Leaving the Home

Contents

1. Decision Making and Notice Period
2. Arrangements for the Discharge
3. Notifications
4. Aftercare/Contact

1. Decision Making and Notice Period

Decision making in relation to discharging or transferring a child/young person to another Childhood First home is always a shared process with the child/young person's social worker, Independent Reviewing Officer, parents or those with parental responsibility, the child/young person as appropriate and others such as teachers, advocates or personal advisors. Preferably such consultation should occur at a Planning Meeting or Looked After Child Review.

In the unusual circumstance that it appears the child/young person would benefit from a transfer from one community to another, the Registered Manager should consult with the new Director for a potential transfer before any discussion takes place either with the child/young person or the social worker. Once it has been established in principle that an appropriate internal placement can meet the young person's needs, a discussion would take place with the placing authority social worker outlining the reasons for the proposal. A placement move can only take place once approval from the placing authority has been received in writing. 

Any decision to terminate a young person's placement (i.e. giving notice on the placement) and request that she/he be discharged and moved to a home outside our care must be approved by the Responsible Individual or Deputy CEO. If the Registered Manager makes the decision to give notice on a placement this is for a period of 28 days, however in the best interests of the child/young person the exact leaving date may be negotiable.

Agreement to the discharge must be issued by the placing authority in writing.

2. Arrangements for the Discharge

It is understood that a change in placement is a major life event and may be accompanied by emotional and behavioural actions associated with loss and separation. Therefore, the Registered Manager should liaise with the social worker and take all reasonable steps to ensure the child/young person's transfer or discharge is managed sensitively.

The child/young person and parents where appropriate should be consulted and kept informed of all key decisions and arrangements in relation to any discharge or transfer. If possible, the child/young person (and parents where appropriate) should undertake visits to the new home/placement and should be provided with information such as brochures or guides.

The Registered Manager should liaise with the following people to ensure adequate plans and records (see below) are completed or brought up to date before the young person moves:

• The social worker;
• Parents or those with Parental Responsibility;
• The child/young person;
• The Registered Manager of the new placement (if residential) or the foster carers;
• Teacher/School;
• Other relevant people/agencies, e.g. Personal Advisor, advocates.

The plans or records that must be brought up to date or completed by the social worker or others, and made available for the Registered Manager of the new placement, are:

• The child/young person's Care Plan - the social worker is responsible for this record;
• Where appropriate, the young person's Pathway Plan - the social worker or Personal Advisor is responsible for this plan;
• The young person's Personal Education Plan (PEP), any recent Individual Education Plan (IEP) or, where appropriate, the young person's EHCP - the social worker should obtain these plans/reports;
• Details, plans or arrangements relating to the young person's Health Care Assessment.

If a child/young person is transferring between Childhood First communities, the Registered Managers of both homes must liaise with each other to ensure that all appropriate arrangements are made, for example: sharing information held in the child/young person's Placement Plan.

Where the child/young person has been in our care for an extended period, memento albums, photographs and moments about the community should be prepared for them so they have a record of this period of their life at the community.

3. Notifications

The area local authority must be notified without delay of the discharge of a child from the home, unless that authority is also the child's placing authority.

The notification must state:

• The child's name and date of birth;
• The child's legal status i.e. whether the child is Accommodated under Section 20 or subject to a Care Order or Supervision Order;
• The contact details for:
  • The child's placing authority;
    
    and
  • The child's Independent Reviewing Officer.
• Whether the child has an EHCP and, if so, details of the local authority which maintains the statement.

4. Aftercare/Contact

Any arrangements for aftercare or contact between our care staff and the child/young person or his/her parents/family must be agreed with the social worker and set out in the child/young person's Placement Plan. There should be a written record of any after care/contact provided.