Child Permanence Report and Agency Decision Maker Process In

Child Permanence Report and Agency Decision Maker Process
In Adoption
PROCEDURE
Version & Policy Number
Version 1
Guardian
Date Produced
Colin Pennington - Head of Service
Michelle Rice – Team Manager
May 2014
Next Review Date
May 2017
Approved by Scrutiny
Approved by Cabinet
Approved by Full Council
Aug 2014
1
The following policy should be read in conjunction with Triax Procedures ‘Placement
for Adoption 4.1.3.’
CONTEXT: The Department for Education published amendments to the Statutory
Guidance to reflect the changes to be implemented by the Adoption Agencies (Panel
and Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2012, which came into force on 1
September 2012.
The revised guidance is available on the DfE website http://www.education.gov.uk/.
The Guidance supports the revised PLO arrangements and timescales which
strengthen permanency planning for children and young people.
Adoption panels are no longer involved in the adoption agency process of deciding
whether a child should be placed for adoption when the plan for adoption will be
scrutinised by the Court. Where the child’s parents are not prepared to consent to
adoption, where care proceedings are on-going, or where the child has no parents,
the case must be referred direct to the Agency Decision Maker (ADM). The
Adoption Panel will still be required to consider making a recommendation for
adoption where these circumstances do not apply.
The requirement for a Child Permanence Report (CPR) to be prepared is
unchanged, and this, together with the children’s guardian‘s views, relevant expert
reports from the care proceedings, any medical information and any other relevant
information must be sent to a Quality Assurance Panel (QAP) in advance of the
ADM. Quality Assurance Panel (QAP) is a small panel consisting of team manager
from team 10 and an independent social worker from the Rutland Register.
It is proposed that the ADM will consider the cases at a pre – arranged date. This
will take place at a frequency that will ensure there is no delay in progressing the
plans for the child.
The dates for the ADM to consider the cases will be booked in to the diary at the
earliest opportunity so that there is clarity about the availability of the ADM. The
ADM will be HoS, Vulnerable Children and in their absence the Assistant Director.
In exceptional circumstances the ADM will consider a case outside the diarised
sessions where to do so will ensure that an application for a Placement Order can be
considered at the final hearing, thereby ensuring there is no delay in decisions being
made about the appropriate plan for the child.
It should be noted that the requirement for care proceedings to now be concluded
within 26 weeks means that adherence to agreed timescales when the permanence
plan is for adoption is essential.
Aug 2014
2
Actions Agreed
1
Person
Responsible
By the date of the Case Management Hearing (CMH) which will SW
take place by day 12 of the commencement of Care
Proceedings, the social worker (SW) will confirm whether a
decision by the ADM in relation to a proposed plan for adoption
is likely to be needed.
2
Immediately after the CMH the SW will book a QAP date and SW
request an ADM decision slot via the team 10 manager,
following consultation with the allocated local authority solicitor
as to the appropriate date for this to ensure all relevant reports
will be available.
3
After the CMH (or as soon as possible thereafter ) and at least SW/Adoption
12 weeks before the ADM is due to make the decision the Team SW
social worker should complete the following forms and send to
the Adoption Team in Leicestershire having first spoken to them
confirming the need for the medical –
• Consent form – Looked After Children
• Form PH – Report on health of birth parent
• Form M/B – Obstetric and Neonatal reports
• Form IHA – C – for children of birth to nine or
• Form IHA – YP – for children of 10 years and older.
• Core Assessment
The initial LAC medical completed by a Paediatrician may form
the basis of the adoption medical if the LAC medical was
completed within the last 6 months.
The Agency Medical Advisor (AMA) is now entitled to see any
relevant reports filed within the care proceedings. When the
social worker makes the request for an adoption medical
confirmation should be given as to whether there are likely to be
any reports filed within the proceedings that would be relevant
to the adoption medical, and if so when these will be available.
A completed carers report should also be available for the AMA.
The SW should discuss with the allocated local authority
solicitor the release of these documents to the AMA so that the
other parties can be notified as appropriate.
