CARE PLANNING, PLACEMENT AND CASE REVIEW – Nominated Officer ‘Key Decision Form’ Guidance Notes

Decision / Nominated Officer (NO) / Responsibility / Comments / TRIM File Path
Placement with Parents
[Part 4, Chapter 1 Regs 15 - 20] / Relevant CountyManager (based on whose team is currently case holding)
or a Strategic Lead / Regulation 18 - Before granting approval the NO must be satisfied that:
  • The child’s wishes and feelings have been ascertained.
  • The assessment, as to the suitability of the parent, has been carried out (Regulation 17)
  • The placement will safeguard and promote the child’s welfare.
  • The IRO has been consulted.
Reg 19 (Immediate placement with parent) – Before granting approval, the NO must be satisfied that the following checks have taken place:
  • Interview held with the parent to obtain as much information as possible, as specified in Schedule 3.
  • Assessment of the parent in accordance with Reg 17.
  • A review is planned for 10 working days following the decision for the child to be allowed to live with the parent.
  • Within 10 working days of completing the assessment a decision must be taken by the NO as to whether the placements should be confirmed or not in accordance with Regulation 19
  • Review of the placement plan if the child is to remain with the parent.
/ A decision should be recorded on a ‘Key Decision Sheet’(Placement with Parents – Reg 18 and Reg 19)– See Appendix 1
This decision sheet should be used for planned placements with parents and those that are immediate placements with parents.
Where there is a change of school at KS4 for the child, the Virtual Head teacher should also be consulted. / Child; Looked After Children:Planning:Placement planning
Placement out of the Authority Area
[Reg.11(1)(2)(3) & 12 (1)(2)(3)] / Relevant CountyManager
(based on whose team is currently case holding)
or a Strategic Lead / Before granting approval the NO must be satisfied that:
  • The child’s wishes and feelings have been ascertained.
  • The placement is the most appropriate placement for the child and will meet the child’s needs as set out in the Care Plan.
  • The parent’s wishes and feelings have been ascertained where the child is provided with accommodation and - where possible and appropriate - where s/he is subject of a Care Order.
  • The Local Authority for the area in which the child is to be placed has been notified.
  • The IRO has been consulted.
/ A decision should be recorded on an appropriately headed Key Decision Sheet(Placements out of area)– See Appendix 2
Consultation should have taken place with the Head of Provider services. Where this may involve a change in school the Virtual Head teacher should be consulted particular if the child is at Key Stage 4. / Child; Looked After Children:Planning:Placement planning
Change of School at Key Stage 4Years 10/11)
[Part 3 Reg 10] / Relevant CountyManager
(based on whose team is currently case holding)
or a Strategic Lead / Before approving the decision the Local Authority must ensure that:
  • The young person’s wishes and feelings have been ascertained.
  • The parent’s wishes and feelings have been ascertained, where the child is provided with accommodation (Section 20) and (where possible and appropriate) where the young person is subject of a Care Order.
  • The education provision made for the young person in the new placement will promote his/her educational achievement and is consistent with the PEP.
  • The IRO has been consulted.
  • The Designated Teacher, at the school where the young person is a registered pupil, has been consulted.
/ A decision should be recorded on an appropriate ‘Key Decision Sheet’ (Change of School at KS4 – See Appendix 3
Consultation should take place with Virtual Headteacher. / Child; Looked After Children:Planning:Placement planning

04/12/2018

Appendix 1

NOMINATED OFFICER KEY DECISION FORM–

‘Placement with Parents’

To be completed by the Team Manager/ Team Co-ordinator:

Information about the Child:

Name of Child:
BP No: / Current Address:
Date of Birth:
Social Worker: / Team:

Is the child on a Court Order?YES / NO

If yes (please circle):ICO / FCO/ PO

Is this placement - Planned Immediate

Evidence for the Key decision:

1. What were the child’s wishes and feelings about the placement with parents?

2. Does theCore Assessment state that:

Parents’ can meet the needs of the child The accommodation is suitable

Others living at the property do not pose a risk to the child

Placement will safeguard and promote the child’s welfare

3. Child’s Review:

Has the Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) been consulted about this decision? Y N

4. Will the placement disrupt the child’s education at KS4 (School years 1011)?

Y N N/A

If YES what decision was made by the Virtual Headteacher?

5. Supporting Comments

Regulation 19 - Immediate Placement with parent (when permanence plan is for the child to return home)

a.An interview / visit has taken place with the parent to check Y N

the suitability of the accommodation, others that live at the

property and their capacity to safeguard and promote the

child’s welfare

b.Assessment of the parent in accordance with Regulation 17Y N

c.Is a review planned to be held within 10 working days of the Y N

child being allowed to live with the parent?

Signed ………………………………………………. Date Submitted for approval: ……………….

TO BE COMPLETED BY THE NOMINATED OFFICER:

Is there clear evidence that the appropriate steps have been taken to place the child with their parent?

Y N

Actions / Comments:

Agreement is given to go forward with this placement? Y N

Signed by Nominated Officer ……………………………………………………….

