foster carer taking my child abroad

[poundedskate7]

Hi, I know the social worker under a care order can allow the foster carers to take the child abroad for a period of 1 month but do the parents usually have to be consulted? Every year since they have been in care we have been asked, consulted & informed, This year we haven't been told but we became aware it was happening when our children told us at family time, we think this is out of order but what is the rule on parents with PR being kept informed?

This is an ongoing theme with a certain branch, they don't inform us of EHCP meetings, they consented through themselves and the foster carer for one of our children to have dental work done under general anaesthetic, instead of consulting us, only when the dentist checked the consent forms did we get invited to the procedure.

what is normal under care orders etc

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Dear Poundedskate7

Thank you for your post and welcome to the forum. My name is Suzie, I am an online adviser and will be replying to you today. I can imagine hearing that your child was going abroad during family time was not something you expected, especially because in the past you have been consulted and informed.

I suggest you ask the local authority for their policy and procedures regarding holidays and medical treatment. It is generally expected that parents or guardians of children in foster care under a care order should be informed about any planned trips abroad. This is to ensure that they are aware of the child’s welfare and safety and to provide any necessary support or guidance.

However, when there is a care order in place, the local authority has authority to agree to a child going abroad on holiday with a child. Good practice indicate that they should inform the parents and seek their views as part of working together with parents, but they are the final decision makers.

For children under 16 years subject to a Care Order the Team Manager should give consent to routine examinations and treatment if the parent is unable or unwilling to do so.

Where a child needs surgery, a general anaesthetic or other specific medical intervention, the child's social worker should actively seek to involve the parent(s) in discussions with medical staff prior to giving their consent.
Other than in exceptional circumstances, all reasonable steps should be taken to inform the parent(s) or others with Parental Responsibility before medical advice or treatment is sought for a Looked After Child. If this is not achieved, they should be informed as soon as practicable thereafter. The level of information imparted should reflect the current Care Plan.

If you have concerns regarding communications and information sharing with the allocated social worker, I suggest you attempt to address the issues directly with them, copying in the independent reviewing officer as part of their role is to ensure your child’s care plan is meeting their needs. If the matter is not resolved, you may wish to consider making a formal complaint. I have added HERE information and guidance regarding this process.

I hope the information provided is of help to you. Please post again if you have any further queries or you can call our free, confidential adviceline on 0808 801 0366 (Monday to Friday, 9:30am – 3pm). We also have a webchat which is currently open on Monday and Thursday afternoons.

Best wishes, Suzie

[poundedskate7]

This is our issue, We do not get along with that certain branch, i even emailed the IRO to ask if she was aware of the holiday because we are not aware it was mentioned in the LAC meetings, No response off her either,
the communication side of things is lacking and probably because i raised earlier this year, why is the iro working from the same office as the allocated social worker for 2 of our 3 children, especially when they are taking my email, going straight to the social worker and then he's messaging me directly, i currently have a stage 2 complaint now at the ombudsman about this certain SW, Been waiting nearly a year for this resolution.

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Dear poundedskate7

Thank you for your further post.

I am sorry that the independent reviewing officer has not yet responded to your email and hope you will receive a response soon. The fact that your child was taken on holiday without you being told before the holiday took place was not good practice on the part of the social worker.

In the previous response it was suggested how you could deal with the failure to inform you. It is not clear from our email how much time has passed since your contacted the social worker or independent reviewing officer but it may be that you will get a response shortly.

The IRO is a senior social who works for the local authority but has no responsibility for the day-to-day work on your child’s case. In effect, the IRO is independent their role is to monitor your child’s care and ensure that children’s services are meeting his needs. The IRO chairs the looked after child meetings. If you bring a matter to the IRO’s attention, then they will speak to the social worker about it.

Although you already have a complaint with the local government ombudsman (LGO), you can make a formal complaint to children’s services about this issue if you do not get a satisfactory response or are unhappy about the IRO, you can make a complaint.

Here is information about the IRO’s role [/b] and complaints from our website.

I hope this information is helpful to you. Should you wish to speak with one of our experienced advisers do telephone our free confidential advice line on 0808 801 0366. The advice line is open from 9.30am to 3.00pm Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays)

Best wishes

Suzie