placements – Children's Law Centre

Will a child be placed close to where they lived?

inico Admin — Fri, 03 Jul 2020 11:18:31 +0000

The Health and Social Care Trust has a duty to place children near their home, where it is possible to do so, in order for them to have regular contact with their parents.

Will a child need to change School if they are placed in Trust accommodation?

inico Admin — Fri, 03 Jul 2020 11:17:55 +0000

A child’s social worker will try to make sure that they can stay in the same school. This is not always possible and they child may sometimes be required to move school, for example if they are placed too far away.

Will a child be placed with their siblings?

inico Admin — Fri, 03 Jul 2020 11:17:10 +0000

If all siblings are subject of a Care Order, the Health and Social Care (HSC) Trust is responsible for keeping them together as long as it is possible to do so.

What is suitable accommodation?

inico Admin — Fri, 03 Jul 2020 11:16:36 +0000

Suitable accommodation means that the Health and Social Care (HSC) Trust have a duty to provide accommodation for 16 and 17-year-olds who become homeless, taking into account their needs. Once a young person has been accommodated for 24 hours, they become a Looked After Child (LAC).

What is Kinship Foster Care?

inico Admin — Fri, 03 Jul 2020 11:04:20 +0000

Kinship Foster Care is when the Health and Social Care Trust places a child with someone they already know. This usually means family members such as grandparents, aunts and uncles, brothers or sisters.

What is Foster Care?

inico Admin — Fri, 03 Jul 2020 11:03:43 +0000

Foster Care is when a Looked After Child (LAC) is placed in a home with professional Foster Carer’s and their family. Foster Placements can be emergency, short-term or long term.

The Foster Carer will receive an allowance for providing a home for the child. Foster placements can be with Foster Parents who receive an allowance from the Trust or Private Fostering Organisations.

What is a children’s home?

inico Admin — Fri, 03 Jul 2020 11:02:57 +0000

A Children’s Home provides residential accommodation for Looked After Children (LAC). It is staffed by Social Workers and should provide appropriate care and accommodation for the children living there.

What are the different types of placement?

inico Admin — Fri, 03 Jul 2020 10:52:37 +0000

There are several different types of placement:

Kinship foster care

Foster care

Private fostering

Children’s home

Suitable Accommodation

Will a child have any say in where they go?

inico Admin — Fri, 03 Jul 2020 10:51:55 +0000

Children are entitled to support so that they understand any care plans and decisions that affect them. They may be given an opportunity to speak in court, depending on their age and understanding of the case.

If the child does not want to go to court, their Guardian Ad Litem or solicitor can speak on their behalf.