Adoption Handbook Policy, Procedures and Practice Guidance

Transcription

1 Adoption West Sussex County Council Children s Services Adoption Handbook Policy, Procedures and Practice Guidance Version: 10 Effective from: Oct 2006 Revised: Mar 2015 Next review date: Mar 17

2 Document Details Prepared by: West Sussex County Council Children s Services Project: Adoption Services Handbook Version: FINAL Status: FINAL Date: January 2014 Revised: March 2015 Author: Service Manager Adoption and Fostering Owner: Annie Maciver, Director of Children s Social Care

3 Foreword This handbook brings together policies, procedures and guidance notes for staff working in adoption and adoption support, together with the forms and standard letters. This handbook has been reviewed following a period of legislative and regulatory change. The Handbook will be reviewed again in 2 years and any updates in the interim will be added to the master copy held on the County Council s database and staff notified of this change or addition. Should any advice be required on the interpretation of or variation to these procedures or guidance, advice should be sought from the Adoption Team Manager, the Placement Support Team Manager or the Service Manager for the Adoption Service Abbreviations: SW Child s Social Worker SSWP Senior Social Work Practitioner TM Team Manager SM Service Manager SW [A] Adoption Social Worker SW [AS] Adoption Social Worker Adoption Support Service TM [A] Adoption Team Manager TM [PS] Placement Support Team Manager SM [A] Service Manager Adoption and Fostering FPSW Family Placement Social Worker IRO Independent Reviewing Officer Agency West Sussex County Council Adoption Agency Duty Access point/help desk/duty social worker Consortium South Coast Consortium comprising Portsmouth, Isle of Wight, Southampton, Poole and West Sussex RGO Registrar General s Office Ch Act 1989 The Children Act 1989 ACA 2002 The Adoption and Children Act 2002 IRM (Independent Review Mechanism)The Independent Review of Determinations (adoption) Regulations 2005 AAR 2005 Adoption Agencies Regulations 2005 ASSR 2005 AAIRR2011 Adoption Support Services Regulations 2005 The Adoption Agencies and Independent Review of Determinations (Amendment) Regulations 2011 AAR 2012 The Adoption Agencies (Panel and Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2012 AAR 2013 The Adoption Agencies (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2013 CAFCASS Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service ARR 2005 Restriction on the Preparation of Adoption Reports Regulations 2005 NMS National Minimum Standards 2011 TAC Team around the child Feedback: We welcome feedback about our policies and procedures so if you have any comments about these procedures please contact the Service Manager Adoption and Fostering. Revised March

4 Contents Page 1. Values Children Adults Planning, permanence and adoption 7 2. Procedures Procedure for children Adoption at request of parents relinquished babies Adoption of children subject to care proceedings and looked after by the 14 local authority Fostering for Adoption Matching and proposing a placement Securing an inter-agency placement Action after agency decision, arrangements for placement and 25 introductions Duties and responsibilities once the child is placed Adoption Court Proceedings Children awaiting a placement Disruptions Adoption support services Management of adoption records and information Procedure for prospective adoptive parents Pre Stage One - Screening Registration of Interest Stage One Plan Stage One Checks and References Stage One - Preparation Course Declining or Continuing the Assessment beyond Stage One Stage Two Assessment and Report Stage Two Adoption Panel and Agency Decision Fast Track Approval Timescales for prospective adopters Post approval Unsuccessful applications Inter-country adoption Financial support in adoption Step-parent adoptions 59 Practice notes to accompany procedures 60 Pn1 Counselling prior to baby s birth 61 Pn2 Guidelines for social workers and midwifery services: Guidelines for when 64 a baby who may be adopted Pn3 Check list for a later life letter 67 Pn4 Step parent and relative adoption 70 Pn5 Annex A [adoption] & B [placement] reports 82 Pn6 Contents of adoption files 97 Pn7 Checklist for extension of parental responsibility 100 Pn8 Sibling attachment and checklist 102 Pn9 Contact in adoption some principles 113 Pn10 Matters to be covered in screening visits 116 Pn11 Adoption contact register 117 Pn12 Adoption support service practice guidelines 118 Pn13 Life Story Books 120 Pn14 Concurrent planning 123 Revised March

5 Contents Page Pn15 Conduct of disruption meetings 124 Appendices A1 Adoption panel procedures 126 A2 Financial support in adoption 134 A3 Children and Young People s financial assessment guidance notes 146 A4 Consideration of the need for legal representation for prospective adopters 148 for children looked after by the Local Authority. A5 Pro-forma letters and documents 150 Web Links: West Sussex County Council Adoption services statement of purpose 2010 British Association for Adoption and Fostering (BAAF) Department of Education (DfE) - use search engine to find the following documents: Every Child Matters Adoption Adoption and Children Act 2002 Statutory Adoption Guidance July 2013 Adoption Agency Regulations 2005 National Minimum Standards 2011 Practice Guidance on assessing the support needs of adoptive families 2008 Preparing and assessing prospective adopters 2006 British and Irish Legal Information Institute (BAILII) (the law including case law) South Coast Adoption Consortium Post Adoption Centre (PAC) pac.org.uk Parents and Children Together (PACT) NORCAP (Services for birth relatives) Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Office for Standards in Education (OFSTED) (Inspection of Local Authority Children s Services) Revised March

6 1. Values 1.1 Children The child s welfare, safety and needs are at the centre of the adoption process. Adopted children should have an enjoyable childhood and benefit from excellent parenting and education, enjoying a wide range of opportunities to develop their talents and skills leading to a successful adult life. Children are entitled to grow up as part of a loving family that can meet their developmental needs during their childhood and beyond. Children s wishes and feelings are important and will be actively sought and fully taken into account at all stages of the adoption process. Delays should be avoided as they can have a severe impact on the health and development of the children waiting to be adopted. A sense of identity is important to a child s well-being. To help children develop this, their ethnic origin, cultural background, religion, language and sexuality need to be properly recognised and positively valued and promoted. A holistic view of the child s needs will be taken with no one element taking precedence, in order to prevent delay for the child. The particular needs of disabled children and children with complex needs will be fully recognised and taken into account when decisions are made. Where a child cannot be cared for in a suitable manner in their own country, inter country adoption may be considered as an alternative means of providing a permanent family. Children, birth parents/guardians and families and adoptive parents and families will be valued and respected. Children have the right to full information about their backgrounds and adoptive parents share this right; the child s background details should be shared in a sensitive and age appropriate way as the child grows up. Post adoption contact with birth relatives should take place if it is of benefit to the child and in their best interests. Contact plans will always be led by the needs of the child. A genuine partnership between all those involved in adoption is essential for the National Minimum Standards to deliver the best outcomes for children; this includes the Government, local government, other statutory agencies, Voluntary Adoption Agencies and Adoption Support Agencies. 1.2 Adults Adoption is an evolving life-long process for all those involved adopted adults, and birth and adoptive relatives. The fundamental issues raised by adoption may reverberate and resurface at different times and stages throughout an individual s life. Revised March

7 Adopted people should have access to information and services to enable them to address adoption related matters throughout their lives. Birth parents have a right to independent counselling once adoption has been agreed as the plan for the child. West Sussex County Council Adoption Service can offer support and advice to birth relatives wishing to have contact with relatives adopted out of their birth family. West Sussex County Council Adoption Service has a duty to provide services that consider the welfare of all parties involved and will consider the implications of decisions and actions for everyone involved. Adoption is a service to provide parents for children. The Adoption Service will provide a professional and sympathetic service to those who wish to parent children through adoption mindful that the focus will always be on the needs of children. West Sussex County Council Adoption Service will assess all adopters in accordance with its own equal opportunities policy so as to avoid disadvantaging any applicant on the grounds of race, culture, gender, disability, religion and sexual orientation. It is expected that Assessments will be conducted with openness and honesty on both sides. West Sussex County Council Adoption Service will seek to work in partnership with all parties involved, taking account of their views and wishes in decisionmaking. West Sussex County Council Adoption Service will acknowledge differences in people s circumstances and has established policies that provide nondiscriminatory services. Adopted adults have their adoptive identity safeguarded and the right to decide whether to be involved in contact or communications with birth family members. 1.3 Planning, permanence and adoption West Sussex County Council believes that all children have the right to experience family life, and that wherever it is consistent with their health and welfare, this should be with their own families. In some cases, children may not be cared for by their birth parents because it is not consistent with their safety and welfare. Where this is the case, either on a temporary or on a permanent basis, West Sussex County Council will first look to place children with members of the extended family (relatives or friends) wherever this is assessed as being consistent with their welfare. (visit: and use search engine Family and friends care policy 2012 and Special Guardianship ) Where a child does need to be looked after by the Local Authority the social worker will work with the child looked after and their family as well as their alternative carers, with the aim of making it possible for the child to be returned Revised March

8 home or to (other) family members, providing this is consistent with their safety and well being. In order to ensure the best interests of the child are met in a timely way, proper enquiries, and assessments will be made at the earliest possible opportunity. Planning for the child will include parallel or dual plans in order to avoid delay should it become clear that the child will not return to their family. Plans for permanence must be addressed and clarified at the Looked After Child (LAC) 4 month review. When it is clear that the parents are not able to provide the child with the safety and security they have a right to expect, and other family members or friends are equally unable to provide safe care for the child, adoption must be considered. Permanency planning must include consideration of Fostering for Adoption and concurrency placements where applicable, in order to avoid delay and disruption for the child. Adoption will be explored for all looked after children including older children, sibling groups and children with disabilities. West Sussex County Council promotes adoption as a positive permanence option for children as it believes that adoption offers children safety and security and the best opportunity to achieve well educationally, to be healthy and to have happy fulfilled lives. Revised March

9 2. Procedures 2.1 Procedure for Children table of actions and guidance Action Guidance Adoption at the request of parent(s) Relinquished babies Placement for adoption of babies under six weeks of age There are two ways in which relinquished babies come to the attention of Children s Specialist Services. A mother may contact the service during her pregnancy and request that the baby be placed for adoption at birth which allows for planning at the earliest stage and offers a real possibility of placement direct from hospital with prospective adopters. Placement of babies from hospital allows the adults to carry any risk and gives the baby a chance to bond with the people who are highly likely to become his adoptive parents. In other cases, the Referral and Assessment service may receive a call from a hospital to say that a baby has been born and the mother is requesting adoption. In both cases the mother has the right to expect that her baby will be placed with adopters without delay. In some cases it may be appropriate to use fostering for adoption arrangements (see relevant section Fostering for Adoption) In many cases it will be appropriate to proceed to place the baby under Adoption Agency Regulations which allows for placement with informal consent of the birth parent/s using the template at the end of ch2 of the statutory guidance on adoption July In other cases the baby may need to be placed with foster carers from hospital until formal consent can be witnessed by CAFCASS once the baby is 6 weeks old. Once the referral of a baby is received administrative staff check to see if known, prepare case file, and record on Frameworki. The referral should be allocated urgently to an appropriately skilled SW. The SW must immediately give the mother and baby s details to the Adoption Team and the SM Adoption and Fostering and make initial plans for placement options. The SW must begin the CPR and contact the panel adviser and the adoption panel administrator and if necessary request an emergency panel be convened in order that the plan for adoption and the match considered as soon as possible after Note: The Care Planning, Placement and Case Review and Fostering Services (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2013 makes early placement with potential adopters more readily achievable as Regulation 25A allows for an approved adopter to be temporarily approved as a foster carer for a named child with minimal administrative difficulty. Initial approval can be given for up to 16 weeks. This can be extended by a further 8 weeks if necessary. Fostering for Adoption is less likely to be used with babies relinquished at birth and more likely to be used where the baby is going to be accommodated under s20 or where the Court is involved. See Practice Notes 1 Counselling Prior to a Baby's Birth Note: There are specific restrictions on who may prepare and supervise the preparation of adoption reports ARR 3-4; Stat Guidance Ch 2 Revised March

10 Action Guidance the consent is witnessed at six weeks. The TM(A) must consider all waiting approved adopters looking particularly at those who have expressed interest in adopting a baby during their assessment. Where there are no adopters available in West Sussex, the Consortium must be contacted. A SW(A) must be allocated and should visit the mother and baby with the SW within two working days of the referral. SW(A) must offer adoption counselling and explain the implications and process of adoption. SW(A) must give the mother written information on adoption and she should be advised of the independent adoption counselling service provided by PAC, however it should not be assumed that this will be required. The advice, guidance and counsel offered by SW(A) may be sufficient. All possible options for the baby s permanent care must be explored by the SW including; Placement with family members Short term foster care to allow mother time to resolve any practical difficulties and gather support for parenthood Foster care for mother and baby to assist mother to get over any fears and anxieties she may have about becoming a parent and Placement for adoption The SW must ask mother about the father of the baby however she is not obliged to provide details of the birth father or of her extended family. Where the mother is clear that she does not wish her family to know about the baby, (as in a concealed pregnancy) there is no duty on the local authority to attempt to trace them or to inform them and in certain circumstances it may be dangerous to do so. Where the LA is aware of the identity of a birth father without Parental Responsibility, there is a duty to consider whether to seek his views. If the mother does not wish him to know about the baby, her reasons for this wish must be very carefully considered. In any such case, legal advice must be sought immediately. In the very rare case where there is a father with Parental Responsibility, his formal consent to the placement for adoption must be obtained. SW should ensure registration of birth by mother and/or father. Where a parent does not or cannot register the baby s birth the following people may register the birth: someone who was present at the birth someone who is responsible for the child and/or Note: Counselling here means offering advice and guidance and should be undertaken by an experienced adoption social worker able to explain the process and be sensitive to the parent[s] level of understanding, ethnic origins and religious beliefs. Where English is not be the parent/s first language, the SW(A) should ensure that an appropriate interpreter or facilitator is made available to the parent/s. Note: if at any point SW has concerns about legal processes or timescale contact should be made with Legal Services. See Practice Notes 2: Guidelines for when a baby is to be placed from hospital Note: Case law (Re E,(A Child)[2007]EWCA Civ 1206)has confirmed that: The law will not usually be used to force a birth mother to reveal the identity of the birth father without PR. There is no mandatory and absolute requirement in adoption law that other relatives should be informed of the child s birth and the proposed adoption. Parent may wish to keep a copy for him/herself. Note: SW should seek legal advice if the parent[s] does not register the birth in the required timescale. Revised March

11 Action a member of the administrative staff at the hospital where the child was born SW should obtain and retain 2 copies of long birth certificate for the child s file until needed for court proceedings. An immediate referral to CAFCASS must be made. Where a parent with Parental Responsibility wishes to consent to placement for adoption, that consent must be witnessed by a CAFCASS officer however, a mother cannot give full and final consent to the placement of her baby for adoption until the baby is 6 weeks old. Where it becomes clear that a birth mother wishes to relinquish her baby from hospital to the potential adopters and is willing and able to give informal consent the SW and the TM must put the plan to the ADM immediately. If the ADM agrees, the SW must ask the mother to sign a form giving informal or provisional consent to placement for adoption before the baby reaches 6 weeks. It is essential that this form is signed in all relinquishment cases. The form gives the agency the authority to place the baby. See stat Guidance 2013 ch2 and ch5 s5.1 and AAR 2005 part 6 s35 The SW must ask the mother to give consent to health assessment and disclosure of information from mother and baby health records. Once consent is given, an adoption medical must be arranged as quickly as possible bearing in mind an adoption panel date. Direct communication with the medical adviser may be required. SW should make arrangements for the baby s adoption medical if this has not been done already. Send following to Agency Medical Adviser: Birth parent consent form BAAF combined Form M & B Copy of previous medical reports [if any] Blank copy of BAAF Form IHA-C Together with accompanying letter. SW should contact the PA to the Agency Medical Adviser by telephone to ensure that the baby is given a priority appointment. It may, on rare occasions, be necessary for the SM(A) to speak directly to the medical adviser to ensure the medical is completed in a timely way. Guidance Information on who can register a birth is available on the GOV.UK website Note: The format for the informal consent is accessed at the end of chapter two of the Statutory Adoption Guidance July Note: See AAR 2005 part 6 s 35 Note: Regulation 17 of the Adoption Agencies (Panel and Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2012 removes the panel s role in recommending adoption as the best plan for the child where the Court is involved in scrutiny and care proceedings. However the Adoption panel continues to consider adoption plans for children where there is parental consent to adoption. Note: The Adoption Panel cannot consider the case unless the adoption medical has been undertaken. Contact The SW must encourage mother to give as much information about herself, her social and emotional history and health, educational attainments, employment, family and personal relationships, as quickly as possible without being insensitive to mother s predicament and feelings. Similarly the SW must try to ascertain any available information about the birth father Revised March

12 Action Guidance that mother is able to give. Birth mother should be offered the opportunity to meet the prospective adopters if a direct placement is to be made and that is the wish of both mother and the prospective adopters. SW must give mother BAAF leaflet If your child is being adopted. SW should discuss with birth mother reasons for choosing a particular name if they have done, and giving the baby any items of clothing or special gifts. Ensure photos of the parent[s] and the baby are taken in the early days to pass on to the adopters to ensure a complete record for the child. Also keep the child s plastic hospital wristband. Some parent[s] may wish to consider a preparing a treasure box to help the child know more about his/her birth family. Note: In some cases very speedy action may be needed to achieve this. Another useful keepsake is a copy of a national newspaper of the date of the child s birth. Practice Notes 13: Life Story Books SW must inform ward staff of specific arrangements for placement and should consider whether a pre-birth planning meeting with other professionals would be appropriate. This may be particularly relevant where a baby is being placed with informal consent straight from hospital. SW should inform head of community nursing service of birth mother s wishes and ensure HV and Midwife are informed. SW should notify CAFCASS office nearest to parent[s] home address of the need for a CAFCASS officer to witness parent[s] consent to adoption, as soon as possible. (once the baby is six weeks old) Note: Parent[s] cannot formally consent to adoption before the child is 6 weeks old, but early notice is required. The following documents and information will need to be sent to CAFCASS by the SW: i) A certified copy of the child's birth certificate. ii) Name and address of the child's parent or guardian. iii) A chronology of the actions and decisions taken by the adoption agency with respect to the child. iv) Confirmation by the adoption agency that it has counselled, and explained to the parent or guardian the legal implications of both consent to placement under s19 of the ACA 2002 and, as the case may be, to the making of a future adoption order under s20 of the ACA and provided the parent or guardian with written information about this together with a copy of the written information provided to him. v) Such information about the parent or guardian or other information as the adoption agency considers the officer of the service may need to know. Once adopters have been identified by the SW(A) and the SW Note: In order to effect a Revised March

13 Action the SW s should meet with the SM adoption and fostering and the TM s of the children s team and the adoption team. If all parties agree the adopters are likely to be suitable and the ADM is in agreement with the plan for early placement for adoption and is satisfied that the process followed has been robust, the adopters should be approached as a matter of urgency. Guidance placement from hospital all concerned will need to work outside normal time frames. The objective is no delay in placement. If the adopters are willing to proceed and understand the potential risks, they must be given a provisional adoption placement plan and support plan. Notifications must be given in accordance with AAR 35.6(a), (b) and (c) and a copy of the informal consent must be placed on the child s case record. The birth parent must be consulted throughout in terms of the information they wish to pass on to the adopters and whether they wish to meet with the adopters. The baby should be placed with the adopters and the SW and SW(A) should visit and support the adopters in the usual way with the SW carrying out visits to the child in accordance with the LAC procedures. In the event that there are no adopters available or willing to take the baby before formal consent is given by the birth mother at or after 6 weeks, the baby must be placed with foster carers and adopters sought to be ready to accept the baby as soon as the formal consent is given. The first visit is undertaken within 7 days. Visits thereafter will be weekly until the first review. Thereafter visits will be at such frequency, as the Agency decides but not less than 6 weeks. Should informal parental consent is withdrawn the SW should assess the situation, obtain legal advice and consider the options of returning the child to parent[s], within seven days or taking other action in consultation with legal services and the TM and SM. At 6 weeks: SW will have previously sent all the required information to CAFCASS and arranged for an officer from CAFCASS to see mother to witness her consent on the prescribed form, at a point not before the baby is 6 weeks old. Revised March

14 Action Mother may give agreement to: the placement of the child for adoption; or the placement of the child for adoption and the making of a future adoption order Guidance Note: Consent once baby is 6 weeks old is covered by: S19 ACA 2002 S20 ACA 2002 The latter enables the parent[s] to give advance consent to the making of an adoption order in the future even if no specific arrangements are being proposed at this point. The parent may decide they do not wish to be notified of the final adoption hearing. Birth parents retain parental responsibility until an adoption order is made. Prior to the baby being 6 weeks of age the SW must have booked the adoption panel, if necessary, an emergency panel to consider the adoption plan for the baby and the if possible the match at the same panel. The SW and SW(A) must have sent all relevant documentation for the baby and the adopters to the panel adviser and the panel clerk. The reports included are: Summary of the medical information for the baby, completed CPR Minutes from the approval panel for the adopters The PAR Any subsidiary reports and/or information subsequent to their approval The adoption placement report (APR) and The adoption support plan, giving details of assessed needs of child for adoption support services and assessed needs of birth relatives for contact. The panel administrator must send out the panel papers immediately on receipt. The adoption panel can recommend the child s plan for adoption and the match at the same panel. Once the ADM has agreed, the baby can be placed, if baby has not already been placed under an informal consent and agreed by the ADM Adoption of children subject to care proceedings and looked after by the local authority Before 2 nd review the SW and TM should have determined the direction of the case and parallel planning should already be in evidence. Parallel planning is essential to prevent delay and drift Revised March

15 Action Where permanence through adoption is seen as the most suitable option, SW must arrange a minuted meeting with TM and SM, chaired by the SM. The link SW(A) for the Adoption Service or the TM [A] should be invited to this meeting. This meeting will formalise and record the Agency s proposal for permanence through adoption. This plan for the child will go forward to the child s 2 nd review where the child s need for permanence will be formally addressed. Guidance Note: SW s and IRO s should be aware of the possibilities of Fostering for Adoption (FFA) and this should be considered if applicable. (see relevant section on Fostering for Adoption) The adoption panel adviser must be informed of all children for whom adoption is the plan in order to track progress and assist in minimising any delays. SW must already have [or should now obtain] parent[s] agreement to the agency obtaining health information, using BAAF Consent Form. Explain to parent[s] the central role health information plays in anticipating and providing for the child s present and future health needs. [AAR 16] This should have been obtained as part of the early care period/entry, but if it has not already been obtained, obtain it immediately. This is required for both mother and father. The Report on Health of Birth Parent, BAAF PH, should have been completed at the point of admission to care. If it has not been completed, assist [both] parent[s] to complete the form. SW should send a copy of BAAF Consent Form and BAAF Form M&B to the birth hospital of the child in order to obtain medical information. The forms should be accompanied by standard letter to the hospital at which the child was born requesting the completion of Form M&B. In the event that the birth parent refuses consent, SW should record this and advise the Agency Medical Adviser. Once adoption is formally accepted in a LAC review as the plan, a Child Permanence Report (CPR) must be presented to the Agency Decision Maker (ADM) before the final care plan can be heard in Court. The ADM makes a decision as to whether adoption is in the child s best interests and whether a Placement Order application should be made. The SW should be mindful that the Court is working to complete Care Proceedings within 26 weeks. As part of the statutory review the SW should ascertain and record the views of the following people about the options, including adoption, for achieving permanence: The child, where s/he is of sufficient age and understanding; This should be addressed to the Midwifery Manager. SW may encounter some challenges obtaining this information in the required timescales and if delay is encountered SW should contact the PA to the Agency Medical Adviser [ ] for advice. Letter to Hospital Note: Regulation 17 of the Adoption Agencies (Panel and Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2012 removes the adoption panel role in recommending adoption as the best plan for the child (unless the parent gives consent to adoption) The ADM continues to have responsibility for the decision that adoption is the best plan for the child. AAR Revised March

16 Action The child s parent[s]; Anyone else with parental responsibility for the child; Any other relevant person, such as a relative, carer or CAFCASS Guardian where care proceedings have been initiated. Where the review confirms that adoption is the preferred option for permanence, a C&YP Adoption Plan should be commenced and the information on the Care Plan should be transferred by the SW. The Life Story book must begin after this review and be added to progressively. Sibling assessments [to determine attachment] should be undertaken in all situations where siblings are involved. Sibling checklists should be undertaken by SW and views of foster carers sought. SW should arrange with the Agency Medical Adviser to have an adoption medical completed on the child. Send following to Agency Medical Adviser: Form PH on each parent Consent Form for each parent BAAF Form M&B Copy of previous medical reports [if any] Blank copy of BAAF Form IHA-C or IHA-YP, depending on the age of the child. These may be accompanied by covering letter opposite giving details of the request. SW should include in the Child Permanence Report the Medical Adviser s summary of the state of the child s health, his health history and any need for health care which may arise in the future. If it is not feasible to operate within the 12 week timescale SW must advise the PA to the Medical Adviser [ ] and clarify how best to progress the request as a priority. Guidance These plans will run alongside each other. The SW should seek advice as early as possible from the adoption team on developing and working with Life Story Books. The foster carer can also be involved in the development of the Life Story Book but the SW remains responsible and accountable for it. Practice notes 13: Life Story Books Sibling assessments should be undertaken by a suitably qualified and experienced professional. As a minimum a Sibling Attachment Checklist should be completed: Practice Notes 8: Sibling attachment and checklist Please consult the guidance and where appropriate to refer to the CAMHS LAAC Team for further assistance and guidance. AAR 15 AAR 17[b] The amount of time needed to collect the information for the medical must not be underestimated. Hence the importance of immediately taking action to make the arrangements. Request for Adoption Medical In order to reduce delay in situations where SW has not received back from the birth hospital Form M&B, SW should Revised March

17 Action Guidance not wait for the Form M&B and should send above documents to Agency Medical Adviser with a note to explain the position. SW must liaise with the panel adviser regarding progress and likely completion of the CPR. The panel adviser may be asked for advice and guidance in completing the report. Early contact with SW [A] and the panel adviser is required. The SW must request an ADM date for consideration of the CPR and a decision on the adoption plan SW should, as far as is reasonably practicable, in view of the child s age and understanding, provide or arrange a counselling service for the child. This will assist the child to understand in an age appropriate way the procedures for and the legal implications of adoption. The SW must provide the child with written information about adoption. AAR 13 BAAF Adoption, what it is and what it means Progress of Life Story work should be reviewed. SW must, in accordance with a child s age, ascertain and record the child s wishes and feelings regarding: The possibility of placement for adoption with a new family and his/her adoption; His/her religious and cultural upbringing; Contact with his/her parent[s], guardian or any other relative or person the Agency considers relevant. SW is required to provide/arrange a counselling service to the parent[s] or guardian, as far as is reasonably practicable, providing information about: The procedure for placement for adoption and adoption itself; The legal implications of giving consent for adoption under S19 or S20 of the 2002 Act. Where counselling is refused the SW should write to the parent[s] solicitor or independent support worker to ensure they are aware of the situation. SW must ascertain and record the wishes and feelings of the parent or guardian of the child or CAFCASS guardian and any other person the Agency considers relevant, regarding: The child; The placement of the child for adoption and his/her adoption, including any wishes and feelings about the child s religious and cultural upbringing; Contact with the child AAR 13 AAR 14 Counselling should be sensitive to parent[s] understanding, ethnic origins and religious beliefs. English may not be their first language, so the Agency should ensure that counselling is either provided by or assisted by a person who can communicate effectively with the parent[s]. AAR 14 This information must be included in the child s CPR SW must give parent[s] BAAF leaflet If your child is being adopted. Record critical personal details using mother on Birth Mother Details and on a separate Birth Father Details pro-forma. Birth Mother Details Birth Father Details Revised March

18 Action Guidance Obtain written acknowledgement that the nature and permanent effect of adoption has been explained on the same pro-forma. If the parents[s] do not wish to cooperate in this way this fact should be recorded on the case file. SW to complete Child Permanence Report. This must include the Summary Report [page 9] from the Medical Adviser s Initial Health Assessment [IHA-C or YP] AAR 17 gives details of what must be covered in the CPR. SW must ask the foster carer/child s carer to complete a profile of the child covering behavioural and emotional well-being. Where the child is of an age to express their view and/or contribute to the process they should be encouraged to do so. Once the CPR is complete the SW must pass it to their manager to sign off. When the manager is satisfied the SW must forward all relevant papers to adoption panel clerk and panel adviser which must include: the Child Permanence Report (CPR) details of the medical information provided in Summary Report of BAAF Form IHA-C report on the Adoption Welfare Checklist and other Section 1 issues; C&YP Adoption Plan, giving details of assessed needs of child for adoption support services and assessed needs of birth relatives for contact and support PEP/Education Plan [if of school age]; Report from foster carer; Sibling attachment assessment, where appropriate; Expert reports including all psychiatric and psychological assessments and parenting assessments in full, unless a summary agreed by all parties can be provided; Photo of the child; Genogram; Chronology The panel clerk will send the papers to the ADM for consideration one week before the decision is required. Foster Carer's Report Sibling Attachment Checklist It is important that all parenting assessment reports are included in the panel papers (See Re: B (expert medical reports) [2008] EWCA Civ 835) Note: A Placement Order made by the court authorises the local authority to place a child for adoption with any prospective adopters who may be chosen by the authority. [ACA 2002 s21]. Once the Placement Order is made only the local authority may remove the child. Birth parent/s may seek leave to apply for revocation of the Placement order see Note in section 5 The ADM must make a decision in respect of the adoption plan for the child and if they agree, they must recommend an application for a Placement Order. The ADM must complete a decision sheet indicating the reasons for their decision, the advice given (medical and legal) and any recommendations or advice. SW must notify the birth parent[s] in writing, if their whereabouts are known, of the Agency decision regarding their child. AAR 19[3] Pro forma letters (minimum requirements) in respect to parents consenting or not Revised March

19 Action This should be done orally within 24 hours, whenever possible and in writing within 7 working days of the panel s recommendation. If it has been agreed that a placement order should be applied for, SW must prepare documentation for Legal Services to lodge with the court. Where a foster carer wishes to be considered to adopt their foster child this should be considered at the relevant review in the context of whether this would be in the child s best interests and would best meet the plan for permanence. If this is to proceed, an adoption assessment must be undertaken by a member of the Adoption Team and presented to the Adoption Panel, in the usual way [see relevant sections below and in particular Fast Track Approvals]. In the event that the review is unable to support this proposal [e.g. it may not be considered to be in the foster family s or the child s best interest] this view must be explained to the foster carer and they should have the opportunity to answer any concerns orally or in writing to the Service Manager Adoption. Guidance consenting: Notification of birth parent Annex B Report Refer to Adoption and Children Act 2002 Training Practitioner Workbook P40. Also see the Every Child Matters Adoption website through Web Links Factors affecting this route to adoption will include contact issues, potential delay in finding alternative adopters, length of placement, wishes and feelings of the child, quality of attachment as well as the suitability of the foster carers as adoptive parents. Note that local authority foster carers have a right to apply to adopt after a child has been in placement for 12 months Fostering for Adoption Fostering for Adoption has been introduced to try and ensure that babies and very young children for whom adoption is a very likely outcome, can be placed at the earliest opportunity. Fostering for Adoption (FfA) must be considered on a case by case basis but generally, in situations where: Parent/s have had one or more children placed for adoption previously and the evidence indicates that there are no changes in the parent/s circumstances such that the risks posed to a further child remain the same as before. The circumstances and risks posed by the parent/s to a first born child are such that there is no plan to return the child to their birth parents or other family members or Where parents want the child adopted but consent to placement has not met the 6 week requirement following the birth of the child. (s52(3) A and CA 2002) (See Relinquished babies) Where a child is identified by the TAC (including the IRO), as benefitting from an FfA placement, the SW and TM should seek approval from the SM(A) in consultation with the TM(A) to proceed. TM(A) will discuss with the adoption team and identify suitable prospective adopters who have indicated during assessment See also Practice Note 14: Concurrent planning Note: Coram and BAAF have published practice guidance on the application of Fostering for Adoption which is available through each agency s website together with First4Adoption. Note: The Care Planning Placement and Case Review and Fostering Services (Miscellaneous Amendments)Regulations 2013 makes provision for a person approved as a prospective adopter to be temporarily approved as a foster carer for a named child without undergoing the full assessment and approval process set out in Fostering Service (England)Regulations 2011 Revised March

