SCOPE OF THIS CHAPTER
This procedure relates to the assessment by Ealing Children's Placements Service of a person or the joint assessment of a couple that have applied to be approved as foster carers for the London Borough of Ealing This procedure covers applicants for adoption, full time fostering (short term and long term and for carers offering supported lodgings) and the Family Link Scheme whose carers offer short breaks to children with disabilities usually living at home with their own families. This document does not deal with the assessment of Kinship carers. Specific issues re Kinship Carers are dealt with in the Kinship Care Policy.
This procedure has been updated in relation to the changes introduced in April 2011 by the National Minimum Standards for Adoption and Fostering Services.
New chapter for June 2011
| 1.1 |
Departmental policy favours a child or young person remaining wherever possible with their immediate family or if not possible, their extended family. If it is not possible for a child to remain within their family network, Departmental Policy favours foster care or adoption if reunification fails, as an alternative placement wherever possible. |
| 1.2 |
Departmental policy favours the provision of an extensive pool of approved foster carers and in relation to adopters a smaller pool, which reflects as far as possible, the ethnic, cultural, religious and linguistic diversity within the London Borough of Ealing and meets service need. |
| 1.3 |
Departmental policy favours maximising the stability of placements for children and young people who are in foster care and minimising placement moves once a child is placed in foster care. An available pool of foster carers, which reflects and can meet as far as possible, the diversity of needs of the 'looked after' population, will strengthen the likelihood of placement stability for children. |
| 1.4 |
Where families have disabled children under the age of 13 who are living at home and are assessed as being in need of short breaks, the department is in favour of such breaks taking place in a family setting. Where needed the specialist fostering service provided by the Family Link scheme may provide the break. |
The term 'assessment' will apply to the formal assessment process of an applicant or couple undertaken by the Children's Placements Service within the assessment framework provided by British Agency for adoption and fostering (BAAF), formerly known as Form F now known as the Prospective Foster Carers Report (PFCR) for foster carers and as the Prospective Adopters Report for adopters (PAR). The assessment will include the stipulations made under regulation 26 and 27 of the Fostering Services Regulations 2011 including the specifications set out in Schedule 3 and Standard 13,19, 20 and 21 of the National Minimum Standards for Fostering Services 2011 under section 23(1) of the Care Standards Act 2000. For adopters the assessment will include the stipulations made.
| 2.1 |
Under regulation 23 of the Adoption and Children Act 2002 including the practice guidance for assessing the suitability of prospective adopters, as set out in appendix A and the National Minimum Standards for Adoption 2011.. The Recruitment and Assessment Team (R&A) is responsible for the assessment of 'Short Term' and 'Long Term' carers. Where a long-term assessment is for a child whose permanency is being planned by the adoption team then the adoption team will undertake that assessment. Family Link Carers will be assessed by the Family Link scheme. Assessments of Carers providing support to a specific foster carer will be undertaken by the R&A team as part of the initial assessment. Where an assessment is required post approval this will generally be completed by the Fostering Support team (FST), as will any change of circumstances that requires further assessment e.g. change of approval, change of health circumstances. Where a new partner is joining the household this assessment would also normally be undertaken by the FST. |
| 2.2 |
The assessment format used will relate to the type of assessment being undertaken (see paragraph 4.5 and please link). Short-term carers and Family Link Carers are presented at the Fostering Panel (see Fostering Panel Procedure) for approval, for adopters and long-term carers (for children under 14) are presented at the Adoption and Permanency Panel. See Adoption Panel Procedure |
| 2.3 |
Short-term foster carers will offer short-term foster placements to children and young people between the ages of 0-18 (dependent on age range approved for). Adopters will generally offer permanency to children under 7 while long Term foster carers will generally offer permanency to children over the age of 7. Applicants for the Family Link Scheme, which offers short breaks to disabled children usually between the ages of 5 - 18 years. |
| 2.4 |
The term 'looked after child' will refer in this procedure, to those children who are placed or will be placed in foster care with carers approved and managed by Ealing Council. It will not refer to children placed with private and voluntary agency foster carers, or children placed at home on a Care Order, or children placed in residential care. |
