Sussex Child Protection and Safeguarding Procedures
Sussex Child Protection and Safeguarding Procedures Sussex Child Protection and Safeguarding Procedures

5.4.3 Social Worker Visits

AMENDMENTS

This Chapter was amended in January 2009, Section 5, Recording, was amended


Contents

  1. Normal Frequency
  2. Conditions
  3. Who should be seen
  4. Purpose
  5. Recording

1. Normal Frequency

Wherever a Looked After Child is placed, the child’s Social Worker must visit the child in the placement at the following intervals, subject to the conditions in Section 2, Conditions:

  • On the day the child is placed, to assist in the placement process
  • Within one week of the placement
  • Then at intervals of no more than four weeks during the first six months of the placement
  • The frequency of visits can then be reviewed after six months and a further visiting pattern agreed which should be no less than six weekly for the next six months and no less than three monthly after the first year.

This applies to all new placements where, for example, a child moves from one placement to another.

Some visits should be unannounced.

Meetings involving a child i.e. Looked After Reviews, do not in themselves constitute a Visit, unless time is taken outside of the meeting to talk with and spend time with the child. Visits held away from the placement are considered important as it can strengthen the relationship between the child and Social Worker and is also in the interests of child protection.


2. Conditions

  1. Where the placement is with relatives or friends who have not yet been approved as foster Carers, the Social Worker must visit the child weekly.
  2. Where the placement is for a series of short-term placements, the child’s Social Worker must visit the child within the first 7 placement days (being days when the child is placed) and thereafter every six months.
  3. Visits should be made more frequently if circumstances require and whenever reasonably requested by the child or the Staff/Carer.

3. Who Should Be Seen

Wherever possible, the child must be seen alone (unless the child of sufficient age and maturity and refuses). If this is not possible, a further visit must be made at short notice in order that the child can be seen alone and observed with the Staff/Carer.

On some occasions, the Social Worker should also arrange to visit at times when all members of a household can be seen; or for children’s Homes, a significant number of adults and children.


4. Purpose

The purpose of the visit is to ensure the placement continues to promote the child’s welfare and in particular:

  1. To give the child the opportunity to express his or her wishes, feelings and views
  2. To advise, assist and befriend the child
  3. To observe the child with the Staff/foster Carer/Parent
  4. To monitor the standard of care offered by the placement
  5. To monitor how the contact arrangements are working
  6. To provide support to the placement
  7. To identify any areas where additional support is required
  8. To evaluate whether the placement is helping to achieve the objectives of the child’s Care Plan.

Placement Planning Meetings can be undertaken during Social Workers visits.


5. Recording

Amended January 2009: The whole of this section was amended in January 2009.

A written report on each visit must be made by the Social Worker and kept in the child’s file stating clearly (see additional guidance on the recording of statutory visits in Statutory Visits/Core Group Recording Guidance):

  1. Whether the child was seen or not? Were they seen on their own? Was this an announced or unannounced visit? Attempts should be made to see children on their own during visits so that full discussions can take place with them where appropriate-see point 5 below.
  2. If child not seen was any explanation provided?
  3. Which adults were seen on the visit?
  4. Details of where the visit took place- e.g.- home, school etc.
  5. What issues were discussed with child/young person & adults present? It is imperative that the child’s own wishes and feelings and views are sought on a regular basis by the worker.
  6. How did the visit fit with the current assessment of the overall situation? - e.g.- is there any evidence of change within the family?- is this change positive or negative?
  7. Are any new needs emerging?
  8. Are any new risks emerging?
  9. Does the care plan need to change?- if so- how does it need to change?


End