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Contents

1. Assessment Report
2. Checks
3. JAS Recommendations for Assessments

1. Assessment Report

1.	Original assessment including 2 reference reports. The quality of this report will indicate how much more work needs to be done, so attention should be paid to length, quality and age.
2.	A general update report. This should include: Any significant changes; A summary of the fostering work; A statement by the applicants about their fostering, what they have learnt, how it was reasons for leaving and why they wish to switch to Brighton and Hove; Copy of most recent review if there is one; Interview with Carers own children about how they have found fostering; Summary of application completed by assessing social worker.
3.	Letter from the approving agency giving a view of their fostering, any concerns and their understanding of why they are leaving.
4.	Optional. Consider taking a further reference if there is a paucity of information concerning the families fostering experience. This could be from a referee already used in the original assessment

2. Checks

1. New CRB checks should be taken on both applicants (and adult children);
2. Medicals can be accepted from previous agency if they are within 3 years. If there have been issues identified consider getting new one done and getting sight of original;
3. Undertake new checks of the list of children who have a Child Protection Plan.

These checks should be recorded including the date when the checks were made.

Where a former carer’s records are requested by a new agency, these must be made available within one month of the request.

3. JAS Recommendations for Assessments

These assessment components need to be undertaken if the agency has not completed them

1. Need to interview ex-partner if childcare has been involved;
2. Need to complete chronology for each applicant. It is not sufficient for the applicant to complete this on their own. The assessing social worker needs to go through with them and verify what they can;
3. If applicants have not been interviewed out of the home then one interview needs to take place in a location other than the applicant's home;
4. Suggest using 'Key Information/Documents' checklist as guidance to ensure that sufficient checks have been carried out e.g. finance, security of tenure. It may be necessary to undertake an employer's reference check or seek a further school reference;
5. Second opinion visit is optional. Discuss in supervision whether it may be necessary to undertake one. May be useful if there are some more difficult issues or points to emphasis or clarify.

End