PLO

[MummaD5]

Been looking after a friends child whilst mother was to complete community rehab - she failed. There’s a core meeting tomorrow and sw has mentioned to mum PLO I’m new to all this, mother has no family / friends other than me. What can happen next? Will child remain with mum or can they say he needs to be cared for by me child has also been subject to a CP plan for the last year which hasn’t been stuck told I’m anxious to think this poor child could end up in foster care,

[Robin D]

I do wish professionals would avoid using acronyms. Lots of information and links on the Public Law Outline can be found at https://frg.org.uk/get-help-and-advice/ ... tline-plo/ but basically its about setting strict timescales and processes.

I cannot say what will happen next, but surprised you are not invited to the core meeting as the current carer. It's a multi agency meeting to look at the current situation and to see if the child protection plan is being met.

I suggest, if you can you need to write to the head of Children's Services pointing out that you have been caring for the child for however long its been and saying you wish to be assessed as a carer for the child, if the decision at the core meeting on 4th July is that they cannot return to Mum. If you can do that tonight and deliver it to the council offices by hand first thing in the morning it will be great. The council website should give you the name of the head, but if not, just use the title. Mark the envelope urgent and Private and Confidential. Get a receipt when you hand it in.

Sorry its so late in the day but I have only just seen your post.

Best wishes .... Robin

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Been looking after a friends child whilst mother was to complete community rehab - she failed. There’s a core meeting tomorrow and sw has mentioned to mum PLO I’m new to all this, mother has no family / friends other than me. What can happen next? Will child remain with mum or can they say he needs to be cared for by me child has also been subject to a CP plan for the last year which hasn’t been stuck told I’m anxious to think this poor child could end up in foster care,

Dear MummaD5

Welcome to the kinship carers’ discussion forum and thank you for your post.

My name is Suzie, online adviser at Family Rights Group. I see from your post that you are unsure of your position whilst looking after your friend’s daughter.

It is nor clear from your post if you are now treated as a foster carer by children’s services for the child. She may have been placed with you under s,20 voluntary arrangement which would mean she is a looked after child and you, a foster carer. It may be however that children’s services have told you that it is a private family arrangement which would mean they do not have to contribute financially to her living with you. Whether she is looked after or not depends on how she came into your care. If you wish to know more about this you can read information about kinship care arrangements.

You may also find it helpful to read more about s.20 voluntary arrangement HERE

There is a child protection plan and mother has now failed her assessment in the community. There is information here about child protection The social worker has mentioned PLO. This means public law outline and refers to the procedures that children’s services follow to prepare for a court hearing. It suggests that they are now considering making an application for a care order. Here is information about . care proceedings

If children’s services apply to the court, as she has been living with you, she might remain in your care during the court case, possibly under an interim care order This means you would assessed as foster carer and if positive she could remain in your care long term if that is the long term plan after the care proceedings. You could, asked to be assessed for a special guardianship order if you wanted to share parental responsibility with her mother and have her live with you. Here is information about special guardianship.

The social worker should be explaining to you as the person caring for the child what the plan is going forward. As there is a core group meeting due, you may have more information from this meeting. You say there are no other family members, but the child’s paternal family could be contacted and may ask to be assessed as carers.

Please telephone our advice line to speak with one of our experienced advisers so you can have advice about your position. It seems from your post that you have been caring for this child for about a year but still unclear about the plans for her future.

Our advice line is open from 9.30am to 3.00pm Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays). You can also contact us using Webchaton our website.

I hope this is helpful.

Best wishes

Suzie