(27/03/2023)
Aim:
The agencies aim to be able to match suitably experienced fostering families with carers trained, skilled and equipped to meet the complex needs of Parent and Child placements.
In order to achieve this and to enable stability and successful outcomes, the agencies believe that robust matching, thorough planning, risk assessment and safety planning alongside ongoing support are required. As such the agencies have drawn up key guidance.
Types of Parent and Child Placement requests:
- Assessment placement
These usually last for last around twelve weeks and involve completing an assessment report of the parent’s ability to care for their child.
- Pre-birth placements
To help prepare the parent for the birth of their child by supporting them to understand their own needs and the needs of their baby.
- Parenting supporting placements
These are offered to parents who need help with learning how to provide basic care, safety, warmth and guidance for their child. This type of placement can also be offered if the parent needs a safe place to live.
Foster Carers Considered for Parent and Child:
- No carer approved for less than one year will be considered for Parent and Child.
- Anyone who is interested in Parent and Child placements would require to undertake an addendum to their Form F, to go to Panel and our Agency Decision Maker for reapproval.
- Carers will be required to undertake the Parent and Child Training and refresh every three years, and feedback will be given to the SSW/TM as to their participation of the course.
- The agencies also expect carers offering Parent and Child placements to have a strong and robust support network.
- Recordings: The expectation is for carers to complete a detailed daily recording of the Parent and Child. This will be checked by the SSW and then shared with the LA and the courts, as evidence. Carers may need to be prepared to attend court should they deem necessary based on the recordings.
- Parent and Children carers need to be available to continue to care for the baby/child should the courts deem the parent is to be separated, or if the parent themselves leave the placement.
Finance:
All Parent and Child placements will be on an enhanced (specialist and targeted) fee to reflect the complexity the carers are managing. This will be non-negotiable with local authorities.
Referrals for Parent and Child:
Local authorities referring a Parent and Child will be considered on a case by case. It is an expectation of the agency that full referral information is provided including:
- A full and comprehensive referral. Carers identified as Parent and Child carers will be provided with information on the referral to ensure they can make an informed choice as to whether it is something they would be interested in considering.
- A thoroughly completed risk assessment with details of how any identified risks will be managed/mitigated.
- Input from the team around the child, LASW and Team Manager.
- Consideration of all Parent and Child referrals are to be made in consultation with the RAPT Manager/Senior Practitioner, SSW and Team Manager.
- Referrals will only be further considered if all parties agree there could be a potential match, subject to further exploration with the local authority.
- Any specific training required for the Foster Carer/SSW.
Matching:
- Parent and Child’s basic details.
- Reason for placement request (see above).
- Placement history including any breakdowns and reason for these.
- Police Checks to be undertaken by LA and shared with the agency ASAP.
- Information about family and friends and any risks.
- Details of risk around CSE, CCE and gangs and how these will be managed. Any LA risk assessments to be obtained.
- Plans for contact and how this will be managed.
- Any history of allegations.
- Details of any behaviours and how they are managed.
- Whether there is any history of fire setting or attempts to do so.
- Location requirements and any risk associated with particular locations.
- What support will the LA offer.
- Any drug or alcohol misuse
Planning:
All Parent and Child placements will be subject to robust planning, where ever possible. This will include, but is not limited to:
- Provision of the carer’s child friendly profile and welcome book.
- Discussion about the LA/parent/carer by way of introductions.
- A virtual meeting with the parent and their social worker and carer.
- Discussion about finances, and any application needed for Universal Credit and how it will be managed. (To be raised in the Parent and Child IPA)
- Clarification about expectations in regards to responsibilities between the LA, Parent regards roles and responsibilities.
- Clarity in regards to basic household rules in the fostering family.
- Initial Placement Meeting to take place prior to the move to foster care. This will include discussion and completion of the Safer Care Policy.
Support to be offered to Foster Carers Offering Parent and Child Placements:
- Detailed referral information and opportunities to ask any questions.
- Clear introductory process and professionals meetings as detailed above.
- As a minimum, weekly telephone support (to be enhanced as and when necessary).
- Weekly visits for the first two months and then reviewed.
- A review meeting to take place after four weeks to assess the impact and if any additional intervention is required from the agency or local authority. This can be part of the first CLA review.
- Input from the agency’s Education Consultant, if the parent is a CLA.
- Input from the agency’s Advocate for the child/young person if the parent is a CLA.
- Targeted and specialist training specific to meeting the needs of the Parent and Child.
- Targeted specialist support group to offer guidance and peer support.
- Regular network meetings to review progress and identify if extra support/input is required.
- Enhanced managerial oversight, including regular review of recordings to ensure timely input is provided if difficulties are presenting.
- Team Manager to undertake a joint visit with SSW within first month of the placement and then every 3 months or more if deemed necessary or at request.
Other Actions for the Agencies:
- Any targeted training for SSWs offering Parent and Child placements, along with the carers, as identified. (Local authority may offer potential training from the Commissioning/tender agreement).
- Agencies to ensure all carers offering Parent and Child placements know the incident reporting procedures.
