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Care Plan

A child's care plan is the most important document relating to children accommodated by the Local Authority. It sets out the immediate and long term aims for the child and is a means for the parents and all professionals working with a child to ensure that they are meeting the child's assessed needs.

Care plans should be informed by recent assessments, the views of the child, their parents or their carers and the professional views of all agencies working with child (e.g. health, education). The care plan is the overarching document that includes the aspects of looked after paperwork, e.g. the placement plan, health plan and personal education plan, essentially a one stop shop for anyone wanting to know what is happening for the child.

Care plans should also contain a contingency plan (e.g. for if the placement breaks down). It is however the responsibility of the social worker to complete the care plan.

For more information as to the specific requirements of a care plan please see 'You May Also Like' section at bottom of page (link to excerpt from Care Planning, Placement and Case Review Guidance, 2010).

The care plan should be completed prior to the child being placed / accommodated, however it must be completed within 10 working days of a child being placed / accommodated.

The care plan must be regularly reviewed, and as a minimum this should be before each LAC Review, with enough time allowed so that all are able to read and understand the care plan prior to the review meeting where the plan will then be discussed.

Short breaks

The completion of a care plan for a child who falls within the short breaks criteria is dependent on the legal status of the child, and decisions about this are informed by assessment of the child's needs. Information about whether a care plan is required, and if so what type of care plan can be found at the bottom of the page.

Court care plans

The court care plan is a different document to the Child in Care care plan and they should not be confused.

Actions

No.

Action

Person Responsible

Timescale

1.

Care plan to be completed

Social worker

Before placement starts if placement is planned or within 10 working days of child being placed

2.

Care plan completed and authorised by manager

Social worker and first line manager

Within 10 working days of child being placed

3.

Copy of care plan to be provided to carer or manager of the residential unit

Social worker

Within 5 days of care plan being approved

4.

Care plan to be shared with the child in a manner appropriate to their age and understanding

Social worker

Within 5 days of care plan being approved

5.

Copy of care plan to be provided to the parents and those with parental responsibility, unless there are exceptional circumstances where this should not happen in order to keep the child safe

Social worker

Within 5 days of care plan being approved

6.

Care plan to be provided to the named Independent Reviewing Officer

Social worker

5 working days prior to each review meeting

7.

Care plan to be discussed at review meeting

Independent Reviewing Officer and members of review meeting

At review meeting

8.

Care plan to be updated and authorised by manager

Social worker and first line manager

One month prior to the next review meeting

9.

Actions 3 to 7 to be repeated for as long as the child remains looked after by the local authority