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DISTRUPTION POLICY AND PROCEDURE
GENERAL
Fostering Relations reviews all its policies and procedures at least annually to effectively monitor and
evaluate the quality of its service provision. This in turn contributes to future planning and practice.
Whilst every effort will be made to avoid disruption, this policy is in place to help minimise the possible
harmful effects for the child, carer and agency.
DEFINITION
The term disruption is commonly used in child care circles to describe a placement which has not
reached its time span and aims according to the plans set out. It is inevitably very upsetting for the child
or young person and very often it is potentially, extremely upsetting for the carers, birth family and the
professional workers working with the child.
POLICY
Fostering Relations recognises fully that a disruption can leave children or young people, their carers and
workers with a wide range of very negative feelings and it is important to have measures in place to
manage the situation in a professional but sensitive manner that takes account fairly and accurately of all
the circumstances. Very often looked after children have experienced neglect or may in some cases
have been physically or sexually abused within their previous living situations.This can have short term
consequences but sadly also long term consequences in some instances. It is a fact that for some
children looked after by foster carers there is a risk of disruption occurring brought about by their inability
to adjust to life in a new family. Disruption may also occur through no fault of the child for example
illness in the family, death of a carer etc. This Agency makes every effort to make as good a match as
possible from the information provided at the beginning. However, it may prove that as the placement
progresses the match between child and family proves less than suitable or the family finds it impossible
to respond favourably to the child in question’s behaviour or personality. Experience tells us that
disruption is a real risk if insufficient background information is provided by the placing Authority at the
time of referral and placement assessment of risk process by the Agency. No Agency would wish to set
up a child to fail through lack of information or thorough risk assessment and we expect a very high level
of liaison and information sharing before agreeing a suitable match.
Given the backgrounds of some looked after children a disruption in the fostering placement will most
likely exacerbate feelings of being let down again by those whose job it is to look after them. We see it
as everyone’s responsibility to minimise the chances of this happening through very careful referral
assessment, matching procedures and effective support and supervision.
Fostering Relations regards it as important to fully address all the issues without disempowering any of
the individuals involved. We are also committed to dealing effectively with situations of an unplanned
manner as those going according to plan.
Fostering Relations has in place a formal process for reviewing a placement that has ended as the result
of disruption. In the event that the placement ends abruptly by the decision of carers a “Disruption
Meeting” will take place as soon as is humanly possible following the child’s move.
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This meeting will be conducted by the Agency’s independent reviewing officer. It is essential that the
carers (both if a couple) attend along with the supervising social worker, their line manager, the placing
social worker and if necessary a manager or review officer from the Local Authority. A written report
detailing the circumstances of the disruption will be prepared by the supervising social worker and will be
shared with all attendees of the meeting. Carers and placing social worker will be invited to submit a
written report so that their views are properly represented at the meeting. In the absence of written
reports verbal reports will be heard and discussed and noted in the minute of the meeting.
Recommendations and decisions made will also be minuted and made available to all attendees. This
may be the only formal actions required except when a decision is made to refer the carers to a full
Fostering Panel for consideration of their continued registration provided there is agreed evidence of
unsatisfactory practice. Any alleged mal-practice by social workers will also be dealt with through the
proper disciplinary channels of the Agency or Local Authority. In exceptional circumstances carers may
be referred back to our Panel for further consideration if it is deemed necessary to explore their approval
criteria and in order for the panel to explore this formally.
The Panel may recommend to the Agency Decision Maker an alteration of the carers approval criteria in
order to ensure best practice and good outcomes, or if the situation warrants it deregistration.
Until the conclusion of the above process, Fostering Relations carers will not be considered available for
placement and therefore not eligible for payment of retaining fees. This Agency will however ensure that
carers are provided with a good level of advice and support to assist them through what is likely to be a
highly stressful situation for them. It is also important that this Agency continues to do whatever it can to
assist the child/young person transit as best as possible to their new placement by fully cooperating with
the responsible Local Authority.
