Ending a Placement

 

Introduction

Placements can end naturally or because of a unforeseen situation. There are many reasons why a placement ends such as:

• The child returns to their family;
• The placement breaks down;
• The child is moved to another placement;
• The young person is old enough to live independently;
• The child/young person is adopted - either by another family, family member or possibly you.

It is really difficult when there are challenges  within the placement and the placement is breaking down. You should always speak to your supervising social worker about any worries or concerns as they happen so that any issues can be reflected on.  Your Supervising Social Worker can support you and arrange meetings to look at how to support you all. If all attempts to maintain the child’s placement fails, Children Always First will serve notice to the Local Authority. There are different notice periods and circumstances when a placement is breaking down, which your supervising social worker can talk you through.

Wherever possible, when a placement is coming to an end, a plan should be developed to move the child/young people. The child/young person might be feeling worried about what is going to happen to them, even if the move is one that they feel positive about.

You may feel anxious about the child/young person’s move too, which is very  natural. For this reason,  it is important for everyone that there is a clear plan about what will happen and who will take responsibility for what. It is really important that you talk to your Supervising Social Worker, especially

Useful Tips

You have an important part to play in helping the child to move. Maintaining an attitude of acceptance and empathy is very important as this supports the child to experience a “positive ending” even if it is in difficult circumstances. When you are talking to the child about the move, show acceptance and empathy for their feelings regardless of what these may be and support them in making sense of the reasons they are moving. Additionally, it is important to help the child / young person understand what will happen and when it will happen.

Plan "goodbyes" for friends and family members that the child is close to.

You should put together information about the child/young person’s daily routine, likes/dislikes and any other important information that will help the new carer and inform the  child’s social worker  if you are happy to talk to the new carer.

If the child/young person has photographs, life story book and other information about the time that they have spent with you, you should make sure that they go with them.

Make sure you pack all important documents such as their passport.

You should provide clear instructions about any medication or appointments the child may have.

The child's belongings should be moved in a suitcase or holdall and never be transported in bin-bags or other inappropriate containers (see NYAS, My Things Matter Report).

Let the child know what contact they may have with you in the future and provide them with photographs and mementoes of their time with you.

If a placement ends without this being planned, a disruption meeting may be held. A disruption meeting is an opportunity for everyone who has been involved in the child/young person’s care to  reflect on what has happened, what went well and what could have gone better. This helps not only you as a carer but may help the child in future placements.

Maintaining Contact

After a child has moved on from your care, it may be appropriate to maintain contact with them. This should always be discussed and agreed with your Supervising Social Worker and the Local Authority Social Worker to ensure that it is in everyone’s best interests, particularly if you have another child in your care.

When a Parent and Child placement comes to an end, it may also be appropriate to maintain contact the parent and/or child. This again, should be discussed and agreed with the appropriate social workers and your Supervising Social Worker.

If you would like a previous parent (from a parent and child placement) to visit your home, particularly if you have any other children in your care, discussions must take place with your Supervising Social Worker to give consideration to the parent’s current circumstances and whether any safety planning would need to be completed to ensure the child in placement is safeguarded. It may be necessary to amend any safer caring plans, dependent upon the outcome of the discussions and agreements made with the relevant Local Authority.