A10

CORNWALL COUNCIL AND THE COUNCIL OF THE ISLES OF SCILLY ADOPTION AGENCY

Children, Schools and Families

ADOPTION POLICY AND PROCEDURE GUIDELINES

Subject: Planning for the Adoption of a Child who is subject to Social Care involvement

Purpose: Adoption must be considered as an option in cases which appear to be leading to long term placement away from the birth parent/s. This procedure is designed to enable Children, Schools and Families’ staff to work together to achieve a permanence plan

Legislation: Adoption and Children Act 2002

Adoption Agencies Regulations 2005

Related Procedures:

A7 Child’s Permanence Report

A8 Adoption of a Child Requested by those with Parental Responsibility

A11 Counselling and Support of a Person with Parental Responsibility where the Agency’s preferred option for the Child is Adoption

1. Introduction

1.1 Adoption is the only form of substitute care which can offer legal permanence and membership of a new family as of right. It provides the best method of ensuring an enduring strong commitment between a child and substitute parent/s.

1.2  The Directorate of Children, Schools and Families sees adoption as a positive alternative for children and is therefore committed to this option through appropriate permanence planning in each case.

1.3  Experience shows us that a number of factors including age and delay affect the search for adoptive placements. Effective planning is a priority for Directorate of Children, Schools and Families and this procedure is to ensure that timely plans are made which minimise delay and avoid drift.

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A10

1.4  No child should be regarded as unadoptable on the grounds of physical, mental or emotional disability, gender, age or ethnicity.

2. Adoption Consultation

The Adoption Service should be approached for advice during the assessment stage as these early interventions could benefit the child in the long-term if adoption does result. It can assist the neutrality of the assessment process and can advise on how to gather valuable information which would be useful for the child’s future identity.

The Service Manager/Senior Social Worker (Adoption) remains consulted until either it is agreed that adoption is not an appropriate recommendation or that adoption is the plan. If adoption is not the plan then the Adoption Service takes no further action.

3. Process

The process of planning for adoption results from either a request for adoption from those with parental responsibility (See A8) or through contested court proceedings.

The permanence planning process ensures that drift is avoided.

Where the permanence plan identifies adoption as the plan for the child the Team Manager will immediately advise the Service Manager (Adoption) and the Business Administrator (Adoption). The Service Manager (Adoption) will allocate the child’s case to an adoption Social Worker within 3 days of the referral being received from the Team Manager.

The Area Social Worker is responsible for:-

a)  The completion and collation of the appropriate information for presentation at the Adoption Panel. The Child’s Permanence Report (see A7) must be completed and received by the Adoption Agency at least two weeks prior to the Panel date.

b)  The preparation of the child ensuring life story work is completed and direct work which assists the child to understand what is happening to them.

c)  The preparation of the foster carer/s for the adoption plan in partnership with the fostering team.

d)  All statutory functions in relation to the child.

e)  All financial matters.

f)  Sharing the Child’s Permanence Report with the birth parent/s.

The Adoption Social Worker is independent of the Child and will be responsible for:-

i)  Assisting with the completion and collation of appropriate information within the agreed timescales.

ii)  Arranging for the Medical Adviser to undertake a medical or to obtain obstetric and neonatal reports and arrange a full medical examination of the child.

iii)  Advising in regard to the child moving a new placement.

iv)  Giving information to birth parent/s and extended family as appropriate and offering counselling to those who wish to receive the service (see procedure A11).

v)  Ascertaining the birth parent/s’ wishes for the child’s future.

vi)  Advising the birth parent/s and significant others of the nature and effect of adoption.

vii)  Ensuring written information is given to all relevant parties.

viii)  Informing the birth parent/s of the adoption process and the Adoption Panel purpose.

ix)  Asking the birth family or their representatives to write regarding their wishes to the Adoption Panel and recording these views on the file.

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