Appendix 1: Permanency Planning Pathways Family and Friends Care Foster Care Special Guardianship Order (SGO) Adoption Route into the caring arrangement The child has been placed with the relative or friend by the local authority, because the person who had been caring for the child was deemed not to be providing suitable care. The child is a looked after child and so the local authority must approve the relative or friend as a local authority foster carer. The child may be accommodated voluntarily with the agreement of the parents or may be subject to a care order. The child is a looked after child being accommodated by the local authority under section 20 Children Act 1989 or because the child is subject to a care order; but has been placed with a foster carer by the local authority. (Alternatively, the local authority may choose to place a child into residential care where this is considered to best meet the child’s needs). The child may be at risk of becoming ‘looked after’ or The child may have been ‘looked after’ and their foster carer or other relative/friend applies for an order. Application can be made without the support of the parents or the local authority. Relatives may apply for an order after the child has lived with them for one year or for benign reasons, e.g. after parents’ death and in line with a prior agreement between the birth parents and the carer. Looked after children: the LA may decide that the child should be placed for adoption. They can only do so with the consent of the birth parent or under a placement order made by a court. An approved foster carer can apply for an adoption order after a year of caring for the child. Other informal carers could apply for an adoption order if the child has lived with them for a period of 3 years. Parental Responsibility (PR) Remains with birth parents if child accommodated under section 20 CA, or if the child is subject to a care order or emergency protection order the local authority will have parental responsibility and determines the extent to which it may be exercised by others. PR shared with parents and anyone else with parental responsibility for the child. The special guardian may exercise parental responsibility to the exclusion of all others with PR, apart from another special guardian. Transfers to adopters and relationship with birth parents are severed.
Appendix 2: Permanence Options - Checklist of Considerations Special Guardianship Orders Adoption Long Term Fostering Child needs the security of a legally defined placement with alternative carers, but does not require a lifelong commitment involving a change of identity Child’s primary need is to belong to a family who will make a lifelong commitment Primary need is for a stable, loving family environment whilst there is still a significant level of continued involvement with the birth family Child’s relation, foster or other carer needs to exercise day to day parental responsibility and is prepared to do so as a lifelong commitment Child’s birth parents are not able or not willing to share parental responsibility in order to meet their child’s needs, even though there may be contact Child has a clear sense of identity with the birth family, whilst needing to be looked after away from home There is no need for continuing monitoring and review by the Local Authority, although support services may still need to be arranged Child needs an opportunity to develop a new sense of identity whilst being supported to maintain or develop a healthy understanding of their past There is need for continuing oversight and monitoring of the child’s developmental progress Child has a strong attachment to the alternative carers and legally defined permanence is assessed as a positive contribution to their sense of belonging and security Child expresses a wish to be adopted Birth parents are able and willing to exercise a degree of parental responsibility
this is a vital part of the assessment? Concerning use of alcohol or illegal drugs, other addictions e.g. gambling Children are most vulnerable when carers' mental illness or problem alcohol and drug use coexist with domestic violence. Health and Police checks Major current or chronic physical and/or mental health problems These will need to be fully investigated and might rule the applicant/-s out, if severe. Record of offences against children would generally rule the applicants out, although there is some discretion Current or very recent criminal activity Absence of severe health problems and/or positive attitude to maintaining good health Willingness to seek and follow medical advice as necessary Ability to maintain effective functioning through periods of stress. Evidence of having moved on from early offending behaviour. Ability to teach and model right and wrong Housing Insufficient space to accommodate additional child/children on long term/permanent basis? Poor likelihood of obtaining adequate accommodation within a realistic time frame Environmental health and safety concerns -see Health and safety checklist Adequate space for the family's needs, including the child/ren to be placed Good physical standards in the home Good range of local amenities Employment & Income Poor employment record. Evidence of persistent financial problems-heavy debts. Unrealistic notions of the level of financial support available to support the proposed placement. Unrealistic notions of the cost of caring for a child Steady employment record Adequate financial resources Good money management Family's Social Integration Social isolation Ability to provide the required personal references will give some indication of their peer group and social networks. Poor relationships with Social Services and/or other helping agencies should give cause for concern. Assessing social worker will need to assess whether this is typical of the applicant/-s' Ability to develop a support system within the community and personal networks Ability to work with professionals and agencies and act as an advocate for the child Ability to communicate effectively Ability to understand the implications of
Stimulation Lack of understanding of the needs of children to play and learn. Inappropriate expectations (too high or too low) of child's capacity. Creating appropriate opportunities for children to learn and play. Recognising the importance of regular school attendance Interest in homework Good relationships with the children's schools Supporting positive out-of-school activities and interests Guidance and boundaries Rigid, coercive discipline without time, patience and coaxing to obtain the child's compliance. Regular use of physical punishments., threats or bribes Chronic Inconsistency or inability to set ordinary boundaries Ability to set appropriate boundaries and manage children's behaviour Stability High number of moves in the last 10 years within and between countries High number of people who would be involved with the child. Well settled in their present home High commitment and dependability
hereditary health issue affecting parents*: b) Child’s current health & any treatment*: Does the carer have the child’s health record? c) Child’s future health needs & how these will be met: d) Identified support needs of child & prospective Special Guardians in relation to the child’s health: Actions identified Who is responsible? Timescale? 3. Child’s Education & related needs: a) Information regarding the parents educational history* & any hopes they have for the child’s education or out of school activities: b) Details of the child’s educational history and attainments including names, addresses and types of provision with dates attended*: c) Current educational provision including details of any additional needs and how these are being met: d) Detail any interests* and after school activities the child has engaged in or would like to do: e) Child’s future educational needs including any aspirations and how these might be met: f) Identified support needs of child & prospective Special Guardians in relation to the child’s education:
All driving licenses must be . Group 2b: Financial and social history documents Document Notes Issue date and validity Mortgage statement UK or EEA Issued in last 12 months Bank or building society statement UK and Channel Islands or EEA Issued in last 3 months Bank or building society account opening confirmation letter UK Issued in last 3 months Credit card statement UK or EEA Issued in last 3 months Financial statement, e.g. pension or endowment UK Issued in last 12 months P45 or P60 statement UK and Channel Islands Issued in last 12 months Council Tax statement UK and Channel Islands Issued in last 12 months Work permit or visa UK Valid up to expiry date Letter of sponsorship from future employment provider Non-UK or non-EEA only - valid only for applicants residing outside of the UK at time of application Must still be valid Utility bill UK - not mobile telephone bill Issued in last 3 months Benefit statement, e.g. Child Benefit, Pension UK Issued in last 3 months Central or local government, government agency, or local council document giving entitlement, e.g. from the Department for Work and Pensions, the Employment Service, HMRC UK and Channel Islands Issued in last 3 months