20 Action that they are willing to be dual approved in these circumstances, and who the assessing SW(A) felt would have the potential to operate as a foster carer and understand and manage the role and the risks including ongoing (during Proceedings) contact with parents and birth family members. Guidance Note: The ADM will still be required to make the decision regarding the suitability of adoption as a plan for the child in the usual way. Once adopters have been identified the SW s should meet with the SM adoption and fostering and the TM s of the children s team and the adoption team. If all parties agree the adopters are likely to be suitable they should be approached as a matter of urgency. If the adopters are willing to proceed with FfA their PAR, minutes from their approval panel, any subsidiary reports and/or information subsequent to their approval should be passed to the ADM, together with the reasons why they should be temporarily approved as Foster Carers under Regulation 25A of the Care Planning Placement and Case Review and Fostering Services (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2013 The reasons must include an analysis of how and why they might meet the child s needs as foster carers and how they are able to manage any proposed contact and any change of permanence plan. Where proceedings are likely to exceed sixteen weeks from the ADM approval of the prospective adopters as foster carers, the SW and SW(A) must present the prospective adopters to the fostering panel for approval under Fostering Services Regulations The prospective adopter, acting as foster carer should be supervised by the SW(A) jointly with an allocated SW from the family placement team in consultation with the relevant family placement TM. Note: The Care Planning Placement and Case Review Regulations 2010 allow the assessment period to extend beyond 16 weeks for a further 8 weeks in exceptional circumstances. It would be expected that the Proceedings were complete in that time frame and the child should move to being placed for adoption if the SW team and prospective adopters are still all in agreement that this is the best placement and plan for the child. Once a Placement Order has been granted or the formal post 6 week consent given and witnessed the match must be presented to panel in the usual way. The panel adviser should keep the panel informed of these arrangements and ensure panel has a full understanding of their role. Fostering for Adoption is different from concurrent planning in that FfA allows an early placement of a child where there is no realistic possibility of a rehabilitation plan although there may be some meaningful contact. The concurrency model has always worked with adopters where a rehabilitation plan to birth parents was in place.(concurrently) Matching and proposing a placement SW must prepare a profile and photos of the child to be used in the search for a family. Revised March

21 Action The tracking system for LAC will identify children going through proceedings and should enable the TM(A) to have a good understanding of the likely demand for adopters. The SM(A) and the TM(A) must meet regularly with professional colleagues in the Consortium to consider available families and numbers and characteristics of children likely to need adopters. Where possible, adopters should be identified as early as possible and Fostering for Adoption considered on a case by case basis. The SW must work closely with the SW(A) in identifying the most appropriate potential family. SW should inform the Adoption Team within 10 days which potential adopters have been identified as the most suitable match. The reasons why the family has been selected will need to be recorded and will be required information for later reports to the Adoption Panel. The formal decision of the Agency to select specific prospective adopter[s] for presentation to the Adoption Panel should be made at a meeting chaired by SM and attended by TM and SW, SW(A) and foster carer. Where a family is identified as a suitable match, the SW [A] will visit to discuss the child. If the family may be able to meet the needs of the child the SW and SW [A] will make a joint visit to discuss the child with the family, leaving a copy of the Child Permanence Report with them. Adopters may also need the child s PEP or a report from the nursery or foster carer. The SW needs to be sure adopters fully understand the implications of the child s history and be clear with the SW(A) about the areas where support services will be required. Photos and video may be used to assist in the process. Following this, preliminary discussions with the foster carers and the prospective adopters may take place. The issue of how parental responsibility will be shared will need to be considered and discussed with the prospective adopters. This will need to be included in the Adoption Placement Report. Guidance Where possible, a choice of 3 potential matches will be given. Profiles of adopters may be discussed with birth parent[s] and foster carers but identifying information must be kept confidential. The written reports are not to be shared. Note: that ethnicity must not be placed above everything else when identifying potential adopters for children. Note: Adoption exchange days can be held to offer adopters an opportunity to find out about children in a different environment with their foster carers and social workers able to talk about them first hand. Adopters have the chance to consider and connect with children they may not otherwise have thought of. There must be clear evidence that the match proposed is the best one possible for the child as well as being consistent with the needs, aspirations and capacity of the adoptive family. A formal record should be made detailing the reasons for the decision that may be shared with the Adoption Panel. In exceptional circumstances it may be appropriate for prospective adopters to see the child and this should only be done with the agreement of the TM [A]. Proposals for sharing of parental responsibility should be recorded on the checklist and included in the information to panel. Practice Notes 7: Checklist for extension of Parental Responsibility Revised March

22 Action The SW should ascertain and record the views of the proposed family on: The proposed placement; The proposed contact arrangements; Whether a counselling or adoption support service is required; Whether they are willing to meet with the birth parent[s], if this is appropriate; The exercise of parental responsibility. Guidance AAR 31 If the match appears suitable SW should liaise with the Adoption Panel clerk for a date to present to the Panel. Relevant papers will need to be with the panel adviser and the panel clerk two weeks before the panel date. Once the panel adviser is satisfied that all the relevant material is available and of sufficient quality she will advise the panel clerk to send the papers to panel members. This must be one week before the panel date. SW should arrange for the prospective adopters to meet with the foster carers before the Adoption Panel. In cases where there may be some medical uncertainties or problems, the prospective adopters should meet with the Agency Medical Adviser prior to the Adoption Panel. SW and the SW(A) should prepare an Adoption Placement Report, to include: The Agency s reasons for proposing the match including a brief summary of how family finding was done, other families considered, which should be anonymous; The views of the prospective adopters about the proposed placement and contact issues; The proposals for Adoption Support Services to the prospective adoptive family and the child including any standard therapeutic input and any identified need for more extensive therapy together with the detail of how this will be accessed; The views of prospective adopters on the adoption support plan The contact arrangements and the prospective adopters views on them A copy of the Adoption Placement Report should be sent to the prospective adopters inviting their comment within 10 working days. The prospective adopters should not meet the child prior to the Adoption Panel. AAR 31[2][d] The placement support team have a range of different services to offer adopters including therapeutic techniques and training courses aimed at enhancing attachment and minimising potential difficulties. AAR 31.3 Where the adopters comments have been received too late to include them in panel packs, they should be available for panel members to read on the day of panel. Revised March

23 Action SW should send the following documents to the Adoption Panel Clerk: A Standard Front Sheet The Child s Permanence Report (CPR) and the agency decision sheet An addendum to the Child s Permanence Report if the report is more than 3 months old for a child under 2, or more than 6 months old for a child over 2. A medical report which must be no more than 6 months old for a child under 2 years and no more than 12 months for a child over 2 years. The Panel minute recommending the prospective adopters as suitable to adopt The Prospective Adopters Report (PAR) Updating reports as necessary, on the identified prospective adopters, for example a medical report if the previous report to Panel is more than 2 years old, and/or DBS checks if the previous checks are more than 2 years old The Adoption Placement Report The Adoption Support Plan, to include details of assessed needs of child for adoption support services and contact and wishes of birth relatives relating to contact. The views of the prospective adopters on the Adoption Placement Report and the Support Plan including the proposed contact arrangements Foster carer s report; Personal Education Plan [PEP];and a Colour photo If the proposed placement is not consistent with birth parents views on placement, for example religion or family structure, SW must record and explain the reasons for any discrepancy in the reports to Panel. SW should attend Panel with SW [A] and the prospective adopters. The SW must bring the child s life story book to panel and the prospective adopters should bring any introductory material they have prepared. Guidance AAR 31.4 Note: These reports should be sent to the clerk no later than 2 weeks before the Panel. Reasons may include such matters as not being able to find prospective adopters who reflect the parents wishes within a reasonable timescale and more importantly evidence that the proposed adopters are best able to meet the child s needs overall. It is anticipated that the life storybook may still be a work in progress however it will be helpful to share it with panel together with any introductory material the adopters have put together ie talking book. Where the Adoption Panel makes a recommendation that the child should be placed for adoption with the prospective adopters, the Panel must also consider and may give advice to the Agency on: Proposals for adoption support services for the prospective AAR 32 Revised March

24 Action adoptive family; Proposals for contact for the child; How the parental responsibility of the birth parent and the prospective adopters should be shared. Panel s recommendation will be sent to the Agency Decision Maker promptly who will make a decision based on the reports presented to the Panel and the Panel s final minutes within 7 working days of the Panel meeting. The decision and his/her reasons for it will be recorded in writing and added to the Panel minutes and then entered on the client record. If the Panel has given advice in relation to contact, the Agency Decision-Maker may express a view on such advice. SW will convey the decision orally to the parents within 2 working days. SW(A) will convey the decision orally to the prospective adopters within 2 working days. Written notification of the decision will be signed by the Agency Decision Maker and sent to SW(A) for sending to the adopters within 5 working days of the decision. Copies of this letter will also be sent to family finder and SW. Guidance Practice Notes 7: Checklist for Parental Responsibility The Agency Decision-Maker is the Head of Improvement Notification of Adoption Panel Decision Note: AAR 45(2) removes the general duty in the Children Act 1989 to promote contact. When an agency is authorised to place a child for adoption, there should be no general presumption for or against contact Stat. Guidance Securing inter-agency placements If it appears there may be difficulty or delay in securing a placement for the child in the county or within the Consortium, SW should discuss with TM [A] the need for an inter-agency placement and placing the child s details on the National Register together with appropriate advertising. SW must ensure that there is the legal authority from the court to proceed with featuring the child in media publications. SW should: Make any necessary amendments or additions to the CPR as requested by Panel or as a consequence of any developments and forward an electronic copy to the support staff at County Hall North asking them to forward it to the National Adoption Register, using the secure portal accessible from BAAF s website. Complete the Consortium form (obtained from support staff at County Hall North). Return the Consortium form to support staff at County Hall North for submission, together with an original photograph (or a.jpg file) - use a good quality (probably professional) photo. The Service Manager Family Placement is the responsible budget-holder and his written agreement is required before any action is commenced [this may be by ]. Advertising and Recruitment Coordinator at County Hall North will advise on presentation, publications and, as well as support staff at, County Hall North will provide forms and templates. From the information provided, she/he will, if required, write a draft child profile. Once the SW has approved the wording and provided a photograph, the profile should be used in features and it can also be distributed as a flyer to other Revised March

25 Action For features, SW should complete the forms for the publication and sign them or obtain necessary signatures - blanks can be provided by by the Advertising & Recruitment Coordinator. The text for the feature should be drawn directly from the approved child s profile. A placement order is needed before the children can be featured in any publication or flyer unless there is agreement of the Court. Approval to feature a child should be obtained from TM (A). SW should send the fully completed publication form to the Coordinator who will send it off with the approved text and original photo. The coordinator should be informed of all feature activity by the SW, even if she/he is not directly involved, so that she/he can create and maintain the individual feature schedule for the child. SW must contact SW (A) link worker and liaise closely. SW is responsible for collating responses received in respect of child. SW and SW (A) will jointly draw up a shortlist of prospective adopters to be visited. Out of County prospective adopters should be visited by SW and SW (A). If SW (A) cannot visit, child s SW and TM/SP to visit jointly. SW and TM are decision makers with involvement of SW (A). For linking decision and Adoption Panel follow process in 3 above. Guidance Agencies by support staff at County Hall North. In addition, the profile may be taken to the Kent and Berkshire Exchanges by SW (A). This process must be realistic and mindful of minimising delay for the child. TM [A] will report progress to the Adoption Panel on a six monthly basis. The progress reports will feed into the six monthly monitoring reports written by the SM for the executive (elected members) on the outcomes for children and adopters and the financial position of the agency NMS Action after agency decision, arrangements for placement and introductions SW should ensure that birth parent s are made aware that independent counselling is available to them if they have not already taken up the offer. SW must explain the decision of the Agency to the child in an appropriate manner, having regard to the child s age and understanding. SW should ensure the foster carer has completed written details of the child s routines and has contributed to the work on the child s life story book. SW should consider convening a Life Appreciation Day inviting prospective adopters, current and previous foster carers, and teachers, health visitors, SW [A] and any other relevant parties. This will allow sharing of more informal information about the child and will be in addition to the written information already shared. AAR 33[4] Through all linking processes, including a Life Appreciation Day, it is essential that decisions are made jointly with SW [A] SW and SW [A] should arrange for the prospective adopters This is an essential part of Revised March

26 Action to meet with the foster carer prior to the Placement Planning Meeting. SW should, if appropriate, arrange a meeting between the prospective adopters, the birth parent[s] and SW [A] and any other person that is considered relevant by the Agency. SW will arrange a Placement Planning Meeting, involving the following: TM [A] or SSWP [A] as Chair; SW; SW [A]; prospective adopters; child s foster carers; FPSW and any relevant child specialists. This meeting will agree the date for the prospective adoptive family to meet the child and will address issues such as introductions, contact, adoption support services, sharing of parental responsibility, etc. The child s names must remain exactly as those by which he/she has been registered unless the birth parents agree to a change of name or this has been authorised by the court. (Section 82(3) and 3(a) of the AACA 2002) Due consideration must always be given to the child s birth family and individual identity before any consideration of a change in name. Guidance informing the prospective adopters about the needs of the child and should be arranged sufficiently in advance of the meeting for informed decisions to be made by the prospective adopters. It can be of great help to the adopters in explaining the child s history if they have had the opportunity to meet, equally it can make contact arrangements easier. AAR 35 Stat Guidance Chapter 5 The provisional draft of the Adoption Placement Plan - as set out in AAR Schedule 5 - should form the basis of the meeting. Note: The prospective adopters will not have had contact with the child before the Placement Planning Meeting without the express agreement of the TM [A]. Photos and DVD s of the child will have been shared with the prospective adopters. Change of Name pro-forma when birth parents are in agreement with proposal to change a child s name. As soon as possible after this meeting TM [A] must send prospective adopters the Adoption Placement Plan [APP], setting out the matters specified in AAR Schedule 5, which formed the basis of the meeting. The prospective adopters must confirm in writing the receipt of the APP and that they are content to have the child placed with them for adoption. Prior to the placement, the child s social worker must ensure that all the following information/items have been provided to the prospective adopters: Authority to consent to medical and dental treatment The child s Red Book and NHS Card Any letters, photographs or mementos from the birth family, and the Life Story Book The child s passport (if applicable) A written plan of the contact arrangements pre and post adoption with the birth parents and any previous care Revised March

27 Action The Adoption Support Plan and Any other relevant information, including specialist reports (subject to the author s and, if applicable, the Courts consent) The prospective adopters should be asked to sign confirmation of receipt. Where the information/items are provided at different times, the prospective adopters must sign and date confirmation of receipt on each occasion. SW must ensure that the following notifications are made IN ADVANCE of the placement: Prospective adopters GP s [both, if different], with a copy of the child s adoption medical, LAC medicals and any other medical information; If the child is of pre-school age: the health visitor should be contacted by phone; Local Education Authority: if the child is of school age, with details of his/her educational history including PEP. PCT or relevant health organisation: if placement in another local authority, notify that authority; The child s parent[s], including putative father, if whereabouts known, of the imminent placement with prospective adopters, ensuring no identifying information is given. Arrangements for introductions should also give the opportunity to the prospective adopters to meet teachers and any other relevant people. SW and SW [A] must make the prospective adopter s aware of the need to ensure recognisable clothing, belongings, toys and routines are transferred to the adoptive placement with as little change as possible. SW should use the Moving Calendar in planning the placement [contained in the Adoption Placement Plan]. A copy should be given to all parties. Prior to the mid-point review SW [A] must meet with the prospective adopter privately to allow for honest reflection prior Guidance AAR 35 Child Health Notification Notification of Placement Note: introductions may not start unless a placement order has been granted or parental consent has been witnessed by a CAFCASS officer or the child is being placed under AAR 35(informal consent) or If the child is being placed initially under s25a of the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review and Fostering Services (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations They will be placed as a foster child under Fostering for Adoption (see relevant section) Note: Where an application has been made for revocation of a placement order the placement cannot proceed without leave of the Court. Where an application for leave to apply for revocation has been made under section 24(2) of the AACA 2002, extreme caution should be exercised before proceeding. See case law Re F (Placement Order) {2008} EWCA Civ 439 Note: In exceptional cases, for example a very young child Revised March

28 Action to proceeding. At the mid-point of the introductions, a review of the introductions should be held. This could be a meeting or a series of phone calls to everyone involved. The following areas will be addressed: The progress of the introductions - has the necessary action identified at the previous meeting been taken, and the plan been followed? - if not, why not? The views of each participant as to the above The identification of the positives The identification of any difficulties The development of the next stage of the plan The finalisation of the arrangements for the placement. Where difficulties have been identified the meeting should consider in discussion with the prospective adopters what support they need to prevent a breakdown and whether this is reasonable and proportionate in the circumstances. If there is a decision not to proceed to placement the parents must be informed (unless the parent has stated that he or she does not wish to be kept informed). Guidance where everything is going according to plan, it may be that this meeting can be done by telephone. However, it is always preferable to hold a face to face meeting. Where there is a decision not to proceed to placement the TM (A) should consider the best way to formally review what happened and what new information has emerged. The minutes of this meeting should be included in the child s Adoption Case File and the prospective adopters Adoption Case File. In the event of the introductions to placement ending, direct work should be undertaken with the child to make sense of the reasons why the placement could not go ahead and to prepare the child for any future placement. In this event, the SW and SW (A) must re-start the process of identifying a suitable prospective adoptive family or urgently review the plan through a LAC Review. The Adoption Panel should be notified. The panel should review the linking and send any observations to the TM [A] Where placement proceeds, the Life Story Book should be brought to the matching panel and given to the child and prospective adopter in stages. The first stage should preferably be given to the adopter and child on placement and no later than the second statutory review of the child s placement. The completed life story book must be given to the child and adopter within 10 days of the adoption ceremony. The Life Story Book must be coordinated by the SW. Birth parent s, extended family, foster carers and others involved in the child s life should be encouraged to be involved in putting Note: this must happen as soon as possible after the ending of introductions. Life Story Books are an important tool to help even very young children make sense of their history Training on life story work is a requirement for all West Sussex adopters. NMS 2.7 and Adoption and Stat. Guidance Ch.5 pt 48 Practice Notes 13:Life Story Work Revised March

29 Action Guidance the book together. A Letter for Later Life explaining the circumstances of the child s adoption should be written by the SW and must be given to the prospective adopters within 10 days of the adoption ceremony. SW or SW [A] must provide the prospective adopters with written authorisation of the placement. The prospective adopters must sign and date a copy and hand to the SW or SW [A] at the time of placement. SW must notify birth parent of placement Arrangements for the first visit by SW or SW [A] should be made. The first visit must take place within 7 days and may be undertaken by SW or SW [A]. The prospective adopters may not remove the child from the country [save for a period of less than one month] or cause the child to be known by a new surname, unless: The birth parent has given written consent; The court has given consent. Once the child is placed ACA 2002 gives detailed removal measures which ensure that children placed for adoption are not peremptorily removed and the adoption process disrupted. Practice Notes 3: A Checklist for Later Life Letters NMS 2.8 and Stat.Guidance July 2013 Prospective adopters should be advised of training and support offered in respect of telling children about their history and identity issues. Note: the child cannot be placed for adoption unless a Placement Order has been granted or parental consent witnessed by CAFCASS. Authorisation of Placement Notification of Placement AAR 36 A written report must be made of each visit. This should be exchanged between SW and SW [A]. ACA 2002 s28(2) and (3) ACA 2002 s Duties and responsibilities once the child is placed The Agency is required to appoint an IRO for each child who is placed for adoption. Adoption Reviews must be held according the following timescales: Within 4 weeks of the placement Not more than 3 months after the first review At least every 6 months thereafter AAR 37 AAR 37.4 prohibits a person as an IRO if s/he is involved in managing the child s case or is under the management of anyone with management responsibilities for anyone involved in managing the case or budgetary control over the resources allocated to the child s case. AAR 36 Reviews should be held until an Adoption Order is made. Where a placement has been made with parental consent and ACA S35(1) Revised March

30 Action Guidance notice is received that such consent has been withdrawn, good practice suggests that an Adoption Review should be convened within a maximum of 3 working days. In addition urgent legal advice should be sought as to the need to apply for a Placement Order. Where there are concerns that the placement is at risk of breaking down, an urgent Adoption Review should be convened which should consider and identify the difficulties and consider whether any support can be provided to address the situation. Unless there are exceptional circumstances, for example child protection concerns and/or significant risk, no decision to move a child from a placement should take place without a formal Adoption Review having taken place. In such circumstances, legal advice should be sought as soon as possible and prior to any action being taken. Where the agency considers that the child should not remain with the prospective adopters following the review and legal advice, they may give the adopters notice that they intend to remove the child within 7 days of the notice. Where a child is returned to the Agency there must be a LAC (disruption) review no earlier than 28 days and no later than 42 days after the date that the child is returned to the Agency. The matters set out in AAR 36.6 a, b, c, and f must be considered. This review will be chaired by an IRO. A Disruption Meeting should be arranged by the TM [A] unless there are good reasons not to do so. AAR AAR 37 See section 9 Disruptions The Adoption Panel should be notified of any disruptions as soon as possible and following the Disruption Meeting the minutes should be sent to the Adoption Panel together with all original minutes relating to the child and the match. Any comments from the adoption panel should be conveyed to the relevant SW and the TM [A] The 4 week review after placement and subsequent reviews will consider and evaluate the adoption placement in terms of meeting the child s needs and the objectives set at previous reviews and in particular consider the following areas: The child s Health Care Plan (including arrangements for the child s medical and dental care) The child s educational progress Any regression in the child s development since the placement Evidence of the child s attachment to the prospective adopters Observations of any grieving process in relation to the previous carers Any direct work being undertaken or required, including the Life Story Book Any concerns The Adoption Support Plan and whether it should continue or be altered The arrangements for the exercise of Parental AAR 36 gives guidance on the areas to be considered at the review. Note: The focus must always be on the child and if they are of an age to understand contribute they must be helped to do so. Revised March

31 Action Guidance Responsibility in the placement and whether they should continue or be altered The contact arrangements and whether they should continue or be altered SW visiting arrangements Any outstanding Court proceedings The timing of the adoption application The timing of the Later Life Letter if it is not already resolved Date for next review If possible a SW [AS] should attend the four week review to advise on any relevant post adoption issues. The SW and the SW [A] should visit the placement in the first week. Thereafter there must be at least one visit a week by either or both SW s until the four week review when the visiting pattern will be reviewed. Where both SW and SW [A] are visiting it is essential that they all maintain written records of the visits, which are accessible or copied to each other. The SW should on each visit see and speak to the child alone. SW must arrange medicals 6 monthly up to the child s second birthday and 12 monthly thereafter, until an adoption order is made. SW must alert the Agency Medical Adviser and Ofsted if any serious disorder or illness arises in either the child or the prospective adopters. It should be agreed at a LAC review when an adoption application should be lodged. AAR 36.4 Stat guidance Ch 5 pt Where there are costs arising from medicals these will be funded through the Adoption Team until the adoption order is granted. Ofsted website The decisions made at the review should be notified in writing to: The child, if of an age and understanding; The prospective adopters; Other persons the Agency considers relevant Adoption Court Proceedings The child must have had his/her home with the applicants at all times in the 10 weeks before the application for an adoption order is made. SW and SW [A] can advise adopters as to circumstances under which they should appoint a solicitor. Where both parents have given written consent and this has been witnessed by CAFCASS this is not seen as necessary and they should be advised that should they instruct solicitors, they would have to bear the costs themselves, unless there are exceptional circumstances. Where the adoption is likely to be contested or where there is no consent from both parents, the prospective adopters should be advised that they should instruct a solicitor to prepare the papers and represent them in court. SW [A] must seek prior approval from Service Manager Adoption for agreement to fund legal representation. Note: consult TM [A] where there are considered to be exceptional circumstances. Agreement to any legal fees must be given prior to instruction of a solicitor by S M [A]. See Appendix 4: Consideration of the need Revised March

32 Action SW should advise Legal Services who will write to the applicants with details of the process and provide a list of solicitors who are members of the Law Society s Child Care Panel. Adopters should ask for the application to be heard under a serial number in order to ensure their identity remains confidential. Guidance for legal representation for prospective adopters for children LAC by the LA Where paid, legal fees will be paid for by the County Council at the public funding rate. The court will fix a timetable for proceedings and will appoint a CAFCASS children s guardian. SW [A] will assist the adopters in completing the application. Also submitted with the application should be their marriage certificate (if married or certificate of civil partnership) and the child s long birth certificate. Health reports also accompany the application and are to be made no more than 3 months earlier than the application for adoption on the child and each of the applicants. The Agency [SW] must provide the court with a report dealing with the suitability of the applicants and any other matters relevant to the child s welfare and must assist the court as the court may direct. The SW (A) will complete part of Annex A. It is the responsibility of the SW to collate this and send it to court. The court may be asked to dispense with the consent of the parent[s] if that is determined to be necessary for the welfare of the child. The Adoption Welfare Checklist applies to dispensing with parental consent. ACA 2002 s43 Annex A Report (Family Procedure [Adoption] Rules 2005) ACA 2002 s52(1)(a) and (b) Following the adoption hearing when an adoption order is granted SW must notify TM [A] when an adoption order is made. SW to send birth parent(s) notification of child s adoption. SW [A] must inform the data analyst (From the Solutions Team) of the order. Parental Notification of Adoption Order SW should record the outcome on the child s file and should remove any personal papers, e.g. photo s, school reports, etc which should be passed to the adopters or the child. The file should be prepared for storage by SW ensuring that the file contains as much information as possible about the adopted person s personal and social history and the reasons for adoption. SW should ensure that a separate adoption file has been made up for each child in a family for whom the adoption has been the plan. The file should be passed to the Team Manager for closure. SW [A] retains file for prospective adopters and/or closes it. Practice Notes 6: Contents of Child's Adoption File A closed file should have removed from it all records showing links under the child s old name with the adopters. SW should advise Child Benefit of the child s adoption and that under no circumstances should there be a disclosure of the child s address to the birth parents. One month after adoption order the SW sends closed adoption file to the Adoption Panel clerk at Durban House, South Adopters names & address must remain confidential. Revised March

33 Action Guidance Berstead Business Park, Durban Road, Bognor Regis PO22 9RE Adoption Panel clerk sends closed file to archives and keeps a record of the archive reference. If there is ongoing work with the child and adoptive family the case will need to be transferred to the post adoption support team one month after the adoption order. If work is ongoing with either the child or the adopter this should be regularly reviewed by the SW [AS] in accordance with the care planning model. The Adoption Support Service has a specialist letterbox and contact coordinator who will offer advise and facilitate all contact. The Letterbox Coordinator in conjunction with the SW [AS] will assist in identifying any emerging problems affecting ongoing contact and any re-negotiation of contact agreements. The case files for adoption are required to be kept in a place of special security [AAR 39]. The records are kept for 100 years. Any contact arrangements will have previously been discussed with the adopters and a referral sent to the Adoption Support Team. It is essential that all arrangements are reasonable, sustainable and in the child s best interest. See Appendix 5: Pro Forma letters and documents and Practice Note 9: Contact in adoption some principles If an adoption order is not granted the court can: make a section 8 order or a direction to the local authority to investigate the child s circumstances and consider whether any action should be taken, including application for care or supervision order. Make a special guardianship order Children awaiting a Placement In all cases where a looked after child has been authorised to be placed for adoption, the local authority is required to appoint an IRO. AAR 37 Where a child is subject to a placement order and has not been placed for adoption at the time of the first six month review, the review must: establish why the child has not been placed for adoption and consider what further steps can be taken to arrange for the child to be placed for adoption and consider whether the plan for permanence should continue to be through adoption. AAR 36.1; AAR 36.7 Where the agency is authorised to place a child for adoption but the child has not been placed, the Agency must carry out a review not later than 3 months after the date the Agency had authority to place, and thereafter not more than 6 months after the previous review [6 month review]. The SW must notify the Panel (via the TM [A]) of the outcome of the review. The Professional Advisor to the Adoption Panel will maintain all data relating to panel including a list of children with adoption plans and inform the Agency and panel of progress on a six It will be important to clarify which children have placement orders and which children are Revised March

34 Action monthly basis. Guidance still in proceedings (if any and why) Disruptions SW must immediately inform TM [A] of the disruption of a pre adoptive or adoptive placement. The TM [A] must call a professionals meeting immediately to gather information and attend to the immediate needs of both the child and adopters. This must be professionally minuted and available to the LAC review (disruption) and the disruption meeting. Where a child is returned to the Agency, the SW must arrange a LAC review no earlier than 28 days and no later than 42 days after the date that the child is returned to the Agency. The matters set out in AAR 36.6 a, b, c, and f must be considered. This review will be chaired by an IRO. A disruption meeting should be held where a placement breaks down after placement but before the adoption order is made and where the placement breaks down within three years of the adoption order. A breakdown of introductions is dealt with in Section 5 above TM [A] will discuss the plan for a disruption meeting with the SW and the IRO and make arrangements for the disruption meeting to be chaired independently. This should be carried out within 3 months of the disruption and preferably after the LAC Review. A disruption meeting should include: The prospective adopters SWs and IRO s Relevant previous carers SW [A] and SW[AS]and Health professionals and Other people significant to the child The meeting should follow a set agenda: Apologies Purpose of meeting to identify the positives and learning points for the child/children and for general practice Circumstances of the child s reception into care Pattern of child s life in care Assessment and preparation of the child Assessment and preparation of the adopters and the Panel recommendation of their suitability Matching and Panel recommendation The introductory period The Placement Events since the placement ended The child s current priority needs The SW should ensure that that the independent chair of the AAR AAR 37 Note: The purpose of the Disruption meeting is to examine various elements of the placement in order to bring some logic in the sequence of events leading to the disruption. Note: When disruption occurs, no one person should blame themselves but equally everyone involved should accept their share of collective responsibility for what has happened Note: When disruption occurs, no one person should blame themselves but equally everyone involved should accept their share of collective responsibility for what has happened Revised March

35 Action meeting has copies of the child s CPR, the prospective adopters PAR, and the minutes of relevant panels at least 48 hours before the meeting. Following the Disruption Meeting the minutes should be sent to the Adoption Panel together with all original minutes relating to the child and the match. Any comments from the adoption panel should be conveyed to the relevant SW and the TM [A] Adoption Support Services Guidance Practice Notes 15:Conduct of a Disruption Meeting Introduction Adoption Support includes any support likely to be required for an adoptive placement to endure through to adulthood and is applicable to both existing and new adoptions. West Sussex has a duty to ensure that adopters are fully aware of their right to assessment and of the adoption support services available. All potential adopters are directed to the First4adoption website if they have not already used it, in order to access the adoption passport. West Sussex is required to carry out an adoption support assessment if it is requested by an adoptive parent, adopted child or adult, birth child of adopters, or any birth relative of an adopted child or adult. The West Sussex Placement Support team has a range of services and interventions on offer to adopters and children. Which Local Authority should carry out the Assessment? Circumstance Child being Looked After by West Sussex and in respect of whom an adoption plan is being considered Child, placed with or adopted by family living in the county Responsibility for Assessment West Sussex West Sussex if this was the placing local Authority. Otherwise the placing local authority has financial responsibility for 3 years following the making of an adoption order Child, adopted by family living outside the county West Sussex has responsibility for 3 years after the Adoption Order is made and then the local authority where the adopters reside will have the responsibility In all other cases (i.e. non agency placements except step parent adoption) The local authority where the requester lives must assess Action Where ongoing financial support and/or supporting contact arrangements have been agreed by the placing agency before the Adoption Order was made, the responsibility to provide such support remains with the placing agency. ASR 7.2 Adoption Support specifically includes the following: Financial support to adopters Services to enable groups of adoptive children, adoptive parents and birth parents to discuss matters relating to adoption Assistance, including mediation, with contact arrangements Guidance ASR 7.2 Practice Notes 12: Adoption Support Service practice guidelines NMS 15 and 16 ASR 3.1a-f Revised March

