183 <span class="bold">
183 MUST
183 </span>
183 consider placing the child with:
184 <ul>
185 <li>
185 (Firstly) a relative, friend or Connected Person who is also a local authority
foster carer; or
185 </li>
186 <li>
186 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').
186 </li>
187 </ul>
188 </li>
189 </ul>
189 </td>
190 </tr>
191 <tr>
192 <td>
192 1.7
192 </td>
193 <td>
193 <p>
193 In October 2017,
193 <a href="https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2017/16/section/9" target="_blank"
rel="noopener">
193 Section 9 of the Children and Social Work Act 2017 amends section 1(4)(f) of the
Adoption and Children Act 2002
193 </a>
193 added into the list of considerations whenever a court or adoption agency is coming
to a decision relating to the adoption of a child, and now includes the child's
relationship with
193 <em class="bold">
193 any person who is a prospective adopter with whom the child is placed
193 </em>
193 , 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.
193 </p>
194 <p>
194 See
194 <a href="p_foster_for_adopt.html">
194 Early Permanence Placements / Fostering for Adoption Procedure
194 </a>
194 .
194 </p>
194 </td>
195 </tr>
196 </tbody>
197 </table>
198 </div>
199 <div class="section1">
199 </div>
205 <div class="section">
205 <h2 id="obtaining_agen">
205 2. Obtaining Agency Approval to Adoption Plan
205 </h2>
206 <table class="table" title="obtaining agency table">
207 <tbody>
208 <tr>
209 <td>
209 <p>
209 <a id="para_2.1">
209 </a>
209 2.1
209 </p>
209 </td>
210 <td>
210 <p>
210 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 Placement Order,
i.e. the child is the subject of a Care Order or the Threshold Criteria 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.
210 </p>
211 <p>
211 As soon as adoption is the Permanence Plan for the child, the child's social worker
must:
211 </p>
212 <ul>
213 <li>
213 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);
213 <br>
214 <br>
215 This date must be a maximum of 2 months from the date when the adoption plan was
ratified at the child's Case Review. Where this timescale is not met, the reason
should be recorded;
215 <br>
216 <br>
217 </li>
218 <li>
218 Continue to provide counselling for the child - see
218 <a href="#prep_adop">
218 Section 3, Preparation of Child for Adoption
218 </a>
218 ;
218 </li>
219 <li>
219 Make a referral to the Adoption Service for a family finder to be identified.
219 </li>
220 </ul>
220 </td>
221 </tr>
222 <tr>
223 <td>
223 <p>
223 2.2
223 </p>
223 </td>
224 <td>
224 <p>
224 The child's social worker opens an Adoption Case Record for the child once adoption
has been identified as the permanence plan for the child at their Case 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.
224 </p>
224 </td>
225 </tr>
226 <tr>
227 <td>
227 <p>
227 2.3
227 </p>
227 </td>
228 <td>
228 <p>
228 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.
228 </p>
228 </td>
229 </tr>
230 <tr>
231 <td>
231 <p>
231 2.4
231 </p>
231 </td>
232 <td>
232 <p>
232 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.
232 </p>
233 <p>
233 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
233 <a href="#counselling_supp">
233 Section 4, Counselling and Support for Parents
233 </a>
233 .
233 </p>
233 </td>
234 </tr>
235 <tr>
236 <td>
236 <p>
236 2.5
236 </p>
236 </td>
237 <td>
237 <p>
237 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
237 <a href="#childs_adop_med">
237 Section 5, Child's Adoption Medical
237 </a>
237 .
237 </p>
237 </td>
238 </tr>
239 <tr>
240 <td>
240 <p>
240 2.6
240 </p>
240 </td>
241 <td>
241 <p>
241 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
241 <a href="#counselling_supp">
241 Section 4, Counselling and Support for Parents
241 </a>
241 . 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.
241 </p>
241 </td>
242 </tr>
243 <tr>
244 <td>
244 <p>
244 2.7
244 </p>
244 </td>
245 <td>
245 <p>
245 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 for 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.
245 </p>
245 </td>
246 </tr>
247 <tr>
248 <td>
248 <p>
248 2.8
248 </p>
248 </td>
249 <td>
249 <p>
249 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.
249 </p>
249 </td>
250 </tr>
251 <tr>
252 <td>
252 <p>
252 2.9
252 </p>
252 </td>
253 <td>
253 <p>
253 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.
253 </p>
253 </td>
254 </tr>
255 <tr>
256 <td>
256 <p>
256 2.10
256 </p>
256 </td>
257 <td>
257 <p>
257 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
257 <a href="#para_2.13">
257 paragraph 2.13
257 </a>
257 ).
257 </p>
257 </td>
258 </tr>
259 <tr>
260 <td>
260 <p>
260 2.11
260 </p>
260 </td>
261 <td>
261 <p>
261 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
261 <a href="#post_place">
261 Section 6, Post-placement Contact
261 </a>
261 .
261 </p>
262 <p>
262 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.
262 </p>
262 </td>
263 </tr>
264 <tr>
265 <td>
265 <p>
265 2.12
265 </p>
265 </td>
266 <td>
266 <p>
266 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
266 <a href="p_adop_support.html">
266 Adoption Support Procedure
266 </a>
266 .
266 </p>
266 </td>
267 </tr>
268 <tr>
269 <td>
269 <p>
269 <a id="para_2.13">
269 </a>
269 2.13
269 </p>
269 </td>
270 <td>
270 <p>
270 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
must be written by the social worker who knows the child best, who must also be a
qualified social worker with suitable experience (see
270 <a href="p_adop_panel.html">
270 Adoption Panel Procedure
270 </a>
270 ).
270 </p>
271 <p>
271 The following areas must be included or addressed in the Report:
271 </p>
272 <ul>
273 <li>
273 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 their birth family;
273 </li>
274 <li>
274 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;
274 </li>
275 <li>
275 The child's wishes in relation to the adoption plan and their preferred method of
communication;
275 </li>
276 <li>
276 A chronology of the child's life since birth;
276 </li>
277 <li>
277 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 their birth family;
277 </li>
278 <li>
278 The views of the Children's Guardian (where possible);
278 </li>
279 <li>
279 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;
279 </li>
280 <li>
280 A report of the child's educational history and current needs, including the
Personal Education Plan (PEP);
280 </li>
281 <li>
281 Any other relevant specialist reports on the child;
281 </li>
282 <li>
282 An assessment of the child's emotional and behavioural development;
282 </li>
283 <li>
283 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;
283 </li>
284 <li>
284 A Chronology of the decisions and actions taken by the agency with respect to the
child;
284 </li>
285 <li>
285 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;
285 </li>
286 <li>
286 Where the child has siblings, whether the decision is to place siblings separately
or together and the rationale for the decision;
286 </li>
287 <li>
287 Any other information which the agency considers relevant.
287 </li>
288 </ul>
289 <p>
289 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.
289 </p>
289 </td>
290 </tr>
291 <tr>
292 <td>
292
292 </td>
293 <td>
293 <h3 id="presentation">
293 Presentation to the Adoption Panel
293 </h3>
293 </td>
294 </tr>
295 <tr>
296 <td>
296 2.14
296 </td>
297 <td>
297 <p>
297 See
297 <a href="#para_2.1">
297 paragraph 2.1
297 </a>
297 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.
298 </p>
299 <p>
299 This must take place within 6 weeks of the completion of the Child's Permanence
Report.