Printed Name ……………………………………………………………………………

Date of Decision: ……………………………………………………………………….

Copy of the Decision Form:

Saved on the Child’s TRIM Record

Sent to the respective Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO)

Appendix 2

NOMINATED OFFICERKEY DECISION FORM –

‘Placements Out of Area’

NB: Approval of the nominated officer is not required if the placement out of area is with a local authority foster parent who is connected to the child or approved as a LA foster parent by the responsible parent.

To be completed by the Team Manager / Team Co-ordinator:

Information about the Child:

Name of Child:
BP No: / Current Address:
Date of Birth:
Social Worker: / Team:
Legal Status of the child:

Details of the proposed placement:

Provider name and address
Contact tel no:
Is this the most appropriate placement for the child? Please include whether the placement will meet the needs of the child as identified in their care plan, outcome of discussions with the Placement Unit and what checks have already been made for in-house provision:
What are the wishes and feelings of the child?
Has consultation taken place with the parent about the out of area placement?
Y N
Will this have an impact on transport arrangements for the child? Y N N/A
Will this have an impact on a change of school? Y N N/A
If yes will there be appropriate support in the new school Y N
Is this change of placement likely to disrupt the child at KS4 Y N N/A
If YES what decision was made by the Virtual Headteacher? -
Is there appropriate support for the child in the placement area from –
Primary Health care Y N
CAMHS Y N N/A
Has the Independent Reviewing Officer been consulted on this placement? Y N

TO BE COMPLETED BY THE NOMINATED OFFICER:

Is there clear evidence that the appropriate steps have been taken to place the child in this out of area placement?

Y N

Actions / Comments:

Agreement is given to go forward with this placement? Y N

Signed by Nominated Officer ……………………………………………………….

Printed Name ……………………………………………………………………………

Date of Decision: ……………………………………………………………………….

Copy of the Decision Form –

Saved on the Child’s TRIM record

Notification sent to –

Respective IRO

Placement Unit

Virtual Head teacher

Appendix 3

NOMINATED OFFICERKEY DECISION FORM –

‘Change of School at Key Stage 4’

NB: It is expected that the young person’s education should not be disrupted other than a consequence of an emergency placement

To be completed by the Team Manager / Team Co-ordinator:

Information about the Child:

Name of Child:
BP No: / Current Address:
Date of Birth:
Social Worker: / Team:
Legal Status of the child:

Evidence to Support the decision

1. Is the disruption an emergency placement? Y N

2. What are the wishes and concerns of the young person on the school change and the impact on their schooling?

3. What are the wishes and concerns of the parent/carer where the young person is accommodated?

Education Provision

4. In their new placement, will the education provision meet the needs of the young person and ensure that the young person’s educational achievement is consistent with the PEP?

5. Has the Designated Teacher, at the school where the young person is a registered pupil,been consulted?

Y N

Child’s Review

6. Has the Independent Reviewing Officer been consulted about this decision?

Y N

Consultation with Virtual Headteacher

7. Is the Virtual Headteacher in agreement with the move?

Y N

To be completed by the CountyManager:

Is there clear evidence that the appropriate steps and consideration have been taken in changing the school of the child during Key Stage 4?

Y N

Actions / Comments:

Agreement is given to go forward with this placement? Y N

Signed by Nominated Officer ……………………………………………………….

Printed Name ……………………………………………………………………………

Date of Decision: ……………………………………………………………………….

Copy of the Decision Form –

Saved on the Child’s TRIM record

Notification sent to –

Respective IRO

Designated Teacher in both the school where the young person is registered and where they are moving to.

PLACEMENT SERVICE

Emergency Placement with Local Authority Foster carers (Regulation 23)

TEMPORARY EXTENSION TO APPROVAL

Where it is necessary to place a child in an emergency with an approved foster carer outside the approval category of that carer a temporary extension can be agreed for up to 6 days only

Completed by Placement Service

Foster Carer Details

NAME OF CARER
CISS No:
BP No:
ADDRESS
DATE APPROVED
LAST REVIEW DATE
APPROVAL STATUS
ARE THERE ANY SMOKERS IN THE HOUSE?
FP SW & OFFICE
AGREED WITH FPSW

Own Children in Household

NAME OF CHILD / AGE / OWN / SHARED BEDROOM

Foster Children in Household

NAME OF CHILD / AGE / ROOM OWN / SHARED / SW & OFFICE / CONSULTED YES / NO

Information about the Child

NAME OF CHILD
CISS No
BP No:
DOB
Social Worker & OFFICE
DURATION of EXTENSION
COMMENCEMENT DATE

Reason for Emergency Placement

What are the wishes and feelings of the child?

Sleeping Arrangements

Extra Support Required (School / Transport)

Decision / Comments (by Placement Co-ordinator)

Completed By / Date
Authorised By / Date
Logged By / Date

Placed on Foster Carer file

Updated Dec 2012 – SDT/ST

** Uncontrolled when printed**1