36 Action between adopted children and their birth parents, siblings or others with whom they share a significant relationship. Therapeutic services for adoptive children (including children from overseas). Assistance to adoptive parents and their children (natural and adoptive) to support the adoptive placement and enable it to continue, including respite care. This includes inter country adopters and their children. Assistance to adoptive parents and their children where a placement disrupts or is at risk of disruption. This includes inter country adopters and their children. Counselling, advice and information Assistance with cross boundary matters Intermediary Services See Practice Notes 12 Adoption support needs to be considered by the SW when: Preparing the case for presentation to the ADM as to whether the child is suitable to be placed for adoption. By the SW(A) when Considering the suitability of prospective adoptive parents And must be considered by both the SW and SW(A) when: Linking and matching a particular child with particular prospective adopters. Guidance Note: As part of the Government s Support to Adopt reforms to improve adoption services it has launched a national adoption support fund (Sept 2013) which will pay for therapeutic services - such as cognitive therapy, play and music therapy, and intensive family support - helping children recover from their previous experiences, bond with their adoptive families and settle into their new lives. The Support to Adopt programme has included the publication of the Adoption Passport informing adoptive parents about what support they can expect and when. When a case is still in proceedings advice should be sought from the adoption support team on the proposed contact arrangements for the child with birth parents and any siblings. The SW and the SW (A) must seek advice from the adoption support team and/or the placement support team if they are in any doubt about the services available or the best way to meet potential and identified needs. An Adoption Support Plan should set out clearly: The objectives of the plan and the key services to be provided The timescales for achieving the plan Those responsible for implementing the plan and the respective roles of others; what should be provided, when and by whom The criteria that will be used to evaluate the success of the plan The procedures that will be put in place to review the services to be provided and the plan The Adoption Support Plan should be agreed by all parties prior to the adoption and permanency panel where the match is being considered. It should be sent to prospective adopters 10 days prior to panel to consider the plan and make any representations. Revised March

37 Action Guidance All West Sussex adopters will be offered 3 sessions of Theraplay to help them settle their child on placement. The adoption panel must consider and may give advice on the proposed support plan, contact plan and exercise of parental responsibility. The agency decision maker must take this into account. The Adoption Support Plan will be reviewed at each review after Placement until the Adoption Order is made when the case will be closed unless work is ongoing. The adoption support team offers a duty service daily from 9.30 to 5pm. It may receive referrals from a range of different sources including self referral and an initial assessment will not always be required before providing basic advice and information and signposting referrers to relevant services. Where a placement has disrupted or there are child protection concerns the case should be referred to the duty and assessment team in consultation with the TM[AS] Where the adoption support team undertake an Initial Assessment it should be completed on a standard form and broadly follow the guidance set out in the Practice Guidance on Assessing the Support Needs of Adoptive Families. The adoption support team will work in accordance with Practice guidance on assessing the support needs of adoptive families DfES 2008 and in partnership with other resource providers internally and externally. The initial assessment should be completed within a month of referral. Where it is or becomes clear, that the situation is more complex, a core assessment should be undertaken in consultation with any other agencies involved with the family. The core assessment should be completed within two months of referral. If it becomes evident during assessment, that there are child protection concerns the case should be referred on to the Duty and Assessment Team. Following the initial or core assessment, a proposed Adoption Support Plan is drawn up. This should be sent with a covering letter to the person assessed and should include: The person s assessed needs for support. Whether the local authority proposes to provide adoption support services and if so, what the proposed services are and Whether any financial support is being offered The adopters or appropriate adult if the requester was a child, have 28 days to consider the proposal and make representation on any points of disagreement. Once the adopters have notified the local authority of their satisfaction with the plan or the 28 days has elapsed, the agency can then make their decision on the plan and a notice is given to the adopters concerned. Revised March

38 Action Guidance The notice must contain the reasons for the decision. If the decision is to provide services the notice must include a copy of the plan and the name and contact details of the person nominated to monitor the provision of services. Work undertaken by the SW [AS] will be regularly reviewed (at least every 6 months) and progress towards objectives recorded, a new plan drawn up, or the case closed. The assessment process must not delay provision of services where a person has an urgent need for services. Where other services are provided during the assessment process, they must be asked to contribute their views. This could be done by way of telephone, , brief report or a meeting. Where financial assistance is being requested and/or proposed the SM [A] must see and agree the plan prior to this being agreed with adopters. SW [AS] will act as contact facilitator in contact and will assist in identifying any emerging problems affecting ongoing contact and any re-negotiation of contact agreements. A SW [AS] will act as letter box coordinator monitoring the letterbox contact agreement to ensure they are being adhered to. Changes to the agreement will be negotiated through the letterbox co-ordinator between the parties signed up to the agreement. ASR 17 ASR 21 See Appendix 2: Financial Support in Adoption A pro-forma agreement and guidelines can be found: Post Box Agreement The letterbox co-ordinator will oversee that appropriate correspondence is exchanged and offer advice/help to ensure correspondence is acceptable to all parties. Birth Records Counselling [BRIC] may be requested by an adopted person aged under 18 years. In these circumstances the SW [AS] will visit and assess their needs and provide assistance. When assessing the needs of an adopted person under the age of 18 years to trace birth family members, the SW[AS] will consider the opinions and feelings of the adoptive family and the impact of the trace on the young person and his family. A SW [AS] must consider the young person s welfare before disclosing protected information. Practice Notes 11: Adoption Contact Register is operated by the Registrar General. The Register provides a safe and confidential way for birth parents and other relatives to reassure an adopted person that contact would be welcome and to give a current address. Where BRIC is requested by a person over 18 years, they should be directed to make an application to the Registrar General, in the first instance, including situations where the person has their birth certificate and the name of the Adoption Agency. Most cases for birth counselling will come from the Registrar General in the form of written details and an information pack. If the enquirer was adopted before the Registrar General may not give information to the applicant unless they have received a counselling service. Revised March

39 Action Guidance The SW [A] may assist in facilitating contact between an adopted person and birth parents and relatives. The Adoption Information and Intermediary Services (Pre- Commencement Adoptions) Regulations 2005 allows Adoption Agencies to operate an intermediary service that includes facilitating contact between adopted people and their relatives. The SW [AS] will undertake a counselling interview offering guidance/advice to the adopted adult regarding a birth relative search. The adopted adult can use a range of resources to access information original birth certificate, access to adoption records and access to the contact register. The SW [AS] can act as an intermediary. They should also advise the adopted adult of other agencies offering this service. A birth parent has no legal right to identifying the information about an adoptive relative. A SW [AS] can act as an intermediary, search and make contact with the adopted relative on their behalf. The SW[AS] can seek information from a range of sources which may lead to the current identity of the adopted adult, trace them and subject to gaining informed consent, disclose identifying information about them to birth family members. An annual review of contact arrangements will be noted on the chronology at the front of the Adoption Support file Adoption Support Service for birth parents and relatives Birth parents and relatives should be made aware of the services provided by West Sussex Adoption Support Service and the Post-Adoption Centre. See Practice Notes 12 Birth parents and relatives can use the Adoption Contact Register, run by the Registrar General, to inform an adoptive person that contact would be welcome and to give a current address. The SW [AS] responsible for letterbox services is able to support the parent/relative in arranging indirect contact through the confidential letterbox system. Practice Notes 12: Adoption Support Service practice guidelines Practice Notes 11 Adoption Contact Register. Adoption Post Box The SW [AS] may assist in facilitating contact between an The Adoption Information and adopted person and birth parents and relatives. Intermediary Services (Pre- Commencement Adoptions) Regulations 2005 allows Adoption Agencies to operate an intermediary service that includes facilitating contact between adopted people and Revised March

40 Action Guidance their relative Management of Adoption Records and Information Whilst any file concerning an adoption matter is open, it must be kept in lockable storage capable of protecting the adoption files from damage by flood and fire. It must be stored separately from non-adoption cases and the key must be kept separately from the keys to other file storage. A separate adoption file on each child must be made up by SW at the point when adoption becomes a serious option. Once an adoption order has been granted, the fact should be noted on the file and SW should go through the file removing any personal papers, e.g. photo s, school reports, which should be given to the adopters or the child. SW should prepare the file for storage, with the intention of providing as much information as possible about the adoptee s personal and social history and the reason for adoption. See Practice Notes 6 After the adoption order has been made, the file must be sent to the Adoption Panel Clerk [Durban House, Bognor Regis]. The Adoption Panel clerk will send the file to the archives, keeping a record of the archive reference. Practice Notes 6: Contents of Adoption Files. Files are kept for 100 years. Revised March

41 2.2 Procedures for prospective adoptive parents The adoption agency aims to recruit and assess prospective adopters who can meet all the needs of children for whom adoption is the plan. West Sussex County Council adoption agency will not turn away couples or single people because of their status, age or because they and the child do not share the same racial or cultural background as the children requiring adoptive placements within West Sussex. It is essential that applicants are regarded as an asset to the agency and treated with respect and openness throughout the process of assessment. In turn the agency expects the applicants to work cooperatively and honestly. Action Pre Stage one - screening The National Gateway for Adoption, First4Adoption, was established in April 2013 to offer potential adopters more information on who can adopt, the children waiting and what they can expect from the adoption assessment process, and beyond to post adoption. All adoption enquiries come through the West Sussex adoption website. A duty SW [A] must be available every day between 9.30am and 5pm Monday to Friday. The duty SW(A) must send potential adopters an Information pack to include: a copy of the Adoption Passport (found on the First4Adoption website) Current West Sussex County Council adoption leaflets West Sussex equal opportunity policy and complaints and compliments information Change above This must be sent within 5 working days. The duty SW (A) should inform all potential adopters completing on line enquiry forms that they will be contacted within the next 10 working days. The duty SW (A) should be mindful that the potential adopter is enquiring about the process and has a right to impartial information at this stage and should be encouraged to access the National Gateway for further information if they have not done so already. Adoption surgeries will be held at regular intervals and potential adopters should be encouraged to look out for dates advertised on the West Sussex adoption website. The duty SW (A) has a responsibility to ensure that, should they wish to, potential adopters are in a position to proceed. This requires the duty SW (A) to undertake basic screening. Guidance Potential adopters should be made to feel their enquiry is welcome. They may only be excluded if they do not meet the eligibility criteria. Set out in Stat Guidance July 2013, 3.1 and 3.2: Must be 21 years old Must be domiciled in the British Islands and been habitually resident in the British Islands for at least a year prior to application for an adoption order Must not have been cautioned or convicted of a specified offence There is no upper age limit for adopters. See Stat Guidance 2013, 3.17 for further advice. It may be difficult to advise potential adopters of the need to resolve issues before proceeding. It will be important to explain the impact of loss and trauma on the children needing adoption and how that might affect adopters with unresolved issues or whose relationship is still in its early stages. A 6 month period, post fertility treatment, bereavement, divorce, Revised March

42 Action If possible the duty SW(A) should ascertain whether the potential adopter/s are: Still receiving fertility treatment Recently bereaved About to move house or Have just suffered a serious illness or gone into remission or Have just discovered they are unable to conceive or Have just divorced or separated or Have just been made bankrupt or Are about to start a new business/job/career change Have been a couple for less than two years Some of this information may be available from the completed enquiry form. If any of the above issues apply the duty SW [A] will need to discuss the possibility of delaying their interest until they are able to focus on the preparation for adoption process. Where a potential adopter has indicated that they smoke, the duty SW (A) must send out information on smoking cessation help available in West Sussex and advised that West Sussex will not place a child under the age of 5 years old with any adopter who continues to smoke. Guidance separation and discovering an inability to conceive, should be advised. Moving house, starting a new job or career change might require 3 months, while any serious illness would require medical assurance on issues of recovery and remission before an assessment could begin, unless there were clear reasons why the enquiry should proceed with matters unresolved. In respect of bankruptcy, or serious debts, advice should be sought from West Sussex County Treasurer before agreeing a period of time to resolve issues. Potential adopters who give up smoking must evidence that they have been non-smokers for at least a year. The duty SW (A) must inform potential adopters with no parenting experience and no experience of children that they will need to have experience before their interest can be taken forward. They should be encouraged to volunteer in a playgroup, nursery or similar before pursuing their enquiries. A visit or a preplanned telephone call must take place within ten working days of the first enquiry. The purpose of this is to give information as well as counsel and advise. This may need to take place in the evening or at the weekend. Where enquirers have been advised to delay their interest to resolve specified issues the system should reflect this and no further communication should take place until they make further contact. If West Sussex is not currently recruiting adopters or if they are aware that they will be unable to proceed to assess because of capacity issues, any potential adopter should be advised of this and referred to the National Gateway, First4Adoption or referred to another agency which is recruiting. Where a West Sussex employee makes an enquiry about Revised March

43 Action becoming an adopter they must be offered advice on approaching another authority should they so wish. The duty SW(A) must ensure that the information offered to potential adopters focuses on the needs and ages of children within the authority currently awaiting adoption or in the process of being adopted and the skills and qualities adopters need to meet those needs. The session should also offer information on Fostering for Adoption (FFA) Registration of Interest Following receipt of information, possible attendance at an adoption information surgery and the opportunity to speak in more detail through a preplanned phone call and a visit, potential adopters will either decide that they wish to move on to stage one of the process or that adoption is not right for them at that point in time. The Registration of Interest form is left with the potential adopters following their visit from a duty SW (A). The form must include as a minimum: Name and address of potential adopters Permission to commence Stage One checks Confirmation the potential adopters have not registered their interest with another agency A reminder that potential adopters should be contactable in the week following their registration of interest, and a request for times during which they may be contacted Full contact details Confirmation that they have attended an information session (with the date and the name of the agency hosting the session) Confirmation that they have received the information pack Confirmation that they have either had a preplanned phone conversation with the West Sussex duty SW (A) or that a visit has taken place to offer information and counselling. Questions aimed at ensuring that the potential adopters meet the eligibility criteria for adoption (see guidance under 2.1) The signatures of both potential adopters Guidance Note: The BAAF template Registration of Interest Form should be used. This includes all relevant consents and provision for details of referees. Once the acceptance is made the checks can commence immediately. Potential adopters wishing to proceed should return the Registration of Interest Form as soon as they have determined they are ready to progress to stage one. The SW (A) who undertook the visit must complete the case record as soon as possible so it is available for the TM (A) on receipt of completed Registration of Interest form from the potential adopters. Revised March

44 Action Once the Registration of Interest form is received, the TM (A) has 5 working days in which to decide whether or not to accept it, unless there are exceptional circumstances in which case the decision should be discussed with the SM (A). A further visit or preplanned phone call may be required at this stage before the decision can be made. Provided there is sufficient capacity, potential adopters should be accepted if they are likely to meet the needs of children awaiting adoption and not just the children waiting in West Sussex. Guidance It may be helpful to advise potential adopters verbally where there are outstanding issues such as fertility treatment or bereavement which are unlikely to be acceptable points of entry for assessment with other agencies. A Registration of Interest can be declined if there are clear reasons why it is not appropriate to proceed or if there is no current capacity to undertake the assessment. The potential adopter should have a clear written explanation as to why their Registration of Interest has been declined. They should also be advised that they can go to another agency or approach the National Gateway for redirection Stage One - Plan Once the Registration of Interest form has been accepted administrative staff should set up a case record in respect of the potential adopter who becomes known from this point as a prospective adopter. The Registration of Interest form will be part of the case record. A team of three SW(A) are available to assist the prospective adopters through stage one and, if agreed by all parties that it is appropriate to proceed to stage two, the prospective adopters will be allocated to a named SW(A) to guide them through their adoption assessment process. The SW [A] must be qualified to undertake this role under the Restrictions on the Preparation of Adoption Reports Regulations If they are not their work must be closely supervised and signed off by someone who is. AAR 23 details what should be included in the record while ch.6 of the Stat Guidance 2013 deals with confidentiality and preservation of this and other adoption case records. All SW [A] s in West Sussex are suitably qualified Stage one must be completed within two months if it takes longer the reasons must be fully recorded. The SW (A) must explain the requirements of this stage in detail to prospective adopters. This stage is adopter led and social worker guided. The intention is to allow the prospective adopters to gather information, learn more about the needs of Revised March

45 Action children waiting to be adopted, explore their likely parenting capacity and work on developing skills and understanding their own training needs with guidance from the stage one team. A stage one plan must be agreed between West Sussex and the prospective adopter. As a minimum the plan should include: Information about the counselling Information and preparation for adoption including any requirement for attendance at a preparation group The procedure for carrying out police checks Details of any training that the prospective adopter has agreed to undertake; Information about the role of the prospective adopter in the stage one process and the requirement for openness and honesty Timescales for completion of stage one and for visits Information about the process for making a representation (including a complaint) under the 1989 Regulations; and Any other information that West Sussex considers relevant including Fostering to Adopt Guidance Note: A template for the stage one plan is available on the BAAF website. AAR 22 sets out what the plan should include The SW (A) must give prospective adopters an Adoption starter pack, plus a Work book for them to complete. If they have not accessed an adoption surgery session already they are encouraged to do so to assist them with their self directed learning. SW (A) must give prospective adopters a copy of the Adoption Passport if they have not already accessed it on line Stage One Checks and References The checks and written reference requests should be progressed by administrative staff as soon as the Registration of Interest has been accepted. Administrative staff are responsible for recording the outcomes on the case record. The assessing SW (A) (or one of the team) and their supervisor should be alert to any delays and inform the TM (A) accordingly. All the prescribed checks and references must be carried out during stage one in parallel with the initial training, preparation and counselling. The personal references can be undertaken in two stages with written references received during stage one and face to face interviews conducted with referees in stage two. Three references are required including one family member. CRB s are completed electronically This can be done swiftly with the adopter at home if required. Note: The recommendations from the Serious Case Review on JAS written by Alyson Leslie for Brighton and Hove 2001 suggested that had the previous partners of the male adopter been contacted for verification of the narrative relating to the marriage Revised March

46 Action If the written references give rise to concerns the assessing SW (A) (or one of the team) should explore the issues by telephone contact with the referee and a decision made in consultation with the supervisor and TM (A) on whether the prospective adopter should progress to stage two. The reasons and actions must be fully detailed on the case record. Disclosure and Barring Service (criminal record) checks must be undertaken together with the: Local Authority NSPCC Probation Employer and Housing (where relevant) Health If an applicant already has a child, a reference should be sought from either the child s school or from the health visitor. If the child is an adult they should be interviewed as an additional referee. Where one or both of the prospective adopters has had children in a previous relationship, the SW(A) should contact the previous partner for their views on the person s parenting ability and confirmation of the reasons for the breakdown of the relationship. Where there has been a previous live in partnership or marriage within the last 10 years which has produced no children, the SW (A) should seek a reference from the previous partner to corroborate the narrative in respect of the relationship breakdown. Where this is not possible another referee should be asked to comment on that period of the prospective adopter s history. Where prospective adopters express interest in the possibility of Fostering for Adoption (FfA), the SW (A) must ask referees to comment on the prospective adopters capacity to undertake this role. The SW [A] must inform the applicants of the need for honesty in respect of criminal offences and inform them that West Sussex and any other adoption agency is not able to consider a person suitable to adopt a child if he or any member of his household aged 18 or overa) has been convicted of a specified offence committed at the age of 18 or over; or b) has been cautioned by a constable in respect of any such offence, which at the time of the caution, he admitted. Guidance breakdown the adoption assessment would have ceased. Note: It is not a statutory requirement to take references from either previous partners or adult children however the Stat Guidance says that the references from ex partners and adult children should be sought where the agency considers it necessary This is at the discretion of the adoption agency. It is sensible for both prospective adopters to include as referees at least one person who has known them as individuals for as long as possible in order that they can comment on areas of their lives which predate the partnership, if necessary. It is also helpful to include referees who have their own children and can comment on how the prospective adopters engage with their own children. AAR 23[2][3][4] Revised March

47 Action Specified offence means: a) an offence against a child; b) an offence specified in Part 1 of Schedule 3; c) an offence [relating to the importation of] indecent photographs of children under the age of 16; d) any other offence involving bodily injury to a child, other than an offence of common assault and battery. Guidance Equally no adoption agency is able to consider a person suitable to adopt a child if he or any member of his household aged 18 or over: a) has been convicted of an offence specified in paragraph 1 of Part 2 of Schedule 3 committed at age 18 or over or has been cautioned in respect of any such offence, which at the time the caution was given, was admitted to; or b) falls within paragraph 2 or 3 of Part 2 of Schedule 3, notwithstanding that the statutory offences specified in Part 2 of Schedule 3 have been repealed. If a DBS check reveals offences or cautions SW [A] must discuss these with TM [A]. Where it appears that a prospective adopter or member of his household falls within paragraph [2] or [4], the agency must notify the prospective adopters as soon as possible that they cannot be considered suitable to adopt a child. Where a DBS check reveals that one of the prospective adopters has a criminal record which includes a specified offence, the SW (A) must not reveal that information to the other prospective adopter. If the applicant/s reveals a criminal record in relation to unspecified offences full information around the circumstances should be ascertained and the matter discussed with the SM [A] before proceeding. Information received from DBS should be retained for a limited period of time. Once the prospective adopter has been approved any original material should be destroyed and an entry made in the case record to that effect. Where a prospective adopter is not approved, original material should be retained until any review of the qualifying determination is completed and the ADM has made their final decision. Where prospective adopters have lived overseas as adults, (post 18) the prospective adopters need to contact the relevant embassy for a certificate of good conduct. It is likely that this will delay stage one and the SW (A) must advise the prospective adopters of this at the earliest point and this should be recorded on the case file. If a certificate of good conduct is not applicable or possible to access, the prospective adopter should seek a Revised March

48 Action reference from their employer/s abroad. A written report on the prospective adopters health must be obtained and the agency medical adviser is required to provide a summary of the prospective adopters health as part of the full parenting assessment report (PAR). Guidance The SW (A) should ask for details of any private medical care accessed by the prospective adopters. Permission should be sought for private Doctor/s to be contacted as necessary by the Medical Adviser. At this early stage, if there appear to the SW (A) to be any significant medical or health issues or are revealed by the prospective adopters, advice should be sought from the agency medical adviser and further information sought from relevant health specialists if appropriate. Medical issues alone should not exclude applicants. If there are medical reasons and other concerns to the extent that the assessing SW [A] and the TM [A] consider that the application should not proceed, the prospective adopters must be advised that they will not be progressed to stage two and given the reasons in writing Stage One - Preparation Course The preparation course is offered as part of the assessment process and needs to be undertaken in stage one. Two day preparation courses are held every other month. Where it is not possible to attend one in a reasonable time scale the assessing SW (A) will endeavour to access a place on a preparation group through the consortium. NMS 10.7,10.8, AAR Reg 24 It is led by members of the Adoption Team together with CAHMS LAAC. The course will help prospective adopters to: Understand issues of trauma and abuse and the effect on children s development and capacity to form secure attachments Consider Key parenting skills and strategies in parenting children who have experienced neglect and abuse and Understand identity issues for children and The role of contact, including online contact concerns Course leaders will provide a brief written report on each participant. Participants will be informed of this at the outset. The report will form part of the documentation that is considered by the Adoption Panel. Revised March

49 Action Participants will also outline their own learning and observations in writing as part of their adoption workbook and give feedback on the way the course was presented and the most useful presentations and exercises. Guidance Declining or Continuing the Assessment beyond Stage One If there is an adverse report on prospective adopters following the preparation course, or discussion with referees, or there are significant health or other concerns and TM [A] is considering a recommendation that the application should not proceed, the TM [A] should discuss the matter with the SM [A] before giving the prospective adopters the reasons for declining to continue with their application in writing. Prospective adopters must be advised by the TM (A) that they are eligible to use the West Sussex County Council complaints procedure at this point but they are not eligible for the IRM or presentation to panel through a brief report. They should be advised that they able to raise general concerns about the process with the National Gateway for Adoption, First4Adoption. All reasons for declining to continue to stage two should be carefully recorded. It is possible that completion of stage one may be delayed by: Overseas criminal record checks Queries over completed criminal record checks Health issues or Bereavement Where the SW (A) becomes aware of such an issue it must be discussed with the TM (A) and an extended time scale agreed. This must be recorded on the case record. Prospective adopters may request a break between stage one and two. There is a maximum time limit for the break of six months. If the break needs to continue beyond this the prospective adopters have to begin the whole process again. Where this occurs the prospective adopters should be offered a re-entry interview within five days and the new stage one plan should take account of previous work undertaken. The decision to accept the prospective adopters onto stage two of the process should be taken by the SW(A) in consultation with their supervisor and in more complex situations, either the TM(A) and/or the SM(A) Revised March

50 Action Guidance The TM(A) notifies the prospective adopters in writing that they are eligible to move on to stage two Stage Two Assessment and Report The SW (A) must complete Stage two of the assessment within four months. This includes presentation to panel and the Agency Decision. Regulation In exceptional circumstances this may be extended either because the prospective adopter requests it (bereavement, significant ill health) or because complications arise with completion of checks or similar. SW (A) must liaise with the Adoption Panel clerk about a possible suitable date for presentation to the Adoption Panel in order that an assessment plan can be drawn up accurately and agreed with the prospective adopters. A contract is drawn up between West Sussex as an adoption agency and the prospective adopters. This should include as a minimum: the times and dates of visits through to panel details of the areas to be discussed at each visit and Any training or reading which needs to be completed Details of the Independent Review Mechanism (IRM) Expectations of the adopters Adopters expectations of the agency The SW (A) must inform the prospective adopters about the role of the panel and the decision making process. If during stage two the SW [A] considers that there are sufficient concerns about the applicants which are either irresolvable or will not be resolved within a reasonable timescale and the TM [A] is in agreement, a Brief Report should be presented to the panel with the recommendation that the assessment is terminated. SW [A] will need to complete face to face interviews with the prospective adopter s two personal referees and a family referee and produce a written report of each of the interviews. SW (A) should summarise the written reference and the face to face interview to include in the report. SW [A] will complete a Prospective Adopters Report with applicants; covering areas required in AAR30 (1) and Parts 1, 2 and 3 of Schedule 4 of AAR The SW (A) will conduct interviews and discussions with Prospective adopters will have access to the Independent Review Mechanism. The quality of the references is crucial and the assessing social worker should ensure that both applicants have referees who know them individually and/or as a couple very well. References should not be from one party s friendship group only. Applicants should be kept informed of progress throughout the assessment and any difficulties should be openly shared at the earliest Revised March

51 Action the prospective adopters in their home. They will also interview any other members of the household. The SW should complete the report on the BAAF Parenting Assessment Report (PAR) 2013 The report must include: Individual profiles of all members of the household, including a photograph and physical description, racial origin, cultural and linguistic background, religious persuasion, personality and interests, relationship (if any) to the child; Information about the home, the local community and the neighbourhood; Details of education and employment - past and present; Income and expenditure; Details of past and present relationships; Motivation to adopt/childlessness; Parenting capacity, experience of being parented and experience with children; Support network, including wider family network; Views and feelings about adoption and its significance, attitudes to birth families and approach to openness in adoption and contact; Views about parental responsibility and what it means; Views about a suitable home environment for the child; Views about the importance and value of education; Views and feelings about the importance of a child s religious and cultural upbringing; Any other information which indicates how the prospective adopter and anybody else living in the household is likely to relate to a child placed for adoption; Any other relevant information which might assist the adoption panel or the adoption agency. Guidance stage. NMS 10.2 Note: SW [A] s completing assessments should be familiar with Preparing and Assessing prospective Adopters 2006 DfE and Undertaking an adoption assessment Elaine Dibben BAAF, 2013 As part of the assessment: A family tree and Chronology of key events in the applicant's life from birth must be compiled, showing his or her educational, employment, marital and/or relationship history for the past five years and addresses for the previous 10 years; any gaps and/or unusual patterns should be explored. All information provided by the applicant must be independently verified where possible by the SW (A) by checking it against other sources such as referees. The SW [A] is required to be objective and enquiring in their approach, information should be evaluated, and its accuracy and consistency checked. SW (A) must produce a report which limits narrative and uses analysis in order to substantiate a professional judgement regarding the Revised March

52 Action prospective adopters suitability. The assessing SW (A) will consider the likely need for adoption support services of the prospective adopters and any member of their family. As part of this, the family's finances and the criteria for financial support should also be discussed. The assessment will also cover the applicants' willingness to notify the adoption agency if the adopted child dies during childhood or soon afterwards, their views on postplacement and post-adoption contact and their willingness to pass on information to birth parents about the progress of the adopted child. These issues should be specifically reported on to the Adoption Panel. Guidance Note: SW [A] should ensure and advise that any prospective adopter has sufficient funding available to maintain them and the household, including an adopted child, for a period of three months. This rule of thumb acknowledges the possibility of unexpected illness/job loss etc. SW [A] completes: A Financial Statement Health and Safety Checklist Record of Documents Seen Consent to personal details to be sent to the Consortium; Where the family have a dog, a BAAF pet questionnaire should be completed Photographs of applicants should also be obtained and placed on the PAR. A second opinion visit will be undertaken by another member of the Adoption Service at the discretion of the supervising SW(A) to test out any matters they identify arising from the SW [A] s assessment. SW [A] passes completed Report to TM [A] for approval at the same time the draft report is sent to the panel adviser and also to the prospective adopters. This must be no less than two weeks (10 working days) prior to the adoption panel. The prospective adopters are advised that they have five days in which to read the report and make their comments. All amendments identified by the TM (A) must be completed during the five day period allowed for the prospective adopters to comment. Where the panel adviser has concerns about the report, they must immediately contact the TM(A) and the SW(A) Note: The applicants are not to be sent details from the personal referees or reports of the interviews with the referees or the medical reports. Any concerns must be addressed within the five day period offered to the adopters for comments. If concerns are serious and cannot be addressed within this time frame, the TM (A) and the panel adviser must Revised March

53 Action consider whether the prospective adopter s panel slot should be rebooked for another date while the work is completed. Any delays will have to be accounted for and should only occur in exceptional circumstances at this stage. Guidance The PAR must then be passed to the panel administrator for distribution to panel members and the agency decision maker. The SW(A) must send in addition to the report: The prospective adopters comments if separate from the report The medical reports if the medical adviser recommends they are included The references If the prospective adopters live in another local authority area, any written information supplied by the local authority about the prospective adopters and Any other relevant information obtained by the agency. Panel packs must be sent out five working days before panel Stage Two - Adoption Panel and Agency Decision The prospective adopters must be invited to attend the panel. The SW(A) must inform them that they are not obliged to meet the panel and advise them that the panel is an opportunity for them to directly discuss any questions which panel may have in relation to the report. The panel must make a recommendation to the agency as to whether a prospective adopter is suitable to adopt a child and they have a duty to consider all the information passed to them. The adoption panel recommends that the prospective adopter is suitable to adopt a child and can give advice on the kind of child or children the prospective adopter may be suitable to adopt. Advice from the panel is not prescriptive. The Panel makes a recommendation to the adoption agency. Stat Guidance 2013 ch.1 See Appendix 1 Adoption Panel Procedures The outcome of the Adoption Panel is notified orally to the prospective adopters by the Panel Chair on the day of the Panel. The panel may also recommend that a prospective adopter is not suitable to adopt and must give clear reasons as to why this is their view. The Agency Decision Maker makes the decision in respect of the suitability of the prospective adopters to adopt a child. In doing so they take account of the panel s Farmer E. and Dance C. (2010) Adoption Research Initiative study: an investigation of family finding and matching in adoption, suggests that adopters might respond to stretching in respect of their preferences when making a match. Revised March

54 Action recommendation and their reasons. The ADM may also wish to comment on the advice the panel may have given. The prospective adopters should be informed orally of the agency decision by their SW [A] within 2 working days and written confirmation should be sent within 5 working days. The SW (A) must provide the prospective adopters with information about the role of the Adoption Register and give them the website address as soon as they are approved Fast Track Approval Foster carers approved under the Fostering Services (England) Regulations 2011 wishing to adopt a child already placed with them and people who have previously adopted a child having been approved in accordance with the Adoption Agency Regulations 2005, must be treated as eligible for a fast track assessment process. The fast track process will start at stage two and incorporate any relevant elements of stage one training and development work into a concentrated four month process. The assessing SW (A) must draw up an assessment plan as previously described. Where an adopter or foster carer was approved within the last three years the SW (A) should re-interview the referees by telephone only. A report from the health visitor or school will be required. Guidance Note: NMS 17.2 requires 6 monthly reports from panel on performance (against timescales) and quality, to be presented to the executive(elected members) AAR F There is no requirement to offer counselling, information, or preparation. The First4Adoption website contains useful information and Adoption Passport: A support guide for Adopters If the adopter was approved more than two years ago the DBS check together with new medicals should be sought. The SW (A) must explain to foster carers that despite the fact that they are likely to wish to adopt a specific child the adoption assessment will consider their suitability to adopt generally and their suitability for a particular child will be considered as part of the matching Timescales for prospective adopters Where a potential applicant requests more detailed information about adoption, this information should be provided within ten working days; Note: The assessment report must focus on how well the foster carers are meeting the needs of all the children in the household including the needs of the child they wish to adopt. Their abilities as parents and foster carers will form a critical part of the evidence of their suitability or otherwise. Where a potential adopter formally registers an interest in adopting a child, a decision should be reached within five working days from receipt of the registration of interest whether or not to accept this, Revised March