299 </p>
300 <p>
300 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:
300 </p>
301 <ol>
302 <li>
302 A front sheet stating what is being reported, the reports included, the
recommendations sought and who will be attending Adoption Panel;
302 </li>
303 <li>
303 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);
303 </li>
304 <li>
304 The child's health report and the health information obtained in relation to the
parents (where the Medical Adviser so advises);
304 </li>
305 <li>
305 Legal advice about parental consent and the option of seeking a Placement Order;
305 </li>
306 <li>
306 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.
306 </li>
307 </ol>
308 <p>
308 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.
308 </p>
309 <p>
309 The child's social worker together with their 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.
309 </p>
310 <p>
310 (
310 <span class="bold">
310 N.B.
310 </span>
310 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
310 <a href="#approval_matching">
310 Section 8, Approval of Matching of Adoptive Parents
310 </a>
310 must also be followed).
310 </p>
311 <p>
311 The Panel will consider the written reports and any additional information presented
verbally. The Panel will make a recommendation to the
311 <a href="pr_desg_man.html#agency_adopt">
311 Agency Decision Maker (Adoption)
311 </a>
311 . 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 Placement Order should be made.
311 </p>
312 <p>
312 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.
312 </p>
313 <p>
313 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 7 working days of receipt of the panel's recommendation
and final set of panel minutes.
313 </p>
314 <p>
314 The Agency Decision Maker must record their decision in writing, together with
reasons.
314 </p>
315 <p>
315 Where the Agency Decision Maker is minded to disagree with the Panel recommendation,
they 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.
315 </p>
315 </td>
316 </tr>
317 <tr>
318 <td>
318
318 </td>
319 <td>
319 <h3>
319 Referral directly to Agency Decision Maker
319 </h3>
319 </td>
320 </tr>
321 <tr>
322 <td>
322 2.15
322 </td>
323 <td>
323 <p>
323 See
323 <a href="#para_2.1">
323 paragraph 2.1
323 </a>
323 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.
323 </p>
324 <p>
324 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 Case 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
324 <a href="#presentation">
324 paragraph 2.14 Presentation to the Adoption Panel
324 </a>
324 .
324 </p>
325 <p>
325 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.
325 </p>
326 <p>
326 The Agency Adviser will be responsible for checking the quality of the reports
before they are submitted to the Agency Decision Maker.
326 </p>
327 <p>
327 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. NB The Agency Decision
Maker (Adoption) is expressly prohibited from referring a case to the Adoption Panel
for advice.
327 </p>
328 <p>
328 The principles of the decision-making should be as set out in
328 <a href="p_adop_panel.html#ag_dec_make">
328 Adoption Panel Procedure, Agency Decision Maker
328 </a>
328 .
328 </p>
328 </td>
329 </tr>
330 <tr>
331 <td>
331
331 </td>
332 <td>
332 <h3>
332 After the Decision
332 </h3>
332 </td>
333 </tr>
334 <tr>
335 <td>
335 2.16
335 </td>
336 <td>
336 <p>
336 The parents will be informed orally of the agency's decision within 2 working days
and written confirmation should be sent to them within 5 working days. These
arrangements will be made by the Agency Decision Maker in conjunction with the
child's social worker.
336 </p>
337 <p>
337 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.
337 </p>
338 <p>
338 The child's social worker will also ensure that the child is informed of the
decision in a timely and age-appropriate way.
338 </p>
339 <p>
339 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.
339 </p>
339 </td>
340 </tr>
341 <tr>
342 <td>
342 <p>
342 2.17
342 </p>
342 </td>
343 <td>
343 <p>
343 Where the
343 <a href="pr_desg_man.html#place_order">
343 Designated Manager (Placement Orders)
343 </a>
343 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 Independent
Reviewing Officer of the Court timetable including when the placement application is
filed. NB 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.
343 </p>
343 </td>
344 </tr>
345 <tr>
346 <td>
346 <p>
346 2.18
346 </p>
346 </td>
347 <td>
347 <p>
347 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.
347 </p>
347 </td>
348 </tr>
349 <tr>
350 <td>
350 <p>
350 2.19
350 </p>
350 </td>
351 <td>
351 <p>
351 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.
351 </p>
352 <p>
352 Where the child lives in Wales, the request should be forwarded to the Welsh
National Assembly.
352 </p>
352 </td>
353 </tr>
354 <tr>
355 <td>
355 <p>
355 2.20
355 </p>
355 </td>
356 <td>
356 <p>
356 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).
356 </p>
356 </td>
357 </tr>
358 </tbody>
359 </table>
360 </div>
361 <div class="section1">
361 </div>
367 <div class="section">
367 <h2 id="prep_adop">
367 3. Preparation of Child for Adoption
367 </h2>
368 <table class="table" title="table containing section 3 - Preparation of Child for Adoption">
369 <tbody>
370 <tr>
371 <td>
371 <p>
371 3.1
371 </p>
371 </td>
372 <td>
372 <p>
372 The child's social worker will ensure that Life Story Work with the child continues
with the aim as far as possible that:
372 </p>
373 <ul>
374 <li>
374 The child has an understanding of the reasons for the adoption plan and what
adoption will mean;
374 </li>
375 <li>
375 The child has an opportunity to express their wishes and feelings about the
future; and
375 </li>
376 <li>
376 The child has information on their birth family, which is kept safe and provided
to the adopters and the child at the appropriate time.
376 </li>
377 </ul>
378 <p>
378 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.
378 </p>
379 <p>
379 The social worker should specifically ensure that the child's wishes in relation to
adoption, religious and cultural upbringing and contact with their birth family are
ascertained.
379 </p>
380 <p>
380 Where a child's wishes are not acted upon, for example a child's wish to be placed
with their siblings, this should be explained to the child, with reasons, and should
be fully recorded.
380 </p>
380 </td>
381 </tr>
382 <tr>
383 <td>
383 <p>
383 3.2
383 </p>
383 </td>
384 <td>
384 <p>
384 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.
384 </p>
384 </td>
385 </tr>
386 <tr>
387 <td>
387 <p>
387 3.3
387 </p>
387 </td>
388 <td>
388 <p>
388 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
388 <a href="#plan_place">
388 Section 9, Planning the Placement
388 </a>
388 .
388 </p>
389 <p>
389 As part of the preparation of the child for the adoptive placement, information will
be provided to ensure that they have 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 their social worker.
389 </p>
389 </td>
390 </tr>
391 <tr>
392 <td>
392 <p>
392 3.4
392 </p>
392 </td>
393 <td>
393 <p>
393 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.
393 </p>
393 </td>
394 </tr>
395 </tbody>
396 </table>
397 </div>
398 <div class="section1">
398 </div>
404 <div class="section">
404 <h2 id="counselling_supp">
404 4. Counselling, Support and Information Sharing for Parents
404 </h2>
405 <h3>
405 4.1 Counselling and Support for Parents
405 </h3>
406 <table class="table" title="table containing section 4 - Counselling and Support for
Parents">
407 <tbody>
408 <tr>
409 <td>
409 <p>
409 4.1.1
409 </p>
409 </td>
410 <td>
410 <p>
410 Both parents must be offered counselling and support irrespective of whether they
have Parental Responsibility unless there are exceptional circumstances, in which
case legal advice should be taken and the reasons for not arranging counselling
recorded.
410 </p>
410 </td>
411 </tr>
412 <tr>
413 <td>
413 <p>
413 4.1.2
413 </p>
413 </td>
414 <td>
414 <p>
414 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.