| 2.5 |
Short breaks are a series of short-term placements either under Section 17 of the Children Act 1989 or under Section 20 of the Children Act 1989, which for regulatory purposes are treated as a single placement and to qualify they must be with the same carer, no stay can last longer than 17 days each and they cannot exceed 75days in any 12-month period. Where the short breaks exceed a total of 17 days per placement /75 days per 12-month period and /or take place in more than one setting the child becomes Looked After. |
| 3.1 |
The London Borough of Ealing offers a variety of specialist support services to foster carers, adopters and the 'looked after' children in their care. These services are available to enable all carers to work within the professional network towards ensuring that children in their care can maximise their potential in all areas of their lives. There are also funds available and annual events put in place for children looked after to support and recognise their achievements. |
| 3.2 |
The assessment process should examine the ability and understanding of a prospective carer in relation to maximising the life chances of a child or young person in foster care. This should include the ability and willingness of applicants to promote contact with birth families, whether indirect or direct, wherever appropriate. It should also consider the central function of a foster carer to actively promote a child or young person's care plan, education and health needs, in partnership with the local authority, and to undertake on-going life story work with the child or young person and the ability of an adopter to make a life long commitment. |
| 3.3 |
This process should incorporate an assessment of the applicants overall parenting capacity, exploring with an applicant their understanding of effective advocacy on behalf of a child or young person. An applicants understanding of child and adolescent development should also be thoroughly explored during assessment. A central aspect of ensuring a looked after child's life chances are maximised is the ability to meet their wide ranging developmental needs and to recognise when a child needs additional assistance and support in this area. In adoption an assessment of future post adoption support needs will be made. |
| 3.4 |
All carers should demonstrate a commitment to caring for a child or young person from any background. All carers would need to provide a positive environment promoting and valuing the individual needs of any child or young person placed, promoting non-discriminatory attitudes. |
| 3.5 |
Applicants wanting to care for a disabled child should be able to offer opportunities and experiences that will broaden and enhance the experiences of the each young person according to their individual needs and abilities. |
| 4.1 |
The guiding principle used to inform the assessment of all prospective carers is that a child's welfare is paramount at all times. Assessments must be framed within the context of child-focussed work. All assessments should be considered within the light of ensuring that children who will be looked after or adopted will be safe and well cared for, and that their needs are paramount. |
| 4.2 |
All assessments will be guided by the use of a non-judgemental and transparent process of work by the assessing social worker. Ealing Council is committed to eliminating discrimination and promoting equality of opportunity and therefore welcomes applications from all sections of the community. All assessments should be undertaken within an anti discriminatory framework taking into account any specific issues that may arise from an applicant's ethnicity, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation, or religion. However the welfare of the child will remain the core framework within which the assessments are undertaken. |
| 4.3 |
The assessment process will include the following components (See Section 6, Detailed Procedures - Criteria for Assessment Checks):
- Checks
- References
- Medical reports
- Preparation training
- Home study
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| 4.4 |
Assessments should be evidence based and assessors will provide evidence either through example or observation at each stage and for each area covered in the relevant form or criteria for a specific stage. |
| 4.5 |
The following forms will be used:
- BAAF Form PAR Sections A-D - For general assessment of adopters
- BAAF Form PFCR sections A- D - For short term and long term foster carers including where the assessment is for a specific child. Where the assessment is for a specific child it is acceptable to use the FAAF F2 form
- BAAF F3 - for intercoutry adoption
- Where an existing short - term carer has come forward to offer permanency to specific child through adoption or long term fostering the assessment will build on the information already held on the carer paying particular attention to the carer's ability and commitment to offering permanency
- Family Link carers will be assessed using The Shared Care Network Short Breaks Home Study Report.
