Children Returning Home


1. Introduction

1.1 There are sets of circumstances where a child may return to live with their family. This section covers circumstances where a child is no longer looked after, but a decision has been taken that Local Authority children’s social care will continue to provide support and services to the family following reunification.

1.2 As a result of Accommodating the child, in most cases there will already be an Assessment and a range of multi-agency information about the child and the family which will include an understanding of the child and family's needs, wishes and wants, together with an appreciation of their respective abilities to work with support services in a positive and constructive way.

1.3 Where the plan is for a child to return to the care of their family when they cease to be looked-after, there should be a robust planning and decision-making process to ensure the decision is in the best interests of the child and will safeguard and promote their welfare.

1.4 In making the decision to cease looking after a child, the Authority must assess:

  • The suitability of the child's proposed accommodation and maintenance when he/she ceases to be looked-after; and
  • What services and support the child might need and who they might contact for support;
  • Where the child is returning home, what services and support the parent might need and who they might contact for support;
  • The Local Authority must also ascertain the child's wishes and feelings about the proposed plan for their care (having regard to their age and understanding), and consider them;
  • Consideration must also be given to the wider context of the family and environmental factors.   

 

2. Where a child has been Looked After for 20 working days or more, the decision to cease looking after the child should not be put into effect until it has been approved by the Nominated Officer or the Assistant Director.

2.2 Where the child/young person is 16/17 years and has been accommodated under Section 20 or Section 31, discharge from care should not take place until the decision has been approved by the Director of Children's Services. In circumstances where the young person makes the decision to cease being looked after, the form is to be signed.

2.3 Circumstances around ceasing, or discharging, a child from being Looked After will vary as much as the original reasons for Accommodating the child, but the discharge of the child from being Looked After should always be undertaken in a timely and planned way that reflects the needs and best interests of the child.

2.4 A prompt return to their parent or carer will invariably be appropriate and welcomed, especially if the return is part of the child's Care Plan and made possible because of the assessment that has already been undertaken, together with the ongoing involvement of the practitioner.

2.5 Where a parent or carer requests the child be returned to their care outside of the Care Plan (if one has been established), the parent or carer should be asked to undertake the return in a planned or negotiated way that reflects the needs and best interests of the child, (e.g. Family Time (contact) arrangements to assist the return; individual counselling, etc), and to ensure appropriate support becomes available to them or the child. (Note: a lack of resources should not be a reason for delaying the child returning home).  However, when the Local Authority receives a request for the child to return home immediately, (under Section 20(8). It is the duty of the Local Authority to ensure that all necessary steps are taken to ensure a safe plan is in place to return the child home without due delay to avoid a breach of the parents or the child's human rights. (s20 J Mumby, Re: N).

2.6 Nevertheless, where a return to a parent/carer cannot be planned and also raises concern, (either because of the circumstances surrounding the reasons for Accommodation in the first place or because it does not take into account the safeguarding and the welfare of the child), in these circumstances:

  • Careful consideration should be given as to whether the request puts the child at risk of immediate Significant Harm. If this is the case, then the procedure for seeking an Emergency Protection Order (or, where appropriate, Police Protection) should be invoked;
  • The Nominated Manager's view should be sought;
  • Where a review has been undertaken, the IRO's opinion should be sought;
  • Other partner agencies, such as Schools, Education Department and Health should be advised of the change of circumstances;
  • A Child in Need Planning Meeting should be promptly arranged.

 

3.1 Whether a child’s return to their family is planned or unplanned, there should be a clear plan that reflects current and previous assessments, focuses on outcomes and includes details of services and support required. These plans should follow the process for review as with any child in need and/or child protection plan.

3.2 Where a child who is not already considered to be a Child In Need but ceases to be Looked After, the child will become a Child In Need. A Child In Need meeting should be convened wherever possible and appropriate, with relevant agencies, and a Plan drawn up which will promote the safeguarding, welfare and best interests of the child, with the objective of ensuring that the return to the parent or carer is successful.

3.3 The Plan should:

  • Take in to account the child's needs;
  • Take into account the child's views;
  • The parents' capacity to meet the needs of the child;
  • The existing family and support network;
  • The environmental/community factors – both positive and negative;
  • Acknowledge the child's changed legal status;
  • Establish other agencies roles and responsibilities with respect to the Plan.

3.4 The Child in Need Plan should be subject to Review to ensure the Plan remains relevant, appropriate and required or whether it should be 'stepped down'.

 

4. Action to be taken following reunification:

  • Practitioners should make the timeline and decision-making process for providing ongoing services and support clear to the child and family.
  • When reviewing outcomes, children should, wherever possible, be seen alone. Practitioners have a duty to ascertain their wishes and feelings regarding the provision of services being delivered.
  • The impact of services and support should be monitored and recorded, and the help being delivered should be reviewed.