55 Action unless there are exceptional circumstances which mean that longer is needed; The adoption agency must gather Stage One information and make a pre-assessment decision as to whether the prospective adopter may be, or is not, suitable to adopt a child, within a period of eight weeks from the date on which the prospective adopter registered their interest in adopting a child (unless there are good reasons to extend that time period.) If the time period is extended, the reasons must be recorded on the prospective adopter s case record, along with supporting evidence; Where the pre-assessment decision (Stage One) is that the prospective adopter might be suitable to adopt a child, the prospective adopter has six months in which to notify the agency if they wish to proceed to Stage Two the Assessment Stage; The decision as to whether the prospective adopter is suitable to adopt a child must be made within four months of the date on which the agency received the prospective adopter s notification that they wish to proceed with the assessment process (six months if there are exceptional circumstances); Under the fast-track procedure for approved foster carers and previous adopters who wish to adopt, the decision as to whether the prospective adopter is suitable to adopt a child must be made within four months of the date on which the prospective adopter registered their interest in adopting a child Post Approval The prospective adopters details must be passed to the National Register within three months of their approval unless they are linked with a child. SW [A] should undertake visits not less than every 6 months [where a child has not been placed] and provide a written report of the visit and matters of note that have occurred in the intervening period. Guidance Stat Guidance July 2013 ch 3 states that where possible the adoption agency should start to think about potential matches during the approval process. Post approval can be a useful time for prospective adopters to attend further training to develop skills and understanding of the parenting task. The prospective adopters may begin to reflect more widely on the characteristics of the child they may wish to parent. Applicants should be encouraged to start attending support groups prior to placement in order to build their adopter network. Updates on approved applicants will be presented to the Adoption Panel every 6 months. Where applicants have not had a placement within 2 years Revised March

56 Action a further adoption medical should be arranged. CRB, Probation, Health Visitor checks should be undertaken again after 2 years and interviews with personal referees should be repeated. Annual reviews must be undertaken and should address why no placement has been made to date. Any changes in circumstance must be considered and explored and the prospective adopters continuing suitability determined. Where there has been a significant change of circumstances, such as a placement disruption, the details of the disruption meeting should be presented to the adoption panel and an early review arranged. Where the SW [A] and TM [A] (acting as the agency) are satisfied that the prospective adopter remains suitable they should inform the prospective adopter and record the continued approval and reasons on the case file. Where the information gathered suggests that the prospective adopters may no longer be suitable to adopt a child, the SW [A], in consultation with TM [A] must: Prepare a written report [the prospective adopters review report ] which will include the reasons for lack of suitability; Notify the prospective adopters that their case will be referred to the Adoption Panel; Give the prospective adopters a copy of the report, inviting them to send any observations to the agency within 10 working days beginning with the date on which the report is sent. At the end of the 10 working day period the agency must send the prospective adopters review report together with the prospective adopters comments to the Adoption Panel. The prospective adopters must be invited to the adoption panel and offered the opportunity to make representation to the panel should they wish to. The Adoption Panel must consider these reports and make a recommendation to the agency as to whether the prospective adopters continue to be suitable to adopt a child Unsuccessful applications It may become clear during stage two of the assessment process that the prospective adopters are not suitable. The reasons for this view must be clearly stated and where possible discussed openly and honestly, giving the applicants the opportunity to withdraw. Guidance AAR 29[2] Note: Annual reviews are reported to panel. Where a disruption has occurred the disruption report must be sent to panel and time set aside for discussion and learning. AAR 30D[4] AAR 29[5] AAR 29[8] AAR 27[4] It may be that information has been given through a reference which indicates a serious problem and this cannot be shared without the consent of the referee. In Revised March

57 Action this instance the SW (A) can only say that as a consequence of information obtained from checks the assessment cannot proceed. A brief report should be prepared and presented to the panel. The panel may either agree that the assessment should be terminated for the reasons outlined in the report or they may recommend that a full assessment is completed. Guidance See: Effective Adoption Panels Jennifer Lord and Deborah Cullen BAAF 2013 Page 46 The adoption agency decision maker (ADM) may agree with any panel recommendation or they may come to a different conclusion and make their decision accordingly. The ADM may consider that the prospective adopters are not suitable to adopt a child, either following the presentation of a brief report to the adoption panel, or following completion of the assessment process and presentation to panel. The ADM may also consider that prospective adopters are no longer suitable after a review which has been presented to the adoption panel. In any of these circumstances the ADM must: Notify the prospective adopters in writing with their reasons, (a qualifying determination ) together with a copy of the recommendations of the Adoption Panel, if that recommendation is different; Advise the prospective adopters that they have 40 working days from the date the notification was sent, to respond by either, accepting the determination, or by submitting any representations to the Agency, or to apply to the Secretary of State for a review by an independent review panel. If, within the period of 40 working days, the prospective adopters have not made any representations or applied to the Secretary of State for a review by an independent review panel, the ADM must proceed to make their decision and notify the prospective adopters in writing of the decision together with the reasons. If within the 40 day period the ADM receives further representation from the prospective adopters it may refer the case together with all relevant information to the Adoption Panel for further consideration. If the agency receives notice from the Secretary of State that a prospective adopter has applied for a review by an independent review panel it must, within 10 days of receipt of that notification, send the documentation required in AAR 28[2]. The IRM receives all the information presented to the adoption panel and may request further information. It does not have a copy of the minutes. The assessing SW (A) and the TM (A) will be invited to AAR 27[5] AAR 27[6] Independent Review Mechanism Revised March

58 Action attend the IRM panel together with the prospective adopters. Both sides will be heard. The IRM sends its recommendation and minutes to the ADM who makes the final decision Inter-Country Adoption Where an enquiry is made regarding intercountry adoption the potential adopters must be advised about domestic adoption and the duty SW (A) must make an effort to dispel some of the myths regarding adoption in the UK. Where the potential adopter wishes to pursue an intercountry adoption they should be advised that this area of work is not undertaken directly by the Adoption Agency and is now undertaken on behalf of West Sussex by PACT Financial Support in adoption Financial support should be considered where it would facilitate the adoption of a child who would otherwise be unlikely to be adopted. SW and or SW [A] should make an assessment for adoption support services prior to matching. Financial support should be considered as part of that overall assessment. Prospective adopters need to be made aware that financial support is means tested and should regular or periodic financial support be offered, such payments will be reviewed annually. Preliminary discussions must be held with SM[A] PRIOR to any other action and no undertakings or offer of any commitment on behalf of the Agency may be given to prospective adopters without the agreement of the SM[A] Financial support arrangements must be agreed before the match is presented to panel where possible. Financial support may be paid where one of the following circumstances exists: a) where the child has not been placed with the adoptive parents for adoption, and financial support is necessary to ensure that the adoptive parents can look after the child if placed with them; b) where the child has been placed with the adoptive parents for adoption, and financial support is necessary to ensure that the adoptive parents can continue to look after the child; c) where the child has been adopted, and financial support is necessary to ensure that the adoptive parents can continue to look after the child; Guidance Parents and Children Together Oxford Diocesan Council for Social Work, 7 Southern Court, South St, Reading RG1 4QS or through the website ASSR 2005 Part 3 Request for financial assessment must be detailed in writing, with details of the financial circumstances of the prospective (or actual) adopters together with the needs of the child(ren).entitlement to state benefits and tax credits must be established before any request for financial support is made. See Department of Work and Pensions website: Web Links Refer to the Agency s policy Financial Support in Adoption Appendix 2 Financial support can be provided at any time from the time a child is placed until he or she reaches their majority, unless they remain in full time education in which case it may continue until they reach the age of 21 years. Support may be in the form of regular, periodic or oneoff payments. The duration Revised March

59 Action d) where the local authority are satisfied that the child has established a strong and important relationship with the adoptive parent before the adoption order is made; e) where it is desirable that the child be placed with the same adoptive parent as his brother or sister (whether of the full blood or half blood), or with a child with whom he has previously shared a home; f) where the child needs special care which requires a greater expenditure of resources by reason of illness, disability, emotional or behavioural difficulties or the continuing consequences of past abuse or neglect; g) Where on account of the age, sex or ethnic origin of the child it is necessary for the local authority to make special arrangements to facilitate the placement of the child for adoption. In determining the amount of financial support the local authority will take into account: a) any recommendations made by the adoption panel; b) the financial resources available to the adoptive parents including child tax credit and any other financial benefit which would be available in respect of the child if the child lived with them; c) the amount required by the adoptive parents in respect of their reasonable outgoings and commitments (excluding outgoings in respect of the child); d) The financial needs and resources of the child. Guidance and frequency and size of any regular or periodic payments will be determined by the Authority in consultation with the adoptive family. Any needs indicated at the time of placement should be highlighted in the Child s Adoption Plan upon which Panel can comment at linking. The payment of financial support is no longer dependent on Panel although it is likely that Panel will comment on the arrangements for support. Specific conditions on the financial support offered may be ACA 2002 Reg 12 imposed. Prospective adopters will be required to inform the local authority if there is a change in financial circumstances and will supply an annual statement of financial circumstances Step-parent and relative adoptions See Practice Notes 4: Step parent and relative adoption An adoption order may be made on the application of one person if the court is satisfied that the person is a partner of the parent of the person to be adopted. The effect is that the step-parent becomes an adoptive parent, whilst the birth parent retains his or her status. All enquiries go through the central duty system and then passed to locality office relevant to referral. Following receipt of written notification of applicants, the authority will appoint a social worker from CYPS. The SW will: give advice and guidance as to the care of the child as appropriate; ACA 2002 s51[2] This removes the previous anomaly of the birth parent being required to make a joint application with the step-parent to adopt his own child. As a preliminary requirement the child must have had his/her home with the stepparent at all times in the 6 months preceding the Revised March

60 Action advise the couple as to the need for the court to be satisfied that an adoption order is appropriate and to report on the couple s preference for adoption as opposed to a residence order; the applicants are required to lodge an application with the court at this stage; undertake CRB checks in respect of the stepparent; ensure the well-being of the child by visiting and seeing him/her with the applicants, at a frequency to be determined by the SW; Prepare a report for the court in accordance with Annex A of the Family Procedure [Adoption] Rules The SW must ascertain the wishes of all persons with parental responsibility and, if the child is of an age and understanding, to assess their views. Guidance application. ACA 2002 s44[2][3] The social worker must explore with the applicant that he or she has fully considered the alternatives to step adoption. It is not the role of the authority or the SW to give legal advice. If there are legal matters that require clarification, the applicant should be advised to seek independent legal advice. If those with parental responsibility are in agreement to the application the court will appoint a CAFCASS officer to witness the signing of the consent form. If such agreement does not occur or the whereabouts of any person with P.R. is not known, the court will appoint a children s guardian to investigate further and report. SW must provide the court with three copies of a written report within six weeks of receiving notice of the hearing from the Court. This report must cover all matters set out in Annex A. Revised March

61 Practice Notes 1: Counselling prior to baby s birth 1. First interview 1.1 It is important to explore the mother s position and circumstances and to ascertain her wishes and feelings regarding alternative to adoption, and to adoption itself. 1.2 Issues of confidentiality must be discussed as a matter of course including the need for full disclosure of information to the agency. This is necessary to assist the agency in the selection of adoptive families and to assist the adoptive family in telling the child about the circumstances of his/her birth and adoption, as s/he grows and matures, and to assist the child as an adult if s/he decides to seek more information on his/her origins. 1.3 The adoption procedures must be explained step by step. 1.4 It must be explained that the mother does not commit herself to adoption until after the baby is born and then only after the baby is 6 weeks old. She retains parental responsibility until the making of an adoption order. 1.5 The legal position at various stages of the process, including her rights and responsibilities and section 8 orders, particularly contact orders, the role of the CAFCASS children s guardian or reporting officer, placement orders and how to obtain legal advice if required must all be explained. 1.6 An explanation must also be given about the fact that she can make her wishes known in respect of the type of family she desires including the nature and level of contact with the child/adopters and her wishes regarding religion, language culture and race. But she must realise that the final selection rests with the Adoption Agency. Contact after an adoption order is made in the best interests of the child, and at the discretion of the adopters, unless a contact order is in force. 1.7 Arrangements can be made for the mother to visit the booked foster home before the birth, if this will be helpful. 1.8 It is important to explain that the birth father must be interviewed if he has parental responsibility, if not, he should still be interviewed unless strongly counterindicated. 1.9 Any other person with parental responsibility must also be interviewed. 2. Birth father 2.1 Adoption Agency Regulations require the agency to counsel the birth father, provide him with information about adoption and advise him of his rights. There may however, be circumstances where this is impracticable and/or not in the child s best interests; e.g. where the father is married, or where the child was conceived as a result of rape. The mother may not know or choose to disclose the identity of the father; she should be helped to understand however, the need to supply as much background and medical information as possible. 2.2 The birth father will only be required to sign an agreement to an adoption order if he has obtained parental responsibility. Revised March

62 2.3 If he is liable to contribute towards the child s maintenance by a court order or by agreement, he is a respondent to the adoption application and can be heard in the adoption proceedings. 2.4 Even if neither of the above applies, the children s guardian or reporting officer may inform the court that the father wishes to request that his views be heard and the court may make him a respondent. 2.5 If, for any reason, the birth father cannot be interviewed, the circumstances must be clearly recorded on the case file and in the subsequent Annexe A report to the court. 3. Husband of mother 3.1 If the mother is married, her husband must be interviewed and counselled regardless of the paternity of the child. His wishes about the proposed adoption must be ascertained and if he is not in agreement, he must be asked what alternative he proposes. If the child was conceived extra-martially when the mother and her husband were living together, the husband is presumed to be the father of the child, and his agreement to the adoption is required, or must be dispensed with. 3.2 The mother may make a statement to the court that the husband is NOT the father. If it is unsure, the court may order DNA tests. If the court finds that the mother s husband is not the father, the birth father should be interviewed. In this case the husband s agreement to the adoption is not required but his wishes and feelings should be ascertained. 4. Mother under 16 years of age 4.1 Where the mother is under 16, she must be counselled as to the need to interview her parents (this also applies to birth father s parents if he too is under 16). Her/his parents must be fully counselled as under FIRST INTERVIEW above, and sign to acknowledge receipt of the leaflet. 4.2 The SW/TM must consider with the Assessment CP Coordinator what action is necessary under the Child Protection Procedures. 5. Subsequent interviews 5.1 All discussions held in the first interview must be confirmed and recorded in detail. 5.2 It is important to discuss what alternatives there might be to adoption, including what help would be available if she decided to keep the baby. The question as to why she feels adoption is the best choice must also be addressed. 5.3 It is imperative to make sure that she understands the nature of adoption which is that it is permanent and that the child will have access to his/her birth records at the age of The SW should check that she has thought about a birth experience plan. Questions to include: Who, if anyone, she would like to be present at the birth? Revised March

63 Does she want to see and handle the baby at and after birth or subsequently in hospital? An article by Christine Cooper Seeing the Baby is a helpful reference. It is important that the mother cannot have the opportunity to deny she has had a baby. It is also important, for her future well being, that she has the opportunity to check the baby s health and development. How would she like the hand over to pre adoptive foster carers to be handled? Would she like photographs of herself/and or the baby at birth? What role, if any, will the grandparents play? 5.5 It is important for the SW to begin to draw up a profile of the type of adoptive family the mother would like, bearing in mind the agency s ultimate responsibility regarding the best interests of the child. Revised March

64 Practice Notes 2: Guidelines for social worker and midwifery services Guidelines for a baby who may be adopted 1. Referral for Adoption 1.1 Referrals are likely to come from the midwives/ante-natal clinic or other health professionals to the child care duty. This should be as early on in the pregnancy as possible. If there is time before the birth, the birth parents can then be seen by the child s social worker to determine an outline plan. 1.2 Brief notes on background, confirmation that adoption is likely and the extent that a birth mother wishes to be involved in the care of her baby on the ward, should be sent to the relevant midwife. These details can then be included in the birth plan. 1.3 Although some babies are placed directly with adopters, once the birth mother has given informal consent, some babies relinquished for adoption will be accommodated under Section 20 of the Children Act 89. They would then be placed in a pre-adoption foster placement. (When a child is accommodated the parental responsibility remains with the birth mother and in certain circumstances the birth father.) Confidentiality is not likely to be an issue, unless there are very particular circumstances amounting to a child being at risk, in which case any whereabouts of the child would be withheld from the birth parents. 1.4 Otherwise foster carers will know the family name and background of any child placed with them (as would adopters). 1.5 Birth parents would not know the whereabouts of adopters. When a baby is being placed with adopters directly from hospital, the hospital will need their name and address so that the midwife, health visitor or GP can visit. However this must be regarded as highly confidential and not revealed to the birth parent. 2. Where a baby may be adopted following pre birth Child Protection concerns 2.1 Where there are significant concerns about a birth mother during pregnancy it is likely that the unborn baby will be subject to a child protection plan prebirth. 2.2 Part of that plan may be an application to Court to initiate care proceedings immediately after birth and separation from mother s care after birth 2.3 Where this applies, the good practice points suggested in this practice note should be incorporated into the practice of the professionals involved subject to the requirements of the CP plan. 2.4 In such situations, the professional team must give some consideration to fostering for adoption (see relevant section) See West Sussex Child Protection Procedures Pre Birth Conferences Revised March

65 3. Birth Details 3.1 Baby will require own set of notes. 3.2 The birth mother may choose to be involved in the care of her baby. The extent of her involvement should be entirely her own choice. If she chooses not to be involved the baby can be cared for by the hospital until fit for discharge. The midwife should refer to the mother s wishes on the birth plan and check out those wishes with the birth mother. The baby will need to be labelled in the delivery room with birth mother present. 3.3 Counselling of the birth mother is undertaken by the social worker, who is likely to know her already. Further advice from midwifery staff can be confusing for the birth mother. The social worker can be contacted if problems arise in hospital. Such work will continue after discharge, enabling the birth parents to arrive at a decision regarding the long term care of their child. It should be noted that the days following the birth of a baby are not necessarily decision time and should not be regarded as such. 3.4 Should the birth mother decide to keep her baby the usual assistance will be given to establish bonding and a good feeding routine before discharge. 3.5 Any visitors to the baby should only take place with prior permission of the birth mother. 3.6 Nappies and clothing will be provided by birth mother for hospital stay. (Her social worker will advise the birth mother). 3.7 Baby at this point is accommodated (see above.). As part of this mother will have given permission for certain medical procedures (see consent form on baby s notes, attached and retained) having discussed these procedures with the midwife. 3.8 Any baby requiring medical attention will be cared for in the usual manner on S.C.B.U. and staff should check that birth mother has given medical consent for treatment. 3.9 On discharge of birth mother, retain mother s notes. Include the baby s notes for cross reference purposes. Name bands and cot cards to be retained for the social worker for the baby. Social worker should take photos of the ward, baby s cot and staff that cared for them, if staff give their permission The social worker will assist the birth mother (and father if he wishes) in registering the birth. Note, under the Adoption and Children Act 2002 the birth father acquires parental responsibility when registering the baby with the mother Forms M/B (replaces B1, B2 & B3) to be sent to relevant obstetrician. These will then go to the paediatric office/administration on completion and the secretary will return forms to the child s social worker On discharge, postnatal letter to health visitor to be made out in full names and given to foster carer (or adoptive parents, should this be a direct placement) with instructions on the envelope to take to GP surgery within 24 hours of discharge. Revised March

66 3.13 Midwifery manager, GP, health visitor, midwives receive details of placement for discharge purposes. Social worker to leave these details on ward at time of discharge In circumstances where the baby is to be placed directly in the care of the prospective adopters, under no circumstances should any information about the adopters be given to the birth parents Guthrie test and Vitamin K to be completed in birth name and ward staff should check that birth mother has given permission for any medical treatment (see pro-forma below) Liaise with child s or duty officer. 4. Discharge 4.1 Copy of cot card and name band are to be given to social worker for prospective adopters and birth mother. 4.2 Foster carer may need to be involved with the baby s care prior to discharge. The discharge plan must be discussed between the social worker and ward staff. 4.3 Under no circumstances can a baby be discharged to a foster carer or adopter without a social worker being present. 4.4 The discharge address will be entered on records and hospital computers. Revised March

67 Practice Notes 3: Check list for a later life letter 1. Introduction 1.1 Later Life Letters are written by the child's social worker in conjunction with the adopters' social worker and are given to prospective adopters before the Adoption Order is made. The expectation is that the letter will be given to the child at an appropriate time after the Adoption Order is made. The timing of the passing of the letter to the child will be considered at the placement planning stage and at subsequent adoption review. 1.2 Examples of good practice are available in the adoption team who should be contacted for guidance as early as possible. 2. Purpose 2.1 The Later Life Letter gives the child an explanation of why he/she was adopted and the reasons and actions that led up to this decision being made. This should include, whenever possible, the people involved in this decision, and the facts at that time. 2.2 The child is the focus of the letter and it must be remembered when writing the letter that the child has a need to know why he/she was placed for adoption. This is important information and it must be a true account of the process even if it is a painful story. 2.3 The letter is a first hand account of pre-adoption events, aimed at an older child and couched in adult language, quite different from the life story narrative, and which addresses the central fact that when they are older, adopted people usually have questions they would like to ask about their early life. The letters are used: On social work files to be read by the adopted person when seeking information/counselling later on in life As a tool for adopters to use when their child wants and is able to accept a more detailed understanding of their birth family history. Style of letter Use first person narrative Objective and unsentimental but warm tone Recall facts and offer explanation and reasons Avoid social work jargon, assumptions and the generalised phrases Funny stories and amusing anecdotes about or recounted by adopted person could be included. Revised March

68 The Introduction 1. Explain who you are, how long you were involved and whether information in letter was through first hand knowledge, or from another social worker who you need to name. 2. Start with when you first met their birth parents and include which other members of the birth family you have met. 3. Say when you first met them, briefly describing the circumstances, say what they looked like (when you last saw them). 4. Say why you are writing the letter, such as you may have questions that you want answered by someone who was there at the time. 5. Say there is a file with information on it, should they want to see it. 6. Conclude with information about adoption support service. The key questions that need answering What was mother like? What was father like? Descriptions and personality When you met them Describe them in a rounded objective way. Don t just talk about their difficulties. Talk about their interests which may include watching soaps, using Facebook etc What were the problems? 7. Specify birth mother s and birth fathers personal and parenting problems/difficulties. 8. Offer an explanation as to why they had these problems, if you can. 9. Why these problems were insurmountable and what help was available to them? 10. Were both birth parents involved and only one? If only one present give details of efforts made to trace absent birth parent. 11. What was the role of the extended family? 12. If there were mental health issues give diagnosis and link to parents behaviour. If you can give simple explanation of problem do so (otherwise leave for adopters/young person to locate specialist advice). 13. Do not leave out difficult areas mental health, drugs, prostitution, sexual abuse etc. It is important that this information doesn t come as a shock and cause resentment if or when they find out later. Were there significant others in the past? 1. Who were they teacher, neighbour, foster parent, grandmother and so on? 2. What did they do to help? Revised March

69 Coming into care family breakdown 1. Why did birth mother relinquish child for adoption? 2. Why Children and Young Peoples Services applied to the court for and order so that the child came into care below minimum acceptable standards of parenting, other significant harm etc specify. Do not water down or omit unpleasant facts it could make decision seem odd or unbelievable. 3. Were there repeated episodes in care or one explosive event? What effects any family disruption and difficulty had on the child whilst in the birth family. Whether birth parents accepted the view of social workers or opposed their application? This opposition can be viewed as a positive attempt to keep child even though unable to care from them adequately. 4. What did social worker do to support birth parent in caring for their child why did it not work? 5. Birth Parents reaction to child s adoption sadness, relief, both? 6. How child reacted to separation at time of event and afterwards. 7. Say if they were happier after being in care relieved or whatever, coming after facts of breakdown and stressful family life, this can help dispel guilty feelings. 8. Did birth parents visit frequently or rarely and any observations on that pattern? 9. Did other siblings remain at home? If so, why? these will be individual reasons. 10. Contact with birth siblings continued or if stopped why? If separated, why? 11. Brief description of legal process there may have been a protracted period of gathering evidence, or awaiting hearing during which they may have had distressing experiences explain why action was not taken sooner and where the delays were. 12. Did birth parents oppose care order? Why, why not? 13. Did birth parents oppose adoption order, Why, why not? Adoption 1. How the adoptive parents were chosen, why they wanted to care for the child, who agreed to the linking, whether they were consulted and if not why not etc. 2. Information about the first meeting of the adopters and how introductions were planned, how they settled in, whether trust came soon, took time. Ending 1. Try and avoid petering out, or flat ending 2. Those are the facts, I have left nothing out 3. Satisfaction at seeing child settle in, any positive effects of stability, security and new attachments that you saw 4. Wishing well for future etc. 5. The Adoption Support Service can be contacted at County Hall North, Chartway, Horsham etc include phone no. [email protected] staff would always be pleased to hear from you. Revised March

70 Practice Notes 4: Step-Parent and Relative Adoption Contents 1. The role of the Local Authority. 2. Application to adopt by Parent and Step-parent or relative. 3. Relative Adoptions. 4. Annex A reports refer to page Records. 1. Role of the Local Authority 1.1 The role of the Local Authority in these applications is: To give advice and guidance as to the care of the child and inform applicants of alternative procedures, e.g. Special Guardianship, Residence Orders. To ensure the well-being of the child by visiting the home. To prepare reports for the Court in connection with all such applications, in accordance with Annex 2 of Practice Directions of Family Procedure [Adoption] Rules ACA 2002 enables a step-parent or partner to adopt as a single applicant. The effect is that the step-parent becomes the adoptive parent, whilst the birth parent retains his or her status. This removes the previous anomaly of the birth parent being required to make a joint application with the step-parent to adopt his own child. 1.3 The applicants must notify in writing the Local Authority of their intention to apply for an Adoption Order. It is not the role of the Local Authority to obtain agreements or to give legal advice. However, it is appropriate for the Local Authority to ascertain the wishes of all persons with parental responsibility and, if of an age to understand, to ascertain the views of the child. These should be incorporated into the report to the Court. The Court will appoint a CAFCASS Officer to witness the formal agreement of all those with parental responsibility. 1.4 Parental responsibility is held by all legal parents. (i.e. those who are or have been married to each other). It is also held by a father not married to the mother but whose name appears of the birth certificate; or where there is a Court Order or Agreement conferring such responsibility (e.g. a Residence Order) and by any other person by reason of a Court Order. 1.5 If anyone with parental responsibility is not in agreement with the adoption, the applicants must be advised to consult a solicitor. They are responsible for producing the evidence on which the Court might be asked to dispense with agreement. Revised March

71 2. Initial Contact 2.1 On receipt of a written application by parent and stepparent or relative to adopt a child the usual referral process is taken. The written application must be signed by the applicant[s] and contain the child s name and date of birth. A Contact Information Form SSP 214 should be completed and checks made via CIS to see if the child or applicants are known to Adult s and Children s Services. If they are not, computer reference numbers are allocated and details entered onto CIS. An acknowledgement letter is sent. A file should be then be opened and passed to the Team Manager for allocation to a Social Worker. 2.2 The Social Worker should arrange a preliminary visit with the applicants in writing. Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) Disclosure forms and Consent to Share Information form SSP388 should be completed during the first visit. (Documentation seen may also be used to evidence information in the Annex A Court Report.) 2.3 When a parent and stepparent seek advice about adopting their child, it should be kept in mind that adoption may not be the most suitable option (see BAAF booklet on step-parent adoption). Alternatives such as residence orders, special guardianship orders or a change of name should be explored and their advantages and disadvantages compared with adoption. If a contact order is to be sought, this needs to be fully discussed with the prospective adopters and with the child in order that they understand the wishes and feelings of the natural parents with whom the child will no longer live. 2.4 Applications should be treated with considerable caution where: the applicants relationship is very short-lived and there are misgivings about the stability of their relationship; the child is old enough to remember living with his/her birth parent or is having contact with him or her; the birth parent or his or her family live in the locality; the birth parent or his or her family continue to take an interest in the child; there are indications that the application has been made for the wrong reason, e.g. to exclude the birth parent; to consolidate the applicants marriage. It will sometimes be appropriate in such cases to make a negative recommendation to the court. 2.5 Applications are more likely to be recommended where: the child has been in the care of the applicants for several years and has an excellent relationship with the step parent. the birth parent has died, the birth parent has consistently over a period of years shown no interest in the child. 2.6 If the social worker regards the home environment as harmful or potentially harmful to the child, or considers that the child s adoptive parents are unfit to care for the child, the worker should immediately speak to their line manager and consider what course of action to take. 2.7 If the initial enquiries indicate that adoption is obviously inappropriate or unlawful the worker will immediately consult with their Line Manager. Revised March

72 2.8 If the applicants decide to go ahead with adoption they should notify the local authority in writing of their intention to apply for an adoption order in respect of the child. 2.9 Notification must include full names and addresses of applicants, the child s full name and date of birth, and his or her relationship to the applicants. It must be signed by each applicant, if both partners are making the application It is the duty of every local authority to ensure that relevant children within their area are visited from time to time by a Social Worker; to satisfy themselves as to the well being of the children and give advice as to their care and maintenance as may appear to be needed Applicants should be advised that their Health Visitor and /or child s school will be contacted for a reference and they may wish to discuss this with the relevant people in advance Applicants should be advised at the outset that while they have a right to pursue their application, the making of an adoption order is not a formality Applicants should be reminded of the availability of legal advice from a solicitor which may be helpful to them and will be necessary if the application is contested by the birth parent or the applicants take issue with the report of the local authority The supervising social worker who is notified of the proposed adoption must let the court have three copies of a written report within six weeks of receiving notice of the hearing from the Court. This report must cover all matters set out in Annex A see Practice Notes In step parent adoptions there may be little information readily available for the preparation of the Annex A report and the applicants may not appreciate the significance of the inquiries. There may be a lot to do in a short time gathering all the background information and interviewing other parties. The court should be informed if you think you need more time Before the social worker completes the Annex A report, work may need to be undertaken with the child concerning his life story. It is also helpful to a child if letters of origin from the birth parent and from other close relatives he is not living with can be given to the child or be available to the child as he/she grows up. It is very important for children to be kept in touch with their past when they have been adopted Sufficient visits must be made in order to prepare a detailed report for the court. This must include seeing the child and each applicant separately Applicants must be made aware that following checks will be made and that the nature of the application will be explained to health visitors and/or schools: Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) (including all members of the household aged 16 or over); Local Authority; Health Visitor (under 5 s) Schools (over 5 s) Revised March

73 NB Applicants must be advised that a child/ren must be aware of his/her circumstances in relation to the proposed adoption according to his/her age and understanding Personal references and medical reports are not required but applicants need to be informed that the social worker will be contacting the other parent to ascertain his/her wishes and feelings about the application Step parent adoption applications are heard in the Family Proceedings Court, or in the County Court Following completion of the CRB check forms the applicants may lodge their application with the court. Three copies of the completed application form and the required enclosures such as the child s full birth certificate, marriage certificate, decree absolute, etc., will be required, as well as a set fee payable to the court by the applicants It is the applicants responsibility for the agreement forms for the birth parents to be completed if the birth parent resides outside England and Wales. Otherwise the birth parent s signature will be witnesses by the Guardian appointed by the court after the application form has been lodged with the court and a hearing date given The social worker should attend the court hearing with the applicants, the child and the applicants solicitor if one is involved If the adoption order is granted, the child s original birth certificate is retained by the court and an adoption certificate will be sent to the applicants in due course After closure, the file is to be sent to the Adoption Clerk at Durban House and kept like other adoption files for 100 years. 3. Relative Adoptions 3.1 The term relative for this purpose includes a grandparent, brother, sister, uncle, aunt, whether of the whole blood or by half-blood or by affinity, and where the child is illegitimate the putative father and any person who would be a relative if the child were a legitimate child of his mother and father. 3.2 An application to adopt by a relative is problematic. It can lead to difficulties for the child and confusion of relationships within the family; e.g. if the child is adopted by his birth grandparents, his birth mother becomes his sister by adoption. The adoptive parents may have difficulty giving the child information about his background. Relatives do however have the right to apply to adopt if they wish to do so in spite of advice to the contrary. The court must then decide whether adoption is in the child s best interests or whether the matter would be better dealt with by an application for Special Guardianship or a Residence Order 3.3 Where the applicant is a relative of the child or the child was placed in pursuance of an order of the High Court, an adoption order cannot be made unless the child is at least 19 weeks old and at all times during the preceding 10 weeks has had his home with the applicant or one of them. 3.4 If the social worker regards the home environment as harmful or potential harmful to the child, or considers that the child s adoptive parents are unfit to care for the Revised March

