Referral Procedure

1. Placement enquiry taken by Referrals and Placement Officer.

2. The Placements Officer will complete a Matching Consideration/Risk Assessment Form and will identify any possible match based on the child’s needs and known carer vacancies.

3. The referral will then be discussed with the duty Social Worker and/or link Social Worker of the potential carer.

4. The Social Worker will then carefully consider the potential placement and will speak with the child’s Local Authority Social Worker and obtain more information about the child, background, history, behaviour, care plan, contact, schooling etc. This information is noted on the Matching Consideration/Risk Assessment Form.

5. If there is a potential match for the child the Foster Carer’s details will be sent to the Local Authority to view.

6. The potential Foster Carer will also be contacted and agreement sought to proceed.

7. If another child is already in placement with the identified Foster Carer, their local authority will be consulted about the potential impact and consent will be obtained for placement to proceed.

8. If the placement is suitable the Placement Officer will ensure that the financial elements have been agreed and approved. Once this has taken place the Local Authority Social Worker will be consulted to agree the placement date and time.

9. If placement proceeds then the Foster Placement Agreement is completed at the time of placement between the Child Care Bureau’s link Social Worker and the Local Authority Social Worker.

Support Package

This support package is to ensure that the children and young people placed with Child Care Bureau receive the highest level of care.

• An allocated supervising Social Worker to include at least weekly contact
• FosterTalk membership and access to Foster Carers Independent Support Service
• Duty back-up system should the Child Care Bureau allocated worker be unavailable during office hours
• 24/7 Emergency Duty Team 365 days a year
• Monthly support visit from the Child Care Bureau allocated Social Worker
• Monthly supervision visit from the Child Care Bureau allocated Social Worker
• Child Care Bureau Social Worker representation at all child-care reviews.
• Extensive in house and external training programmes including NVQ Level 3 in Caring for Children and Young People.
• Monthly Foster Carer Support Group Meetings

Additional Services

• Supervised contact and assessment
• Contact assessment reports
• Support sessions to children and young people in placement
• Driver and escort service
• Court reports
• Assessments of current and long-term placement needs
• Family and friends assessment reports
• Therapy – where therapeutic intervention is identified, Child Care Bureau will pay for the initial consultation
• Life story work