Newcastle City Council Children’s Services Directorate Core standards for promoting the welfare and improving outcomes for Looked After Children (LAC)
August 2011 1 Introduction
Agencies in Newcastle responsible for the delivery of children’s services, both in statutory and voluntary sectors are committed to achieving the best outcomes for all children and young people looked after in Newcastle, through the establishment of standards of practice and an ethos of continuous improvement in performance and service delivery.
The term ‘looked after children’ refers, under the 1989 Act, to all children and young people being looked after by a local authority.
In order to monitor the progress towards this objective, it is essential to have defined standards with specific and measurable indicators.
The standards outlined in this document are in relation to the roles and responsibilities of those professionals who are involved with looked after children. The aim of the standards is to assist professionals to work together to promote the welfare of looked after children and to give all looked after children the support and services that each one requires to enable them to reach their potential.
For the purpose of this document the term ‘professional’ relates to anyone within the children’s workforce who works with children looked after by Newcastle City Council, including foster carers.
These standards are not an exhaustive list and should be read in conjunction with each agency’s own policies, procedures and practice guidance.
These standards are fundamentally based upon and embrace:-
- IRO Handbook April 2011 - Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010 - Adoption and Children Act 2002 - The Children and Young Persons Act 2008 - Public Health guidance: Promoting the quality of life of looked after children NICE/SCIE 2010 - Newcastle’s Corporate Parenting Strategy - Having corporate parents – A report of children’s views by the Children’s Rights Director of England 2011 - Newcastle’s Pledge to Looked-After Children - Information from Viewpoint collated findings and consultation with Voices for Choices (Newcastle’s Children in Care Council) 2010/11
The Children’s Safeguarding Standards Unit (CSSU) together with representatives from the Newcastle Multi-Agency Looked After Partnership have been central to the development of these standards and will have an ongoing role in monitoring and reviewing them.
2 Overview
Page 4 - Standard 1 - Continuously, regularly and independently review the progress of a looked after child/young person and quality of overall care to ensure that her/his needs are being adequately met.
Page 7 - Standard 2 –Services for LAC are monitored in relation to their performance and functions ensuring they are committed to achieving the best outcomes for each child.
Page 8 - Standard 3 – Clear plans are made for children and young people which are recorded accurately and acted upon.
Page 10 - Standard 4 – All those responsible for looked after children’s care consider all aspects of their lives.
Page 11 - Standard 5 – Children and Young People’s views are sought and used to influence service delivery.
Page 12 - Standard 6 – Partnership is promoted between those responsible for a child or young person i.e. between carers, social workers, families and others involved in the child/young person’s life.
Page 13 - Standard 7 – To promote continuity and stability in the lives of children/young people.
Page 14 - Standard 8 – Commitment to avoiding drift and ensuring that there is a positive and timely planning for all children and young people.
Page 16 - Standard 9 - Commitment to working together to ensure that service delivery and outcomes for all children and young people looked after are promoted and acted on in their best interest.
3 Standard 1
Continuously, regularly and independently review the progress of a looked after child/young person and quality of overall care to ensure that her/his needs are being adequately met.
The IRO should:
1.1 Be allocated to child/young person within 5 working days of the child becoming looked after
1.2 Chair all LAC reviews
1.3 Follow the agenda/check list and ensure all items are covered in the meeting including Newcastle’s Pledge to Looked-After Children
1.4 Ensure they have made contact with the Social Worker at least 15 working days before the review meeting
1.5 Speak in private with each child prior to each review so that the IRO personally establishes the child’s wishes and feelings about the issues to be covered at the meeting
1.6 Ascertain whether the child/young person is in need of an advocate or independent visitor and ensure that the child/young person understands how an advocate or independent visitor could help
1.7 Ensure the decision about the venue and those invited to review will take into consideration the views/feelings of the child/young person, and ensure the meeting is child focussed and encourages the child to attend. Wishes should be complied with unless there are valid reasons not to. The IRO will take remedial action where the child/young person’s views/feelings have not been given full consideration prior to the review
1.8 Ensure the discussion and decisions are accurately recorded ,along with actions required, by whom and within specified timescales
1.9 Ensure that LAC reviews are not be cancelled or rearranged unless in exceptional circumstances such as where the IRO feels the process would be unproductive. In such circumstances consultation should take place between the IRO and Team Manager and consideration given to the impact of any delay
1.10 Recommendations from the review should be sent out within five working days of the completion of the meeting and the full discussion document within 15 working days of the date of the review
1.11 If the parents have been excluded from the review meeting for any reason the IRO should be satisfied that consultation documents have been sent to the parents for them to complete so that their views can be expressed at the meeting
4 1.12 Where parents do not attend the review , a discussion should be held between the IRO and the social worker as to whether it is in the child’s best interest for the parents to receive a full record of the review and if not, what written information should be sent to them. Examples of this should be consideration where there is a no contact order or supervised contact only
1.13 Ensure all those involved in the care of the child/young person have been consulted and have the opportunity to contribute meaningfully. This should include those not in attendance at the actual review meeting, so that the review is properly informed