74 child, the worker should immediately speak to their line manager and consider what course of action to take. 3.5 If the initial enquiries indicate that adoption is obviously inappropriate or unlawful the worker will immediately consult with their line manager. 3.6 Where neither of the prospective adopters is a parent of the child, a medical report is required on each of the applicants and on the child. The reports must be provided by a registered medical practitioner and the cost of obtaining these reports is the responsibility of the prospective adopters. Copies of each medical report must be lodged with the court. NB These medical reports are only valid for 12 weeks. 3.7 Local Authority and CRB checks and two personal references will be taken up. The personal referees will be interviewed by the social worker. 3.8 In all other aspects the procedure to be followed is the same as the procedure for the stepparent applications. 4. Annex A Reports 4.1 Annex A reports are required when: An adoption agency has placed a child for adoption. A local authority has been notified that a person or couple in their area intend to apply for an adoption order [under Section 22(2)]. An application is made for a step parent and relative adoptions The information required in the report is outlined in detail in Annex A which is found in Practice Directions of the Family Procedure [Adoption] Rules 2005, and is reproduced below An Annex A report is designed to inform the court of all the important details about the child and his/her birth family, and also about the prospective adopter(s). It sometimes seems to the social worker as if the amount of detail required is excessive and repetitive, but the schedule is designed to cover the court s needs in all possible cases, and any of it may be vital when it comes to a hearing. In addition, the report asks the local authority to explain its actions or investigations in the case, and set out its opinions and conclusions for the court to consider The report is different from a report by a Guardian particularly in that it sets out the local authority s position. The Guardian must then comment on that. Also, the Guardian must scrutinise the Annex A report, and give the court a second opinion, which may vary from that of the local authority. 4.2 When are reports needed? Annex A reports are needed from social workers employed by the local authority, in adoption applications, when children have not been placed by the agency, but the local authority has been notified of the applicants intention to adopt Once again there may be one, two or more social workers who have to combine their efforts to produce the necessary information. An assessment of the suitability of the prospective adopters for the child needs to be included. Revised March

75 4.3 Sources of information for report writers A great deal of information is needed to complete an Annex A report properly. Much of it is detailed, and it needs to be accurate. Thorough checking of hearsay data is essential; inaccurate information can cause difficulties for the social worker in court and even discredit the whole report. In addition, an adopted person who later seeks factual information from the report could be seriously misled. Where hearsay information is included it should be identified as such. 4.4 Children and their families known to Adult s and Children s Services On these cases there will be files full of information: care records, copies of birth certificates, handover reports, BAAF forms E (or CPR s) and A, court reports from previous hearings, assessment reports by other professionals, review forms. Nevertheless, be cautious! Much of the information in local authority files will have been garnered at times of crisis, in emotional situations and when mutual trust between the social worker and client may well have been absent. The data may be very subjective and even inaccurate, and its sources may need to be examined by checking against documentary evidence such as birth certificates and hospital, court or prison records. The children (if they are of a suitable age) and their parents can, of course, provide a lot of information. 4.5 Children and families not known to Adult s and Children s Services In these cases the writer of the report must start from scratch. It is often helpful when explaining the position of the welfare supervisor (and Annex A writer) to show the family the Annex A format, which explains the need for detailed information. This gives a basis for further discussion and obviates the need for long question and answer sessions Again, second-hand information needs to be checked. Where there may have been an acrimonious divorce, information (such as an ex-husband s criminal record or an ex-relative s mental illness) needs to be verified very carefully, and not included where there are doubts about the truth of the statements Ask the family for as many documents as you are going to need, in advance, so that they will have time to find them. 5. The Report Itself 5.1 If you are writing about a group of brothers and sisters, you must write a separate report about each child. A lot of it may be repetition, but each child deserves his/her own report, with personal variations. 5.2 Keep the format beside you as you write, and it will guide you. 5.3 Use the headings and numbers exactly as they are given to you, but do not just use the numbers and letters with a single word answer. Make each into a sentence so that it makes sense on its own. It seems very repetitive, but it is necessary. Remember that sections of the report may be read independently. Start each section on a new page. 5.4 These notes now take you through the report section by section: Revised March

76 6. The Child 6.1 You will need to see a copy of the birth certificate (or some other legal documents in, say inter-county adoptions) to verify the basic facts. 6.2 An illegitimate child is one whose parents were not married at the time of his/her birth. A child is legitimated if the parents subsequently marry. A child born to a married woman whose husband denies paternity is presumed to be legitimate unless there is proof that the husband could not be the father. Occasionally, a mother may make a sworn statement that her husband is not the father of the child, but if this is the case you should take legal advice as to how to complete this section. 6.3 Nationality is a legal term, not a descriptive one. If it is an adoption from overseas, or the child or parents were born abroad, you may need to verify the nationality by seeing a passport or entry visa; you may need to consult the Home Office for accurate information. 6.4 Try not to be too subjective in describing the child. Maybe s/he can help you by describing her/himself. Give factual details of height, build and any special distinguishing features, but avoid such words as pretty, appealing or undersized. The Court will usually see the child for itself. 6.5 You may need some help from carers in describing a child s personality. A shy child is hard to get to know and a boisterous child may not display the more subtle sides of her/his personality to you. Social development is easier, and (up to five years old) you can for instance, measure against Vera Fahlberg s development milestones. 6.6 The religion of a child is understood to be the religion of its parents unless the child has made a conscious choice her/himself. You may need to refer to a religion not familiar to you. There may have been ceremonies in the child s life, such as baptism or bar mitzvah, which you will need to acquaint yourself with. 6.7 In describing any legal proceedings or orders relating to the child, you may need the assistance of your legal department. 6.8 Include half-brothers and half-sisters under this heading. Try to verify the proper names and dates of birth of all siblings, and what arrangements have been made for their care or custody. People are not always clear about these things, and you may need to check the facts with the relevant Local Authority legal department, or with Court records. 6.9 Find out all the relatives that a child sees or has contact with. In order to assess relationships, you need to talk to the child, and also to carers who may have observed such access If appropriate give a chronological list of placements, describing what sort of care was provided in each, and kind of bonds and attachments were made Give the date the child joined the household of the step-parent or relative or adopters Give an educational history including any comments from teachers, both now and in the past. Do not try to make an assessment yourself of educational attainments get one from a current teacher. Revised March

77 6.13 In describing the child s health, remember that in the case of relative adoptions this report will be accompanied by a medical report. Your task is to describe any special needs of the child medical, social or educational It is important to investigate what financial rights, interests or claims the child may have. If you think that there may be any, check the legal situation with your legal adviser In order to understand the child s wishes and feelings in the matter of the adoption, you will need to spend time with the child, probably at least some of it alone. You will need to find ways of allowing the child to speak freely; you should also observe non-verbal indications of the child s attachments and the nature of those attachments. This is a very important part of the report, and the Court will wish to know that you have spent time, assessing the child s views. Your assessment should be based on you own observations, and not simply on asking the child directly or accepting the views of others Other relevant information you should consider is the child s view or her/his race and culture of origin; the child s understanding of the events in her/his past; and how s/he is likely to adapt to a new environment. 7. The Birth Parents including putative fathers Each parent should be described separately. The facts about a putative father are very important (for the child s information, as well as for the Court) and should be established whenever possible. This may be a very sensitive issue, particularly in a step-parent adoption; however, the mother must be told that information about the birth father is needed, and that it is best if he is interviewed. 7.1 Try to verify full names, dates and places of birth. 7.2 Before giving a person s marital status, check marriage details (with a marriage certificate if possible) and divorce details, with dates. 7.3 The quality of the relationship between the birth parents should be described, including any separations, violent incidents and injunctions as well as any caring and loving episodes. In commenting on the stability of the relationship, avoid guessing how long it will last simply give an indication of how-well established it is, and whether it fulfils a need for either parent. 7.4 As with describing the child, try not to be too subjective in describing the parents. Think what the effect of what you say may be on the adopted person; ifs/he comes back and finds this report when you are no longer there to explain what you meant. 7.5 Do not make unsubstantial judgements about the parents of a child. It is unfair, and could get you into difficulty in Court. Try to reach a balanced view about the parents' personalities. Bear in mind that the Court may allow parents to see this part of your report. 7.6 A person s religion is not only what they practise now, but also what ceremonies (such as baptism) they have undergone, and what religion they and their family of origin practised. Revised March

78 7.7 Educational attainments should not only give examination results and qualifications, but also the kind of school attended the degree of literacy reached and particular skills acquired. 7.8 A history of employment (or a reason for non-employment) should be given. Also comments about any hobbies or special interests. 7.9 Details of the extended family will give an idea of the social, educational and cultural background of the child and parents The wishes and feelings of people about proposed adoption should not be difficult to elicit. Feelings about the religious or cultural upbringing of the child need to be noted, as does a lack of interest in the matter It is not satisfactory to say that certain facts are not known. You need to explain why not. Give details of what efforts you have made to trace people you have not been able to contact Other relevant information might be general facts about conditions in the country of origin (for a child from abroad), or the particular circumstances of a parent who consents reluctantly to the adoption. 8. Guardian(s) This refers to guardians under the Guardianship of Minors Act 1971 (i.e. not a person with custody but a person appointed as a guardian where a child has no parent). You must interview any guardian, and give details as for the parents. 9. Prospective Adopters If one of the adopters (as in a stepparent adoption) is a birth parent, [and remember that a birth parent is not now required to apply and their partner may make an application in their own right, if they are supporting it] you do not need to repeat the information here, but merely state the fact. 9.1 In a step-parent adoption, you will need to have discussed with the applicants alternatives to adoption. 9.2 This section will only apply to a putative father, as a mother 9.3 Where there is a cross-cultural or transracial element you should try to find out what the prospective adopters really intend to do, not just what they say they will do. 9.4 Details of income and expenditure should be given, including benefits, allowances and unusual expenses such as a particularly large car for a big family. 9.5 You will need to interview all other members of the family individually to complete this section. 9.6 In order to assess prospective adopters ability to bring up children, you will need to make some sort of assessment of the stability and development of any other children in their care. This need not be a study in depth, but needs to be a credible comment. Revised March

79 9.7 Some of the applicants understanding of the nature of adoption may have come from you, the writer of the report. You need to be sure that the full significance of parental rights and duties are clear. Particularly in stepparent adoption, the fact that a birth mother will share her responsibilities equally with her husband needs to be made explicit. 9.8 Consider whether prospective adopters have realistic expectations of the child; how they will cope with the adolescent years; and whether they expect the child to succeed where they failed, or follow them into a career or business. 9.9 Other relevant information might be the attitudes of prospective adopters to different races, to the birth parents and to the history of the child; and the length of time prospective adopters have already cared for the child, and their relationship with her/him Give an opinion about whether adoption is in the long-term best interest of the child A final statement of whether or not you recommend an adoption order, and if not, what you would propose. 10. Pitfalls and Problems 10.1 When writing an Annex A report for each of several siblings, it is easy to overlook differences in parentage, legal status, history and special needs, including contact. Remember to see them as individuals Be wary of treating something as a fact simply because it is often repeated in the files. If in doubt, check it Information which is given to you by one person about another may be incorrect, so try to get the information directly from the individuals concerned Occasionally circumstances change between the writing of your report and the hearing. This may seem alarming, as you feel your report is no longer valid; but do not worry you have the option of submitting an addendum to your report, or bringing it up to date verbally in Court If you are not recommending an adoption order, or if there is a major difference of conclusion between you and the guardian, you may need legal support in Court. 11. What happens to the Report? All the following may read the report: 11.1 The Court The Court sees both the Annex A report and the Guardian report in advance of the hearing. This means that the judge or magistrates (and the Clerk of the Court, who advises the magistrates) should have time to study the facts and opinions in those reports, and consider them, before any evidence is presented. The Annex A report is submitted before any hearing and the Guardian s report should also be received in good time for the Court to consider it. Revised March

80 The Court is entitled to ask for a further report from the Annex A writer, if it is felt that all matters are not covered sufficiently. The Court may then indicate what particular aspect it wants the report to expand upon The Annex A writer may well be asked to give evidence about the report in court The Guardian or Reporting Officer When the report is submitted to the court, a copy is sent to the guardian or reporting officer. This is the only person (outside the court) who is automatically given the whole report The Guardian or reporting officer will normally use the report as a start to their investigations. Usually, therefore, they do not begin work on the case until the Annex A report is received. It is quite common for the Guardian or reporting officer to raise subjects referred to in the report with the applicants, the parents or the child If the Guardian discovers further information about a person or the situation generally, s/he may want to discuss it with the Annex A writer. If you also wish to make more enquires and submit an addendum to your Annex A report, you may do so up to the date of the hearing The Adopted Person In time the child may read the Annex A report. A very important point to remember is that the report will remain on the child s adoption file. This file must be kept for 100 years. If the adopted person comes back to the agency for information as an adult, it will often be this document which contains the most useful summary of all the information. It may well be that from it the adopted person will form an impression of her/his origins and family and the reasons for the adoption. Every word should therefore be written with this (as well as the court hearing) in mind Once submitted, the Annex A report is the property of the court. Copies of it, therefore may not be given to anyone, expect by order of the court. This is not to say that, before it is submitted, the contents may not be discussed with any or all those reported on. The copy retained by the agency or local authority will, of course, be subject to the same confidentially as all adoption records, and be kept in a secure place. Summary The purpose of the Annex A report is to ensure that the court has all the necessary details in advance of the hearing. The report will be read by the Guardian, and possibly all the people referred to. Start a new page for each section. Be thorough. Check facts. Do not be judgmental or too subjective in your descriptions. Revised March

81 Be sensitive to underlying feelings of anxiety, particularly in people who have never been visited by a social worker. Explain your role, and enlist their help wherever possible. You will need: Step-parent & relative adoptions Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) disclosures for members of household over 18. Consent to Share Information forms SSP388. Written information from Education or Health Visitor (under 5s). Additional requirements for relative adoptions Medicals for prospective adopters and child. Personal references. 12. Records 12.1 All adopted records and matters concerning adoption will be treated as confidential The Adoption Agencies Regulations 2005 reinforce the importance of proper storage for adoption records, ensuring that they are not liable to fire and water damage. They must be kept in a place of special security for a minimum of 100 years Once an adoption order has been made and all work on the case completed. The case file should be sent to the Adoption clerks at Durban Road, Bognor Regis to arrange for storage. This also applies to files on applicants who have withdrawn prior an Adoption Hearing Access to adoption records Access to adoption records must be made available to: Any person holding a Statutory Enquiry under Section 76 of the Childcare Act A local Commissioner (Local Government Ombudsman) for investigation under the Local Government Act A children s guardian or reporting officer appointed in proceedings concerning the child. Revised March

82 Practice Notes 5 Annex A [adoption] and Annex B [placement] reports Annex A [adoption] Report to the court where there has been an application for an adoption order or an application for a section 84 order Section A: The Report and Matters for the Proceedings Section B: The Child and the Birth Family Section C: The Prospective Adopter of the Child Section D: The Placement Section E: Recommendations Section F: Further information for proceedings relating to Convention Adoption Orders, Convention adoptions, section 84 Orders or adoptions where section 83(1) of the 2002 Act applies. Revised March

83 Section A: The Report and Matters for the Proceedings Part 1 The Report For each of the principal author/s of the report: (i) (ii) Name; Role in relation to this case; (iii) Sections completed in this report; (iv) Qualifications and experience; (v) Name and address of the adoption agency; and (vi) Adoption agency case reference number. Part 2 Matters for the Proceedings a) Whether the adoption agency considers that any other person should be made a respondent or a party to the proceedings, including the child. b) Whether any of the respondents is under the age of 18. c) Whether a respondent is a person who, by reason of mental disorder within the meaning of the Mental Health Act 1983, is incapable of managing and administering his or her property and affairs. If so, medical evidence should be provided with particular regard to the effect on that person s ability to make decisions in the proceedings. Revised March

84 Section B: The Child and the Birth Family Part 1 i) Information about the Child a) Name, sex, date and place of birth and address including local authority area. b) Photograph and physical description. c) Nationality d) Racial origin and cultural and linguistic background e) Religious persuasion (including details of baptism, confirmation or equivalent ceremonies) f) Details of any siblings, half-siblings and step-siblings, including dates of birth g) Whether the child is looked after by a local authority h) Whether the child has been placed for adoption with the prospective adopter by a UK adoption agency i) Whether the child was being fostered by the prospective adopter j) Whether the child was brought into the UK for adoption, including date of entry and whether an adoption order was made in the child s country of origin k) Personality and social development, including emotional and behavioural development and any related needs l) Details of interests, likes and dislikes m) A summary, written by the agency s medical adviser, of the child s health history, his current state of health and any need for health care which is anticipated, and date of the most recent medical examination n) Any known learning difficulties or known general medical or mental health factors which are likely to have, or may have, genetic implications o) Names, addresses and types of nurseries or schools attended, with dates p) Educational attainments q) Any special needs in relation to the child (whether physical, learning, behavioural or any other) and his emotional and behavioural development r) Whether the child is subject to a statement under the Education Act 1996 s) Previous orders concerning the child: (i) The name of the court; (ii) The order made; and (iii) The date of the order t) Inheritance rights and any claim to manages under the Fatal Accidents Act 1976 the child stands to retain or lose if adopted Revised March

85 u) Any other relevant information which might assist the court ii) Information about each Parent of the Child a) Name, date and place of birth and address (date on which last address was confirmed current) including local authority area b) Photograph, if available, and physical description c) Nationality d) Racial origin and cultural and linguistic background e) Whether the mother and father were married to each other at the time of the child s birth or have subsequently married f) Where the parent has been previously married or entered into a civil partnership, dates of those marriages or civil partnerships g) Where the mother and father are not married, whether the father has parental responsibility and, if so, how it was acquired h) If the identity or whereabouts of the father are not known, the information about him that has been ascertained and from whom, and the steps that have been taken to establish paternity i) Past and present relationship with the other parent j) Other information about the parent, where available: (i) health, including any known learning difficulties or know general medical or mental health factors which are likely to have, or may have, genetic implications; (ii) religious persuasion; (iii) educational history; (iv) employment history; and (v) personality and interests k) Any other relevant information which might assist the court Part 2 Relationships, contact arrangements and views The Child a) If the child is in the care of a local authority or voluntary organisation, or has been, details (including dates) of any placements with foster parents, or other arrangements in respect of the care of the child, including particulars of the persons with whom the child has had his home and observations on the care provided. b) The child s wishes and feelings (if appropriate, having regard to the child s age and understanding) about adoption, the application and its consequences, including any wishes in respect of religious and cultural upbringing. c) The child s wishes and feelings in relation to contact (if appropriate, having regard to the child s age and understanding). Revised March

86 d) The child s wishes and feelings recorded in any other proceedings. e) Date when the child s views were last ascertained. The Child s Parents (or guardian) and relatives a) The parent s wishes and feelings before the placement, about the placement and about adoption, the application and its religious and cultural upbringing. b) Each parent s (or guardian s) wishes and feelings in relation to contact. c) Date/s when the views of each parent or guardian were last ascertained. d) Arrangements concerning any siblings, including half-siblings and step-siblings, and whether any are the subject of a parallel application or have been the subject of any orders. If so, for each case give: (i) The name of the court; (ii) The order made, or (if proceedings are pending) the order applied for; and (iii) The date of order, or date of next hearing if proceedings are pending. e) Extent of contact with the child s mother and father and, in each case, the nature of the relationship enjoyed. f) The relationship which the child has with relatives, and with any other person considered relevant, including: (i) (ii) the likelihood of any such relationship continuing and the value to the child of its doing so; and the ability and willingness of any of the child s relatives, or of any such person, to provide the child with a secure environment in which the child can develop, and otherwise to meet the child s needs. g) The wishes and feelings of any of the child s relatives, or of any such person, regarding the child. h) Whether the parents (or members of the child s family) have met or are likely to meet the prospective adopter and, if they have met, the effect on all involved of such meeting. i) Dates when the views of members of the child s wider family and any other relevant person were last ascertained. Part 3 A summary of the actions of the Adoption Agency a) Brief account of the agency s actions in the case, with particulars and dates of all written information and notices given to the child and his parents and any person with parental responsibility. b) If consent has been given for the child to be placed for adoption, and also consent for the child to be adopted, the names of those who gave consent and the date such consents were given. If such consents were subsequently withdrawn, the dates of these withdrawals. c) If any statement has been made un section 20(4)(a) of the Adoption and Children Act 2002 (the 2002 Act ) that a parent or guardian does not wish to be informed of Revised March

87 any application for an adoption order, the names of those who have made such statements and the dates the statements were made. If such statements were subsequently withdrawn, the dates of these withdrawals. d) Whether an order has been made under section 21 of the 2002 Act, section 18 of the Adoption (Scotland) Act 1978 or Article 17(1) or 18(1) of the Northern Ireland Order e) Details of the support and advice given to the parents and any services offered or taken up. f) If the father does not have parental responsibility, details of the steps taken to inform him of the application for an adoption order. g) Brief details and dates of assessments of the child s needs, including expert opinions. h) Reasons for considering that adoption would be in the child s best interests (with date of relevant decision and reasons for any delay in implementing the decision). Revised March

88 Section C: The Prospective Adopter of the Child Part 1 Information about the Prospective Adopter, including suitability to adopt a) Name, date and place of birth and address (date on which last address was confirmed current) including local authority area. b) Photograph and physical description c) Whether the prospective adopter is domiciled or habitually resident in a part of the British Islands and, if habitually resident, for how long they have been habitually resident. d) Racial origin and cultural and linguistic background. e) Marital status or civil partnership status, date and place of most recent marriage (if any) or civil partnership (if any). f) Details of any previous marriage, civil partnership, or relationship where the prospective adopter lived with another person as a partner in an enduring family relationship. g) Relationship (if any) to the child. h) Where adopters wish to adopt as a couple, the status of the relationship and an assessment of the stability and permanence of their relationship. i) If a married person or a civil partner is applying alone, the reasons for this. j) Description of how the prospective adopter relates to adults and children. k) Previous experience of caring for children (including as a step-parent, foster parent, child-minder or prospective adopter) and assessment of ability in this respect, together where appropriate with assessment of ability in bringing up the prospective adopter s own children. l) A summary written by the agency s medical adviser, of the prospective adopter s health history, current state of health and any need for health care which is anticipated, and date of most recent medical examination. m) Assessment of ability and suitability to bring up the child throughout his childhood. n) Details of income and comments on the living standards of the household with particulars of the home and living conditions (and particulars of any home where the prospective adopter proposes to live with the child, if different). o) Details of other members of the household, including any children of the prospective adopter even if not resident in the household. p) Details of the parents and any siblings of the prospective adopter, with their ages or ages at death. q) Other information about the prospective adopter: Revised March

89 (i) religious persuasion; (ii) educational history; (iii) employment history; and (iv) personality and interests r) Confirmation that the applicants have not been convicted of, or cautioned for, a specified offence within the meaning of regulation 23(3) of the Adoption Agencies Regulations 2005 (S /389). s) Confirmation that the prospective adopter is still approved. t) Confirmation that any referees have been interviewed, with a report of their views and opinion of the weight to be placed thereon and whether they are still valid. u) Details of any previous family court proceedings in which the prospective adopter has been involved (which have not been referred to elsewhere in this report). Part 2 Wishes, views and contact arrangements Prospective Adopter a) Whether the prospective adopter is willing to follow any wishes of the child or his parents or guardian in respect of the child s religious and cultural upbringing. b) The views of other members of the prospective adopter s household and wider family in relation to the proposed adoption. c) Reasons for the prospective adopter wishing to adopt the child and extent of understanding of the nature and effect of adoption. Whether the prospective adopter has discussed adoption with the child. d) Any hope and expectations the prospective adopter has for the child s future. e) The prospective adopter s wishes and feelings in relation to contact. Part 3 Actions of the adoption agency a) Brief account of the Agency s actions in the case, with particulars and dates of all written information and notices given to the prospective adopter. b) The Agency s proposals for contact, including options for facilitating or achieving any indirect contact or direct contact. c) The Agency s opinion on the likely effect on the prospective adopter and on the security of the placement of any proposed contact. d) Where the prospective adopter has been approved by an agency as suitable to be an adoptive parent, the agency s reasons for considering that the prospective adopter is suitable to be an adoptive parent for this child (with dates of relevant decisions). Revised March

90 Section D: The Placement a) Where the child was placed for adoption by an adoption agency (section 18 of the 2002 Act), the date and circumstances of the child s placement with prospective adopter. b) Where the child is living with persons who have applied for the adoption order to be made (section 44 of the 2002 Act), the date when notice of intention to adopt was given. c) Where the placement is being provided with adoption support, this should be summarised and should include the plan and timescales for continuing the support beyond the making of the adoption order. d) Where the placement is not being provided with adoption support, the reasons why. e) A summary of the information obtained from the Agency s visit and reviews of the placement, including whether the child has been seen separately to the prospective adopter and whether there has been sufficient opportunity to see the family group and the child s interaction in the home environment. f) An assessment of the child s integration within the family of the prospective adopter and the likelihood of the child s full integration into the family and community. g) Any other relevant information that might assist the court. Section E: Recommendations a) The relative merits of adoption and other orders with an assessment of whether the child s long term interests would be best met by an adoption order or by other orders (such as residence and special guardianship orders). b) Recommendations as to whether or not the order sought should be made (and, if not, alternative proposals). c) Recommendations as to whether there should be future contact arrangements (or not). Revised March

91 Section F: Further information for proceedings relating to convention adoption orders, convention adoptions, section 84 orders or an adoption where section 83(1) of the 2002 act applies a) The child s knowledge of their racial and cultural origin. b) The likelihood of the child s adaptation to living in the country he/she is to be placed. c) Where the UK is the State of origin, reasons for considering that, after possibilities for placement of the child within the UK have been given due consideration, intercountry adoption is in the child s best interests. d) Confirmation that the requirements of regulations made under sections 83(4), (5), (6) and (7) and 84(3) and (6) of the 2002 Act have been complied with. e) For a Convention adoption or a Convention Adoption Order where the United Kingdom is either the State of origin or the receiving State, confirmation that the Central Authority of both States have agreed that the adoption may proceed. f) Where the State of origin is not the United Kingdom, the documents supplied by the Central Authority of the State of origin should be attached to the report, together with translation if necessary. g) Where a Convention adoption order is proposed, details of the arrangements which were made for the transfer of the child to the UK and that they were in accordance with the Adoptions with a Foreign Element Regulations 2005 (S.l.2005/392). Revised March

92 Annex B Placement Orders Report to the court where there has been an application for a placement order Section A: The Report and Matters for the Proceedings Section B: The Child and the Birth Family Section C: Recommendations Revised March

93 Section A: The Report and Matters for the Proceedings Part 1 - The Report For each of the principal author/s of the report: (i) (ii) Name Role in relation to this case (iii) Section completed in this report (iv) Qualifications and experience (v) Name & address of the adoption agency (vi) Adoption agency case reference number Part 2 Matters for the Proceedings a) Whether the adoption agency considers that any other person should be made a respondent or a party to the proceedings. b) Whether any of the respondents is under the age of 18. c) Whether a respondent is a person who, by reason of mental disorder within the meaning of the Mental Health Act 1983, is incapable of managing and administering his or her property and affairs. If so, medical evidence should be provided with particular regard to the effect on that person s ability to make decisions in the proceedings. Section B: The Child and the Birth Family Part 1 Information about the Child a) Name, sex, date and place of birth and address including local authority area. b) Photograph and physical description. c) Nationality. d) Racial origin and cultural and linguistic background. e) Religious persuasion (including details of baptism, confirmation or equivalent ceremonies). f) Details of any siblings, half-siblings and step-siblings, including dates of birth. g) Whether the child is looked after by a local authority. h) Personality and social development, including emotional and behavioural development and any related needs. Revised March

94 i) Details of interests, likes and dislikes. j) A summary, written by the agency s medical adviser, of the child s health history, his current state of health and any need for health care which is anticipated, and date of the most recent medical examination. k) Any known learning difficulties or known general medical or mental health factors which are likely to have, or may have, genetic implications. l) Names, addresses and types of nurseries or schools attended, with dates. m) Educational attainments. n) Any special needs in relation to the child (whether physical, learning, behavioural or any other) and his emotional and behavioural development. o) Whether the child is subject to a statement under the Education Act p) Previous orders concerning the child: (i) the name of the court; (ii) the order made; (iii) the date of the order. q) Inheritance rights and any claim to damages under the Fatal Accidents Act 1976 the child stands to retain or lose if adopted. r) Any other relevant information which might assist the court. s) Information about each Parent of the Child: i) Name, date and place of birth and address (date on which last address was confirmed current) including local authority area. ii) Photograph, if available, and physical description. iii) Nationality iv) Racial origin and cultural and linguistic background. v) Whether the mother and father were married to each other at the time of the child s birth, or have subsequently married. vi) Where the parent has been previously married or entered into a civil partnership, dates of those marriages or civil partnerships. vii) Where the mother and father are not married, whether the father has parental responsibility and, if so, how it was acquired. viii) If the identity or whereabouts of the father are not known, the information about him that has been ascertained and from whom, and the steps that have been taken to establish paternity. vix) Past and present relationship with the other parent. vx) Other information about the parent, where available: (i) Health, including any known learning difficulties or known general medical or mental health factors which are likely to have, or may have genetic implications; (ii) Religious persuasion; (iii) Educational history; (iv) Employment history Revised March

95 (v) Personality and interests. (vi) Any other relevant information which might assist the court. Part 2 Relationships, contact arrangements and views The Child a) If the child is in the care of a local authority or voluntary organisation, or has been, details (including dates) of any placements with foster parents, or other arrangements in respect of the care of the child, including particulars of the persons with whom the child has had his home and observations on the care provided. b) The child s wishes and feelings (if appropriate, having regard to the child s age and understanding) about the application, its consequences, and adoption, including any wishes in respect of religious and cultural upbringing. c) The child s wishes and feelings in relation to contact (if appropriate, having regard to the child s age and understanding). d) The child s wishes and feelings recorded in any other proceedings. e) Date when the child s views were last ascertained. The Child s Parents (or guardian) and relatives a) The parents wishes and feelings about the application, its consequences, and adoption, including any wishes in respect of the child s religious and cultural upbringing. b) Each parent s (or guardian s) wishes and feelings in relation to contact. c) Date/s when the views of each parent or guardian were last ascertained. d) Arrangements concerning any siblings, including half-siblings and step-siblings, and whether any are the subject of a parallel application or have been the subject of any orders. If so, for each case give: (i) the name of the court; (ii) the order made, or (if proceedings are pending) the order applied for, and (iii) the date of order, or date of next hearing if proceedings are pending. e) Extent of contact with the child s mother and father and in each case the nature of the relationship enjoyed. f) The relationship which the child has with relatives, and with any other person considered relevant, including: (i) the likelihood of any such relationship continuing and the value to the child of its doing so; and (ii) the ability and willingness of any of the child s relatives, or of any such person, to provide the child with a secure environment in which the child can develop, and otherwise to meet the child s needs. g) The wishes and feelings of any of the child s relatives, or of any such person, regarding the child. Revised March