414 </p>
414 </td>
415 </tr>
416 <tr>
417 <td>
417 <p>
417 4.1.3
417 </p>
417 </td>
418 <td>
418 <p>
418 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 any contact arrangements; in
addition the social worker should provide them with written information on the
adoption process covering the areas set out in
418 <a href="#para_4.8">
418 paragraph 4.1.8
418 </a>
418 a) to g), l) and m) below and this should be recorded (see
418 <a href="#procedural">
418 Section 4.2, Procedural Fairness
418 </a>
418 ).
418 </p>
418 </td>
419 </tr>
420 <tr>
421 <td>
421 <p>
421 4.1.4
421 </p>
421 </td>
422 <td>
422 <p>
422 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.
422 </p>
423 <p>
423 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.
423 </p>
423 </td>
424 </tr>
425 <tr>
426 <td>
426 <p>
426 4.1.5
426 </p>
426 </td>
427 <td>
427 <p>
427 The child's social worker must also seek to ascertain the parent's views on the
matters set out in
427 <a href="#para_4.8">
427 paragraph 4.1.8, h) and k)
427 </a>
427 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.
427 </p>
427 </td>
428 </tr>
429 <tr>
430 <td>
430 <p>
430 4.1.6
430 </p>
430 </td>
431 <td>
431 <p>
431 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.
431 </p>
431 </td>
432 </tr>
433 <tr>
434 <td>
434 <p>
434 4.1.7
434 </p>
434 </td>
435 <td>
435 <p>
435 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.
435 </p>
435 </td>
436 </tr>
437 <tr>
438 <td>
438 <p>
438 4.1.8
438 </p>
438 </td>
439 <td>
439 <p>
439 <a id="para_4.8">
439 </a>
439 The counselling and support will cover the following areas:
439 </p>
440 <ol style="list-style-type:lower-alpha">
441 <li>
441 Explaining the key stages of the adoption process and likely time-scales;
441 </li>
442 <li>
442 Explaining, where appropriate, the procedure for seeking a Placement Order;
442 </li>
443 <li>
443 Explaining the parents' legal rights, including to apply for a Contact Order, the
right of the unmarried father to seek a Parental Responsibility Order a Child
Arrangements Order in relation to the child;
443 </li>
444 <li>
444 Explaining the role of the Adoption Panel/Agency Decision Maker;
444 </li>
445 <li>
445 Explaining the role of CAFCASS in witnessing consent or acting as the
Children's Guardian;
445 </li>
446 <li>
446 Explaining the way the Adoption Contact Register works and how an adopted adult
may seek information about the birth family in the future or register a wish not
to be contacted;
446 </li>
447 <li>
447 Explaining how prospective adoptive parents are assessed;
447 </li>
448 <li>
448 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;
448 </li>
449 <li>
449 Dealing with grief and loss;
449 </li>
450 <li>
450 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;
450 </li>
451 <li>
451 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;
451 </li>
452 <li>
452 Providing information to the parents on national and local support groups, and
other possible sources of help;
452 </li>
453 <li>
453 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.
453 </li>
454 </ol>
454 </td>
455 </tr>
456 <tr>
457 <td>
457 <p>
457 4.1.9
457 </p>
457 </td>
458 <td>
458 <p>
458 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.
458 </p>
458 </td>
459 </tr>
460 <tr>
461 <td>
461 <p>
461 4.1.10
461 </p>
461 </td>
462 <td>
462 <p>
462 The parents and their solicitors, if appropriate, must be sent copies of any written
consents and/or recording of their views.
462 </p>
462 </td>
463 </tr>
464 <tr>
465 <td>
465 <p>
465 4.1.11
465 </p>
465 </td>
466 <td>
466 <p>
466 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.
466 </p>
466 </td>
467 </tr>
468 <tr>
469 <td>
469 <p>
469 4.1.12
469 </p>
469 </td>
470 <td>
470 <p>
470 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. (See
470 <a href="p_relinquished_children.html">
470 Relinquished Children Procedure
470 </a>
470 .)
470 </p>
470 </td>
471 </tr>
472 <tr>
473 <td>
473 <p>
473 4.1.13
473 </p>
473 </td>
474 <td>
474 <p>
474 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.
474 </p>
474 </td>
475 </tr>
476 </tbody>
477 </table>
478 <h3 id="procedural">
478 4.2 Procedural Fairness
478 </h3>
479 <p>
479 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.
479 </p>
480 <p>
480 In a judicial review, (see
480 <a href="http://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/Admin/2017/1041.html" target="_blank"
rel="noopener">
480 [2017] EWHC 1041 (Admin)
480 </a>
480 ) Placement for Adoption has been confirmed as having 'significant legal and emotional
impacts for all involved, and so the child, the parent and the prospective adopters. So, it
is an important step in the process leading to an adoption'. The judgement identifies that:
480 </p>
481 <ol style="list-style-type:lower-roman">
482 <li>
482 There is the opportunity for the person affected to make representation before the
decision is acted upon;
482 </li>
483 <li>
483 The affected person is provided with information so that they can act in a timely way;
483 </li>
484 <li>
484 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'.
484 </li>
485 </ol>
486 <p>
486 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. (
486 <span class="bold">
486 Note
486 </span>
486 : 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
'Child in Care Placement', to that of being 'Placed for Adoption'.)
486 </p>
487 <p>
487 Practitioners must bear in mind that a court's determination of 'procedural fairness' will
not be based on what appears to them to be a typical interpretation of 'the best interests
of the child', but on the issues highlighted above. (See para 26,
487 <a href="http://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/Admin/2017/1041.html" target="_blank"
rel="noopener">
487 [2017] EWHC 1041 (Admin)
487 </a>
487 .)
487 </p>
488 <p>
488 'Justice must not only be done but be seen to be done', (para 44 in
488 <a href="http://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWCA/Civ/2008/439.html" target="_blank"
rel="noopener">
488 Re F (Placement Order) [2008] 2 FLR 550
488 </a>
488 .)
488 </p>
489 </div>
490 <div class="section1">
490 </div>
496 <div class="section">
496 <h2 id="childs_adop_med">
496 5. Child's Adoption Medical
496 </h2>
497 <table class="table" title="table containing section 5 - Child's Adoption Medical">
498 <tbody>
499 <tr>
500 <td>
500 <p>
500 <a id="para_5.1">
500 </a>
500 5.1
500 </p>
500 </td>
501 <td>
501 <p>
501 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).
501 </p>
501 </td>
502 </tr>
503 <tr>
504 <td>
504 <p>
504 5.2
504 </p>
504 </td>
505 <td>
505 <p>
505 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.
505 </p>
505 </td>
506 </tr>
507 <tr>
508 <td>
508 <p>
508 5.3
508 </p>
508 </td>
509 <td>
509 <p>
509 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.
509 </p>
510 <p>
510 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
510 <a href="#para_5.1">
510 paragraph 5.1
510 </a>
510 ). The Medical Adviser must be in a position to advise the Panel/Agency Decision
Maker of the child's health needs.
510 </p>
510 </td>
511 </tr>
512 <tr>
513 <td>
513 <p>
513 5.4
513 </p>
513 </td>
514 <td>
514 <p>
514 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.
514 </p>
514 </td>
515 </tr>
516 <tr>
517 <td>
517 <p>
517 5.5
517 </p>
517 </td>
518 <td>
518 <p>
518 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.
518 </p>
518 </td>
519 </tr>
520 <tr>
521 <td>
521 <p>
521 5.6
521 </p>
521 </td>
522 <td>
522 <p>
522 The child's social worker should send the relevant age-appropriate CoramBAAF Form
for completion after the medical.
522 </p>
522 </td>
523 </tr>
524 <tr>
525 <td>
525 <p>
525 5.7
525 </p>
525 </td>
526 <td>
526 <p>
526 The foster carer should attend the medical with the child and, if appropriate, the
child's social worker should also attend.
