8.14 Disruption of Adoptive Placements |
This chapter was added to the manual in October 2024.
Contents
1. Policy
Manx Care will ensure that any adoptive placements that disrupt are managed sensitively and timely, whilst ensuring the needs of the child(ren) are paramount.
2. Introduction
A disruption is the premature ending of a placement of a child(ren) that has been placed for adoption.
A decision not to proceed with a potential adoptive placement during introductions is not considered a disruption for these procedures.
3. Disruption of Adoptive Placements
A placement can disrupt the request of the adoptive parents, by the placing Adoption Agency/Local Authority or the child(ren) may make an allegation that will require further investigation, using the isle of Man child protection procedures.
Disruptions can occur both before or after an Adoption Order is made. It is important to remember that in the event of disruptions that occur post order that the adoptive parents will have full legal responsibility for their adopted child.
However, it is best practice to inform birth parents that the adoptive placement has disrupted once the date of the meeting has been set. The Adoption Practice Lead will contact the placing authority, and it will be their responsibility to inform birth parents, pre or post three years.
If the child was placed from the Island, the Adoption Practice Lead will be responsible for informing birth parents post order. Pre-adoption order, the responsibility will remain with the child’s Social Worker.
4. Disruption Meeting
All adoption disruptions should have a Disruption Meeting. The Disruption Meeting will be held no sooner than 28 days and no later than 42 days after the placement breakdown and will follow a set agenda, as follows:
- The child’s family background and experiences of trauma;
- The child’s care journey and the decision making process;
- An understanding of the child’s support needs and the frequency of contact with birth family members;
- What support had already been provided pre and post adoption by relevant agencies;
- The child’s voice;
- The views, wishes and feelings of the adoptive parents;
- To identify learning and how best to plan for the child moving forward. This plan should be formulated in the meeting, it needs to be SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timely) and acted on by the relevant professional/agency.
The Disruption Meeting should be chaired by a person who is independent of the child’s care planning process and they would need to have sight of the following information 7 working days before the meeting takes place:
- Child’s Permanence Report;
- Adoption Panel minutes for the child’s Best Interest Decision (including the Agency Decision Maker’s approval);
- Prospective Adopter’s Report;
- Matching reports (including Adoption Support Plan);
- Adoption Panel minutes of matching;
- Copy of the last Looked After Review minutes (pre adoption);
- Any other relevant minutes, e.g. placement support meeting or post adoption support assessment.
The Adoption Practice Lead will facilitate the link and organise an independent chair. In addition, the Adoption Practice Lead will act as convenor of the Disruption Meeting, who will have the responsibility for preparation, coordination and liaison as necessary. They will:
- Agree with the Chair a suitable date;
- Make sure all parties are consulted about dates, travel and childcare arrangements, and have the support they require in order to participate in the meeting. (Such people to include, adoptive parents, supervising social worker, child’s social worker, Adoption Practice Lead, Independent Reviewing Officer, Education, Health and any therapeutic services);
- Book a suitable venue with refreshments;
- Send out invitations and maps;
- Arrange a minute taker.
Consideration must always be given to the child's attendance or contribution to the meeting. This depends on their age, understanding and particular circumstances. Their Social Worker must talk to them about how they can be involved and should they not attend how their wishes and views can be conveyed to the meeting. This can be in a variety of ways. For example, tape, video, letters as well as coming to all or part of the meeting.
The independent chair of the meeting must always endeavour to meet with the child and their adoptive parents, at least two working days prior to the Disruption Meeting taking place.
Minutes of the Disruption Meeting should be completed in draft and sent to the Chair within 10 working days of the meeting.
The Chair is responsible for checking and distributing the minutes to all the participants, together with the Chair’s own summary and action plans, within 5 working days of the minutes being received. Any policy or practice/learning recommendations should only be sent to the Managers and Social Workers.
Within 20 working days, after the Disruption Meeting and the minutes being completed, the Adoption Practice Lead must undertake a review of the adopter(s) continued suitability.
Consideration needs to be given to updating the Prospective Adopter’s Report and whether it is appropriate to recommend their continuing approval as adopters. The matter will then be placed before the Adoption Panel within 3 months of the Disruption Meeting taking place.
The minutes and case recordings will need to be documented on both the child and the adopter’s electronic file.
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