DISRUPTION MEETINGS
BRIEFING NOTE FOR PARTICIPANTS
- When a long-term foster placement ends in an unplanned way everyone is left with a mixed range of feelings. When a placement has continued over a number of years, theending of the foster placement and the recognition that it cannot continue is hard to adjust to. Whilst this is painful for everyone it is those who have a shared history who are left most bruised – the young person and the carers. When a lot has been invested but still things have not worked out, most people are left feeling a mixture of emotions – anger, guilt, confusion and sadness, as well as wondering if anything could have been done to make the situation easier or better in some way.
- The primary purpose of holding a disruption meeting is to ensure that future plans for the young person are made with the best possible knowledge of the child and their needs. Families who have lived with the young person have valuable information to contribute to this picture. The purpose of holding a disruption meeting is to learn from the experiences of everyone involved. The reason for holding a disruption meeting is not that of apportioning blame – this does not take us forward or help us to plan for the young person’s future. Many of the young people who have to cope with a long-term placement ending their commitment to them, have already had a history of moves and unsettled relationships.
- Everyone who attends the meeting will have the opportunity to express their views and to contribute information. It will also be important to listen to what others have to say. Inevitably we may not always ‘see’ the situation from quite the same angle, but hopefully by the end of the meeting we may all have a clearer understanding of how and why events developed in the way they did. Please do not interrupt when someone else is talking. Make a note of the point you wish to raise and let the Chair know you wish to make a contribution. The child or young person’s views are represented either personally at the meeting if possible ,or through their social worker or the Independent Reviewing Officer .
- To make sure that you convey all the points you want to, it is helpful to think about these in advance of the meeting and to make notes of significant areas you want to discuss. For example, make a note of important dates or events in the order they occurred so that the sequence of developments can be followed.
- Minutes of the Meeting will be written and circulated to those who have attended.
Thank you for agreeing to participate in the meeting and setting the time aside to make the meeting worthwhile. I hope that you will find it helpful.