526 </p>
526 </td>
527 </tr>
528 <tr>
529 <td>
529 <p>
529 5.8
529 </p>
529 </td>
530 <td>
530 <p>
530 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.
530 </p>
530 </td>
531 </tr>
532 </tbody>
533 </table>
534 </div>
535 <div class="section1">
535 </div>
541 <div class="section">
541 <h2 id="post_place">
541 6. Post-placement Contact
541 </h2>
542 <table class="table" title="table containing section 6 - Post-Placement Contact">
543 <tbody>
544 <tr>
545 <td>
545 <p>
545 6.1
545 </p>
545 </td>
546 <td>
546 <p>
546 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.
546 </p>
546 </td>
547 </tr>
548 <tr>
549 <td>
549 <p>
549 6.2
549 </p>
549 </td>
550 <td>
550 <p>
550 Where there is a sibling group, each child must be assessed separately and together
as a group.
550 </p>
550 </td>
551 </tr>
552 <tr>
553 <td>
553 <p>
553 6.3
553 </p>
553 </td>
554 <td>
554 <p>
554 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.
554 </p>
554 </td>
555 </tr>
556 <tr>
557 <td>
557 <p>
557 6.4
557 </p>
557 </td>
558 <td>
558 <p>
558 Post-placement and post-adoption contact may take the following forms:
558 </p>
559 <ol>
560 <li>
560 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);
560 </li>
561 <li>
561 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);
561 </li>
562 <li>
562 Direct letter box and/or telephone contact between the adoptive parents and the
birth family;
562 </li>
563 <li>
563 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.
563 </li>
564 </ol>
564 </td>
565 </tr>
566 <tr>
567 <td>
567 <p>
567 6.5
567 </p>
567 </td>
568 <td>
568 <p>
568 Any proposed post-placement and post-adoption contact should be in line with any
Court Orders.
568 </p>
568 </td>
569 </tr>
570 <tr>
571 <td>
571 <p>
571 6.6
571 </p>
571 </td>
572 <td>
572 <p>
572 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
572 <a href="#identific_adop">
572 Section 7, Identification of Adoptive Parents (including Inter Agency Placements)
572 </a>
572 and also part of the planning of the placement - see
572 <a href="#plan_place">
572 Section 9, Planning the Placement
572 </a>
572 .
572 </p>
572 </td>
573 </tr>
574 </tbody>
575 </table>
576 <p>
576 When making an Adoption Order,
576 <span class="bold">
576 or at any time afterwards
576 </span>
576 , 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.
576 </p>
577 <p>
577 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.
577 </p>
578 <p>
578 The following people may be named in an order:
578 </p>
579 <ul>
580 <li>
580 The child;
580 </li>
581 <li>
581 The Agency;
581 </li>
582 <li>
582 Any person who (but for the child's adoption) would be related to the child by blood
(including half-blood), marriage or civil partnership;
582 </li>
583 <li>
583 Any former guardian of the child;
583 </li>
584 <li>
584 Any person who had Parental Responsibility for the child immediately before the making of
the Adoption Order;
584 </li>
585 <li>
585 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);
585 </li>
586 <li>
586 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;
586 </li>
587 <li>
587 Any person who had a Child Arrangements Order (previously Residence Order) immediately
before the agency was authorised to place the child for adoption;
587 </li>
588 <li>
588 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.
588 </li>
589 </ul>
590 <p>
590 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.
590 </p>
591 <p>
591 In deciding whether to grant leave to apply, the court must consider:
591 </p>
592 <ul>
593 <li>
593 Any risk there might be of the proposed application disrupting the child's life to such an
extent that they would be harmed by it (within the meaning of the 1989 Act);
593 </li>
594 <li>
594 The applicant's connection with the child; and
594 </li>
595 <li>
595 Any representations made to the court by the child and/or the adopter/prospective adopter.
595 </li>
596 </ul>
597 <p>
597 Orders may contain directions about how they are to take effect, or may be made subject to
such conditions as the court thinks appropriate.
597 </p>
598 <p>
598 The court will issue a timetable and directions with the aim of resolving the application
without delay.
598 </p>
599 <p>
599 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.
599 </p>
600 <p>
600 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.
600 </p>
601 <p>
601 Application can be made to the court to vary or revoke such orders, by the child, adopter or
person named in the order.
601 </p>
602 </div>
603 <div class="section1">
603 </div>
609 <div class="section">
609 <h2 id="identific_adop">
609 7. Identification of Adoptive Parents (including Inter Agency Placements)
609 </h2>
610 <p>
610 See also
610 <a href="p_foster_for_adopt.html">
610 Early Permanence Placements / Fostering for Adoption Procedure
610 </a>
610 .
610 </p>
611 <p>
611 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.
611 </p>
612 <p>
612 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.
612 </p>
613 <p>
613 Consideration must be given as to whether there are suitable carers available under the
613 <a href="p_foster_for_adopt.html">
613 Early Permanence Placements / Fostering for Adoption Procedure
613 </a>
613 .
613 </p>
614 <p>
614 The overall time-scale for matching a child with a prospective adoptive family is:
614 </p>
615 <ul>
616 <li>
616 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;
616 </li>
617 <li>
617 Where a parent requests adoption for a child of less than 6 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.
617 <br>
618 <br>
619 </li>
620 </ul>
621 <table class="table" title="table containing section 7 - Identification of Adoptive
Parents">
622 <tbody>
623 <tr>
624 <td>
624 <p>
624 7.1
624 </p>
624 </td>
625 <td>
625 <p>
625 Following the identification of the family finder (see
625 <a href="#para_2.1">
625 paragraph 2.1
625 </a>
625 ), 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.
625 </p>
625 </td>
626 </tr>
627 <tr>
628 <td>
628 <p>
628 7.2
628 </p>
628 </td>
629 <td>
629 <p>
629 The child's social worker and the family finder will address the following issues:
629 </p>
630 <ol>
631 <li>
631 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;
631 </li>
632 <li>
632 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;
632 </li>
633 <li>
633 To discuss parental involvement in the placement process (and parental consent to
advertising, if applicable);
633 </li>
634 <li>
634 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;
634 </li>
635 <li>
635 To consider whether or not the child's current carer would be appropriate as a
prospective permanent placement - if so, see
635 <a href="#para_seven_eleven">
635 paragraph 7.12
635 </a>
635 ;
635 </li>
636 <li>
636 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.
636 <br>
637 <br>
638 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.)
638 <br>
639 <br>
640 Where the profile indicates the child should not be placed locally, there should
also be a written risk assessment to support this conclusion.
640 </li>
641 </ol>
641 </td>
642 </tr>
643 <tr>
644 <td>
644 <p>
644 7.3
644 </p>
644 </td>
645 <td>
645 <p>
645 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 Prospective Adopter's Reports.
645 </p>
646 <p>
646 Where foster carers express an interest in adopting a child placed with them, see
646 <a href="#para_seven_eleven">
646 paragraph 7.12
646 </a>
646 .
646 </p>
646 </td>
647 </tr>
648 <tr>
649 <td>
649 <p>
649 7.4
649 </p>
649 </td>
650 <td>
650 <p>
650 <a id="para_seven_four">
650 </a>
650 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.
650 </p>
650 </td>
651 </tr>
652 <tr>
653 <td>
653 <p>
653 7.5
653 </p>
653 </td>
654 <td>
654 <p>
654 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 their nominee will chair the meeting.
