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4.1.2 Permanency Planning and Family Finding for Children under 12 who are the subject of Care Proceedings or whose parents requested the child be Permanently cared for
Please see Family Finding Flowchart.

  • As soon as an Interim Care Order is granted or a parent makes a request that the child be Looked After permanently by the Local Authority, the Social Worker must arrange a first appointment at the Family Finding Forum to discuss the child’s future placement needs.  (Early discussion will inform the Adoption Team of future needs which will help in the recruitment of adoptive families who will meet the needs of Oxfordshire children).

    Note: This must happen before the four month Review to ensure that every child has a robust permanency or twin track permanency plan by the time of the review. The Social Worker will be asked to supply brief factual information before the Family Finding Forum Meeting. You will not be asked to prepare anything special.  You may find it helpful to bring your file/reports.

  • At the Family Finding Forum Meeting - the Social Worker will be asked:
  1. Brief background of the child
  2. Knowledge of the child’s needs
  3. Legal situation and timescales
  4. The birth families views/wishes
  5. The child’s views/wishes
  6. Your thoughts about ongoing contact in a permanent placement
  7. Potential options for the child at this early stage.
  8. Ideas of family composition
  • The Family Finding Forum will give the Social Worker advice about potential placements and what the steps are required to identify one.

    Following the Family Finding Forum a member of the Adoption Team will liaise with the Social Worker on a regular basis to keep informed of the progress of the child’s situation.
  • A Family Finder will be appointed.
  • If the plan for a child is likely to become a permanent placement outside the birth family, the Social Worker should arrange a Second appointment at the Family Finding Forum. This will be prior to the Care Plan being submitted to the Court and before the child’s case is presented to the Adoption & Permanency Panel.The purpose of this 2nd meeting is to discuss the child’s placement needs in more detail e.g. contact.
  • From Part A of the CPR Essential Information a profile of the child can be prepared.
  • Following this second appointment, the worker and Family Finder can arrange to read reports on suitable prospective adopters for the child.
  • If we need to look outside the County for prospective adopters, the Family Finder will take a lead role in identifying a family through advertising etc.

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