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| 5.1 |
All fostering assessments will aim to be completed and presented to panel within 18-week time scale post preparation training. All adoption assessments should be completed within a 6-month time scale. Progression will be monitored through management monitoring information and any delays to this target will be recorded on the applicants file. |
| 5.2 |
Foster carers who make a formal application to adopt the child in their care should receive the same information and preparation as other applicants. |
| 5.3 |
Formal assessment: The formal assessment is conducted by a named social worker from the Adoption or Recruitment and Assessment Teams, or by a suitably qualified external social work practitioner, contracted by either team, under the supervision of the teams management. The assessment will generally consist of 5-8 visits to the applicant/s, usually lasting an average of 1 1/2 - 2 hours per session; the session should include a separate session with each applicant where a joint application is made. The applicants are given a copy of the assessment form at the outset in order that they become aware of the nature of the work to be undertaken, and consider the subjects to be covered. |
| 5.4 |
The first visit should begin with a discussion of the nature and overall framework of the assessment, agreement as to frequency and times of visits, and a contract should be drawn up. This visit is also an opportunity for the applicant/s to clarify any outstanding queries they may have about the assessment and for the assessor to feedback on any issues that could effect the assessment that had arisen so far. |
| 5.5 |
The sessions should be used to consider in detail the areas outlined within the relevant forms. The detailed guidance should be used as a tool for the assessing social worker throughout the assessment, to ensure that all the areas for discussion are covered in sufficient depth. |
| 5.6 |
All members of the household should be interviewed including lodgers. Any children the applicant/s have living at home should also be interviewed and their feelings and opinions should be given weight. The success of the carer will be dependent on the commitment and support of all family members. |
| 5.7 |
Should the assessing social worker develop concerns about the applicant/s abilities to undertake the task during the assessment process that are not resolved during discussion with the applicant/s, they should be discussed at the earliest opportunity with their line manager in the first instance. In some cases, it may be considered appropriate to put the assessment on hold in order that a specific piece of work is undertaken with or by the applicant/s in an attempt to resolve the concern. If the issue of concern remains unresolved, a decision may be made to terminate the assessment. This can occur at any stage of the formal assessment. At this point, the applicant will be counselled out and a letter will be sent to the applicant/s, outlining, in appropriate detail, the reasons for this decision and if appropriate what would need to change before their application could be reconsidered. |
| 5.8 |
If an assessment is terminated and the applicant is not satisfied with the outcome and reasons given, adoption applicants can request that their case is presented to panel regardless. They may also make representations to the Agency Decision Maker or have a right to take their case to the 'Independent Reviewing Mechanism' (IRM). |
| 5.9 |
Foster carers can also either apply to the IRM for a review of fostering service provider's qualifying determination or, can make representations to your fostering service provider. |
| 5.10 |
For fostering assessments a second opinion visit should be completed by deputy or team manager. For adoption a second opinion visit may be completed where any possible issues have arisen or the assessor is less experienced. |
| 6.1 |
Statutory checks |
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6.1.1 |
Applicants will be given a disclosure form to read and sign following attendance at the preparation group, or at the beginning of the assessment if an applicant's assessment starts prior to preparatory training. This allows the Council to request that an enhanced Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) be undertaken. |
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6.1.2 |
Applicants should be asked if they have a criminal record at the initial visit stage, and if so, full details of the offence/s should be taken. Guidance should be sought by the team manager or deputy as to the appropriateness of inviting the enquirer to continue in the process based on the details given. |
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6.1.3 |
Every household member over the age of 16 must undergo statutory checks. (Contact the Children's Placements Service for the local policy on Statutory Checks). |
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6.1.4 |
During the assessment all fostering applicants and adopters (prior to adoption order) should identify the significant people in their networks who will either regularly stay overnight in the home or who may offer them direct support in terms of childcare, all those identified should then complete a Criminal Records Bureau check. |
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6.1.5 |
Approval will only be made subject to any outstanding checks being cleared. |
| 6.2 |
Referees |
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6.2.1 |