654 </p>
654 </td>
655 </tr>
656 <tr>
657 <td>
657 <p>
657 7.6
657 </p>
657 </td>
658 <td>
658 <p>
658 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:
658 </p>
659 <ul>
660 <li>
660 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;
660 </li>
661 <li>
661 The preparation of the birth family and the information to be given;
661 </li>
662 <li>
662 The allocation of preparatory tasks for the introductory work;
662 </li>
663 <li>
663 The proposed Adoption Support Plan and any proposed contact arrangements;
663 </li>
664 <li>
664 The designated roles and responsibilities for completing the Adoption Placement
Report and the proposed Adoption Support Plan.
664 </li>
665 </ul>
665 </td>
666 </tr>
667 <tr>
668 <td>
668 <p>
668 7.7
668 </p>
668 </td>
669 <td>
669 <p>
669 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.
669 </p>
669 </td>
670 </tr>
671 <tr>
672 <td>
672 <p>
672 7.8
672 </p>
672 </td>
673 <td>
673 <p>
673 Ethnicity must not be placed above everything else when identifying potential
adopters for children.
673 </p>
674 <p>
674 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.
674 </p>
675 <p>
675 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.
675 </p>
676 <p>
676 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.
676 </p>
677 <p>
677 When a child has developed a sense of their culture or religion, and where they have
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.
677 </p>
678 <p>
678 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 they grow up
and a sensitive prospective adopter will encourage the child, if they wish 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.
678 </p>
678 </td>
679 </tr>
680 <tr>
681 <td>
681 <p>
681 7.9
681 </p>
681 </td>
682 <td>
682 <p>
682 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 PEP. The items provided should be clearly recorded and the
prospective adopters should be asked to sign confirmation of receipt of this
information.
682 </p>
682 </td>
683 </tr>
684 <tr>
685 <td>
685 <p>
685 7.10
685 </p>
685 </td>
686 <td>
686 <p>
686 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.
686 </p>
686 </td>
687 </tr>
688 <tr>
689 <td>
689 <p>
689 7.11
689 </p>
689 </td>
690 <td>
690 <p>
690 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.
690 </p>
690 </td>
691 </tr>
692 <tr>
693 <td>
693 <p>
693 7.12
693 </p>
693 </td>
694 <td>
694 <p>
694 <a id="para_seven_eleven">
694 </a>
694 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, their line manager and the foster carers' supervising social
worker (with their line manager where appropriate). The chair of the meeting will be
the Adoption Service Manager or their 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
694 <a href="p_assess_approval_adopt.html">
694 Assessment and Approvals of Prospective Adopters Procedure
694 </a>
694 ).
694 </p>
695 <p>
695 If they are approved as adopters, the requirements set out in
695 <a href="#approval_matching">
695 Section 8, Approval of Matching of Adoptive Parents
695 </a>
695 as to the approval of the matching and in
695 <a href="#the_placement">
695 Section 10, The Placement
695 </a>
695 as to the provision of information and notification of the placement must be
followed.
695 </p>
696 <p>
696 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.
696 </p>
697 <p>
697 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.
697 </p>
697 </td>
698 </tr>
699 <tr>
700 <td>
700
700 </td>
701 <td>
701 <h3>
701 Inter Agency Placements
701 </h3>
701 </td>
702 </tr>
703 <tr>
704 <td>
704 7.13
704 </td>
705 <td>
705 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.
706 <p>
706 Where it is considered that a placement of the child with overseas adopters would be
appropriate, see
706 <a href="#adopt_place_abroad">
706 Section 12, Adoptive Placements Abroad
706 </a>
706 .
706 </p>
706 </td>
707 </tr>
708 <tr>
709 <td>
709 <p>
709 7.14
709 </p>
709 </td>
710 <td>
710 <p>
710 Where recruitment of adopters from another agency has been authorised, the family
finder will undertake the following:
710 </p>
711 <ul>
712 <li>
712 Check that either the parents (for an Accommodated 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;
712 </li>
713 <li>
713 Arrange for professional photographs to be taken of the child for publicity
purposes;
713 </li>
714 <li>
714 Agree with the child's social worker which publications are to be used for
publicity purposes, and draw up suitable profiles.
714 </li>
715 </ul>
715 </td>
716 </tr>
717 <tr>
718 <td>
718 <p>
718 7.15
718 </p>
718 </td>
719 <td>
719 <p>
719 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.
719 </p>
719 </td>
720 </tr>
721 <tr>
722 <td>
722 <p>
722 7.16
722 </p>
722 </td>
723 <td>
723 <p>
723 Responses from families not yet approved should be dealt with as follows:
723 </p>
724 <ol>
725 <li>
725 Take details of the family;
725 </li>
726 <li>
726 Give limited, anonymised information about the child, in order to help the caller
decide whether this is a situation they wish to pursue;
726 </li>
727 <li>
727 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;
727 </li>
728 <li>
728 Arrange a more appropriate time to hold or continue the discussion, as
appropriate;
728 </li>
729 <li>
729 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.
729 </li>
730 </ol>
730 </td>
731 </tr>
732 <tr>
733 <td>
733 <p>
733 7.17
733 </p>
733 </td>
734 <td>
734 <p>
734 Responses from already approved families should be dealt with as follows:
734 </p>
735 <ol>
736 <li>
736 Take details of the family;
736 </li>
737 <li>
737 Give limited, anonymised information about the child, in order to help the caller
decide whether this is a situation they wish to pursue;
737 </li>
738 <li>
738 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;
738 </li>
739 <li>
739 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;
739 </li>
740 <li>
740 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;
740 </li>
741 <li>
741 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;
741 </li>
742 <li>
742 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 Prospective Adopter's
Report and the Child's Permanence Report, with a follow up discussion after they
have been read.
742 <br>
743 <br>
744 The family finder should also forward to the adoptive family's link worker
information about the agency's adoption support;
744 </li>
745 <li>
745 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.
745 </li>
746 </ol>
746 </td>
747 </tr>
748 <tr>
749 <td>
749 <p>
749 7.18
749 </p>
749 </td>
750 <td>
750 <p>
750 The procedure outlined in
750 <a href="#para_seven_four">
750 paragraphs 7.4 to 7.8 above
750 </a>
750 will then be followed and the child's social worker and family finder will visit
potential families prior to a Matching Meeting being held.
750 </p>
751 <p>
751 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 Adoption Support Plan 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
751 <a href="p_adop_support.html">
751 Adoption Support Procedure
751 </a>
751 .
751 </p>
752 <p>
752 The Adoption Placement Report must be written by a qualified social worker with
suitable experience (see
752 <a href="p_adop_panel.html">
752 Adoption Panel Procedure
752 </a>
752 ) 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.
752 </p>
752 </td>
753 </tr>
754 <tr>
755 <td>
755 <p>
755 7.19
755 </p>
755 </td>
756 <td>
756 <p>
756 The child's social worker, family finder, the prospective adopters' link worker and
their respective managers should sign both documents.
756 </p>
756 </td>
757 </tr>
758 <tr>
759 <td>
759 <p>
759 7.20
759 </p>
759 </td>
760 <td>
760 <p>
760 The family finder should also contact the Panel Administrator to arrange a date for
the Adoption Panel to consider the proposed placement.
760 </p>
760 </td>
761 </tr>
762 <tr>
763 <td>
763 <p>
763 7.21
763 </p>
763 </td>
764 <td>
764 <p>
764 The child's social worker will keep the parents and child informed of progress
(unless the parent has stated that they do not wish to be kept informed).
764 </p>
764 </td>
765 </tr>
766 <tr>
767 <td>
767 <p>
767 7.22
767 </p>
767 </td>
768 <td>
768 <p>
768 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.