1.14 Ensure that the second LAC Review is held three months after the first review and six monthly thereafter.
1.15 Within ten working days, following the completion of the review, ensure the care plan in relation to any changes to the care plan agreed at the review
1.16 The IRO will act on information received in relation to any significant changes to the child/young persons life and will ensure these are followed through in the review of the child’s plan, reflected in the minutes and action taken if required prior to the review and recorded in Care First
1.17 For children subject to secure accommodation orders ensure that:
- A panel is appointed of at least three persons to review the child’s care - One member of the panel is independent (Independent Person through NYAS) - The panel must be satisfied that the criteria for keeping the child in secure accommodation continue to apply; the placement in secure accommodation continues to be necessary; and any other type of accommodation would be more appropriate - Should the panel conclude that the criteria no longer applies or another type of placement would be more appropriate there must be an immediate review of the child’s placement
CSSU admin should:
1.18 Provide sufficient administrative support to facilitate an efficient and effective review process including:
Allocate an IRO to a child/young person within 5 working days of the child becoming looked after
Send out an introductory letter to each looked after child when an IRO is allocated
Ensure separate IROs are allocated for mother and baby placements
Ensure that following notification, a LAC review is convened within 20 working days of the child becoming looked after
5 The child/young person’s social worker should:
1.19 Notify the Children’s Safeguarding Standards Unit of any children who become LAC, ensuring that the first LAC review is convened within 20 working days of the child becoming looked after.
1.20 Provide the child with an information pack at the point of becoming looked after including details of complaints, procedures and advocacy services
1.21 Notify the IRO of significant changes in the circumstances of the child in between reviews including:
Proposed change to care plan
Recommendation of the review not carried out
Changes to contact arrangements
Changes to allocated social worker
Any safeguarding concerns
Complaints
Unexpected changes in the child’s placement provision
Significant changes in birth family circumstances e.g. deaths, new births
Any offending behaviour
Child is excluded from school
Child is running away or missing
Significant health, medical events, illnesses, diagnoses, hospitalisations
1.22 Ensure a review is brought forward where there is a major change in the child/young persons plan
1.23 Provide a report for the review that is up to date, comprehensive and has been shared with the child/young person and parents beforehand, ensuring that it has been authorised by a team manager and available to the IRO 3 days before the review
1.24 When providing a report for the review, outline the previous decisions and progress made
1.25 Ensure the Care Plan is fully completed and up to date and identifies intended outcomes and how these will be achieved
6 1.26 Ensure the Care Plan outlines the wishes and views of the child/young person and his/her parent/carer. Triple Planning should be included where the young person is subject to immigration control
1.27 Ensure the Care Plan clearly details arrangements for contact between the child and his/her parents/carer/siblings and that this is communicated to child/parents/sibling/carer
1.28 Ensure the most recent Personal Education Plan and Health Assessment is available to the review
1.29 Distribute the report and minutes within 15 working days of the date of the review
All professionals should:
1.30 Take an active part in the review and decisions reached
1.31 When providing a written report ensure that it is available prior to the review and that it has been shared with the child/parents
1.32 Inform the IRO and Social Worker of any information which is considered not appropriate for sharing with the child/young person, together with the reasons, so that full consideration can be given to this within the care planning and review process
1.33 Where invited, be committed to attending the review on time
Standard 2
Services for LAC are monitored in relation to their performance and functions ensuring they are committed to achieving the best outcomes for each child
The IRO should:
2.1 The IRO should monitor the local authority’s function as a corporate parent and provide scrutiny of those external agencies that are contributing to the care plan or providing core services, identifying and challenging any areas of poor practice
2.2 Where problems are identified in relation to a child’s case, for example in relation to care planning or poor practice, the IRO will, in the first instance, seek to resolve the issue informally with the worker concerned or their manager. The IRO should place a record of this initial informal resolution process on the child’s records.