96 h) Dates when the views of members of the child s wider family and any other relevant person were last ascertained. Part 3 Summary of the actions of the adoption agency a) Brief account of the Agency s actions in the case, with particulars and dates of all written information and notices given to the child and his parents and any person with parental responsibility. b) If consent has been given for the child to be placed for adoption, and also consent for the child to be adopted, the names of those who gave consent and the date such consents were given. If such consents were subsequently withdrawn, the dates of these withdrawals. c) If any statement has been made under section 20(4)(a) of the 2002 Act that a parent or guardian does not wish to be informed of any application for an adoption order, the names of those who have made such statements and the dates the statements were made. If such statements were subsequently withdrawn, the dates of these withdrawals. d) Details of the support and advice given to the parents and any services offered or taken up. e) If the father does not have parental responsibility, details of the steps taken to inform him of the application for a placement order. f) Brief details and dates of assessments of the child s needs, including expert opinions. g) Reasons for considering that adoption would be in the child s best interests (with date of relevant decision and reasons for any delay in implementing the decision). Section C: Recommendations a) The relative merits of a placement order and other orders (such as a residence or special guardianship order) with an assessment of why the child s long term interests are likely to be best met by a placement order rather than by any other order. b) Recommendations as to whether there should be future contact arrangements (or not), including whether a contact order under section 26 of the 2002 Act should be made. Revised March

97 Practice Notes 6 Contents of Child s Adoption File [see AAR 2005 [39]] 1. A separate adoption file should be made up for each child at the point when adoption becomes a serious option. Transfer all information relevant to the child s previous history including any reports from other agencies. The remaining information should be kept in a separate child care / family file. 2. All current and future information and reports should be included on the adoption file, which should be kept separate from any other file which may exist. 3. Once the adoption order is granted, the fact should be noted on the file and the SW should go through the file and remove any personal papers, eg photos, school reports, which should be given to the child or the adopters. 4. The file should be prepared for storage, ensuring that only the relevant material is kept, as set out below. The following list contains most of the documents which should be included, but is not exhaustive. 5. The intention is to provide the adopted person with as much information as possible about his/her social and personal history and the reason for the adoption. Front sheet/checklist for key biographical information and record of key action taken resulting in an adoption order; Birth details [time, place, weight, term, type of delivery, etc] with supporting evidence if available; Description/details [including genogram] of the family of origin and household; Summary of retrospective paediatric record; Detailed chronology of child s early development and social history; Details of any substitute [e.g. foster] carers prior to adoption; Medical form A [or extracts] for birth parents; BAAF Development assessment forms or equivalent; Record of social work with child about his/her adoption; Details of siblings and any decisions taken to place brothers or sisters separately; Child Permanence Report/BAAF form E; Adoption Panel minutes and recommendation of adoption. Case records since the identification of adoption as the child care plan; Summary of steps taken to find suitable adopters and a copy of the child s profile records, if used; Adoption Support Plan or Matching Report or Adoption Placement Report; Placement Order or written consent to placement from birth parent; Adoption Panel report, minutes and recommendations in respect of matching the child with prospective adopters; BAAF form H interagency, where appropriate; Key correspondence to and from members of the child s birth family; Placement agreement with adopters; Details of pre-adoption contact arrangements with members of birth family or former carers and plans, if any, for post adoption order contact arrangements; Reports on social work visits to child in adoption placement; Later Life letter from social worker describing how and why adoption plans became the plan for the child; Photographs, certificates, personal mementos of early years; Correspondence between the agency and birth family about the emerging plans for the adoption of the child; Photographs, cards, open letters supplied specifically by birth family members for the child; Revised March

98 Annex A Report to Court [re: the application for an adoption order]; Copy of the Adoption Order. Child s File 6. Name /Reference number. 7. Details of / cross-reference with other files. 8. Date of adoption order and court. Essential Material Either 9. Parental consent to accommodation witnessed by CAFCASS. 10. Explanatory Memorandum. 11. Request for child to be adopted. 12. Preliminary Agreement. Or 13. Care Order/Placement Order. 14. Reports prepared for care proceeding.s Plus 15. Adoption Panel Reports. 16. MUST NOT BE ON FILE: copy of birth certificate. Material to be included if available: 17. Movement of child in care details. 18. Copies of photos, letters from birth parents, family may be held on file but originals should be given to the child/adopters. Adopters File 19. Name / Reference number. 20. Details / cross-reference with other files. 21. Date of adoption order and court. Essential Material 22. Referral form. 23. Prospective Adopter s Report [or BAAF Form F]. 24. Police checks. 25. Child Protection Register checks. 26. Medical checks. 27. Personal references. 28. Letter of approval from Adoption Agency. 29. Adoption Panel Minutes [approval]. 30. Adoption Support Plan. 31. Linking/Matching Report. 32. Child Permanence Report [or BAAF Form E] [for child adopted only]. 33. Agreement to placement. 34. Letter approving match from Adoption Agenc.y 35. Adoption Panel Minutes approving the match and any other minutes from the Panel regarding this case. 36. Annex A Report to Court. 37. Confirmation of adoption [copy order]. Material to be included if available: 38. Report on initial home visit. 39. Group evaluation/feedback report. Revised March

99 40. Application Form. 41. Review reports. 42. Notice of appointment of CAFCASS Guardian or Reporting Officer. Revised March

100 Practice Notes 7 Checklist for extension of parental responsibility to prospective adopters The adoption and Children Act 2002 introduces the requirement for parental responsibility to be shared with prospective adopters after placement. The extent that such parental responsibility can be exercised is at the discretion of the local authority. It is a requirement that this be considered at an early stage prior to the plan of the placement of a child with specific adopters being presented to the Adoption Panel. This must therefore be considered prior to the linking Panel and included within the Adoption Placement Report. Panel will comment on this aspect of the plan. It should be considered again at the Placement Planning Meeting and will be kept under review by Independent Reviewing Officer at each Looked After Child Review until the child is subject to an adoption order. Birth parents should be notified once a child is made subject to a placement order as to how they may exercise their restricted parental responsibility until the child is adopted. This will be kept under review and the birth parents must be notified of any changes. For many birth parents this may mean that they are kept informed about certain key events until the child is adopted. The attached checklist below provides an aide memoir for determining the areas where prospective adopters can exercise parental responsibility. The list is not exhaustive. Decisions should, wherever possible be mutually agreed between the agency and prospective adopters to avoid any misunderstanding and copies made for each party. The attached agreement refers to: Child(ren):.. Adoptive parents:... Revised March

101 Parental Responsibility shared with Adoptive Parents Consideration Issue Agreed Health Consent for medical treatment including operations that require anaesthetic. Decisions in relation to any prophylactic treatment including immunisations. Decisions in relation to involvement in counselling or therapeutic services. Agreement to school medical appointments. Decisions in relation to dental treatment. Education & Day Care Choice and timing of child attending a type of preschool/nursery provision. Choice of school and any subsequent decisions to change school. Decision re attendance at school- part time / full time / phased introduction. Timing of start of new school. Decision in relation to year group that child should attend. Plan for liaison with school / attendance at parents meetings / receipt of school reports. Decision to appeal allocation of school place. Decision to appeal or advocate for the child in relation to any special education provision. Agreement to child taking part in any out of school activities i.e. educational trips or holidays with the school. Religion Involvement of child is regular religious activities. Baptism or confirmation of child in particular faith. Holidays & Social Application for passport. Agreement to take child out of the country. Need to inform social worker of plans to take child away from the family home for longer than weekend for holidays/ visits to relatives etc. Agreement to child taking part in any adventure activities that require parental consent. Decision to cause the child to be known as anything other than their given name (consent is required from birth parents or leave of court). Decision to leave child in care of another adult (agreed supporter with current CRB check). Contact Making contact arrangements with birth family over and above those already agreed as part of adoption placement plan. Making contact arrangements with previous foster carers. Other Team Manager: Prospective adoptive parents: Date:. Revised March

102 Practice Notes 8 - Sibling Attachment 1. Sibling Placements Quality Protects Research Briefing No.5 states most children placed with a sibling are less likely to experience breakdown than children placed alone, although more recent studies emphasise that the decision should be made on a case by case basis. (See Mullender & Rushton) Research quoted in the Patterns And Outcomes in Child Placement report is that placing siblings together is generally a protective factor in outcomes for accommodated children. Barth and Berry found that families who adopted two siblings and had no birth children in the home had surprisingly successful outcomes. Most sibling placements in the study were for younger children (Barth and Berry, 94). This study also found that placing siblings into homes with no other children will go more smoothly than sibling placements into homes with other children (Barth & Berry, 64). The Hadley Centre undertook a research review of siblings away from their birth families. It generally found children placed together have better outcomes than those placed apart in terms of maintaining important relationships and placement stability. (See Research in Practice Evidence Bank for online summary). Groze states that the norm should be that siblings are kept together, and only when there is compelling evidence of when interventions into sibling relations fail should consideration be given to separation. However, if it is determined that the siblings are to be separated, families and practitioners need to explore how to maintain sibling ties, although the children will be in separate locations. In addition, effort must be given to assisting the siblings with loss and grief issues as they separate from each other. It is helpful for siblings to have an opportunity to meet the other s parents and know when their next contact will be and how it will occur. It is incumbent upon the adults to take the initiative to plan and facilitate ongoing contact. Groze suggests using life books and life maps to assist both siblings and adoptive parents in preparing for the adoption as well as a tool to be used throughout the child s life (Groze, 128). The life book is a scrapbook that contains photos as well as other mementos, drawings and memories that form the child s life experiences. It is used to help children connect and integrate their past to the present and assist in planning for the future. Marjut Kosomeu (1998) children generally prefer to come into care with their siblings. Their views on being placed together were influenced by the quality of the relationship they had with their siblings. Even when they wanted separate placements they wanted siblings placed nearby. The complexity of sibling relationships, i.e. different fathers, separations, serial placements and other experiences impact on the nature of contact and on the way siblings view contact. The nature of sibling position in the family is important. Children born later may have stronger attachments to older children and less to parents. Revised March

103 Edwards found that children s understanding of their sibling relationships is complex and varied, i.e. for protection there s always someone there for support, a shared sense of identity in relation to the outside world, or as trouble they destroy my things. Mullender (1999) talks about decisions regarding separating or keeping groups of brothers and sisters together. She brings together a range of research to offer an evidence base for these complex decisions. She says: Siblings should not be seen as a Family Unit. Each child must be seen as having separate needs. Hindle (a child psychotherapist) describes an assessment model providing a framework for observing children s interactions communications and play in assessing siblings shared and individual needs to ensure the child s perspective is emphasised. Lord & Borthwick highlight factors that affect decisions on whether siblings are placed together or separately and how these decisions are made. Practical questionnaire tool is included in the book. Neil E (1999) looks at the nature of sibling relationships and demonstrates how complex they are. 63% of full or half siblings had never lived with any of their brothers or sisters before they were adopted. Once siblings are placed apart, little effort is made to keep contact arrangements. There is poor use of letterbox type contact, (Rushton 2000). 2. Difficulties of Sibling Placements Groze s longitudinal study reports on the affects of sibling adoption in regards to social problems, attention problems, aggressive behaviour and parent/child relations. Other research has found an association between increased risk of disruption and emotional/behavioural difficulties in the adoptive children (see Rosenthal (1988) and Sack and Dale (1982)). Adopting two or more children at once may exacerbate the challenges adoptive parents face. Adopting additional children means parents take on a stress and coping model, where the accumulation of parenting responsibilities may be experienced as pileup that ultimately contributes to great distress (Bird et al, 218). The researchers findings indicated that parents reporting higher levels of emotional distress tended to experience significantly greater adoptive strains, have more adopted children, adopted older children, as well as perceived less family support for their decision to adopt (Bird et al, 217). Rushton looks at the nature of sibling relationships, the decision making process, outcomes and post placement support. They explain the complexity of measuring outcomes in this area and suggest differential outcomes may reflect different individual needs. High levels of sibling conflict in permanent placement increase the dissatisfaction levels of parents and are a risk factor. Rushton (1998). Sexually abused or abusing siblings. Macaskill (1991). 50% showed acting out sexual behaviour. 25% acted out with siblings in placement, when placed together. Revised March

104 It is important to note that there are limitations to these summaries of studies quoted and to any generalisations that might be made. You are encouraged to read the original source documents (see Bibliography). Bibliography: Siblings Byrne, S(2000) Linking and Introductions: Helping children join adoptive families, London: BAAF Fahlberg, V (1994) A Child s Journey through Placement, London: BAAF Furman, W and Buhrmester, D (1985) Children s perceptions of the qualities of sibling relationships, Child Development 56 Kosonen, M (1994) Sibling relationships for children in the care system, Adoption and Fostering: 18(3) Kosonen, M (1996) Maintaining sibling relationships: neglected dimension in child care practice, British Journal of Social Work, 26 Kosonen, M (1999) Core and kin siblings: foster children s changing families in Mullender, A (ed) We are Family, London: BAAF Lord J & Borthwick S, BAAF 2009 Together or Apart Assessing Brothers & Sisters for Permanent Placement * Mullender, A (ed) (1999) We are Family: Sibling relationships in placement and beyond, London: BAAF Neil, E (1999) The sibling relationships of adopted children and patterns of contact after adoption in Mullender, A(ed) We are Family, London: BAAF Prevatt Goldstein, B (1999) Black siblings: a relationship for life in Mullender, A (ed) We are Family, London: BAAF Rushton, A, Treseder, J and Quinton, D (1989) Sibling groups in permanent placements, Adoption and Fostering 4, BAAF *Rushton, A, Dance, C, Quinton, D and Mayes, D (2001) Siblings in Late Permanent Placements, London: BAAF Ryan, T and Walker, R (1999) Life Story Work (2 nd edition), London: BAAF Wedge, P and Mantle, G (1991) Sibling Groups and Social Work: A study of children referred for permanent substitute family placement, Aldershot: Avebury Bank, S and Kahn, M (1982) the Sibling Bond, New York: Basic Books Hegar, R (1993) Assessing attachment, permanence and kinship in choosing permanent homes, Child Welfare vol 72,4 O Leary, S and Schofield F (1994) The right of siblings to live together, Practice (BASW), vol. 7,1 Dunn, J (1984) Sisters and Brothers, London: Fontana Patterns and Outcomes in Child Placement, Messages from current research and their implications HMSO Publications (1991). Hindle (2000) Assessing Children s Perspectives on Sibling Placements in foster or adoptive homes. Clinical Child Psychology & Psychiatry S: *What do we know about Permanent Sibling Placement? Briefing Paper Bristol : The Hadley Centre for Adoption & Foster Care Studies, University of Bristol (2002). Children s Understanding of Their Sibling Relationships (2005) Rosalind Edwards, Lucy Hadfeld & Melanie Maithner Neil E. Adoption & Fostering (1999) 23: Quality Protects Research Briefing No. 5. Adoption & Permanence for Children Who Cannot Live Safely with Birth Parents or Relatives. Argent H. Ten Top Tips for Placing Children (2008) London, BAAF Revised March

105 Sibling Checklists Sibling Relationship Checklist 1 Child A: Child B: Date of Birth: Date of Birth: Behaviour of Child A to Child B - frequency (select one) A Defends or protects 1 Often Y/N 2 Sometimes Y/N 3 Never Y/N Examples of this behaviour: B Recognises sibling s distress and offers comfort Examples of this behaviour: 1 Often Y/N 2 Sometimes Y/N 3 Never Y/N C Accepts comfort from sibling Examples of this behaviour: 1 Often Y/N 2 Sometimes Y/N 3 Never Y/N D Teaches or helps 1 Often Y/N 2 Sometimes Y/N 3 Never Y/N Examples of this behaviour: E Initiates play 1 Often Y/N 2 Sometimes Y/N 3 Never Y/N Examples of this behaviour: F Responds to overtures to play Examples of this behaviour: 1 Often Y/N 2 Sometimes Y/N 3 Never Y/N G Openly shows affection 1 Often Y/N 2 Sometimes Y/N 3 Never Y/N Revised March

106 Behaviour of Child A to Child B - frequency (select one) Examples of this behaviour: H Misses sibling when apart Examples of this behaviour: 1 Often Y/N 2 Sometimes Y/N 3 Never Y/N I Resolves conflict through ageappropriate reasoning Examples of this behaviour: 1 Often Y/N 2 Sometimes Y/N 3 Never Y/N J Annoys, irritates or teases Examples of this behaviour: 1 Often Y/N 2 Sometimes Y/N 3 Never Y/N K Shows hostility or aggression Examples of this behaviour: 1 Often Y/N 2 Sometimes Y/N 3 Never Y/N L Blames or attempts to get sibling into trouble Examples of this behaviour: 1 Often Y/N 2 Sometimes Y/N 3 Never Y/N M Behaviour sabotages efforts to meet other siblings needs 1 Often Y/N 2 Sometimes Y/N 3 Never Y/N Revised March

107 Behaviour of Child A to Child B - frequency (select one) Examples of this behaviour: Revised March

108 Sibling Relationship Checklist 2 Child B: Child A: Date of Birth: Date of Birth: Behaviour of Child B to Child A - frequency (select one) A Defends or protects 1 Often Y/N 2 Sometimes Y/N 3 Never Y/N Examples of this behaviour: B Recognises sibling s distress and offers comfort Examples of this behaviour: 1 Often Y/N 2 Sometimes Y/N 3 Never Y/N C Accepts comfort from sibling Examples of this behaviour: 1 Often Y/N 2 Sometimes Y/N 3 Never Y/N D Teaches or helps 1 Often Y/N 2 Sometimes Y/N 3 Never Y/N Examples of this behaviour: E Initiates play 1 Often Y/N 2 Sometimes Y/N 3 Never Y/N Examples of this behaviour: F Responds to overtures to play Examples of this behaviour: 1 Often Y/N 2 Sometimes Y/N 3 Never Y/N G Openly shows affection 1 Often Y/N 2 Sometimes Y/N 3 Never Y/N Revised March

109 Behaviour of Child B to Child A - frequency (select one) Examples of this behaviour: H Misses sibling when apart Examples of this behaviour: 1 Often Y/N 2 Sometimes Y/N 3 Never Y/N I Resolves conflict through ageappropriate reasoning Examples of this behaviour: 1 Often Y/N 2 Sometimes Y/N 3 Never Y/N J Annoys, irritates or teases Examples of this behaviour: 1 Often Y/N 2 Sometimes Y/N 3 Never Y/N K Shows hostility or aggression Examples of this behaviour: 1 Often Y/N 2 Sometimes Y/N 3 Never Y/N L Blames or attempts to get sibling into trouble Examples of this behaviour: 1 Often Y/N 2 Sometimes Y/N 3 Never Y/N M Behaviour sabotages efforts to meet other siblings needs 1 Often Y/N 2 Sometimes Y/N 3 Never Y/N Revised March

110 Behaviour of Child B to Child A - frequency (select one) Examples of this behaviour: Revised March

111 Sibling Checklist 3 Interactions What evidence is there of sharing?: Examples: Boisterous play Imaginative activities Rituals (e.g. bed or bath time) Jokes and fun Secrets Other 2 Are there marked differences between them in any of the following respects: The roles they adopt Activities and interest Behaviour Personality Other 3 What evidence is there of reciprocity e.g. Pride in each other Praise and criticism Mutual help Revised March

112 4 Do they model on each other e.g. Think they look alike Imitate each other Emulate the qualities they live Unite in face of problems Other 5. Other observations on this relationship 6. What are these siblings own views of their relationship? (views of other siblings can also be very illuminating) 7. On the basis of all this evidence, sum up the positives and negatives that this relationship holds for each sibling Date checklist completed: Name of person completing checklists: Relationship to the child: From: Patterns and Outcomes in Child Placement, Messages from current research and their implications HMSO Publications (1991). Revised March

113 Practice Notes 9: Contact in Adoption - Some Principles 1. All decisions must be determined by the child s needs For contact to be sustained there should be a clear identification of how this will benefit the child so that the child and his/her adopters can be convinced of its long term benefits and can therefore be committed to the demands it will place on them. 2. Plans must be regularly reviewed Children s needs change over time and any plans put in place at the time of placement in an adoptive family must be reviewed and adjusted according to the child s individual needs, circumstances, wishes and feelings. 3. Placement decisions Contact is one of a number of considerations in finding an adoptive family for children. The desire for direct contact should not be an issue that determines the choice of family but should be weighed alongside other important factors including the child s particular history, harm they have suffered, their age and their experience of parental care. Delay in facilitating a child s secure placement with their permanent family is likely to be detrimental to their well being searching for a placement which will support extensive direct contact must be balanced with the objective of establishing the child in a secure placement. 4. The child should not in any way be placed at risk (emotional and/or physical) as a consequence of having contact It is critical that the birth parents accept the children s future lies with the adoptive family. They must be prepared and able to support the child s future within the adoptive family and not undermine it in any way. Critical factors in determining the nature of contact would be: i. Factors in the birth parent s life, such as mental ill-health and drug and alcohol abuse are likely to undermine the value to the child of any face to face contact. ii. Whether the parent(s) have engaged positively in discussions and (in all likelihood) counselling to adjust to the psychological and emotional demands of giving up their child whatever the legal background. iii. Commitment to and reliability of all concerned to the maintenance of contact throughout childhood. iv. That the adopters are empathetic to the birth family and are not possessive towards the child. 5. Decisions should be informed by research findings In planning for children the Authority should always promote practice that builds on experience within the agency as well as by reference to current research findings. However, research cannot predict what is best, it can merely report what has been found in other cases. It is therefore useful in challenging thinking and can assist in formulating decisions, which must be based on weighing the known factors in any given situation. This a particularly important point as there are inevitably limitations to research conducted on contact in adoption the studies do not involve large samples, may not reflect comparable circumstances and may be incomplete or not reflect outcomes over the whole of childhood. Revised March

114 6. The purpose of contact Contact can take a number of forms which can change depending on circumstances. For each child it is important to identify the needs the maintenance of contact will meet and make plans accordingly. This means projecting the child s needs into the future as far as adulthood whilst keeping sight of the child s current needs. Contact in adoption can perform a number of different functions ranging from the exchange of information and the benefits that this can provide through to the maintenance of a meaningful relationship. A minimum expectation on adoptive parents in this authority would be a periodic exchange of information through the Letterbox service run by the adoption support service between birth parent and child. Direct (ie face to face) contact is now commonplace. This particularly reflects on the older profile of children placed. The prevailing view is that direct contact is most productive when there is an established relationship and attachment between the child and the family member. The purpose of the contact in these circumstances is primarily to maintain that attachment and assist the child in the development of his/her identity. An increasingly prevalent view (Elsbeth Neil in Contact in adoption and permanent foster care (BAAF 2004)) is that it may be equally important for a child who is younger at placement and who may have little or no meaningful attachment to the birth family member. It is the view here that contact may be more productive as there are fewer negative experiences and conscious memories that are likely to undermine the contact or placement. Whilst it is the case that Neil s research suggests this may be the case, there are a number of pre-existing factors in her sample that possibly have led to that conclusion for this sample of children. Decisions must always be child focussed and consideration should be given, amongst other things, to the pre-existing factors as outlined in 4 above if face to face contact is to be positive for a child. It is also worth considering the work of Lorne Loxterkamp (Contact and Truth: The Unfolding Predicament in Adoption and Fostering, Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 2009; 14;423) who suggests that contact of any sort can only be helpful for the child if it can acknowledge the central truth that the child was compulsorily removed from birth parents as a result of maltreatment. He questions the firmly held belief that some form of contact for the child must be helpful in some way. 7. Legal considerations At the time of the making of an adoption order the court may also make an order under section 8 of the Children Act However, unlike when a child is subject of a care order, it is clear that any making of a contact order in adoption proceedings would be exceptional. The established principle was set out in 1988 in the case of Re C (a minor) (Adoption Order: conditions) in the House of Lords. Here the Lords held that the court will not, except in the most exceptional case, impose conditions as to access to members of the child s natural family to which the adopting parents do not agree. Whilst, this may well remain the case, it is a requirement under the Adoption and Children Act 2002 that both the court and the adoption agency must consider the Adoption Welfare Checklist. In the Checklist there is a requirement of the consideration of the continuance of a relationship the child has with a birth relative as well as the wishes and feelings of both the child and their birth relatives. This will mean that a very thorough and objective assessment must be made to inform the adoption panel and court as to whether or not contact will be of value to the child. It would seem likely that this will become a heavily debated and contested issue in permanence work. Revised March

115 8. Adopters are ordinary people There is a temptation, particularly during care proceedings, to reduce pain to birth relatives by seeking a compromise so to reduce conflict and thus shorten the duration of proceedings. As part of this dynamic, contact post placement becomes part of a negotiation, in which a birth relative will concede the care order and care plan subject to guarantees about ongoing direct contact. Whilst ongoing direct contact might be a legitimate aspiration, this discussion can only take in the best interest of the child and in the light of a realistic plan for placement. In this process there is a tendency to see adoptive parents as extensions of the local authority almost like foster carers. Adoption services nationally work hard to help prospective adopters understand the significance and potential benefits of ongoing contact (of whatever nature is in the child s best interest). However, for the most part prospective adoptive parents are people who have not been able to have their own or as many of their own children as they would wish. Whilst they will embrace the concept of the best interest of the child, mostly they have come into adoption to have a family and parent children. Whilst many will be happy to support contact as being in the best interests of their child it cannot be assumed that they will have the same view as professionals (or birth relatives) about the child s need for contact. This may particularly be the case when this becomes a burden for them, birth parents may be unreliable, and the benefit to the child appears more a statement of faith rather than a concrete fact. It is therefore vital that prospective adopters are able to make informed decisions about the placement in the first instance but beyond that, are able to support arrangements as they themselves genuinely see (and experience) the value to the child. Revised March

116 Practice Notes 10: Matters to be covered in initial visits Regulation 21 of Adoption Agency Regulations 2005 requires that prospective applicants are provided with a counselling service; this will include the legal implications of and procedures in relation to adoption. The following issues are among the range of matters that should be explored and considered during the initial contacts: Ascertain motivation. Is one partner leading and the other following? Is there a fertility issue? If so have all attempts at medical intervention been completed? If not, application cannot proceed. Explain statutory checks including health and police. Ask if there is anything which may prevent an assessment going ahead and explain that if anything is shown in references they cannot be told the substance, and would be told that the assessment cannot continue due to an unsatisfactory reference. Are there existing birth children either living with applicants or elsewhere? Have they been consulted and have applicants considered the likely effects. Ascertain experience of children and the likely difficulties of children available for adoption. Have they any knowledge? Explain that the agency is seeking adopters to meet the needs of children and not providing a service to childless couples. Are family/neighbours/friends aware? Would they be supportive? Availability of both prospective applications to attend preparation course and for the Home Study. Revised March

117 Practice Notes 11: Adoption Contact Register [See Leaflet ACR110 The Adoption Contact Register from ONS] a. The Registrar General operates an Adoption Contact Register. The Register provides a safe and confidential way for birth parents and other relatives to assure an adopted person that contact would be welcome and to give a current address. The Register is not open to public inspection or search. b. The Register is in 2 parts: Part 1 Adopted People c. The adopted person must be at least 18 to use the register; d. And the Registrar General must hold the record of his/her birth; e. Application forms can be obtained by telephone: f. To be able to complete the application form the following information is required: The name in which the adopted person s birth was registered before s/he was adopted; The adopted person s date and place of birth; The adopted person s birth mother s name and surname; The adopted person s birth mother s maiden name and birth father s name, if these were included in the original birth entry. g. Once on the Register, it may be discovered that a relative has already registered. If this happens, the name and address of that relative and the relationship of the relative to the adopted person will be sent to the adopted person. If no relative has registered the adopted person will only receive an acknowledgement of registration. However, details of any relative who subsequently registers will be sent. This may happen quite soon, many years later or not at all. It is important to keep the Registrar General informed of any change of name or address. Part 11 Birth Parents and relatives h. The relative must provide evidence of his/her relationship to the adopted person [eg birth certificate, marriage certificate, the child s birth certificate]. i. Birth fathers, if not married to the baby s mother, will have to provide affiliation or other court order declaring paternity. The Registrar General will advise in individual cases. When a register link occurs j. An adopted person will receive the name and address supplied by the relative which may be either the relatives own address or that of an intermediary. The Registrar will advise the relative that the information has been sent. It will then be up to the adopted person to act. k. The adopted person may seek counselling at this stage either via the Adoption Support Team or the Post-Adoption Centre. Revised March

118 Practice Notes 12: Adoption Support Services Practice Guidelines Adoption Support Assessments An Adoption Support Assessment (ASA) is based on the Assessment Framework and is undertaken by a Social Worker from the Adoption Support Service The assessment will consider:- The needs of the person being assessed and how these can be met. The needs of the adoptive family and how these can be met. The needs, including development needs of the adoptive child and how these can be met. Parenting capacity of the adoptive parent. Wider family and environmental factors. Circumstances that led to the child being placed. Any previous assessment of needs of adoption support services undertaken in relation to the subject. Intermediary Services Adopted adults over 18 years and their adult birth relatives have a right to request an intermediary service from SW[AS]. The SW[AS] will not disclose identifying information about the adopted adult/birth relative without informed consent. Adopted people can register either a qualified or absolute veto with the agency. Adopted people and birth relatives can register a wish for no contact on the General Adoption Contact Register. When undertaking S98 counselling the SW[AS] should check the GRO Contact Register for information. Written information about the counselling service must be provided by the SW[AS]. A person adopted on or after no longer has the right to apply to the Register General of information to obtain an original birth certificate. Any application must be made to the SW[AS]. The ASA must consider the adopted person s welfare before disclosing information. Adopted people, birth relatives and others involved in an adoption can apply to the ASS for disclosure of protected information. The child s welfare is paramount, so accessing information against the wishes of the adoptive parents or adopted child is limited. The SW(AS) will need proof of identity before proceeding with a counselling advice interview. Revised March

119 The adopted person will apply for original birth certificate and may apply to access his/her adoption records. The SW(AS) will contact the adoption agency on the adoptive person s behalf to access the information. The SW(AS) will remove 3 rd party information from the file before sharing it with the adoptive person. The SW(AS) may begin an initial search for birth family members and may act as an intermediary once birth family members have been found. A SW(AS) may recommend the adopted adult uses NORCAP or a recommended search agency to undertake a more complex search whilst agreeing that the SW(AS) will act as intermediary once a birth family member is found. a) Birth parents and relatives may request an AS SW may undertake S98 counselling, offering advice/help in tracing an adopted relative. The SW(AS) may undertake this work or refer the birth relative to NORCAP when a more complex search in tracing is undertaken. NORCAP currently cannot offer intermediary services to post 1975 birth parents whose children have been removed from their birth families. b) The contact register may indicate the presence of a formal veto, which remains in place until the adopted person chooses to amend or withdraw it. The SW(AS) needs to distinguish between a qualified veto where there are limited circumstances identified by the adoptee/birth family member when an approach can be made and an absolute veto when there is no reproach under any circumstances. Additionally, an adopted adult/birth relative can register a wish to be contacted and can name the person they do not want contact with. c) The SW(AS) may work alongside child s SW s if adoption issues for the adoptive family are of concern. An SW(AS) may inform/advise child s SW s of specific adoption issues that may effect the welfare of the child and its placement in the adoptive family. General A SW(AS) will develop networks/groups where adoptive families and birth parents can share adoption issues. A SW(AS) may, post assessment, access therapeutic services for adoptive families through CAMHS, LAAC team or PAC. The Adoption Support Service will provide training to maintain adoptive families and consider respite care as appropriate. The SW(AS) will support an adoptive family through an adoption disruption process. The SW(AS) will reassess financial support to adoptive families on request. Revised March

120 Practice Notes 13: Life Story Books 1. What is a Life Story Book? Making a Life Story Book is more than creating a photograph album with identifying sentences giving dates, places and names. It is an account of a child s life in words, pictures and documents, and an opportunity to explore emotions through play, conversation and counselling. It is a dynamic piece of work which needs to be updated as a child grows. A Life Story Book should: Keep as full a chronological record as possible of a child s life Integrate the past into the future so that childhood makes sense Provide a basis on which a continuing Life Story can be added to Be something the child can return to when he/she needs to deal with old feelings and clarify and/or accept the past Increase a child s sense of self and self-worth Provide a structure for talking to children about painful issues 2. Who Should Compile the Life Story Book? The process should be initiated, driven and co-ordinated by the SW and carried out in coordination with the child, the carer(s), parents, relatives, friends etc. Time and care should be given to: Planning carefully how undertake the work Reading the information about the child carefully and thoroughly Collating the information in chronological order Noting reasons for decisions Noting gaps in the records and attempting to fill them Counselling children, parents, friends, relatives and carers etc., as necessary 3. What Materials are Needed? Presentation is very important in terms of validating the importance of the Life story and motivating the child to want to read it and show it to others. Use a loose leaf folder Always work on clean paper Drawings and photos should be mounted Use neat headings If the child is unable/reluctant to write themselves, let them dictate what they want to say Use good quality copies/photocopies of treasured photos, documents etc. and not the original Get a balance of words and pictures A responsible adult should keep hold of the book until it is finished Keep a copy of it Revised March