768 </p>
768 </td>
769 </tr>
770 </tbody>
771 </table>
772 </div>
773 <div class="section1">
773 </div>
779 <div class="section">
779 <h2 id="approval_matching">
779 8. Approval of Matching of Adoptive Parents
779 </h2>
780 <p>
780 The overall time-scale for matching a child with a prospective adoptive family is:
780 </p>
781 <ul>
782 <li>
782 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;
782 </li>
783 <li>
783 Where a parent requests adoption for a child of less than 6 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.
783 </li>
784 </ul>
785 <p>
785 Where these timescales are not met, the Adoption Panel should record the reasons.
785 </p>
786 <table class="table" title="table containing section 8 - Approval Of Matching of Adoptive
Parents">
787 <tbody>
788 <tr>
789 <td>
789
789 </td>
790 <td>
790 <h3>
790 Presentation to the Adoption Panel
790 </h3>
790 </td>
791 </tr>
792 <tr>
793 <td>
793 8.1
793 </td>
794 <td>
794 The family finder must present the following reports to the Adoption Panel:
795 <ol>
796 <li>
796 A front sheet stating what is being reported, the reports included,
recommendations sought and who will be attending Adoption Panel;
796 </li>
797 <li>
797 The Child's Permanence Report (with an update medical report no more than 6 months
old);
797 </li>
798 <li>
799 <p>
799 The Prospective Adopter's Report, updated as necessary, on the identified
prospective adopters and a recent medical (in the last 2 years);
799 </p>
800 </li>
801 <li>
802 <p>
802 The Adoption Placement Report;
802 </p>
803 </li>
804 <li>
805 <p>
805 The proposed Adoption Support Plan;
805 </p>
806 </li>
807 <li>
808 <p>
808 The proposals regarding post-placement and post-adoption contact;
808 </p>
809 </li>
810 <li>
811 <p>
811 The views of the prospective adopters on the Prospective Adopter's Report and
the proposed contact arrangements.
811 </p>
812 </li>
813 </ol>
813 </td>
814 </tr>
815 <tr>
816 <td>
816 <p>
816 8.2
816 </p>
816 </td>
817 <td>
817 <p>
817 The family finder will send the relevant reports to the Panel Administrator at least
10 working days before the date of the Adoption Panel.
817 </p>
817 </td>
818 </tr>
819 <tr>
820 <td>
820 <p>
820 8.3
820 </p>
820 </td>
821 <td>
821 <p>
821 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.
821 </p>
821 </td>
822 </tr>
823 <tr>
824 <td>
824 <p>
824 8.4
824 </p>
824 </td>
825 <td>
825 <p>
825 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.
825 </p>
825 </td>
826 </tr>
827 <tr>
828 <td>
828 <p>
828 8.5
828 </p>
828 </td>
829 <td>
829 <p>
829 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.
829 </p>
829 </td>
830 </tr>
831 <tr>
832 <td>
832 <p>
832 8.6
832 </p>
832 </td>
833 <td>
833 <p>
833 The prospective adopters' link worker will convey the Panel's recommendation orally
to the prospective adopters within 24 hours.
833 </p>
833 </td>
834 </tr>
835 <tr>
836 <td>
836 <p>
836 8.7
836 </p>
836 </td>
837 <td>
837 <p>
837 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
837 <a href="pr_desg_man.html#agency_adopt">
837 Agency Decision Maker
837 </a>
837 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.
837 </p>
838 <p>
838 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.
838 </p>
839 <p>
839 Where the Agency Decision Maker is minded to disagree with the Panel recommendation,
they 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.
839 </p>
839 </td>
840 </tr>
841 <tr>
842 <td>
842 <p>
842 8.8
842 </p>
842 </td>
843 <td>
843 <p>
843 The child's social worker will convey the decision orally to the parents within 2
working days.
843 </p>
843 </td>
844 </tr>
845 <tr>
846 <td>
846 <p>
846 8.9
846 </p>
846 </td>
847 <td>
847 <p>
847 The prospective adopters' link worker will convey the decision orally to the
prospective adopters within 2 working days.
847 </p>
847 </td>
848 </tr>
849 <tr>
850 <td>
850 <p>
850 8.10
850 </p>
850 </td>
851 <td>
851 <p>
851 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.
851 </p>
851 </td>
852 </tr>
853 <tr>
854 <td>
854 <p>
854 8.11
854 </p>
854 </td>
855 <td>
855 <p>
855 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.
855 </p>
855 </td>
856 </tr>
857 </tbody>
858 </table>
859 </div>
860 <div class="section1">
860 </div>
866 <div class="section">
866 <h2 id="plan_place">
866 9. Planning the Placement
866 </h2>
867 <table class="table" title="table containing section 9 - Planning the Placement">
868 <tbody>
869 <tr>
870 <td>
870 <p>
870 9.1
870 </p>
870 </td>
871 <td>
871 <p>
871 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 their nominee will chair the meeting.
871 </p>
871 </td>
872 </tr>
873 <tr>
874 <td>
874 <p>
874 9.2
874 </p>
874 </td>
875 <td>
875 <p>
875 For inter agency placements, a separate meeting will also be required, involving the
Adoption Service Manager or their nominee, to complete CoramBAAF Form H1 which
details the contract between the agencies and the adoptive family in relation to the
placement.
875 </p>
875 </td>
876 </tr>
877 <tr>
878 <td>
878 <p>
878 9.3
878 </p>
878 </td>
879 <td>
879 <p>
879 The purpose of the first Placement Planning Meeting is to draw up a proposed
Adoption Placement Plan. The Adoption Placement Plan should include:
879 </p>
880 <ul>
881 <li>
881 Whether the placement is to be made under a Placement Order or with parental
consent;
881 </li>
882 <li>
882 The arrangements for preparing the child and the prospective adopter for the
placement (see below);
882 </li>
883 <li>
883 The proposed date of the placement, who will be present when the placement takes
place;
883 </li>
884 <li>
884 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;
884 </li>
885 <li>
885 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;
885 </li>
886 <li>
886 The arrangements for the monitoring and supervision of the placement (including
contact details of key support staff during office hours and out of hours);
886 </li>
887 <li>
887 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);
887 </li>
888 <li>
888 The date and arrangements for the first Adoption Review;
888 </li>
889 <li>
889 Any post-placement contact between the child and members of their birth family
and/or the child and the foster carers; and
889 </li>
890 <li>
890 Clarification of who will make the necessary notifications of the placement (see
890 <a href="#the_placement">
890 Section 10, The Placement
890 </a>
890 ).
890 </li>
891 </ul>
892 <p>
892 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.
892 </p>
893 <p>
893 As part of the preparation of the child for the adoptive placement, information will
be provided to ensure that they have 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 their social worker.
893 </p>
893 </td>
894 </tr>
895 <tr>
896 <td>
896 <p>
896 9.4
896 </p>
896 </td>
897 <td>
897 <p>
897 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
897 <a href="#the_placement">
897 Section 10, The Placement
897 </a>
897 ).
897 </p>
897 </td>
898 </tr>
899 <tr>
900 <td>
900 <p>
900 9.5
900 </p>
900 </td>
901 <td>
901 <p>
901 The child's social worker must ascertain the child's views and report these to the
meetings.
901 </p>
901 </td>
902 </tr>
903 <tr>
904 <td>
904 <p>
904 9.6
904 </p>
904 </td>
905 <td>
905 <p>
905 Those attending Placement Planning Meetings will be the child's social worker, their
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.