It should be noted these procedures are for Fostering Relations to enhance best practice within the
agency but it is accepted Local Authorities may convene their own Disruption Meeting in the event of an
abrupt, unplanned for ending and in that case Fostering Relations will cooperate fully ensuring the
interests of the child are paramount.
PROCEDURAL GUIDANCE FOR FOSTERING RELATIONS STAFF
PRE-DISRUPTION
A disruption may be avoided if there are clear signs a placement cannot be sustained despite the best
efforts of the carers and social workers concerned. It is better for all parties if a placement ends in a
planned way and this can be facilitated by convening an early review meeting. This will pave the way to
minimise all the harmful effects and help the child move to a new placement with the benefit of an
agreed moving on plan.
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Timeline/Tasks
If a placement is in danger of disrupting S.S.W. must
discuss with line manager, placing S.W. what
additional supports are available.
Convene a review meeting involving carers, child (if
appropriate) and placing social worker.
Agree a course of action ensuring appropriate work
with the child takes place and carers role and
responsibilities are clearly detailed and agreed.
Inform child’s parents and bodies such as Children’s
Hearing, Court and anyone else with parental
responsibilities
By Whom
S.S.W and Placing S.W. and line
managers
S.S.W, Placing S.W and line
manager(s)
S.S.W and Placing S.W
Placing S.W
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Agree level of future contact with the existing foster
carers. Outline a contact plan.
Introduce child to his/her new placement in
accordance with plan agreed at review.
Take full cognizance of the feelings of existing carers
i.e. grief, loss, sense of failure, blameworthiness and
ensure on-going support.
Ensure support for the supervising social worker.
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S.S.W and Placing S.W
S.S.W and Placing S.W
S.S.W
Line manager
DISRUPTION MEETING
To avoid duplication Fostering Relations will only convene a disruption meeting when this is not initiated
by the placing Local Authority. Therefore, it would be helpful at a very early stage to verify which body
will take the lead. Irrespective of who takes the lead the prime purpose of the disruption meeting is to
closely look at all the circumstances thought to have brought about the abrupt ending of the placement.
There will be the opportunity to acknowledge responsibilities, accountabilities, implications for current
practice, possible training issues, provide indicators for future foster carer reviews and assist in future
plans being made for the child wherever possible, Fostering Relations will ensure the disruption
meeting is chaired and minuted by an independent review officer. Experience and impartiality is
needed in this situation.
The meeting will take place as early as is humanly possible and at the latest 2 weeks after the
placement ended. This will help deal with all the anxieties that are bound to be around and help all
parties address relevant issues timeously and help bring about a measure of closure.
It is important for this meeting to acknowledge and to a degree emphasise with the negative feelings
and possibility for conflict and help facilitate the recovery process for the affected parties.
COMPOSITION OF THE MEETING
Independent Review Officer or Senior
Manager
Foster carers
Supervising Social Worker
Local Authority Placing Social Worker
Educational Support Co-ordinator (if
appropriate) School Representative (if
appropriate)
Local Authority Social Work Manager
AGENDA
It is suggested the following items might be discussed at the meeting;
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Pre-placement information/risk assessment and management plan that was available at the time
of placement
Current monitoring information and supervision notes
Identified placement issues
Reasons for disruption
What else might have been done
Lessons learned. Implications for practice/future planning
Conclusion and Recommendations
The Agency’s chairperson will provide detailed written minutes noting all salient points and
the recommendations and conclusions.
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These must be comprehensive not least for the benefit of all the participants but also for the Fostering
Panel and/or future reviews.
FOSTERING PANEL
When referred to the Fostering Panel the members will consider the following:
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The carers wish to continue fostering
The carers wish to withdraw from fostering
Withdrawing approval from the carers by way of de-registration
Change to the terms of approval
Recommendations for further training
Any specific issues for the Agency to consider
Signed ………………………………………………………………………………….Registered Manager
Date: February 2017
Review Date: February 2018
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