2.3 Where a concern is not resolved in a timescale that is appropriate to the child’s needs, the IRO should consider taking formal action through the dispute resolution process and where appropriate consider referral to Cafcass (Link to dispute resolution process).
7 2.4 IROs will recognise and report on good practice by individuals or teams
2.5 Make a recommendation for a disruption meeting to be held where a placement has ended and the criteria for a disruption meeting is met
The child/young person’s social worker should:
2.6Ensure the child’s plan is meeting their needs and is on track with regard to permanence planning
2.7 Notify the CSSU when a placement has ended and the criteria for a disruption meeting is met
Standard 3
Clear plans are made for children and young people which are recorded accurately and acted upon.
The IRO should:
3.1 Have had sight of the review document and where appropriate the Viewpoint questionnaire at least 3 working days before an initial review and 5 working days before subsequent reviews.
3.2 Had sight of the up to date care plan and any other statutory plan referenced within the care plan
3.3 Ensure clear decisions are reached with actions clearly recorded and within specified timescales
3.4 Ensure that the child/young person’s plan includes a plan for permanency within viable timescales that are meaningful for the child. This must include plans for permanency from the second review onwards, including outcomes of fostering and adoption panel
3.5 When considering the plan including any current and future placements, ensure that it takes account of the child’s culture (including diet, disability and personal care needs), language and spiritual/religious needs and how these can be practically met, and that any shortfalls are being addressed within the child’s timescales
3.6 Ensure life story work is being undertaken including later life letters with timescales
3.7 Ensure the child’s educational, health and developmental needs, including their mental health, are being met
3.8 Robustly challenge the plan should it not meet the needs of the child/young person by making recommendations and ensuring these are clearly recorded in the decisions and are fed back to the Team Manager
8 3.9 Ensure that a date is made for the next care team meeting
3.10 Consider the updated Personal Education Plan (PEP), LAC Health Assessment and where appropriate the Pathway Plan (PP) at each review and ensure that recommendations from these are incorporated into the plan
3.11 Ensure that any significant changes to the child’s/young persons life are clearly recorded and necessary action has been taken where require (e.g child protection issues)
3.12 Consideration as to whether the leisure activities in which the child/young person is engaging are meeting the child/young person’s needs and current expressed interests
3.13 When a child’s case is in family proceedings view any relevant court documents
3.14 Inform the court of any dispute between the LA and the IRO about the plan
3.15 Where a Placement Order is granted the IRO (Adoption) will undertake a post Placement Order review prior to the child/young person being placed for adoption. The IRO will closely monitor the adoption family finding process. At the 9 month review following the making of a Placement Order the IRO will specifically address whether a plan for adoption remains viable
The child/young person’s social worker should:
3.16 Ensure their report is available to the IRO at least 3 working days before the initial review and 5 working days before subsequent reviews
3.17 Submit a clear and comprehensive and accurate report based on up to date factual information
3.18 Share their report with the child/young person and their parent/s prior to the review
3.19 Ensure they are up to date with all the educational, health and developmental issues, including their mental health
3.20 Ensure the PEP and health assessment are available prior to the LAC review and any other relevant information
3.21 Undertake the necessary work that is outlined in the decisions made at the review
3.22 Undertake work with the child to support them in understanding decisions taken and plans for their future, including life story work and later life letters
3.23 Ensure that care team meetings are held to discuss the ongoing needs and decisions of the review, once a month for short term or independent placements, and once every other month for long term permanent placements (approved by the fostering panel)
9 3.24 When a child’s case is in family proceedings ensure that:
The court and the guardian are aware of the name and contact details of the IRO
Relevant court documents are available to the IRO within 5 working days of receipt of them
A copy of the review record is available to the legal department, the guardian and the court
Standard 4
All those responsible for looked after children’s care consider all aspects of their lives.
The IRO should:
4.1 Ensure all participants are aware of the decisions reached and why.
4.2 Ensure all participants have the opportunity to contribute in a meaningful way and their contribution noted.
4.3 Consider the child’s needs in relation to all aspects of their lives including health and education
The social worker should:
4.4 Ensure the decisions reached are based upon the discussion in the review and outcomes are met in relation to all aspects of their lives including health and education
4.5 Consider the needs of the child/young person in relation to any interests or activities they wish to pursue.
4.6 For children looked after for more than 4 months an Assessment and Progress Record should be completed and updated annually
All practitioners should:
4.7 Contribute to the review in a meaningful way.
4.8 Consider the child’s needs in respect to all aspects of their lives including health and education
10 Standard 5
Children and Young People’s views are sought and used to influence service delivery.