905 </p>
905 </td>
906 </tr>
907 <tr>
908 <td>
908 <p>
908 9.7
908 </p>
908 </td>
909 <td>
909 <p>
909 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.
909 </p>
909 </td>
910 </tr>
911 <tr>
912 <td>
912 <p>
912 9.8
912 </p>
912 </td>
913 <td>
913 <p>
913 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.
913 </p>
914 <p>
914 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.
914 </p>
914 </td>
915 </tr>
916 <tr>
917 <td>
917 <p>
917 9.9
917 </p>
917 </td>
918 <td>
918 <p>
918 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 they do not wish
to be kept informed.)
918 </p>
918 </td>
919 </tr>
920 <tr>
921 <td>
921 <p>
921 9.10
921 </p>
921 </td>
922 <td>
922 <p>
922 At the mid-point of the introductions, a second Placement Planning Meeting will be
held, at which the following areas will be addressed:
922 </p>
923 <ol>
924 <li>
924 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?
924 </li>
925 <li>
925 The views of each participant as to the above;
925 </li>
926 <li>
926 The identification of the positives;
926 </li>
927 <li>
927 The identification of any difficulties;
927 </li>
928 <li>
928 The development of the next stage of the plan;
928 </li>
929 <li>
929 The finalisation of the arrangements for the placement.
929 </li>
930 </ol>
930 </td>
931 </tr>
932 <tr>
933 <td>
933 <p>
933 9.11
933 </p>
933 </td>
934 <td>
934 <p>
934 A further meeting can be called by any of the parties if issues of concern arise.
934 </p>
934 </td>
935 </tr>
936 <tr>
937 <td>
937 <p>
937 9.12
937 </p>
937 </td>
938 <td>
938 <p>
938 All Placement Planning Meetings should have the same people invited and take place
at a venue accessible to all parties.
938 </p>
938 </td>
939 </tr>
940 <tr>
941 <td>
941 <p>
941 9.13
941 </p>
941 </td>
942 <td>
942 <p>
942 Where the child is to be adopted by their 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.
942 </p>
942 </td>
943 </tr>
944 <tr>
945 <td>
945 <p>
945 9.14
945 </p>
945 </td>
946 <td>
946 <p>
946 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
Independent Reviewing Officer. 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.
946 </p>
946 </td>
947 </tr>
948 <tr>
949 <td>
949 <p>
949 9.15
949 </p>
949 </td>
950 <td>
950 <p>
950 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
950 <a href="#post_place">
950 Section 6, Post-placement Contact
950 </a>
950 .
950 </p>
950 </td>
951 </tr>
952 <tr>
953 <td>
953 <p>
953 9.16
953 </p>
953 </td>
954 <td>
954 <p>
954 If the Adoption Placement Plan is varied or terminated, the child must be informed
in a timely and age appropriate way.
954 </p>
954 </td>
955 </tr>
956 <tr>
957 <td>
957 <p>
957 9.17
957 </p>
957 </td>
958 <td>
958 <p>
958 Where the Adoption Placement Plan is terminated, the parents must be informed
(unless the parent has stated that they do not wish to be kept informed.)
958 </p>
958 </td>
959 </tr>
960 <tr>
961 <td>
961 <p>
961 9.18
961 </p>
961 </td>
962 <td>
962 <p>
962 If the Adoption Placement Plan is terminated, the Adoption Service Manager should
consider the best way to conduct a disruption meeting - see
962 <a href="p_disrup_adopt_plac.html">
962 Disruption of Adoptive Placements Procedure
962 </a>
962 .
962 </p>
962 </td>
963 </tr>
964 <tr>
965 <td>
965 <p>
965 9.19
965 </p>
965 </td>
966 <td>
966 <p>
966 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.
966 </p>
966 </td>
967 </tr>
968 <tr>
969 <td>
969 <p>
969 9.20
969 </p>
969 </td>
970 <td>
970 <p>
970 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).
970 </p>
970 </td>
971 </tr>
972 </tbody>
973 </table>
974 </div>
975 <div class="section1">
975 </div>
981 <div class="section">
981 <h2 id="the_placement">
981 10. The Placement
981 </h2>
982 <table class="table" title="table containing section 10 - The Placement">
983 <tbody>
984 <tr>
985 <td>
985 <p>
985 10.1
985 </p>
985 </td>
986 <td>
986 <p>
986 Once the matching of the child has been approved, the adoption agency has authority
to place the child (either through a Placement Order 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.
986 </p>
986 </td>
987 </tr>
988 <tr>
989 <td>
989 <p>
989 10.2
989 </p>
989 </td>
990 <td>
990 <p>
990 Prior to the placement, the child's social worker must ensure that all the following
information/items have been provided to the prospective adopters:
990 </p>
991 <ol>
992 <li>
992 Authority to consent to medical and dental treatment;
992 </li>
993 <li>
993 The parent-held Child Health Record;
993 </li>
994 <li>
994 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;
994 </li>
995 <li>
995 The child's birth certificate;
995 </li>
996 <li>
996 The child's passport (if applicable);
996 </li>
997 <li>
997 A copy of the Care Order (if applicable), Placement Order (if applicable) and any
other Court Orders that exist;
997 </li>
998 <li>
998 A copy of the Parental Consent to the Placement and Advance Consent to Adoption
(if applicable);
998 </li>
999 <li>
999 A written plan of the contact arrangements pre and post adoption with the birth
parents and any previous carers;
999 </li>
1000 <li>
1000 The Adoption Support Plan, including a named post-adoption social worker;
1000 </li>
1001 <li>
1001 The Adoption Placement Plan including arrangements for support and visits by the
child's social worker and their own social worker;
1001 </li>
1002 <li>
1002 Any other relevant information, including specialist reports (subject to the
author's consent).
1002 </li>
1003 </ol>
1004 <p>
1004 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.
1004 </p>
1004 </td>
1005 </tr>
1006 <tr>
1007 <td>
1007 <p>
1007 10.3
1007 </p>
1007 </td>
1008 <td>
1008 <p>
1008 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.
1008 </p>
1008 </td>
1009 </tr>
1010 <tr>
1011 <td>
1011 <p>
1011 10.4
1011 </p>
1011 </td>
1012 <td>
1012 <p>
1012 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.
1012 </p>
1012 </td>
1013 </tr>
1014 <tr>
1015 <td>
1015 <p>
1015 10.5
1015 </p>
1015 </td>
1016 <td>
1016 <p>
1016 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.
1016 </p>
1016 </td>
1017 </tr>
1018 <tr>
1019 <td>
1019 <p>
1019 10.6
1019 </p>
1019 </td>
1020 <td>
1020 <p>
1020 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
1020 <a href="#procedural">
1020 Section 4.2, Procedural Fairness
1020 </a>
1020 ).
1020 </p>
1020 </td>
1021 </tr>
1022 <tr>
1023 <td>
1023 <p>
1023 10.7
1023 </p>
1023 </td>
1024 <td>
1024 <p>
1024 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.
1024 </p>
1024 </td>
1025 </tr>
1026 <tr>
1027 <td>
1027 <p>
1027 10.8
1027 </p>
1027 </td>
1028 <td>
1028 <p>
1028 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.
1028 </p>
1028 </td>
1029 </tr>
1030 </tbody>
1031 </table>
1032 </div>
1033 <div class="section1">
1033 </div>
1039 <div class="section">
1039 <h2 id="chi_adop_place">
1039 11. Children Approved for Adoption for Whom no Placement has been Identified
1039 </h2>
1040 <table class="table" title="table containing section 11 - Children Approved for Adoption for
Whom no Placement has been Identified">
1041 <tbody>
1042 <tr>
1043 <td>
1043 <p>
1043 11.1
1043 </p>
1043 </td>
1044 <td>
1044 <p>
1044 The child will be the subject of regular Adoption Reviews, chaired by an Independent
Reviewing Officer - see
1044 <a href="p_adoption_reviews.html">
1044 Adoption Reviews Procedure
1044 </a>
1044 .
