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Being Looked After Guide
Policy Status
- The Children (Guernsey and Alderney) Law 2008
- HSSD Complaints Policy
- Placement of Children (Guernsey and Alderney) Regulations
- Being Looked After Guide for Looked After Children
Practice is based on and informed by best practice guidance from the United Kingdom jurisdictions including
- Fostering Services National Minimum Standards 2011
- Fostering Services (England) Regulations 2011
Key Points
- Children must know how to make representations or complaints to Guernsey HSSD and should be supported to do this. They should be made aware of how to contact their Social Worker.
- The point at which a child or young person becomes looked after can be very frightening and confusing for them. It is very likely that children will not remember everything they have been told about being looked after, the placement they are going to, or their rights.
- All foster carers are asked to provide information about themselves and their families using a Carer Profile or Welcome Book. This should be available to the child prior to placement which should be planned wherever possible. In the case of emergency placements, the child/young person should be given some basic information about the placement they are going to.
- The foster carer should keep copies of their Carer Profile/Welcome Book in their home and a copy of the Carer Profile will be kept electronically on the carer's electronic record for accessibility.
- For planned placements the child will be given a Welcome Box by the foster carer which will be available to them on arrival at their placement. This will include a copy of the Carer Profile and Being Looked After Guide and child friendly objects which may include a snuggly, toys, crafts, confectionary etc. This is for the child to keep. In the case of emergency placements this will be provided as soon as possible for the child within the first days of placement. The Welcome Box is funded by the Guernsey Foster Care and Adoption Association and provided to the carer by the Family Placement Service
- The Being Looked After Guide which children/young people can keep, is to help them understand about being fostered and their rights.
Standards
- The Carer Profile/Welcome Book should be given to the child, and where appropriate their parents, in advance of placement whenever possible.
- The Being Looked After Guide should be given to a child or young person as soon as they become looked after. The Child's Social Worker and the foster carer should agree which of them will make sure the child understands the content.
- Placements should be planned wherever possible and in the case of planned placements, changes of placement and respite placements, introductory visits should be arranged whenever possible to prepare the child, allow them to see the environment they will be in including the bedroom and to meet those who will be caring for them. They may be able to stay for a meal and meet any children of the carers and any pets.
- The child will be given a Welcome Box on arrival at their placement Foster carers will arrange to obtain a gender specific box from the Family Placement Service. This may be put in the child's bedroom and is for the child to keep and add to as they wish. There should be a copy of the Carer Profile and Being Looked After Guide in the box for the child.
- In the case of emergency placements, the child or young person should be given the following information as a minimum and as soon as possible provided with the above.
o The names of the carers
o Where they live
o Whether they have other children
o What sort of place they live in
o Whether they have animals
No | Task | Responsible officer | Record required | Performance standard |
1 | At the point of identifying the placement, the child/young person (and parent where appropriate) should be provided with a copy of the Carer Profile/Welcome Book | Child's Social Worker(CSW) | Child's file | Prior to placement |
2 | The worker should ensure the child understands the information and should answer as many questions as possible | CSW | Child's file | Prior to placement |
3 | In the case of planned placement, change of placement and respite placement, introductory visits should be arranged. | CSW Supervising Social Worker(SSW) | Child's file Contact record | Pre placement |
4 | A copy of the Being Looked After Guide should be given to the child/young person when placed with carer. | CSW | Child's file | On placement |
5 | There should be agreement about whether Child's Social Worker or foster carer will make sure the child understands the content | CSW or foster carer | Child's file | On placement |
6 | .A Welcome box will be provided for the child containing a copy of the Carer Profile and Being Looked After Guide and child friendly material | Family Placement Service Foster carer | Contact record | At point of placement or in emergency placements as soon as possible after placement |
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