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4.2.7 Placement in Supported Housing/Lodgings

AMENDMENTS

This chapter was amended in September 2011 in regard under Schedule 2 to the Care Leavers Regulations 2010 and Schedule 6 of the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review Regulations 2010): See Section 1.2 Identification of Placement.

SCOPE OF THIS CHAPTER

This procedure applies to all placements of Eligible Young People, Relevant Young People or Former Relevant Young People in supported housing or supportive lodgings.

See also, Leaving Care Procedure.


Contents

1. Placements Process
1.1 Placement Request
1.2 Identification of Placement 
1.3 Placement Planning 
1.4 Notification of Placement  
2. Support, Monitoring and Ending of Placements
2.1 Support and Monitoring of Placements 
2.2 Ending of Placements 


1. Placements Process

1.1 Placement Request

Where a decision has been made that an Eligible or Relevant young person requires a placement in supported housing/lodgings, the Leaving Care Service should complete a referral.

In the event of a Young Person choosing to remain in their existing Foster Placement this placement (post 16) will be considered for conversion to a Supported Lodgings Placement, subject to Assessment of Need and Pathway Plan.

The Referral Form contains information about the young person, his or her support needs, the urgency of the referral and the likely length of time for which the placement is required. 

The Leaving Care Team will arrange for all placement requests to be submitted to the next available Supported Lodgings Panel  and will inform the Leaving Care Team worker of the Panel date and the report required. The Leaving Care Social Worker will attend the Panel meeting to present the report.

The Supported Lodgings Panel will authorise a placement if satisfied of its suitability to meet the young person’s needs.

1.2 Identification of Placement

If a placement is authorised, the Leaving Care Team will make enquiries with appropriate provider(s) about the availability of the resource or any waiting list, and liaise with the Leaving Care Team’s allocated social worker as necessary.

The Leaving Care Team’s social worker may then arrange visits to the proposed placement, with the young person to discuss the suitability of the placement.

When the Leaving Care Team Social Worker confirms that the placement appears suitable, the 16+ Team will discuss the terms and conditions of a possible placement.

Matters to which the Local Authority must have regard to when determining suitability of accommodation (under Schedule 2 to the Care Leavers Regulations 2010 and Schedule 6 of the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review Regulations 2010):

  1. In respect of the accommodation:
    1. The facilities and services provided
    2. The state of repair
    3. The safety
    4. The location
    5. The support
    6. The tenancy status, and
    7. The financial commitments involved for the relevant young person and their affordability.
  2. In respect of the Relevant young person:
    1. His or her views about the accommodation
    2. His or her understanding of their rights and responsibilities in relation to the accommodation, and
    3. His or her understanding of funding arrangements.

1.3 Placement Planning

If the placement is considered to be suitable, the Leaving Care team social worker will prepare the young person to move to the placement as soon as the accommodation is available, including ensuring that the young person understands his or her responsibilities.

The Leaving Care Team social worker will assist the young person to complete the necessary paperwork in relation to the placement and provide the provider with a contact number for the young person in case of emergencies.

In all cases, the young person should be accompanied to the placement by the Leaving Care Team worker and helped to settle in.

1.4 Notification of Placement

The Leaving Care Team social worker must notify the placement to all those consulted and involved in the decision-making process and confirmation of the date of placement must be sent to the Children and Family Finance Team.

In addition, the Leaving Care worker must provide the necessary information to the relevant administrative staff so the young person’s records can be updated. 

The relevant worker must also notify the young person’s Independent Reviewing Officer of the placement.

It will be necessary for the Leaving Care social worker to ensure the young person is registered with a GP, Dentist and Optician.


2. Support, Monitoring and Ending of Placements

2.1 Support and Monitoring of Placements

The Leaving Care worker will continue to support the young person while in the placement and work with the young person towards the young person’s readiness to move to independent accommodation.

Regular contact will be maintained with the Supported Lodgings Placement provider and the Supported Lodgings Placement Panel to monitor the effectiveness of the placement.

2.2 Ending of Placements

The Leaving Care social worker should inform all those notified of the placement when a placement ends, including the Commissioning Team.

Young people leaving placements will be given an opportunity to complete a Feedback Form, giving their views on the placement.

End