1044 </p>
1044 </td>
1045 </tr>
1046 <tr>
1047 <td>
1047 <p>
1047 11.2
1047 </p>
1047 </td>
1048 <td>
1048 <p>
1048 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.
1048 </p>
1048 </td>
1049 </tr>
1050 <tr>
1051 <td>
1051 <p>
1051 11.3
1051 </p>
1051 </td>
1052 <td>
1052 <p>
1052 The Adoption Panel may request an earlier progress report on an individual case when
first considering the child.
1052 </p>
1052 </td>
1053 </tr>
1054 <tr>
1055 <td>
1055 <p>
1055 11.4
1055 </p>
1055 </td>
1056 <td>
1056 <p>
1056 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.
1056 </p>
1056 </td>
1057 </tr>
1058 </tbody>
1059 </table>
1060 </div>
1061 <div class="section1">
1061 </div>
1067 <div class="section">
1067 <h2 id="adopt_place_abroad">
1067 12. Adoptive Placements Abroad
1067 </h2>
1068 <p>
1068 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 Case Review before becoming part of the child's Care Plan.
1068 </p>
1069 <p>
1069 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).
1069 </p>
1070 <p>
1070 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.
1070 </p>
1071 <p>
1071 The
1071 <a href="pr_desg_man.html#agency_adopt">
1071 Agency Decision Maker
1071 </a>
1071 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.
1071 </p>
1072 <p>
1072 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
1072 <a href="pr_desg_man.html#place_order">
1072 Designated Manager (Placement Orders)
1072 </a>
1072 to an application for a Placement Order.
1072 </p>
1073 <h3>
1073 Where no Prospective Adopters have been Identified
1073 </h3>
1074 <p>
1074 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:
1074 </p>
1075 <ol>
1076 <li>
1076 The child's file reference number;
1076 </li>
1077 <li>
1077 The child's name;
1077 </li>
1078 <li>
1078 The child's date of birth;
1078 </li>
1079 <li>
1079 The gender of the child;
1079 </li>
1080 <li>
1080 The reasons why the decision has been made that adoption outside the UK may be suitable
for the child;
1080 </li>
1081 <li>
1081 The date of any Placement Order.
1081 </li>
1082 </ol>
1083 <p>
1083 The Department for Education maintains a list of children waiting for inter country
adoption.
1083 </p>
1084 <p>
1084 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.
1084 </p>
1085 <p>
1085 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.
1085 </p>
1086 <p>
1086 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.
1086 </p>
1087 <p>
1087 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.
1087 </p>
1088 <p>
1088 Where it is decided that the prospective adopters are not suitable, the Department for
Education should be notified and the papers returned.
1088 </p>
1089 <p>
1089 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.
1089 </p>
1090 <p>
1090 The child's social worker must notify the Department for Education of the decision made.
1090 </p>
1091 <p>
1091 Where the decision is to proceed with the placement, the child's social worker must send the
Child's Permanence Report, 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.
1091 </p>
1092 <p>
1092 Where the prospective adopters decide to go ahead with the placement, they will be required
to travel to meet the child.
1092 </p>
1093 <p>
1093 The matching procedures will then apply as for any other potential placement.
1093 </p>
1094 <p>
1094 Placement Planning Meetings should be convened in accordance with the usual procedure (see
1094 <a href="#plan_place">
1094 Section 9, Planning the Placement
1094 </a>
1094 ) 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.
1094 </p>
1095 <p>
1095 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.
1095 </p>
1096 <p>
1096 The child's social worker can then arrange for the placement to go ahead.
1096 </p>
1097 <p>
1097 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.
1097 </p>
1098 <p>
1098 The prospective adopters will need to arrange for the foreign authority to monitor the
placement as required by the Placement Planning Meeting.
1098 </p>
1099 <h3>
1099 Where Prospective Adopters have been identified
1099 </h3>
1100 <p>
1100 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.
1100 </p>
1101 <p>
1101 The matching procedures will then apply as for any other potential placement.
1101 </p>
1102 <p>
1102 Placement Planning Meetings should be convened in accordance with the usual placement
procedures (see
1102 <a href="#plan_place">
1102 Section 9, Planning the Placement
1102 </a>
1102 ) 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.
1102 </p>
1103 <p>
1103 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.
1103 </p>
1104 <p>
1104 The child's social worker will need to arrange for the foreign authority to monitor the
placement as required by the Placement Planning Meeting.
1104 </p>
1105 </div>
1106 <div class="section1">
1106 </div>
1109 </div>
1112 <div id="footer">
1113 <div class="copyright">
1114 <p>
1114 <a href="http://www.trixonline.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
1114 <img src="images/logo/trix-logo.png" width="75" height="75" alt="trix logo">
1114 </a>
1114 Copyright© signisgroup
1114 </p>
1115 </div>
1116 </div>
1117 </div>
1118 </div>
1120 </div>
1122 </div>
1123 <div class="container">
1125 <div class="modal modal-wide fade" id="myModal" tabindex="-1" role="dialog" aria-labelledby="myModal"
aria-hidden="true">
1127 <div class="modal-dialog modal-lg">
1127 <div class="modal-content">
1127 <div class="modal-header">
1127 <strong>
1127 Local Resources
1127 </strong>
1127 </div>
1127 <div class="modal-body">
1129 
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">
1129 </iframe>
1131 <script>
1131 </script>
1131 </div>
1131 <div class="modal-footer">
1131 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">
1131 Close
1131 </a>
1131 </div>
1131 </div>
1131 </div>
1131 </div>
1131 </div>
1133 <script src="js/val/test/jquery-1.11.3.min.js" defer>
1133 </script>
1134 <script type="text/javascript" src="js/highlight.js" defer>
1134 </script>
1135 <script src="js/iframe/iframeResizer.js">
1135 </script>
1137 <script src="https://maxcdn.bootstrapcdn.com/bootstrap/3.3.7/js/bootstrap.min.js" defer>
1137 </script>
1138 <script src="js/jqueryui/jquery-ui-1.9.1.custom.min.js" defer>
1138 </script>
1139 <script src="js/jquery.tocify.js" defer>
1139 </script>
1140 <script src="js/dropdowns-enhancement.js" defer>
1140 </script>
1141 <script src="js/scroll.js" defer>
1141 </script>
1142 <script src="js/custom.js" defer>
1142 </script>
1143 <script src="js/dmss.js" defer>
1143 </script>
1144 <script type="text/javascript"
src="https://cabbiepete.github.io/jQuery-Share-Email/js/jquery.tmpl.min.js" defer>
1144 </script>
1146 <script type="text/javascript" src="js/jQuery.print.js" defer>
1146 </script>
1147 <script src="js/jquery.shareemail.js" type="text/javascript" defer>
1147 </script>
1148 <script src="js/cookie-code/jquery.cookiebar.js" defer>
1148 </script>
1151 <a id="scrollup">
1151 <i class="up">
1151 </i>
1151 </a>
1152 <div id="background">
1153 <p id="bg_text">
1153 Trix procedures
1153 </p>
1154 <p id="bg_text_msg">
1154 Only valid for 48hrs
1154 </p>
1155 </div>
1160 <script type="text/javascript">
1168 </script>
1171 </body>
1172 </html>