The IRO should:
5.1 Where the child/young person is present, facilitate participation of the child/young person and ensure their views are recorded and where appropriate the child/young person’s views are acted upon
5.2 Where a child is older and should they so wish, they should be supported in chair either part or all of their meeting
5.3 Ensure the child/young person is not exposed to information that be age inappropriate or distressing
5.4Where it is not in the child/young persons interests to action a request specified by the child/young person ensure that the reason for this are shared openly and honestly with the child/young person and are recorded
5.5 Where a child/young person’s first language is not English ensure an independent translator is present and that time is allowed for translation throughout the review and that any minutes are translated for the young person/family
5.6 Where a child/young person has a disability ensure that specific needs of that child/young person are taken into account to enable them to participate in the review
5.7Where a parent/carer has a disability the IRO will identify whether consideration has been given to the need for an advocate and make sure this is followed up
5.8Ensure that where the child/young person does not wish to attend the review their wishes and feelings have been ascertained and presented at the meeting
5.9Ensure the child understands how an advocate could help his/her entitlement to one
5.10 Consider the Viewpoint questionnaire when making decisions
5.11 Ensure particular attention is given to the communication needs of disabled children and young people, including those who are very young and those with multiple and learning disabilities. Some children and young people will need creative and imaginative approaches, including the use of new technologies and multi media or non-verbal communication. Some will need trained staff who can interpret their responses
5.12 Ensure minutes of meetings with children demonstrate how their active participation has been promoted
11 5.13 Where a parent/carer has a learning disability the IRO will identify whether they have received the reports one week prior to the review taking place and this will be recorded in the minutes and identify whether consideration has been given to the need for an advocate and make sure this is followed up
The social worker should:
5.14 Where a child/young person is of sufficient age and understanding, explain the purpose of the review and how they wish to express their views.
5.15 Ensure the child/young person has had an opportunity to complete their Viewpoint questionnaire.
5.16 Where the child/young person does not wish to attend the review ensure their wishes and feelings have been ascertained.
5.17 Ensure they have shared their report a few days before the view and make note of anything they disagree with.
5.18 Where the child/young persons first language is not English, ensure an independent translator is present in the review.
5.19 Where a child/young person has a disability, in conjunction with the IRO, ensure that the specific needs of that child/young person are taken into account to enable them to participate in the review.
All practitioners should:
5.20 Involve the child/young person in a way appropriate to their understanding
5.21 When seeking help from children and young people to improve services, effort is made to achieve a representative balance of views from among those using the service
Standard 6
Partnership is promoted between those responsible for a child or young person i.e. between carers, social workers, families and others involved in the child/young person’s life.
The IRO should:
6.1 Provide guidance in relation to appropriate people to invite to the LAC review and consider needs of the child/young person doing so.
6.2 Ensure all professionals, carers, and families are consulted in relation to the child’s care plan.
6.3 Where a child/young person has a learning disability they have been given the right to an advocate.
12 6.4 Where a child/young person’s first language is not English, ensure there is an independent interpreter available and ensure that time is allowed for the interpreter throughout the review.
6.5 Ensure that throughout the review the child/young person is treated with dignity and respect.
6.6 Should the child/young person not wish to share something at the review, that this is respected and this information is restricted.
6.7 Where a parent/carer has a learning disability the IRO will identify whether they have received the reports one week prior to the review taking place and this will be recorded in the minutes and identify whether consideration has been given to the need for an advocate and make sure this is followed up
The social worker should:
6.8 Ensure that all relevant professionals are invited to the review, should the child/young person want them present.
6.9 Consult with the IRO in relation to appropriate people to invite to the review and any safety issues such as perpetrators of domestic violence who may be invited to attend
6.10 Co ordinate the care team meetings and meet with the care team at least twice in between the six monthly reviews, or monthly if the child is not yet approved in a long term placement.
All professionals should:
6.11 As part of the care team meet at least 10 days before the next review and at least twice in between the six monthly reviews to monitor the child’s care plan and manage any developments or significant changes.
6.12 Have clear actions and timescales for improving the outcomes for that child/young persons educational/emotional and health developments.