Applicants are required to provide details of three personal referees (1 family member and 2 non related), who are people who have known the applicants for a significant length of time and can comment on the applicant's ability to foster or adopt, where this is not the case additional referees would need to be approached. Adoption applicants should provide a list of 6, 3 of whom will be selected. The assessing social worker will meet with the referees to discuss the written reference they have provided and to clarify any outstanding issues. |
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6.2.2 |
The referees will be asked to consider the nature of adoption or fostering, and to describe the applicant's experience of and aptitude for caring for children. They will also be specifically asked whether there is any cause for concern around the applicants in relation to their ability to offer safe and consistent care for a child. |
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6.2.3 |
The visiting of referees should not be left to the end of the process, to ensure that any issues that arise as a result of the interview with a referee can be addressed during the assessment hopefully without having to directly share the referees concern. A written report of the interview should be completed. Where possible information provided by a referee will be treated as confidential. Reference to the referee's comments should not be made in the body of the assessment report. The write up of the referee's interviews should not generally be shared with the applicant/s. However where the referee has serious concerns about the applicant/s and it is not possible to address them in another way then the information may have to be disclosed to the applicant/s. Prior to this happening referees should be informed. |
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6.2.4 |
In addition to interviewing three referees, all adult children of the applicant/s should be interviewed/contacted, as should significant previous partners of the applicant/s. If an applicant is unwilling to provide details of previous significant partners or their adult children, this should be explored with the applicant/s and discussed with the line manager for guidance on how to manage the situation. (Contact the Placement Service for information about the Statutory Checks for Prospective Foster Carers, Adopters and Family Link Carers local policy). The referees used should wherever possible include someone who is be able to account for the applicants whole life, where this is not possible and there are gaps this should be noted and comments made on why this is not possible. |
| 6.3 |
Medical Assessment |
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6.3.1 |
Applicants will be required to undergo a medical examination with their GP to rule out any contra-indications to fostering or adoption. Applicants should be encouraged to arrange this at the beginning of the formal assessment process. The medical report will be returned to the relevant team administrator who will forward them to the Local Authority Health Advisor for comment. Where the applicant has indicated that they have a health problem that could be a contra-indication to fostering or adopting, medical clearance should be sought prior to the commencement of the formal assessment. |
| 6.4 |
Health and Safety Assessment |
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6.4.1 |
A full health and safety assessment will be undertaken of the applicant/s home, looking at all issues related to safety and potential hazards including any pets the applicant may have. This will be undertaken by a dedicated and suitably experienced worker during the formal assessment. Applicants will be fully informed of the outcome and will receive advice in relation to any alterations required around the home and will be expected to make any alterations before the completion of the assessment. Where there are considerable recommendations then it may be appropriate to put the assessment on hold until the work is completed. |
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6.4.2 |
Consideration should be made of any pets the applicants may keep and the affects or potential risks they may pose to any children place. Where the applicants have a dog then a dog questionnaire should be completed. |
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6.4.3 |
No applicant will be considered as suitable if he or a member of his household has a conviction under Regulation Part 5 .26(5) to (7) or has committed specified offence as laid out in Regulation Part 526(5to7 of the Fostering Services Regulations 2011 or in Regulation 21 of the Adoption and Children Act. See Fostering Services Regulations 2011,The Adoption Act 2002 and Recruitment Policy. |
| 7.1 |
Applicants who have completed the formal assessment stage will be advised in relation to the role of the Fostering Panel or Adoption Panel and will be informed of the date when the social workers report and recommendations will be presented to Panel for approval. All carers are invited to attend the relevant panel, and should be given a copy of the information leaflet relating to the panel they will be attending. |
| 7.2 |
Applicants will be given a hard copy of the social workers assessment report four weeks prior to the Panel date, and will have two weeks in which to read the report. They will be asked to provide feedback to the assessing social worker by way of a pre-arranged home visit at the two-week stage. If an applicant disagrees with any aspect of the report, they will discuss this with the assessing social worker during the home visit, and attempts will be made to reach agreement. If this is not possible, guidance should be sought by the line manager, and the applicant's views will be noted in the assessment. |
