Social Worker Visits


Contents

  1. Normal Frequency
  2. Who Should be Seen?
  3. Purpose
  4. Recording


1. Normal Frequency

Social workers are required to visit child at the following intervals, subject to the conditions below:

  • Within 1 week of the placement;
  • Then at intervals of no more than 6 weeks during the first year of the placement;
  • In subsequent years, the child should be visited every 6 weeks if the placement is intended to last until the child is 18.

This applies to all placements, even where a child has moved from one placement to another. These are minimum requirements and visits may take place more frequently or in line with the child’s Care Plan. The social worker should endeavour to visit whenever reasonably requested to do so by the child. Visits during the first weeks of placement are particularly important to ensure arrangements are in place and to develop the relationship between the child and the social worker.


2. Who Should be Seen?

Wherever possible, the child must be seen in private and alone (unless the child of sufficient age and maturity and refuses). If this is not possible, a further visit must be made at short notice in order that the child can be seen alone and observed with the staff.

The social worker should also meet the Registered Children’s Manager and Residential Practitioner on occasions.

For children who are not able to verbally communicate their views, the social worker should ensure that observations of the child are made in the home and also in other settings, for example, school. Residential Practitioners should explore other ways for the child may to share their views, wishes and feelings e.g. a letter.

Issues raised by Residential Practitioners can be discussed when a child is not present for example when they are at school.

Social workers should provide feedback to Residential Practitioners regarding their visit and update the child’s record on Mosaic.


3. Purpose

The purpose of the visit is to ensure the placement continues to promote the child's welfare and in particular:

  1. To give the child the opportunity to express their wishes, feelings and views and offer reassurance if the child feels isolated or vulnerable while away from family and friends;
  2. To advise, assist and befriend the child;
  3. To monitor the standard of care offered by the placement;
  4. To monitor how the arrangements for Family Time are working;
  5. To provide support to the placement;
  6. To identify any areas where additional support is required;
  7. To evaluate whether the placement is helping to achieve the objectives and actions of the child's Care Plan.

Placement Planning Meetings can be undertaken during social workers visits.

See: Placement Planning Meetings Procedure.


4. Recording

Home’s staff should record visits from social workers in the Daily Log and on children’s Daily Records. The social worker should discuss with the child, subject to the age and understanding what information should be shared with who and why.

A written report on each visit must be made by the social worker and kept in the child's file stating clearly:

  1. Who was seen;
  2. Whether the child was seen and if not why not;
  3. Whether the child was seen alone;
  4. Any comments made by the child or the staff;
  5. Any developments or progress
  6. Any matters of concern or difficulties, including how these will be addressed in an appropriate time.