121 4. Sources of Information Within the Department Children and Families Intensive Family Support/Family Resource team Assessment and Action records Review Documents Care Plans Core Assessments The Child s Permanence Report and Medicals Other Sources Birth parents Other relatives Foster carers Schools, playgroups, Anybody who has had contact with the child 5. What goes into the Life Story Book? Family tree back three generations if possible Photos of maternity hospital (and, for younger children, a clock showing the time) if the child has spent some weeks in hospital a photo of the cot and special nurses (with their permission) Weight, length, head circumference at birth Birth certificate, if possible Any items from the hospital (e.g. identity tag) Dates of first smile, sounds, words, tooth, steps etc. Photos of parents Photos and maps of places where the child lived Photos of relatives Photos of friends A truthful life history including abuse, neglect etc. that is age appropriate to the child. More detail can be added later as the child needs to know and the later life letter can give more detail Parents stories Details of siblings The child s views and memories Photos of workers and their roles Story of the court process Photos of carers Story of family finding Details of ceremonies (e.g. baptism) Anecdotes Favourite foods, likes and dislikes 6. Foster Carers/Residential staff Foster families and residential staff should be encouraged to record the story of the child s stay with them as fully as possible, including: Descriptions of what the child was like when they arrived, what they liked and disliked Revised March

122 Details of development (e.g. learning to ride a bike) Their own special memories of the child Birthdays, Christmases and other family celebrations/outings/holidays etc. photos, favourite places etc. Details and photos of foster family (including extended family), home, pets etc., who they got on with and who they didn t If appropriate, times when they had arguments, sulks etc. Special routines the child liked Souvenirs of school photos, certificates, reports, photos of and stories from teachers Contact visits Illnesses Photos of birth family with foster family Crafts/pictures completed in the foster home/school/playgroup Anecdotes 7. Using the Life Story Book Children need truthful and honest explanations that they can understand that means using language they know. It is important that: Questions are answered as honestly as possible Adults admit when they don t know the answer and offer to try and find out (rather than making something up) Children are helped to accept that not everything can be explained or understood Information is given sensitively and honestly protection and evasion leads to confusion and fear Adults help children to realise which feelings are healthy and acceptable by discussing their own feelings frankly. If feelings are ignored, children get the message that to express them is wrong bottling them up can lead to negative behaviour like aggression or withdrawal Adults never pretend abusive/bad relationships didn t exist Revised March

123 Practice Notes 14: Concurrent Planning Concurrent planning is a form of contingency planning first used in England in the late 1990s. It involves placing a looked-after child with approved foster carers who, as well as providing temporary care for the child, brings them to regular supervised contact sessions with their birth parents and other relatives. In addition, the carer spends time with the birth parents at both ends of contact sessions to update them on the child s progress. This enables a relationship to develop which is supportive to the birth parents. It also allows the carers to build a realistic understanding of the birth parents abilities and personality, which, in the event that the child remains with the carer, enables them to give a very well informed and integrated view of the birth parents to the child. The foster carer/prospective adopter is provided with focused support via a contact supervisor whose role is to advise the birth parents to help them to change their lifestyle and improve their parenting skills with the aim of enabling their child to return home to them. If a return to birth parents is the outcome, the child will have maintained contact with their parents and have sustained their attachment because of the regular contact visits. But the carers are also approved as adopters so that if the birth parents' rehabilitation plan is not successful, the child is placed with the carers for adoption, ensuring a continuity of attachment. Concurrent planning is not the same as parallel or twin track planning. In these cases the child remains with their parents or is placed with temporary foster carers while rehabilitation plan is implemented. At the same time an alternative plan for permanence is developed, which would usually involve a different set of carers to ensure that it is available as soon as it is clear that rehabilitation is not going to be achieved. Concurrent planning is usually most appropriate when the child is under-two. There is substantial evidence of the serious long-term effects on children under-two who from birth did not receive sensitive, committed and stable care from their primary carer. It is not the right option for all children, for example, those who are already in a stable foster placement but for whom adoption subsequently becomes their plan, or where the need for care is to be short-term, and older children. But it should always be considered, in the context of care planning as a whole, as one of the possible options for achieving permanence for a child. The adoption team should bear in mind who amongst the pool of adopters and potential adopters might be suited to undertake the role of concurrency carer should this be requested. (See also section on Fostering for Adoption) Bibliography Kenrick J. Concurrent Planning (2) The Rollercoaster of uncertainty in Adoption and Fostering Quarterly Journal 34: Revised March

124 Practice Notes 15: Conduct of Disruption Meetings The following guidance is intended to help staff and carers/adopters who have not previously attended a Disruption Meeting to prepare them for what is involved and be better informed as to the nature of the meeting and how it will be conducted. There are several different purposes to each Disruption Meeting, but the main one is to understand what has happened in the placement in order to inform any future planning for the child. The Disruption Meeting is not a planning meeting, but is an opportunity to review the past as a preparation for the future. In order to understand the placement, it is necessary to go back to the beginning of the child s life and to analyse the effect of the moves the child will have experienced, the parenting the child has received and any relationships in the child s life. A crucial stage to look at is the assessment of the child s needs at the time of seeking a placement to see how accurately these were understood at the time. The linking of the child to the adopter is another key stage and, before looking at this, it is necessary to consider the application of the prospective adopter, the assessment of what they were offering and the help they were given in understanding the needs of the child requiring placement. The meeting then goes on to consider the panel decisions (where applicable) about the placement, the introduction of the child to the new family and the placement itself. It is important to look at all the good things in the placement as well as the things that went wrong and to remember that no one can ever take away the good experiences from a child. They are a positive base on which to build for the future, while help is offered to overcome the negative experiences of their life. Finally, it is appropriate to look at the child s situation since the placement ended and to consider what the child s needs are currently. All this information is made available to the next planning meeting. It is hoped that the adopters will also find the disruption meeting helpful as a way of understanding what has happened and of helping them to move on to decisions about their own future. With the benefit of hindsight, it is always possible to see where things might have been done differently but a Disruption Meeting offers an opportunity to social workers individually, the adoption team and children s services as a whole to learn from such an experience. It is important to stress that these meetings are not intended as a way of blaming anyone and one aim is to help each person see their own contribution in the wider picture of the child s life. Adopters in particular can be reassured to see that the task that they took on was far greater that they had anticipated and the fact that the placement did not last was due to a whole series of factors starting well before they met the child. The meeting is intended to be as supportive as possible even though painful issues must be discussed. Disruption Meetings are long and can be distressing, there should be regular breaks and refreshments should be provided. In order to cover all the various aspects, it is necessary to chair the meeting fairly tightly but is very important that everyone feels safe and able to make a contribution which will be respected. Someone will take minutes during the meeting and afterwards a full report will be prepared. It is a valuable document which pulls together the whole of the child s life so far Revised March

125 so one day it will be available to the child to explain why decisions were made as they were. Everybody who attends a Disruption Meeting will receive a copy of the report of the meeting, which is of course a confidential document. Revised March

126 West Sussex County Council - Adoption Agency Adoption Panel Procedures Appendix1 Contents: 1. Purpose 2. Membership 3. Observers 4. Specialist Advisers 5. Declaring and interest 6. Representation of Views 7. Reaching a Recommendation and Notification 8. Meeting Schedules 9. Monitoring role 10. Disruptions 11. Complaints and appeals 12. Review Revised March

127 1. Purpose 1.1 The adoption panel is established in accordance with Regulations and Guidance to ensure that the panel has an independent role separate from the agency. All Local Authority adoption agencies are legally required to have an adoption panel. 1.2 The adoption panel is required to consider all cases referred to it by the adoption agency (West Sussex County Council) and to offer advice if required. 1.3 The adoption panel has three key functions. It must consider and make a recommendation whether: A child whose birth parents are consenting to adoption, should be placed for adoption In such a case the panel must also consider and may give advice about: a) The arrangements which the agency proposes to make for allowing any person contact with the child; and b) Whether an application should be made for a placement order in respect of the child. Applicants are suitable as prospective adopters The panel may also give advice about the number of children they may be suitable to adopt as well as the age, gender, likely needs and background. Specific prospective adopters are suitable for a particular child The panel must also consider, and may give advice to the agency, about: a) The adoption support proposals b) The arrangements which the agency proposes to make for allowing any person contact with the child; and c) Whether the parental responsibility of any parent or guardian or the prospective adopter should be restricted and, if so, the extent of the restriction The panel has additional roles in relation to monitoring and reviewing 1.4 Statutory Adoption Guidance 2013 recommends that the panel is updated on the general progress of the cases it has considered. 1.5 National Minimum Standards 17.2 requires panels to provide quality assurance feedback to the agency every six months on the quality of reports being presented to panel. 1.6 The panel chair and adviser must keep a note of issues arising from each panel. Some issues will need immediate action by the panel adviser in informing the relevant TM and others may form part of the six monthly quality assurance report. 2. Membership 2.1 Regulation 3 of the Adoption Agencies and Independent Review of Determinations (Amendment) Regulations 2011 states that the agency must maintain a central list of persons suitable to be members of the adoption panel. Revised March

128 2.2 West Sussex list includes a) an independent chair; b) two social workers, each with at least 3 years relevant post-qualifying experience; c) an elected member of the County Council; d) a medical adviser; e) at least 3 independent members, including where possible an adopted person, an adoptive parent, a member of a minority ethnic community and a person with a disability. 2.3 Two vice chairs shall be appointed from within the panel membership. 2.4 All panel members will have suitable qualifications, experience and/or qualities and are expected to comply with panel regulations and procedures. 2.5 All panel members will be appointed by the Agency Decision Maker (ADM) in consultation with the panel adviser, and relevant managers. Panel member job descriptions and person specifications should be drawn from Appendix 5 of the BAAF publication Effective Adoption Panels by Jennifer Lord and Deborah Cullen.(2013) 2.6 The medical adviser is a consultant community paediatrician and county lead on looked after children and is facilitated through the local NHS Trust/local authority arrangements. The legal adviser is nominated by the County Council Legal Services. 2.7 The panel is quorate with 5 voting members present and must include the chair or vice chair, a social worker and one of the independent members. 2.8 Each panel member has a duty to maintain the confidentiality of the information to which they have access and is required to sign a confidentiality agreement. 2.9 Tenure of office is unlimited; however panel members performance is subject to annual appraisal against agreed performance objectives by the panel chair and professional adviser Panel members unable to attend when requested on a regular basis may be given notice to terminate their membership of the central list The agency adviser to the adoption panel or the chair will informally approach any panel member whose behaviour is considered disruptive, ineffective or inappropriate. If the matter cannot be resolved at the informal stage by further individual training and/or advice and guidance, a review should be held to address the issue. If there is still no substantive change and difficulties persist the agency will put in writing their reasons for terminating membership of the central list All central list panel members must have: An enhanced disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service updated every three years. Two satisfactory written personal references prior to their appointment to the panel which must be followed up with telephone enquiries. Where panel members have lived outside the UK, further checks should be undertaken to supplement the DBS check. Panel members must have the right to work in the UK. Proof of identity including a recent photograph. Revised March

129 Evidence of qualifications and experience Each panel member will have a file held by the County Council with details of recruitment, references, appraisals and any complaints and allegations made against the panel member, details of the investigation and its outcome All new panel members will be expected to observe at least one panel prior to membership All new panel members will receive an induction pack together with an induction programme from the professional adviser All panel members are expected to attend two training sessions each year. Formal panel training sessions will be arranged in consultation with panel members and additionally panel members are invited to attend any relevant training provided by the County Council One training session will be arranged each year to include members of the agency adoption service Panel members will be kept informed about current practice, issues and legislation in relation to adoption by means of updates from the professional adviser A panel member may resign at any time by giving one month s notice in writing to the panel chair or professional adviser. 3. Observers 3.1 Observers who have a relevant professional interest in the work of the Adoption Agency will be able to attend panel with the prior agreement of the panel chair. They will be required to sign an undertaking regarding confidentiality. There should be no more than two observers at any panel. 4. Specialist Advisers 4.1 Medical adviser - The medical adviser is a full member of the adoption panel and is not confined to commenting solely on medical matters and advises both in relation to adults and children. It is the medical adviser who writes the medical report to panel although another qualified medical practitioner can undertake the medical examination. Wherever possible they should be a senior member of the community child health team and understand the consequences of abuse and neglect. The medical adviser is available, where appropriate to children, social worker, foster carers, adopters and birth family members to offer advice. 4.2 Legal adviser - is nominated by the Legal Services department of the County Council and will be a member of the child care team. The legal adviser attends panel as requested, but is not a member and therefore does not participate in making recommendations. The panel may obtain legal advice as it considers necessary to the case when considering a match or the suitability of adopters. (AAR 26(c) and AAR 32(2)(c)) If the legal adviser is unable to attend panel they must ensure that written advice is available or another member of the legal team is able to attend if requested. Revised March

130 (Note: The legal adviser must give advice when the ADM is considering the child s plan for adoption and must attend panel and give advice when panel considers a child s adoption plan where the parent/s have consented to adoption) 3.1. Agency adviser - is a senior member of staff appointed to: (a) (b) (c) (d) assist the agency with the appointment (including re-appointment), termination and review of appointment of members of the adoption panel; be responsible for the induction and training of members of the adoption panel; be responsible for liaison between the agency and the adoption panel, monitoring the performance of members of the adoption panel and the administration of the adoption panel; and give such advice to the adoption panel as the panel may request in relation to any case or generally. The agency adviser must be a social worker and have at least five years' relevant post-qualifying experience and, in the opinion of the adoption agency, relevant management experience Other advisers - if other specialist advice is required in relation to race, culture and inter-country adoption the agency adviser to panel will ensure this advice is available. 5. Declaring an interest 5.1 Panel members who have had any involvement in a case to be considered, or who know any of the people involved, should declare an interest and identify whether they consider this will prejudice their deliberation on the case. If they do consider their may be a conflict in interest they should leave the room. If they do not consider their knowledge will affect their consideration of the matter it is the responsibility of the chair (with legal advice if necessary) to make the final decision as to whether or not they participate. 5.2 In cases where a panel member considers there may be a conflict of interest it is their responsibility to alert the agency advisor so that there is no risk of the panel not being able to proceed because of the panel becoming inquorate. 6. Representation of Views 6.1. Prospective adopters are expected to attend panel when their application to adopt is considered. Adopters will be given a panel leaflet with information about panel members and panel process Prospective adopters must be treated with respect and openness. Panel members must always be mindful that prospective adopters attendance at panel is not a requirement in law Birth parents are encouraged to make written or recorded representation to panel and in any event should be shown and be fully aware of the information about them Revised March

131 which is presented to the panel. Birth parents will be given a panel leaflet explaining how they can make representation Children are encouraged to write or record their views for panel. Where appropriate having consideration to their age and understanding children should receive written information about adoption and the role of the panel. 7. Reaching a Recommendation and Notifications 7.1 Panel members are expected to read the panel papers in advance of the panel meeting and contribute to discussion. 7.2 Panel members are expected to reach a consensus and the chair will ensure that all members have the opportunity to express their views. 7.3 If a consensus cannot be reached then a majority view will prevail with the dissenting members names and views being noted in the minutes and if requested will be attributed. The chair will make the final decision on the recommendation if the matter is in the balance. 7.4 If there is insufficient information available for panel to reach a recommendation, the decision will be deferred for this additional information to be provided or work to be undertaken. 7.5 Minutes are taken at each panel meeting. Minutes will record panel discussion, reasons for conclusions and all recommendations made. 7.6 The panel chair will convey panel recommendations to applicants, once the panel has completed their consideration of the case. 7.7 The minutes must be completed with all reasonable speed (usually within two days of panel) and circulated to panel members and relevant social workers for any amendments. The panel chair must then agree the final version of the minutes which must be sent to the agency decision maker as part of the information he/she considers when making their decision. 7.8 The agency decision maker must make their decision within 7 working days of receipt of the recommendation and final minutes of the adoption panel. 7.9 The agency decision must be conveyed orally by the relevant SW within 2 days and in writing within 5 days Copies of panel minutes are kept by the panel administrator at Durban House, Bognor Regis until they are archived at the Modern Records Centre. 8. Meeting schedules 8.1. Meetings are normally held each fortnight through the year Additional meetings may be required when there is insufficient panel time to consider the business booked for panel On rare occasions emergency adoption panel meetings may be scheduled where the next scheduled panel date would incur unacceptable delay for a child or adopters. Revised March

132 8.4. In respect of emergency panels, the principle of normal panel procedures will apply. Panel members will receive the papers at least 24 hours in advance of the panel meeting. Panel members will be contracted by telephone or to ascertain their availability and the agency adviser will liaise with the chair to arrange the meeting. 9. Monitoring 9.1. Progress reports will be provided to panel by the agency adviser. This will be sufficiently frequent for the panel to be informed of individual cases of children approved for adoption at not less than 6 monthly intervals The agency adviser and Service Manager adoption and fostering will take responsibility for reporting back to the agency any concerns or issues raised by panel members and will be available to meet with agency decision makers at their request. Examples of good practice will similarly be fed back An annual report on panel and agency activity will be prepared every 6 months by the service manager in consultation with the agency adviser and the panel chair. Amongst other matters it will contain the following; a) Number of best interest recommendations with a breakdown in terms of age, sex, siblings, disability, ethnicity and religion. b) Numbers of prospective adopters recommended for approval/non approval/deferment - with a breakdown in terms of age, marital status, family composition, ethnicity and religion and if deferred or not approved, the reasons. c) Number of matches during the year and detail of how long child/ren waited for the match and how long the adopter waited. d) Number of adoptions during the year. e) Number of disruptions reported during the year. f) An evaluation of the quality of reports presented to panel with detail regarding any particular themes or issues emerging. g) An analysis of feedback from attendees to panel. This report will be shared with the Cabinet Member with responsibility for the Children and Young People s Services portfolio and may additionally be shared with the Children and Young People s Services Select Committee. 10. Disruptions A disruption can occur at any time after a match has been recommended by the panel, that is before placement, after placement or post adoption order Disruptions in adoptions should be notified to the adoption panel via the agency adviser as soon as practicable following the disruption Following a disruption meeting, a report will be presented to the adoption panel, detailing the significant events, learning points and recommendations of the meeting. 11. Complaints and Appeals Any complainant should initially be given the appropriate complaint leaflet. Revised March

133 11.2. In the event of a specific complaint about adoption panel, the professional adviser and chair should be contacted to assist in resolution. If the matter cannot be resolved at stage one then the usual agency procedures for handling complaints will follow In the event of a panel recommending that prospective adopters are not suitable, and the agency decision maker accepting this recommendation and making a qualifying determination, the prospective adopters will be advised in writing of their right to either, have the matter heard by an independent review panel through the Independent Review Mechanism, or have it referred back to the panel for further consideration. A leaflet and explanatory letter must be given to them, together with clear reasons for the qualifying determination. 12. Review Questionnaires will be sent to all prospective adopters, whose application has been heard by the adoption panel, seeking their views and feedback on their attendance. The outcome of these questionnaires will be presented to panel members by the agency adviser at an appropriate meeting or training session and included in the six monthly report Questionnaires will similarly be sent to social workers who attend panel and their views will also be presented to panel members at an appropriate meeting or training session and included in the six monthly report. Revised March

134 Appendix 2 Financial Support in Adoption West Sussex County Council Children and Young People s Services (under Review January 2012) Revised March

135 1. Purpose of the Scheme The scheme is designed to enable West Sussex County Council (the Authority) to provide financial support to adoptive (including prospective) parents. Financial support is provided in order to facilitate the adoption of children that would otherwise not be practical without the provision of financial support. The scheme has been established in accordance with the Adoption Support Services (Local Authorities) (England) Regulations Adoption allowances paid under section 57(A) of the Adoption Act 1976 and the Adoption Allowance Regulations 1991 are now treated as financial support under the 2003 Regulations. The key elements of the 2003 Regulations are included below as part of this policy. A copy of the full regulations can be supplied on request. 2. Eligibility for financial support 2.1 Financial support may be paid by a Local Authority to an adoptive parent, and only where one or more of the circumstances specified in paragraph 3 of the Regulations exists. 2.2 These circumstances are: (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g) where the child has not been placed with the adoptive parents for adoption, and financial support is necessary to ensure that the adoptive parents can look after the child if placed with them ( by an adoption agency ); where the child has been placed with the adoptive parents for adoption ( by an adoption agency ), and financial support is necessary to ensure that the adoptive parents can continue to look after the child; where the child has been adopted, and financial support is necessary to ensure that the adoptive parents can continue to look after the child; where the local authority are satisfied that the child has established a strong and important relationship with the adoptive parent before the adoption order is made; where it is desirable that the child be placed with the same adoptive parent as his brother or sister (whether of the full blood or half blood), or with a child with whom he has previously shared a home; where the child needs special care which requires a greater expenditure of resources by reason of illness, disability, emotional or behavioural difficulties or the continuing consequences of past abuse or neglect; where on account of the age, sex or ethnic origin of the child it is necessary for the local authority to make special arrangements to facilitate the placement of the child for adoption. 2.3 Before financial support is payable the Authority requires the adoptive parents to agree to: (a) inform the Authority immediately if: i. they change their address; ii. the child no longer has his home with them (or either of them), or dies; or Revised March

136 iii. there is any change in their financial circumstances or the financial needs or resources of the child. Such information, if given orally, must be confirmed in writing within seven days; (b) where financial support is available in periodic payments to supply the local authority with an annual financial statement. 2.4 The Authority will review the financial support: (a) annually, on receipt of a statement from the adoptive parents as to: i. their financial circumstances; ii. the financial needs and resources of the child; iii. their address and whether the child still has a home with them (or either of them); and (b) if any change in circumstances of the adoptive parents or the child comes to their notice. 3. Determining the nature and amount of financial support 3.1 To determine the amount of financial support required, if any, the Authority will carry out an assessment. 3.2 In determining the amount of financial support the local authority will take into account in the assessment: (a) any recommendations made by the adoption panel to the local authority (b) the financial resources available to the adoptive parents including child tax credit and any other financial benefit which would be available in respect of the child if the child lived with them; (c) the amount required by the adoptive parents in respect of their reasonable outgoings and commitments (excluding outgoings in respect of the child); (d) the financial needs and resources of the child; (e) expenditure for the purposes of facilitating the placement of the child with the adoptive parents for adoption, including: i. expenditure for the purpose of introducing the child to his adoptive parents; i. initial expenditure necessary for the purpose of accommodating the child, including the provision of furniture and domestic equipment, alterations to and adaptations of the home, provision of means of transport and provision of clothing, toys and other items necessary for the purpose of looking after the child; ii. legal costs, including fees payable to a court, in relation to the adoption of the child; iii. cost of equipment for the purpose of meeting any special needs of the child; iv. cost of damage in the home where the child is accommodated where such cost arises out of special behavioural difficulties of the child; v. the cost of placing a child in a boarding school where the placement is necessary to meet the special needs of the child; Revised March

137 vi. vii. the cost of meeting the special needs of the child, including needs arising out of a serious disability or illness; expenditure on travel for the purpose of visits between the child and a related person. 3.3 Financial support may not be paid to meet any needs when any state benefit or allowance is available to the adoptive parents in respect of those needs as a result of the adoption. Please see the website of the Department of Work and Pensions. 3.4 The financial support payable by the local authority may not include any element of remuneration for the care of the child by the adoptive parents unless: (a) the adoptive parent is or has been a foster parent in respect of the child and (b) it appears to the local authority that any financial assistance or allowances given to the adoptive parents in respect of their fostering of the child has ceased, or will cease and (c) the authority has decided that the adoptive parent would be a suitable adoptive parent for the child and (d) before the adoption order is made the local authority decides to pay financial support and determine that the financial support is to be paid periodically. 3.5 This applies: (a) (b) at any time until the day ("the second anniversary") occurring two years after the date of the adoption order in respect of the child; and at any time after the second anniversary, in a case where any of the circumstances specified in the regulations exists on the date on which the local authority decides to pay financial support. 4. Payment of financial support 4.1 Where the Local Authority decides that financial support is to be paid, it may make a single payment, or with the agreement of the adoptive parent make payment in instalments, or periodically. 4.2 Where the Local Authority decides that financial support is to be paid to meet needs that are likely to recur, the Authority may make payment: (a) (b) in instalments on such dates as the local authority may specify; or periodically until such date (if any) as the local authority may specify. 4.3 The Authority will inform the adopter of: (a) (b) the method of the determination of the amount of financial support, where financial support is to be paid in instalments, in periodic payments: i. the amount of financial support, ii. the frequency with which the payment will be made; iii. the date (if any) until which financial support is to be paid; Revised March

138 iv. the date of the first payment of financial support; (c) (d) (e) (f) where financial support is to be paid as a single payment, the date on which the payment is to be made; where financial support is to be paid subject to any conditions, those conditions, the date (if any) by which the conditions are to be met and the consequences of failing to meet the conditions; the arrangements and procedure for review, variation and termination of financial support, the responsibilities of: i. the Authority with regard to reviewing financial support; and ii. the adoptive parents to inform the Authority if they change address, the child no longer has his/her home with them or die; there is any change in their financial circumstances or the financial needs/resources of the child. 4.4 Where the Authority is satisfied that a condition in respect of which payment has been made has not been met the Authority may require that the payment or an appropriate part of the payment be repaid. 4.5 The level and nature of the financial support provided will be dependent on an assessment of needs of the child and adoptive family in accordance with the schedule outlined in paragraph 3 above. 4.6 When the support is provided either as a single payment or in instalments, the amount will be determined by the Authority following an assessment. When the payments are to be made either periodically (as those previously agreed as adoption allowances) they will be paid according to the schedule of rates agreed by the Authority which will be reviewed annually. The current schedule of payments can be found on page 113 below. 4.7 The payment will be dependent upon the age of the child and the financial circumstances of the adopters and child. 4.8 In addition to the circumstances outlined in 3.4 above, in exceptional circumstances there is provision for an enhanced rate to be paid to meet the assessed special needs of the child. The entitlement to and level of any such enhancement will be determined by the Exceptional Payments Panel by evaluation against the criteria set down by the Authority on page 113 below. 5. Duration and Review of Payments 5.1 Financial support may be paid until the child/young person reaches eighteen years unless he or she: (a) (b) (c) ceases to have a home with the adopters (or either of them). This does not apply to temporary periods of absence, e.g. for in-patient hospital treatment or respite care; ceases full-time education and commences employment or qualifies for a placement on a Government or Government supported training scheme; qualifies for income Support or Job Seekers Allowance in his/her own right; Revised March

139 (d) (e) continues in full-time education or training when it may continue until the end of the course of education or training he/she is then undertaking; any period agreed between the Authority and the adopters for the payment of the financial support expires. 5.2 Financial support may be varied, suspended or terminated if the financial circumstances of the adopters change. The Authority will review any periodic payments annually, or at such shorter intervals as the Authority shall determine. If the Local Authority decide to vary, suspend or terminate the payment of the financial support they shall give reasonable notice of their decision to the adopters including reasons. 5.3 Adopters will be required to supply the Local Authority with an annual statement providing details and evidence of their financial circumstances including income and outgoings. This will enable an assessment to be made before each review. The Authority may suspend payments if adequate information is not provided. If it appears to the Authority at any review that any of the circumstances set out in paragraph 5.1 are likely to take place within the period before the next annual review, a review will be arranged at an earlier date to take account of this. If any change in circumstances of either the adoptive parents or the child come to the attention of the Local Authority a review can be carried out. 5.4 If financial support has been suspended or decreased because the adopter s income has risen above the level at which they would qualify for this support, the adopters can make an application to the Authority for further financial support at any time before one of the circumstances set out in paragraph 5.1 has occurred. For the financial support to be reinstated on the grounds that the adopter s income has fallen to a level where they once again qualify, evidence of the adopters financial circumstances will be required by the Authority. 5.5 The above provisions will be defined in the original agreement between the adopters and the Agency. 6. Frequency of Payment When financial support is provided in periodic payments, the payments shall be paid according to the schedule agreed between the Authority and adopters. Payment will be made through (BACs) into a nominated bank account. 7. Consultation with and notification to adopters 7.1 The Authority shall ensure that adopters are consulted about the arrangements to pay financial support. The adopters will be notified in advance of the first payment of the amount of financial support to be provided and the terms and conditions on which the financial support will be paid. The Authority shall ensure that these matters are set out in writing in the form of an agreement and the adopters notified through being provided with a copy of the agreement. 7.2 This Authority will be responsible for continuing to pay financial support for an adopted child which is agreed prior to the making of an adoption order until it is terminated in accordance with the regulations. In respect of financial support agreed after the adoption order has been made this authority will be responsible for a period of three years after the date of placement, or one year after the making of the adoption order, whichever period is longer. Revised March

140 7.3 In exceptional circumstances and at the discretion of the Authority consideration will be given to this Authority continuing to provide any financial support if this is assessed to be in the interests of the child. 7.4 Adopters must, therefore, inform the Director of Social and Caring Services immediately of any change of address or any other change in circumstances which might, in the context of the original agreement, result in the financial support being altered. Revised March

141 Financial Services Children and Young People's Services ADOPTION AND RESIDENCE ALLOWANCE BASE RATE (SUBJECT TO FINANCIAL ASSESSMENT LESS CHILD BENEFIT) EFFECTIVE 01/04/2015 Age of child Weekly Rates CHILD BENEFIT RATES EFFECTIVE 06/04/2015 Weekly Rate Eldest/Only Child Other Children Revised March

142 Adoption Support, Residence and Special Guardianship Allowances Scheme of Enhancement and Single Payment 1. Determination of rates of payment 1.1 The provisions outlined below are intended to create flexibility in the provision of financial support when there are circumstances that merit an exceptional payment beyond the scheme of periodic payments or allowances. Such payments are intended as a contribution towards the cost of caring for the child. 1.2 Subject to an assessment of need, the Authority is required by the Adoption Support Services Regulations 2003 and Special Guardianship Regulations 2005 to provide financial support to adoptive parents. The Authority applies the similar criteria to the residence order allowance, enabled within Schedule 1 of the Children Act The terms of the payment is detailed in the Authority s Support in Adoption, Special Guardianship and Residence Order Allowance schemes. 1.3 The level of residence order allowance or periodic payment of financial support in adoption (including allowances previously granted under the Adoption Allowance Regulations 1991), is made on a schedule agreed by the Authority relating to the age of the child. The Authority adjusts the schedule each year, according a formula related to cost of living increases. 2. Payment made in respect of adoption and residence order allowances 2.1 The payment of residence and adoption allowances (including any enhancements agreed through the provisions of this scheme) remain unchanged by the Adoption Support Services Regulations 2003 and Special Guardianship Regulations With regard to financial support under the 2003 and 2005 Regulations, the Guidance from Government states that it is for the local authority to determine the amount of financial support provided taking into account the child s needs and resources and the adopters circumstances. The schedule of periodic payments detailed in Appendix 1 is to be regarded as the starting point in determining the level at which periodic payments will be made. For any payment above and beyond this, this scheme of enhancement will apply. 3. Enhancements 3.1 In exceptional circumstances, the scheme allows for stepped increases of any figure up to the maximum of that level of each enhancement, to meet specific assessed needs through a process of application to the Exceptional Payments Panel (EPP). 3.2 The circumstances and needs of any child attracting adoption support provisions or a residence allowance will already have been considered and financial support approved through an assessment of needs of the child and resources of the proposed carers. In respect of children being adopted this will be through the looked after children process. A recommendation made by the Adoption Panel will also be taken into account. With regard to children who may attract a residence allowance this will be through the looked after children process, although if the child is the subject of public law proceedings the outcome of those proceedings will also have a bearing on the granting of an allowance. Revised March

