CHAPTER 1E+WPlacement of a child in care with P
ApplicationE+W
16.—(1) This Chapter applies if C is in the care of the responsible authority and the responsible authority, acting in accordance with section 81(2) of the 2014 Act, proposes 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 orderE+W
17. 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 of the 1989 Act (parental contact etc. with children in care).
Assessment of P's suitability to care for a childE+W
18. 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 specified in Schedule 4 M1 in making its 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 well-being and meet C's needs set out in the care and support plan, and
(d)review C's case in accordance with Part 6.
Marginal Citations
M1Schedule 4 contains provision specifying the matters which a responsible authority must take into account when assessing the suitability of P to care for C.
Decision to place a child with PE+W
19.—(1) The decision to place C with P must not be put into effect until it has been approved by the nominated officer, and the responsible authority has 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 10(1)(b)(i) have been complied with,
(b)the requirements of regulation 18 have been complied with,
(c)the placement will safeguard and promote C's well-being,
(d)the IRO has been consulted, and
(e)the views, wishes and feelings of any other person, whom the responsible authority considers to be relevant, have been considered.
Circumstances in which a child may be placed with P before assessment completedE+W
20. Where the nominated officer considers it to be necessary and consistent with C's well-being, the responsible authority may place C with P before its assessment under regulation 18 (“the assessment”) is completed, provided that it—
(a)arranges for P to be interviewed in order to obtain as much of the information specified in Schedule 4 about P and the other persons living in P's household who are aged over 18 years as can be readily ascertained at that interview,
(b)ensures that the assessment and review of C's case are completed in accordance with the requirements in regulation 18 within 10 working days of C being placed with P, and
(c)ensures that a decision in accordance with regulation 19 is made and approved within 10 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 PE+W
21. 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 the responsible authority to be necessary to safeguard and promote C's well-being and it must record details of such services and support in C's care and support plan.