1. Information Session
Maggie Davies

2. The Adoption and Permanent Foster Carer Process
Welcome
The Adoption and Permanent Foster Carer Process
Questions and Answers

3. Initial Home Visit
An opportunity to get to know you better and for you to hear more about the children who are waiting for new families.
Following this, the information is presented to the Adoption & Permanency Team meeting and a decision is made on whether to proceed.

4. The Training Four days training which includes:
the law; background issues
children’s development and delay due to abuse and neglect
post placement and post order support
contact arrangements

5. CRB, Health, references & other checks
Making an Application
CRB, Health, references & other checks

6. The Home Study – PAR
In-depth assessment of you, your life and your parenting capacity which we concluded within six months of application, this includes:
8-10 visits – unless issues arise
Visits to your referees
2nd Opinion visit
Medical report
You have the opportunity to comment
Papers to the panel 2 weeks prior to the date

7. The Adoption & Permanency Panel
You attend with your Social Worker
An opportunity for the Panel to meet you
Where the panel consider your suitability

8. Who are the children?
Children who are waiting for permanency have usually been removed from their parents against their parents wishes
Children have sometimes been exposed to domestic violence, neglect and abuse
Research shows children who have experienced abuse and have been separated from their families have challenging behaviour in their new families

9. Post Approval – Permanent Foster Care
Identify a child (ren) – You or Us?
The family remain with the L/A
We look to match a child with you from within H&F
If that doesn’t materialise your profile is circulated to WLC, local authorities nationally
After 12months approval reviewed and subsequent review happen

10. Post Approval - adoption
Identify a child (ren) – You or Us?
The family remain with the L/A for 8wks
After that, profile is circulated to WLC, NAR
Families can attend Post Adopters quarterly seminars
Timeframe – after 12months approval reviewed if a suitable match has not been identified 10

11. Matching with a Child Swap Children’s Permanency Report and PAR
Decide Yes or No….
If selected for interview – your Social Worker, child’s Social Worker and child’s Family finding Social Worker
Selection meeting – Yes or No
Adoption support package or Permanent Foster placement package arranged (ongoing allowance payable in permanent fostering arrangements)
Panel to approve the match

12. Placement Introductions, Planning Meeting Meet the Child
Slow Introduction Process
Child’s Pace
Child Placed – placement monitored:
a) Until an Adoption Order is granted, or
b) By ongoing 6 weekly visits from the child’s social worker and the PFC have a support worker for the duration of the placement

13. The Adoption Order Application to adopt lodged with a court
Family encouraged to seek legal representation
Court report completed – Child and Family’s Social Workers
Hearing Date:Adoption order granted
From start to finish: up to two years

14. Permanent Foster Care
PFC receive a fortnightly allowance agreed prior to placement on the basis of the children’s ages and needs
PFC are encouraged to undertake training through the local authority according to the government CWDC department
The child remains in the local authority care and has a visiting social worker

15. Questions and Answers
Next Preparation and Training Groups in Hammersmith and Fulham are going to be held between in February This is likely to be the first Tri Borough recruitment.
We are keen to recruit families who can care permanently for black or dual heritage children, children with special needs and sibling groups.