4
After the adoption medical has been undertaken a summary AMA
adoption health report will be completed by the AMA This
should be filed with the CPR and sent to the QAP.
Form IHA-C, CDC reports and LAC medicals should not
normally be filed with the CPR.
Aug 2014
3
5
It is the responsibility of the relevant team manager to ensure QAP/ADM
the CPR has been quality assured and ready is ready for QAP.
The QAP will further quality assure the CPR and ensure all
relevant issues have been considered before it is sent to the
ADM (this will be a minimum of 1 week prior to ADM). They will
meet to quality assure child permanence reports prior to being
passed to ADM. They will complete the ADM report points 1 - 5
with each report. The CPR with the part completed report will
then be passed to ADM for approval and completion.
The ADM must make the decision within 7 working days of
receiving the pack.
6
ADM will pass completed report and signed CPR to nominated ADM/ADMIN
admin for letters to be sent to birth parents informing them of
the Agency Decision for their child (this will be within 5 working
days of the decision being made). Social worker will inform
birth parents within 2 working days of ADM and record in
running records on RAISE.
Copies of these letters alongside the completed ADM report will
be copied and passed to social worker to be placed on the
child’s adoption file. A copy of the completed ADM report with
ADM signature will also be required for matching panel.
7
The local authority’s aim, in accordance with good practice, is ADM/IRO/SW
that the ADM decision will always be available before the final
evidence is circulated so that it can be included in the SW’s
final statement. This is dependent on all parties producing their
evidence on time.
The ADM decision will also aim to meet the national minimum
requirements of being within 8 weeks of the LAC review that
agreed the plan of adoption.
8
Pack A post panel gives advice and guidance on family finding SW/Adoption
and preparation for matching panel.
SW/TM
Aug 2014
4
ADOPTION FLOWCHART (Draft May 2014)
Plan for adoption either as part of permanence planning prior or as part of PLO.
(See attached guidance point 1). Where the adoption plan relates to an unborn child
preparation of the CPR should begin prior to birth for early ADM decision. The LAC review
can be convened early to support decision making following the CMH.
Arrange medical (see attached guidance point 3). These need to be sent to Adoption Team.
Start an adoption file and place checklist on file ready for completion.
Social worker to ensure that child’s genogram has been completed and that they have 2
copies of the child’s birth certificate. Send carers report to child/children’s foster carer to
complete.
Social worker completes the Child Permanency Report. In doing this, the social worker is
required to meet the birth parents and gain their views and wishes alongside those of the
child.
Also provide parents with information on support services (leaflet in Pack A).
CPR to be completed and signed by team manager and passed to team manager, Team 10
for quality assurance panel on agreed date (see point 5) approximately 1 week prior to being
passed to Agency Decision Maker.
Aug 2014
5
Continue to liaise with Adoption Team of progress in preparation for family finding following AD Decision
If adoption is an option social worker to make referral to the Adoption Team at
Leicestershire County Council, and request Pack A and book QAP (see attached guidance
point 2).
Once signed by ADM an adoption social worker should be allocated to begin family finding
prior to applying for Placement Order.
Children’s Guide (pack A) should be given to child and recorded that it has been given.
Social worker to complete Annexe B and send to legal with final statement and care plan
within agreed timescales.
Placement Order made, adoption team social worker updated to begin family finding.
Follow instructions in Pack A post panel re family finding and visiting prospective families
and completing feedback forms for Adoption Team.
This guidance will outline the next steps in adoption procedures for family finding,
matching panel, and placement with adoptive family as well as highlight forms and reports
needed.
Once adoption made and all paperwork completed adoption file to be checked by TM of
adoption team and forwarded to Leicestershire for storage.
Aug 2014
6
Continue to liaise with Adoption Team of progress in preparation for family finding following AD Decision
Nominated admin for ADM will send letter informing birth parents that a plan of adoption
has been agreed for their child (see point 6).
Copy of letter to child’s adoption file and in adoption folder on Sharepoint.

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