6.13 Agree contact arrangements and update the contact arrangements for the family members every 6 months.
Standard 7
To promote continuity and stability in the lives of children/young people
The IRO should:
7.1 Ensure that all planning and reviewing promotes the welfare and safeguarding of the child.
7.2 Ensure that the placement meets the need of the child.
13 7.3 Ensure that contact is promoted with the birth family where appropriate, to provide a continuity of relationships and a sense of identity. Contact arrangements will be discussed at each review and whether any changes are needed to these arrangements and identify whether these take into account the child’s current wishes and feelings. If there are any issues that can not be resolved at the time, a date will be arranged to hold a care team meeting for them to be given consideration.
7.4 Where possible ensure allocated IRO remains consistent throughout the child/young person's period of being looked after. Where this is not possible due to an IRO leaving, ensure that transfer arrangements are in place which include information sharing, a joint introductory visit and a goodbye letter to the child/young person.
The social worker should:
7.5 Ensure that all planning and reviewing promotes continuity and minimises the number of changes for a child/young person.
7.6 A child/young persons contact with their family will be promoted, when appropriate, to provide continuity of relationships and a sense of identity. Contact arrangements are to be discussed at each review and if there are any issues that can not be resolved at that time, a date will be arranged to hold a care team meeting.
Standard 8
Commitment to avoiding drift and ensuring that there is a positive and timely planning for all children and young people.
The IRO should:
8.1 Consider the LAC and legal status. Where the status of the child appears to be no longer appropriate, the IRO should request confirmation from the social worker and their manager that the local authority has given due consideration to the issues
8.2 Ensure that care by a relative has been considered
8.3 Ensure all reviews are carried out in timescale.
8.4 Ensure all decision and recommendations have been acted up on from the previous review within the agreed timescales.
8.5 Identify whether the child is being visited by the social worker at the minimum statutory intervals and when the child requests a visit
14 8.6 Ensure that at the point at which a young person becomes an eligible child (i.e. a child aged 16 or 17, who has been looked after for a total of at least 13 weeks which began after s/he reached the age of 14 and ends after s/he reaches the age of 16) their pathway plan includes their care plan and that it is reviewed for as long as the young person remains looked after.
8.7Scrutinise transition planning for all looked after children with a Statement of Special Educational Needs should from the age of 14, ensuring that children’s services are working closely with adults’ services to commence assessments in a timely manner and identify an adult placement at the earliest possible opportunity.
8.8 Ensure that the proposed pathway plan has been informed by a good quality assessment in which the young person, his/her family and professional agencies have been appropriately involved, that it is aspirational and will assist the young person with the transition and that it has contingency plans in respect of health and education
8.9 Ensure that reunification plans are being progressed to schedule
8.10 Where care planning has not been progressed satisfactorily in terms of permanence planning the IRO should instigate the Dispute Resolution Process
The social worker should :
8.11 Identify in their report whether the decisions and outstanding actions have been acted upon within the agreed timescales.
8.12 Ensure there is an up to date core assessment of the child/young person needs every 2 years if the child/young person is placed in a long term placement.
8.13 Ensure that the young person is involved in developing the Pathway Plan and that it reflects his/her priorities and aspirations
8.14 Update the Pathway Plan following the review
All professionals should:
8.15 Consider appropriateness for a Family Group Conference
8.16 Ensure that the Pathway Plan records the assessed needs of the young person and the action and services required and provide support during the transition to adulthood and independence
Standard 9
Commitment to working together to ensure that service delivery and 15 outcomes for all children and young people looked after are promoted and acted on in their best interest. The IRO should:
9.1 Ensure all partnership agencies are effectively carrying out their role as a corporate parent.
9.2 Where there is a gap in service provision ensure that this highlighted to the relevant agency and instigate the Dispute resolution Process where necessary.
9.3 Ensure that all partner agencies are clear about the role of the IRO
The social worker should :
9.4 Ensure all partner agencies are effectively carrying out their role as corporate parents and are making effective contribution to the care team.
All professionals should:
9.5 Ensure that safeguarding and promoting the welfare of LAC forms an integral part of all elements of the care they offer
9.6 Be aware of their responsibilities in relation to LAC and the role of the IRO
9.7 Be aware of Newcastle’s Pledge to Looked After Children
9.8 Liaise closely with other agencies and share information as appropriate
9.9 Contribute to planning and commissioning support for LAC
9.10 As part of general work with LAC provide ongoing promotional and preventative support, through proactive work with children and families
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