Placement of Young People aged 16 and over with Parents

1. Social workers should consult the procedure “Preparation for Placement with Parents Procedure” for general guidance on the scope of the Placement with Parents Regulations. All the key points, apart from key point 12, apply.
2. However, in order to reflect the increasing degree of independence, and responsibility for making decisions about themselves that an older child should have, only some of the regulations apply to a young person aged 16 years or older. In these cases, the following requirements do not apply:
   • The enquiries and assessment prior to placement, including those relating to immediate and short term placements
   • A placement agreement
   • The notification of placements, and of termination of placements
   • The support and supervision of the placement  
3. Nevertheless, in making arrangements for young people over 16 years, the individual circumstances and the level of maturity of the young person need to be taken into account. The local authority still has the duty to be satisfied that the placement is the most suitable arrangement for the young person, and this will best be achieved by giving appropriate consideration to the general principles inherent in the content of all of the regulations. Therefore other procedures, particularly “Preparation for Placement with Parents Procedure” and “Support, Supervision and Review of Placement with Parents Procedure” should also be consulted for further guidance.
4. The requirement that the placement should not take place until the decision to place the young person has been made by the delegated manager (Service Managers in the East Riding) remains applicable. The provisions in relation to placements made outside of England and Wales; and the termination of placements also continue to apply.

1. Plans for a placement with parent should be discussed and agreed at child’s statutory review;
2. The Designated social worker should visit the parent(s) to discuss the proposed placement and obtain basic information about the parent’s circumstances and household details;
3. The Designated social worker should undertake any enquiries considered appropriate, including with the Police Public Protection Unit if there is evidence that this is necessary in order to safeguard the young person’s safety. The social worker can also request that the parents and adult members of the household apply for a basic DBS check if they live in England and Wales, or Disclosure Scotland if they live in Scotland, (see DBS Basic Checks Guidance);
4. The Designated social worker must consult with the young person, and record their comments;
5. The Designated social worker should compile an abbreviated report following the guidelines as far as applicable, outlining why the placement is considered to be in the young person’s best interests. The report should be countersigned by the social worker’s Team Manager and Area Manager, and sent to the Service Manager;
6. The Service Manager will record their decision and return the report with their decision to the social worker and placed on the young person’s case record;
7. The Designated social worker arranges the placement, checking that arrangements are made to register the young person with a GP and dentist;
8. The Designated social worker notifies the Management Information Section of the date of the placement by telephone.

Key points 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6 in the separate procedure “Support, Supervision and Review of Placement with Parents” all have relevance to the case of a young person age 16 years or over. Key point 6 is particularly valid for a young person of this age.

1. The Supervising social worker should undertake visits to the young person, and carer, on a regular basis and at a frequency which will enable the social worker to be satisfied that the placement continues to be the most suitable arrangement for the care of the young person. Visits should be appropriately recorded.
2. A Looked After Review should be held within 1 month of the placement, or within the first 3 months for a series of short-term placements.
3. The supervising social worker should monitor the level of support needed by the carer and young person, making adjustments when necessary in consultation with their Team Manager.
4. In the event that any major change in the Care Plan is needed, including making an application to discharge the Care Order, the supervising social worker should arrange a statutory review.

The separate procedure “Termination of Placement with Parents” should be consulted. Key points 1-4 all have relevance. Steps 1-3 of the detailed procedure should be followed.