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Contents

1. Normal Frequency 
2. Exceptions  
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 Section 2, Exceptions.

• On the day the child is placed, to assist in the placement process;
• Within one week of the start of any placement;
• Then at intervals of no more than six weeks during the first year of any placement;
• Thereafter, at intervals of not more than 6 weeks (or 3 months if the placement is intended to last until the child is 18).

This applies to all new placements where, for example, a child moves from one placement to another. These are minimum visiting requirements.

Some visits should be unannounced.

Social workers may on occasion need to visit more regularly, however they must avoid an appearance of over involvement in the life of the child.

2. Exceptions

If the child is placed with parents pending assessment, social work visits must take place at least once a week until the first Looked After Review, thereafter at intervals of not more than 6 weeks.

If the child is living with the parents under an Interim Care Order, visits must take place at least once a week until the first Looked After Review, thereafter at intervals of not more than 4 weeks.

If the child is placed with parents under a Care Order, within one week of the Care Order, thereafter at intervals of not more than 6 weeks.

If the child is placed with a Connected Person with temporary approval, visits must take place at least once a week until the first Looked After Review, thereafter at intervals of not more than 4 weeks.

If the child is in the care of the Local Authority but another person is responsible for the child’s living arrangements (for example where a child is placed in a Youth Offenders’ Institution or a health care setting), within a week of the start/any change of living arrangements, at intervals of not more than 6 weeks for the first year; at intervals of not more than 3 months in any subsequent year.

3. Who should be Seen

Wherever possible, the child must be seen in private and alone (unless the child of sufficient age and maturity and refuses or the social worker considers it inappropriate to do so).  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 residential 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, when a significant number of adults and children at the home are likely to be present.

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/carer;
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.

Where appropriate and relevant, the Placement Plan (recorded on the Placement Information Record) may be amended as a result of the social worker's visit, in which case the amended plan should be circulated to all those who have a copy of the current plan.

5. Recording

A written report on each visit must be made by the social worker and kept in the child’s case record stating clearly:

1. Who was seen;
2. Whether the child was seen and if not why not;
3. Whether the child was seen alone;
4. Any comments made by the child or the staff/carers;
5. Any matters of concern or difficulties;
6. Any observations on the child's welfare and the success of the placement;
7. Any requirements for action.

End