| 7.3 |
A second opinion visit will be undertaken by the relevant team management and a report of the visit will be included in the final assessment report. The visit will validate the assessment report and address any issues that need resolving. The visit will address the identified areas of strength and any potential difficulties; feedback from the applicants on their experience of the assessment process and any other issues arising from the assessment will be addressed. |
| 7.4 |
The full and completed assessment report will be given to the Panel Administrator three weeks prior to the Panel date for distribution to Panel members. Before this, the report will be read discussed and signed by the line manager. For details of paperwork and procedure see Adoption Panel Procedure and Fostering Panel Procedure. |
| 7.5 |
Nearing completion of a fostering assessment any equipment needed will be identified order that the carer is ready to offer placements as soon after they are approved as possible. A set up grant of around £500 will be payable to most applicants on approval. Carer's bank details will also be taken and passed to the Business Support team. |
| 7.6 |
An allowance for essential equipment may agreed for adopters e.g. for items such as cots, car seats etc. However any grants paid to adopters will be means tested. |
| 10.1 |
General statement |
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10.1.1 |
Ealing council is committed to promoting equality and valuing diversity. The council recognises and respects the difference and diversity that exists within the community and is committed to providing equal access to services and fair and equitable treatment to every individual whatever their ethnicity, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation or religion. |
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10.1.2 |
All decisions in regard to who shall be assessed will be based on this ethos. However the needs of children and young people will always be the first priority. Consideration will also be given to our current recruitment requirements as set out in each year's Recruitment Strategy. |
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10.1.3 |
All applicants must successfully complete a preparation group. All couples will be considered as Joint applicants. |
| 10.2 |
Assessment |
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10.2.1 |
All applicants will need to be willing to undergo a full assessment process following the BAAF assessment model. All assessments must give clear examples of the evidence used to outline an applicants skills and experience. |
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10.2.2 |
The assessment will cover the following areas:
- Child care experience
- Understanding of child development
- Caring for children born to someone else
- Contact between children and their birth families
- Helping children and young people make sense of their past
- Sexual boundaries and attitudes to sexual orientation
- Awareness of issues around child abuse
- Approaches to discipline
- Awareness of how to promote secure attachments between children and appropriate adults
- Awareness of own motivation and how own needs will be met
- Religion
- Race, culture and language
- Standard of living and lifestyle
- Ability to promote good health
- For adopters understanding of the impact of adoption as a life long commitment
- For foster carers offering long term fostering, particular focus will be placed on ability and commitment to offering permanency.
- Own experiences of parenting or being parented
- Own experiences of disability and or attitudes to disability.
- Working with the department and other professionals involved in a child or young persons life
- Suitability of accommodation
- Current employment to be discussed and employment history to be recorded.
- Flexibility of attitude, lifestyle and employment
- For family link, specific attention will be paid to the ability to care for and understand the needs of a child with a disability and to consider what sort of match will be most successful.
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10.2.3 |
In relation to each point the assessor will be seeking to clarify the applicants value base, experience, skills, knowledge and understanding of task, assessing their aptitude and ability to actually undertake the task, based on evidence, example and observation. |
| 10.3 |
Standards |
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10.3.1 |
All foster carers and adopters should be able to meet the standards, set out in the National Minimum Standards for Fostering Services ( Standards 1-12) 2011 and the National Minimum Standards for Adoption 2011( Standards 1-9) under section 23 and 49 of the Care Standards Act 2000. The assessor will consider if the applicant is able to meet the relevant standards and where the standard is not met the assessor will need to carefully consider if the applicant will be able to demonstrate that they will:
- Meet the standard during the assessment e.g. comply with a Health and safety requirement
- Meet the standard during the assessment by attending a training course e.g. widening someone's understanding and commitment to contact or have the ability to meet the standard once a child or young person was in placement e.g. in relation providing appropriate care to the needs of each child or young person from a different ethnic, cultural or religious background.
All assessors should be familiar with the standards set out in the National Minimum Standards 2011 which can be accessed below:
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