The Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010

CHAPTER 1 Placement of a child in care with P

Application

15.—(1) This Chapter applies if C is in the care of the responsible authority and they, acting in accordance with section 22C(2), propose to place C with P.

(2) Nothing in this Chapter requires the responsible authority to remove C from P’s care if C is living with P before a placement decision is made about C.

Effect of contact order

16.  The responsible authority must not place C with P if to do so would be incompatible with any order made by the court under section 34.

Assessment of P’s suitability to care for a child

17.  Before deciding to place C with P, the responsible authority must—

(a) assess the suitability of P to care for C, including the suitability of—

(i) the proposed accommodation, and

(ii) all other persons aged 18 and over who are members of the household in which it is proposed that C will live,

(b) take into account all the matters set out in Schedule 3 in making their assessment,

(c) consider whether, in all the circumstances and taking into account the services to be provided by the responsible authority, the placement will safeguard and promote C’s welfare and meet C’s needs set out in the care plan, and

(d) review C’s case in accordance with Part 6.

Decision to place a child with P

18.—(1) The decision to place C with P must not be put into effect until it has been approved by a nominated officer, and the responsible authority have prepared a placement plan for C.

(2) Before approving a decision under paragraph (1), the nominated officer must be satisfied that-

(a) the requirements of regulation 9(1)(b)(i) have been complied with,

(b) the requirements of regulation 17 have been complied with,

(c) the placement will safeguard and promote C’s welfare, and

(d) the IRO has been consulted.

Circumstances in which a child may be placed with P before assessment completed

19.  Where the nominated officer considers it to be necessary and consistent with C’s welfare, the responsible authority may place C with P before their assessment under regulation 17 (“the assessment”) is completed provided that they—

(a) arrange for P to be interviewed in order to obtain as much of the information specified in Schedule 3 about P and the other persons living in P’s household who are aged 18 and over as can be readily ascertained at that interview,

(b) ensure that the assessment and the review of C’s case are completed in accordance with regulation 17 within ten working days of C being placed with P, and

(c) ensure that a decision in accordance with regulation 18 is made and approved within ten working days after the assessment is completed, and—

(i) if the decision is to confirm the placement, review the placement plan and, if appropriate amend it, and

(ii) if the decision is not to confirm the placement, terminate the placement.

Support for P

20.  Where C is placed, or is to be placed, with P, the responsible authority must provide such services and support to P as appear to them to be necessary to safeguard and promote C’s welfare and must record details of such services and support in C’s care plan.