143 3.3 Through these processes, it will have been accepted by the Authority that a child qualifying for any form of financial support is likely to have complex needs. Any enhancement or exceptional payment will be made where there is additional complexity, assessed against the needs of the child and the ability of the carers to meet those needs within their existing financial resources. Enhancements and exceptional payments are therefore a response to particular problems, needs or circumstances. 3.4 Schedule of enhancements to ongoing payment i. Level 1 Enhancement Amount: Criteria: Duration: Up to 20 per week Child with above average needs requiring extra care or facilities. This includes such considerations as: minor physical disability; initial behavioural and/or attachment problems that it can be anticipated will resolve over twelve month period; placement of a sibling group; initial contact management issues and matters requiring ongoing additional expenditure such as hospital appointments, special dietary requirements and continence management. Maximum 12 months may be subject to extension through application to the Service Manager Family Placement. Authority: Service Manager Family Placement ii. Level 2 Enhancement Amount: Criteria: Up to 40 per week Child with above average needs including the same range of problems outlined in the criteria Level 1 above but which are at a more significant level and may not be resolved in the short term. Duration: Any specified period subject to review at 12 month intervals by Service Manager and by EPP for payments beyond 36 months. Authority: EPP with prior agreement of Service Manager Family Placement. iii. Level 3 Enhancement Amount: Criteria: Up to 60 per week Child with significantly above average needs requiring intensive care or facilities. This would include physical or mental disability; significant behavioural and/or attachment problems that it can be anticipated will require additional input over the long term, intensive physical care, ongoing complex contact arrangements and matters requiring ongoing additional expenditure such as frequent attendance for hospital or therapeutic appointments. Particular emphasis will be placed on a child who is likely to remain in the Looked After system unless additional financial Revised March

144 resources are made available and for a child for whom an agency adoption, fostering or residential placement would normally be required. Duration: Any specified period subject to review at 12 month intervals by Service Manager and by EPP for payments beyond 36 months. Authority: EPP with prior agreement of Service Manager Family Placement. 4. Single payments - adoption 4.1 Single payments are available to adoptive parents, subject to assessment of need, under the Adoption Support Services Regulations Payments are made according to the needs identified through the following process: Schedule of single payments i. Level 1 single payment Amount: Criteria: Up to 250 per child at commencement of placement for adoption. Setting up allowance for placement for child (normally over the age of 12 months). Single payment to meet needs such as additional equipment, travel costs for contact visits or replacement of mobility or laundry equipment. Authority: Team Manager Family Placement ii. Level 2 single payment Amount: Criteria: Up to 1,000 per child at any time from linking of the child with prospective adopters. Setting up allowance for placement for child (normally over the age of 12 months) necessary beyond Level 1 payment. Single payment to meet needs such as adaptations to the home for such reasons as safety or privacy for siblings, additional equipment, travel costs for contact visits or replacement of mobility or laundry equipment or for one off purchase of therapeutic work. Authority: Service Manager Family Placement iii. Level 3 single payment Amount: As required to a maximum of 10,000 in any one year Criteria: One-off payment to meet exceptional needs such as cost of alterations or adaptations to the home to accommodate child or sibling group or complex equipment for essential daily living that cannot be secured from any other source. Revised March

145 Authority: EPP iv. Introduction and contact expenses Amount: Criteria: Travel at 20 pence per mile or actual public transport costs and accommodation at cost. Introduction schedule agreed at placement planning meeting. Overnight accommodation at a reasonable cost e.g. self-catering accommodation for longer stays or 2/3 star hotel or bed and breakfast. To include reasonable subsistence costs. Authority: Team Manager Adoption 5. Exceptions 5.1 In circumstances not catered for those outlined in 3 and 4 above the EPP will consider and determine applications regarding: 5.2 When the adoptive parent is or has been a foster parent in respect of the child and the conditions in paragraph (4), (5) and (6) of the adoption Support Services Regulations are met, the EPP will consider applications relating to the continuance of the fostering payment including any element of remuneration. 5.3 Single payments residence allowances Single payments are not normally available to holders of residence allowances. In exceptional circumstances, and only following a full assessment, the EPP will consider applications for a single payment to meet a particular requirement that cannot be otherwise met and which secures the future of a placement. 5.4 Other exceptions In circumstances that cannot be resolved through the provisions outlined above, a special report may be prepared for the Principal Manager, CYPS for a decision regarding the variation of the scheme. Such approval will only be sought when the criteria for a level 3 enhancement is met and following a recommendation from the EPP. Such exceptions would be made in order to facilitate or maintain a placement that is demonstrably in a child s best interests and which can only be made or sustained with additional financial support. Such payments will only be made as are consistent with all prevailing regulations and will be reviewed thereafter by the EPP in accordance with the procedures outlined for level 3 payments above. Revised March

146 Appendix 3 Children & Young People's Financial Assessment Guidance Notes Please read these notes carefully before completing the Assessment Form. Income Net monthly earnings of Carer & Net monthly earnings of Partner: This section should include basic net monthly pay, before any deductions for savings schemes, social clubs, accommodation/food and loans. However, the income figure used should exclude any payments into pension funds. Where you (or your partner) are selfemployed, the only income which should be considered is drawings. Any profit from the business sitting in a bank account (and thereby not being reinvested) should be taken into account as capital under Monthly income from capital, savings and investments. If you (or your partner) receives overtime, fees, bonus/commission and/or gratuities on a regular basis (for example annual bonuses) should be included as part of the monthly payment (i.e. if the payments are annual, these should be divided by 12 to give a monthly amount to be included in the basic net monthly pay section). Monthly child benefit for other members of family: Include child benefit for each child, excluding the child/children who are the subject of this assessment application. Monthly income from capital, savings & investments: If you receive income from capital, savings and/or investments, this should be assessed in terms of net monthly interest only, as paid, and should be clearly shown on statements/similar. Any interest received from Government Child Trust Funds should not be included in this section. Monthly income from unfurnished properties: If you receive income from rent on an unfurnished property, this should be calculated on the following basis: monthly income received in rent after the deduction of any costs. Deductions can be made for: Interest payments on the mortgage (but not mortgage capital payments); Repairs; Council tax (if being paid by you); Agents fees; and Buildings Insurance. Monthly income from furnished properties: If you receive income from furnished properties, the same calculation applies as above for unfurnished property, but an extra 10% deduction from the monthly rent received can be made as a wear and tear allowance. Any Other Income Please detail any other income including any payments received in relation to the child (ren) who are the subject of this assessment application. Revised March

147 Outgoings Monthly Loan Repayments: Please enter your monthly loan payments and indicate the full amount and nature of loan(s). Monthly child care costs: This section should only include nursery fees and child minding costs. Please also provide the total number of hours each parent works per month. Revised March

148 Appendix 4 Consideration of the need for legal representation for prospective adopters for children looked after by the Local Authority Birth parent intend to attempt to oppose the granting of the Adoption Order Live issue of contact Extended/immediate family put themselves forward at last minute Changes can happen at any stage of the case. However, the S/W needs to be aware that representative will need 3 weeks notice to advocate for Adopters Revised March

149 2 ND Adoption Review Consider prompts overleaf for representation Yes No Discuss need for legal representative with legal department NFA Representative needed Yes No NFA List of solicitors given to perspective adopters Discussion with SM for Adoption agreement of fees to be paid Fees Agreed Refer to legal department to get agreement for fees/rates Rates agreed by SM Adoption proceedings concluded Solicitors for Adopters invoice - WSCC Legal Invoice forwarded to team for payments Revised March

150 Appendix 5 Pro-forma letters and documents 1. Letter box contact agreement 2. Letter to hospital administrator requesting forms M & B completed 3. Letter to prospective adoptive parents at time of placement 4. Authorisation to change a child s name 5. Notification to birth parents: in agreement with plan for adoption 6. Notification to birth parents: not in agreement with the plan for adoption 7. Notification to birth parents when child placed for adoption 8. Notification to birth parents when adoption order made 9. Notification of Child Health Bureau 10. Confirmation of Adoption Panel booking prospective adoptive parents 11. Confirmation of Adoption Panel booking child 12. Confirmation of Adoption Panel booking linking 13. Foster carers report to the Adoption Panel Revised March

151 West Sussex County Council Children & Young People s Services Adoption Post Box Service Agreement and Agency Guidelines West Sussex County Council Adoption Support Services Adoption Post Box Service Revised March

152 Post Adoption Indirect Contact This arrangement is not legally binding and is made in good faith between all parties. The best interest of the child will always be the most important consideration. Should any party, including the child wish to vary or change any arrangements in the future, they should contact the Adoption Support Service so a review can be undertaken. To ensure the service works efficiently please ensure: a) Your correspondence is sent during the month agreed. b) That your envelopes are unsealed, thus allowing the contents to be photocopied. All copies will be stored on the file for the adopted child. c) That you provide an accompanying letter stating: Who you are. Who the correspondence is for. The birth name of your child. Any change of address. Please note We are unable to accept cash or gifts through the Post Box exchange. We would like you to let us know if your correspondence has not arrived by the end of the agreed month. Revised March

153 Adoption Support Service Indirect contact arrangements for the birth family (All correspondence to be sent to the Post Box Co-ordinator) Full name:.. Address:... Postcode:.. Telephone number:.. Birth name of the child:.. Their DOB:.. Details of Exchange arrangements (indirect) Give details of what is to be sent :- (please tick which applies) Letter Post Card Christmas Card Birthday Card Photos Gift Vouchers What is the month they will be sent? How will your letter be signed?.. What names will you use to address the letter?.. Direct Contact Name those with contact What month does it occur? Name of Co-ordinator I/We anticipate that the arrangements will continue until the child is 18, but I/We are aware that the child may decide at some stage to stop the contact. I/We agree to notify the Post Box Co-ordinator of any change of address or change in my/our circumstances. I/We agree that any circumstances felt to be exception e.g. birth, serious illness or death of a family member can be communicated to the Adoption Support Service at any time. I/We agree to the conditions set out above:- Signed:.. Date: Signed:.. Date: Revised March

154 Adoption Support Service Indirect contact arrangements for the adoptive family (All correspondence to be sent to the Post Box Co-ordinator) Full name:.. Address:... Postcode:.. Telephone number:.. Birth name of the child:.. Their DOB:.. Details of exchange arrangements (indirect) Give details of what is to be sent:- (please tick which applies) Letter Post Card Christmas Card Birthday Card Photos Gift Vouchers What is the month they will be sent? How will your letter be signed?.. What names will you use to address the letter?.. Direct Contact Name those with contact.. What month does it occur? Name of Co-ordinator I/We anticipate that the arrangements will continue until the child is 18, but I/We are aware that the child may decide at some stage to stop the contact. I/We agree to notify the Post Box Co-ordinator of any change of address or change in my/our circumstances. Revised March

155 I/We agree that any circumstances felt to be exception e.g. birth, serious illness or death of a family member can be communicated to the Adoption Support Service at any time. I/We agree to the conditions set out above: Signed:.. Date: Signed:.. Date: Revised March

156 Direct Contact Adoption Support Service Guidance for Social Workers, Adopters and Birth Family 1. Direct Contact is the face to face meeting between named birth family members and the adopted child. This may include siblings. 2. The plan should state the birth name of the adopted child and the names of the birth family that are part of the direct contact arrangements. 3. The month/s of direct contact will be specified. 4. The adoptive parent/s should be present at the direct contact meetings. This may vary according to the understanding/needs/wishes of the child. 5. The venue for these meetings should normally be in a neutral setting. 6. The social worker of the named child will be responsible for the supervision and the setting up of these arrangements until the responsibility is handed over to the Adoption Support Service. The handover will take place within one month of the adoption order being made and after a meeting has taken place between the named parties. 7. Responsibility for organising and supervising these meetings must be explicit and not left to chance. The written plan must detail exactly who is expected to do what and also how these arrangements will be reviewed. Guidance with the arrangements can be sought through the Adoption Support Service. 8. All parties will be provided with a copy of the direct contact arrangements. 9. Should any party, including the child, wish to vary or change the arrangements in the future, they should contact the Adoption Support Service, so a review can be undertaken. 10. An individual Direct Contact Plan is expected for each child, even when children are placed together. 11. The parties to this agreement will be responsible for notifying the Adoption Support Service of any changes in circumstances at the time they happen e.g. birth, death, change of address. Revised March

157 Indirect contact Adoption Support Services Arrangements for Post Adoption Contact Guidance for social workers and their managers 1. The child s social worker and the adoption social worker will work in partnership to draw up the contact arrangements for the child. 2. The contact arrangements will include significant family members including siblings. 3. Discussions regarding the contact arrangements for the child should begin at an early stage of placement planning. This will involve all parties, so that the written agreement is completed before the application to adopt is made. 4. Advice should be sought from the Adoption Support Service regarding contact issues generally and the administration of the contact arrangements. 5. The arrangement is not legally binding and is made in good faith between all parties. The best interest of the child will always be the most important consideration. 6. Should any party, including the child, wish to vary or change the arrangements in the future, they should contact the Adoption Support Service so that a review can be undertaken. 7. Indirect contact can include letters/postcards/christmas cards/birthday cards/photos/gift vouchers, if agreed by all parties. There may be exceptional circumstances when a gift other than a gift voucher is warranted and in such circumstances liaise with SW[AS]. 8. Birth family treasure any photographs received, ensure that photographs are of good quality and dated. Do not use laser prints, as they tend to fade over time. 9. To ensure the service works efficiently please make sure the parties to the agreement understand that:- a) Their correspondence is sent during the month agreed. b) They leave envelopes unsealed, thus allowing the contents to be photocopied. c) They provide an accompanying letter stating: - Their name Who the correspondence is for The birth name of the child concerned Any change of address 10. If the birth family address cannot be verified, then the information sent in for them will remain on the child s file within the Adoption Post Box service, until confirmation of their current address is received. 11. Correspondence will be read and photocopied and the copy retained on the child s file. If there are concerns about the content of the correspondence, then an SW[AS] will endeavour to assist in resolving the concerns. Revised March

158 12. It is expected that information received from the birth family will be shared by the adopters with their adopted child as they are growing up and in any case before they reach the age of The Adoption Support Service will support all parties as needed, to ensure the arrangements work. This could include sending reminder letters 14. Any circumstances felt to be exceptional e.g. births, serious illness or death should be communicated to the Adoption Support Service at any time outside of contact arrangements. 15. All correspondence to be sent to: The Post Box co-ordinator Adoption Support Service, 4 th Floor County Hall North, Chart Way, Horsham, West Sussex, RH19 2RT Revised March

159 Letter to hospital asking to complete combined M & B To Hospital Administrator Dear re: (name of child) (date of birth). (Name of Birth Mother) Plans are in hand for the above-named child to be placed for adoption/to be *adopted by his/her present foster parents. The child was born in.. Hospital, and I should be most grateful if you could arrange for the attached forms to be completed from hospital records. Our medical adviser, who is a specialist in Community Medicine (Child health), feels that it is important for the information contained in these forms to be available to the doctor who undertakes the examination of the child. The information will be regarded as confidential and used only to promote the welfare of the child. Any disclosure of information to the adoptive parents or their GP, will be decided upon by the Adoption Agency Medical Adviser. I am very grateful for your help and enclose a S.A.E. for return of completed forms. Yours sincerely, Social Worker (*as appropriate) Revised March

160 Standard Letter for Medical examination of child to be adopted (Agency placement) Dr Pauline Shute Consultant Community Paediatrician Child Development Centre Worthing Hospital Worthing West Sussex Dear Dr Shute Re: Date of birth Sex.. Current address.. Name of carer. Telephone number Name & address of present GP for child..... Plans are in hand for the above-named child to be *placed for adoption/to be adopted by his/her foster parents, and I should be grateful if arrangements could be made for him/her to be medically examined as soon as possible, and for BAAF Form C/D/YP, as age appropriate, to be completed. I attach the following (Please tick those included) Combined Form M and B Copy of previous medical report List of placements of child Thanking you in anticipation Yours sincerely Social Worker (*as appropriate) Type using headed notepaper and ensure that forms have name of social worker and office address at the top Revised March

161 Letter to prospective adopters at time of placement + signature to confirm placement received Dear re:. (Child s birth name) placed with you for adoption on You have now taken to live with you with the intention of making an application for an adoption order. This authority is responsible for ensuring s welfare until such time as an adoption order is granted and.. s social worker will be visiting from time to time. I hope you will not hesitate to contact between visits, if necessary, as we are always willing to offer help and advice. Outside office, hours, in an emergency, you should ring insert relevant telephone number and ask for the duty social worker to call you. In the event of serious illness or accident, this authority holds the necessary agreement to medical treatment and you should not delay in seeking such help. It also holds agreement to immunisation, and you may make arrangements for the child to receive such protection at the time when your doctor suggests that this is appropriate. Best wishes for your future together. Yours sincerely Service Manager We have taken.. to live with us today. We agree to look after as our own child. Signed. Signed. Date Date Revised March

162 Typed on headed notepaper & copy given to birth parents after signing Authorisation to change child s name I agree that my child can be known by his/her new name pending the adoption. Signed. Date. Relationship to child. Revised March

163 Notification to birth parents: in agreement with plan for adoption Dear At a recent meeting of the West Sussex Adoption Panel, discussion took place about the future of The panel recommended that adoption would be in his/her best interests. The Adoption Agency, which is part of the County Council is therefore making arrangements for. to be placed with prospective adopters in the near future. You will understand from the leaflet If Your Child Is Being Adopted that your formal agreement will be necessary before an adoption order can be granted. An officer of the court, called a reporting officer, will contact you to ensure that you fully understand what adoption will mean for you and.., and to witness your agreement to his/her adoption. Meanwhile, if you have any queries or would like to discuss the matter further, please contact. who will be pleased to see you. If you would like to speak with someone independent of the Agency this can be arranged by. who would also be happy to arrange for independent counselling should you feel this would be helpful. Yours sincerely Revised March

164 Notification to birth parents: not in agreement with the plan for adoption Dear At a recent meeting of the West Sussex Adoption Panel, discussion took place about the future of.. and the Panel recommended that adoption would be in his/her best interests. The Adoption Agency, which is part of West Sussex County Council is therefore making arrangements for.. to be placed with adoptive parents. You will understand from the leaflet Arranging for the Adoption of Your Child that your formal agreement will normally be necessary before such an order can be granted. However, there are certain circumstances in which a court can decide to dispense with your agreement if it considers that adoption is in the best interests of your child. You will be given details of the facts upon which the court will be asked to make a decision and will have an opportunity to give your views to the court. This can be done through a solicitor and/or by your personal attendance at court. The court will also appoint an independent person known as a children s guardian to represent s best interests. The guardian will want to ascertain your wishes and feelings and to ensure that these are known to the court. (If you are prepared to agree to s adoption, the guardian could witness your formal agreement). It is therefore in your interests, as well as.. s that you see the guardian when asked to do so. Meanwhile. remains in the care of the West Sussex County Council. If you have any queries or would like to discuss the matter further, please contact.. If you would like to speak with someone independent of the Agency this can be arranged by. who would also be happy to arrange for independent counselling should you feel this would be helpful. Yours sincerely Agency Decision Maker Revised March

165 Notification to birth parents when child placed for adoption Dear I am writing formally to notify you that. for whom you have parental responsibility, has today been placed for adoption with approved adopters. If you have any queries or would like to discuss the matter further, please contact.. If you would like to speak with someone independent of the Agency this can be arranged by. who would also be happy to arrange for independent counselling should you feel this would be helpful. Yours sincerely Agency Decision Maker Revised March

166 Notification to birth parents when adoption order made Dear I am writing formally to notify you that.., your child/the child for whom you have until the adoption order was granted, shared parental responsibility, has today been adopted by his/her adoptive parent(s). You would, I am sure, wish to be reassured hat he/she has settled well into his/her new family. If you would like to discuss the matter further, please contact.. If you would like to speak with someone independent of the Agency this can be arranged by. who would also be happy to arrange for independent counselling should you feel this would be helpful. Yours sincerely Service Manager Confidential Sue Price Child Health Bureau PO Box 115 Chichester West Sussex PO19 6YT (Tel: ) (date) From: Social Worker: Address: (Adoption Service, 4 th Floor County Hall North, Chart Way, Horsham, West Sussex, RH19 2RT ) Birth name of child d.o.b.. Proposed new name of child. Place of birth/previous address.... Revised March

167 Name & address of prospective adoptive parents..... Date of proposed placement or change of status if foster child Name and address of GP with whom the child is to be registered:... Name and address of former GP. Name, office address & phone number of social worker responsible for placement and supervision of child Revised March

168 Date of Panel: Confirmation of Adoption Panel Booking Request that adoptive applicants be recommended as prospective adopters Name of prospective adopter (s): Name of adoption Social Worker: Papers required for Panel: 1) Prospective Adopters Report (PAR) - including genograms, eco maps, chronologies, personal finance forms 2) Photograph 3) Contact Statement 4) Second Opinion Visit report 5) Referee reports included within PAR Important!! ALL FORMS SENT INTO PANEL MUST BE ORIGINAL FORMS AND MUST BE SIGNED AS SPECIFIED Signed: Dated: Please do not send your papers in until you are able to tick boxes 1-5 above. Please attach a completed copy of this sheet to the front of your papers which should be returned to: Janet Suter/Dawn Briggs, Durban House, Durban Road, Bognor PO22 9RE Revised March

169 Confirmation of Adoption Panel Booking Date of Panel: Name of Child: DOB: Social Worker: Request that a recommendation be made that a child is placed for adoption and/or a placement order be applied for Papers required for Panel: 1) Child Permanence Report 2) Child and Young Person s Adoption Plan 3) Adoption Welfare Checklist (include S1 issues) 4) Recent report from current foster carer 5) PEP - most recent 6) LAC Review most recent 7) 2 photographs of child 8) Most recent school report (school aged children) 9) Date of adoption medical 10) Date of final care/placement order hearing 11) All expert reports presented to the Court or agreed (by the professionals concerned ) summaries Signed: Dated: Revised March

170 IMPORTANT!! Medicals MUST have been completed BEFORE Panel The CPR must be signed by the author (electronic signature is satisfactory if document ed) If there are outstanding assessments the case is not ready to come to Panel Good quality photographs should be available to Panel All documents sent to the Panel should be no more than 13 weeks old, unless otherwise stated Please do not send your papers in until you are able to tick boxes 1-10 above. If you have difficulties with this (urgent Court date, late arrival of expert reports, please discuss with SM [A]) Please attach a completed copy of this sheet to the front of your papers which should be returned to: Janet Suter/Dawn Briggs, Durban House, South Berstead Business Park, Durban Road, Bognor Regis PO22 9RE Revised March

171 Confirmation of Adoption Panel Booking Request that a child be recommended for linking with prospective adopters Date of Panel: Child: Child s Social Worker: Adopters: Adoption Social Worker: PAPERS REQUIRED FOR LINKING PANEL 1) Updated Child Permanence Report all aspects of report must be updated 2) Adoption Placement Report including adopters contributions and adoption support plan and any comments from adopters 3) Child/Young Person s Adoption Plan updated include all sections on identified adopters and birth parents 4) Updated Prospective Adopters Report (PAR) all checks to be made within two years (updated medical sufficient unless significant medical issues indicated first time) all aspects of report must be updated 5) Welfare Check List and Section 1 issues to be re-addressed 6) Current profile from foster carers of child 7) Photograph of adopters and child - to be submitted to Panel members before Panel 8) Updated PEP for school age children 9) Most recent school report 10) Summary of any significant professional assessments undertaken since child came for approval to be adopted (eg Attachment Style Interview, sibling assessment, psychological assessment of child) to be included in the body of the CPR 11) Form detailing the exercise of parental responsibility 12) Other (specify) Signed: Dated:. Revised March

172 All documents must be updated unless they are less than 13 weeks old, apart from the PEP (which should be the most recent one) and the LAC review (which should be the most recent one). Panel Administrator will attach minutes of previous meeting for child and prospective adopters to your papers when they are received in Bognor Please do not send your papers in until you are able to tick boxes 1-12 above. Please attach a completed copy of this sheet to the front of your papers which should be returned to: Janet Suter/Dawn Briggs, Durban House, South Berstead Business Park, Durban Road, Bognor PO22 9RE Revised March

173 West Sussex County Council Foster Carers Report to Adoption Panel To be presented to the Adoption Panel when a recommendation is being requested that a child should be placed for adoption and when a linking is proposed Child s name: Date of birth: Date of this placement: Placed from (birth parent, foster carer, other): 1. Condition of child on arrival (clean, with clothes, toys and so on). 2. Physical health on arrival and now, weight/height etc 3. Emotional & behavioural wellbeing on arrival and now (playful/wary/frightened/anxious etc). 4. Impact of contact on child during foster placement. 5. Intellectual & social development and school progress, and for smaller children development in nursery/playgroup, including response to boundary-setting and relationships with significant others. 6. Preparedness for adoption placement including child s understanding of adoption, reasons why in care etc (life story work/memory books how much completed and by whom) to include child s wishes where they can be elicited. 7. Likes and dislikes, favourite things, personality, relationships with children and adults. Revised March

174 8. Daily routine (food, sleep, play etc). 9. History of child/achievements etc while with foster carer. 10. Any other comments you wish to make. Name of foster carers: Date of report: F.P.S.W. comments: Revised March

175 LOCAL AUTHORITY ENQUIRY Strictly Confidential West Sussex County Council Children & Young People s Services Name of Child: (as known to person interviewed) Date of Birth: Interview with: who is stated to be mother or female guardian of the child 1. Full name of mother (or female guardian) 2. Date of birth of mother 3. (a) Nationality (b) (c) Ethnicity 1 st language 4. (a) Address (home) (b) Address for correspondence (if different) (c) Telephone number 5. (a) Employment or occupation (b) Annual income Revised March

176 6. Civil status if single, separated, divorced, widowed:- (a) Names and ages of children (state if illegitimate) If married:- (b) (c) (d) (e) Date Place Maiden name Names and ages of children of marriage (f) Names and ages of other children (state if illegitimate) (g) Husband s name & address, employment (h) (i) If separated, divorced or widowed, give details from Separation Order or voluntary agreement, Decree Absolute or Death Certificate. If the child was born within marriage:- (i) is husband the father? (ii) is husband prepared to give agreement? 7. Is any person liable by virtue of any order or agreement to contribute to maintenance of the child. If so:- (a) Full name of person Revised March

177 (b) Address (c) Civil status (d) Other particulars (e) Details of Maintenance Order (f) Details of any legal agreement to contribute 8. Does mother know of any person claiming to be the father or any other person or body who wishes or ought to be heard by the Court on the question of an Adoption Order being made? (If so, give details including name and address) 9. Details of legal father or putative or alleged father:- (a) Full name and age (b) (c) Nationality and Ethnicity Address (d) (e) (f) Civic status How long has the mother known him? Does she believe him to be healthy, physically and mentally? (g) Does he know of child s existence? (h) Has he ever shown any interest in the child Revised March

178 (i) Has he ever contributed voluntarily to the child s maintenance? 10. (a) History and circumstances of mother before birth of the child (b) (c) Date mother ceased to have care and possession of the child To who was care and possession transferred? (Name/address) (d) Summary of child s previous history 11. Under what circumstance and when was infant handed to applicants? 12. (a) Name and address of any person taking any part in arrangements for placing the child (b) What relationship has the above to the child 13. (a) Has any person or body of persons other than the parents any legal right over, or legal interest in, the child? (b) (c) Is the child the subject of Care Order? (If so, give details) Has the child ever been in the care of a local authority or voluntary adoption agency? If so, give name of authority/society and dates) (d) If father is deceased, are any of his relatives closely concerned with the child? 14. Does mother understand the role of Reporting Officer/Children s Guardian who will interview her prior to court hearing and witness formal agreement to the adoption? Revised March

179 15. (a) Is mother prepared freely to agree to this application? (b) If so, on what grounds? (c) Was pressure exerted by other persons for consent to be given? 16. (a) Is mother a healthy person? (b) (c) Is there any history of serious illness or mental or physical illness in her or her family? Does other believe child to be healthy, physically and mentally? (d) Blood tests (date/place) (e) Medical history of child from birth (f) Details of immunisation & vaccination 17. (a) Religion of:- (i) Mother (ii) Legal/putative father (iii) child (b) Date & place of child baptism 18. (a) Does mother wish child to be brought up in any particular faith? (b) If not, is she willing for child to be brought up as applicants determine? Revised March

180 19. Has any insurance been effected in respect of the child? (If so, give details and state by whom) 20. Has infant any right to or interest in any property or compensation award? (If so, give details) 21. (a) Has any payment or other reward been received or agreed upon in consideration of the adoption, e.g. adoption support payments? (if so, give details) (b) Has any payment been made to the applicants for the child s maintenance? (If so, by whom?) 22. Has mother yet (a) received and (b) acknowledged notice of hearing? Revised March

181 Statement to be completed by mother A representative of the Children & Young People s Caring Services has this day interviewed me and I certify that the above information is correct. I have had explained to me the nature and permanent effect of an adoption order if an application for an adoption order is granted in respect of my child. I confirm that at this time I am prepared to agree to.. being placed with an adoptive family and understand that a CAFCAS Children s Guardian or Reporting Officer will seek my consent formally. I understand that the effect of an adoption order will be irrevocable and permanently deprives me of my parental responsibility. Signature of Social Worker: Signature of Mother:... Name of Interviewing Social Worker: Designation Date:. West Sussex County Council Revised March

182 Local Authority Enquiry Strictly Confidential West Sussex County Council Children & Young People s Services Name of Child: (as known to person interviewed) Date of Birth: Interview with: who is stated to be father or male guardian of the child. (The term father here means legal father or putative father) What relationship has the person interviewed to the child? (i.e. legal father or putative father or male guardian?) 1. Full name of father/guardian 2. Date of birth 3. (a) Nationality (b) (c) Ethnicity 1 st language 4. (a) Address (home) (b) Address for correspondence (if different) (c) Telephone number 5. (a) Employment or occupation (b) Annual income 6. Civil status if single, married, separated, divorced, widowed:- Revised March

183 7. If father and mother were not married:- (a) Did they subsequently marry? (b) Has father or any other person contributed or agreed to contribute at any time to the maintenance of the child? (if so, give details) (c) Has any payment or other reward been received or agreed upon in consideration of the adoption; e.g. adoption support payments (d) Has father made or does he intend to make application for parental responsibility of child 8. If legal father:- (a) (b) Has any payment or other reward been received or agreed upon in consideration of the adoption, such as adoption support allowance Has any payment been made to the applicants for the child s maintenance, such as adoption support allowance 9. (a) Date when father first parted with the child (b) To whom? (give name, address and relationship) Revised March

184 10. Under what circumstances and when was the child placed with the applicants? (a) Name and address of any person taking any part in arrangements for placing the child (b) (c) (d) What relationship has the above to the child? Has any person or body of persons other than the parents any legal right over, or legal interest in, the child? Is child the subject of a Care Order? (e) Has the child ever been in the care of a local authority or voluntary adoption agency? (If so, give name of authority/agency and dates? (f) If mother is deceased, are any of her relatives closely concerned with the child? 11. (a) Is father prepared freely to agree to or approve of this application? (b) If so, for what reasons? (c) Was pressure exerted by other persons for agreement to be given? (d) Does father understand the role of Reporting Officer/Children s Guardian 12. (a) Is father normally a healthy person? (b) Is there any history of serious mental or physical illness in himself or his family? Revised March

185 (c) Does father believe child to be healthy, physically and mentally? (d) Medical history of child from birth (e) Details of immunisation and vaccination 13. (i) Religion of:- (a) Mother (b) Legal/Putative father (c) Child (ii) Date and place of child s baptism 14. (a) Does the father wish child brought up in any particular faith? (b) If not, is he willing for child to be brought up as the applicants determine? 15. Has any insurance been effected in respect of the child. (If so, give details and state by whom) 16. Has child any right to or interest in any property, or compensation? (If so, give details) 17. Has father yet (a) (b) received and acknowledged notice of hearing? Revised March

186 Remarks:- Revised March

187 Statement to be completed by Father A representative of the Children & Young People s Caring Service has this day interviewed me and I certify that the above information is correct. I have had explained to me the nature and permanent effect of an adoption order if and application for an adoption order is granted in respect of my child. I confirm that at this time I am prepared to agree to being placed with an adoptive family and understand that a CAFCAS Children s Guardian or Reporting Officer will seek my consent formally. I understand that the effect of an adoption order will be irrevocable and permanently deprives me of my parental responsibility. Signature of Social Worker Signature of Father: Name of Interviewing Social Worker: Designation: Date: West Sussex County Council Revised March