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Contents

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

1. Normal Frequency

Wherever a Looked After Child is placed, the child’s Social Worker must visit the child in the placement at the following intervals, subject to the conditions below:

• Within one week of the beginning of the placement
• Then at intervals of not more than six weeks during the first year of the placement
• Thereafter, at intervals of not more than six weeks. If the placement has been planned to continue until the child is 18, regulations do allow the child to be visited at least every three months, however, see the paragraph below. 
• If the child is placed with parents pending assessment, at least once a week until the first looked after review, thereafter, at intervals at not more than six weeks.
• If the child is placed with a connected person (friends and family) with temporary approval, or living with parents under an Interim Care Order, at least once a week until the first review, thereafter, at intervals of not more than four weeks.
• If the child is placed in a Young Offenders Institution, a visit must take place within a week of the start of being placed and at intervals of not more than six weeks in the first year and at least three monthly thereafter, however, see the paragraph below.

This applies to all new placements where, for example, a child moves from one placement to another. These are minimum visiting requirements. Three months is considered a long period between visits to a looked after child and does not encourage the development of a relationship, therefore the expectation of the Council is that looked after children will be visited at least six weekly regardless how long they have resided at the placement. In exceptional circumstances, a Team Manager may agree to visits being at intervals longer than six weeks. The reasons should be recorded on ICS in a case note by the Team Manager.

Some visits should be unannounced.

Social Workers may on occasion need to visit more regularly. Visits should be made more frequently if circumstances require and whenever reasonably requested by the child or the Staff/Carer.

2. Who should be Seen

Wherever possible, the child must be seen 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/Carer.

On some occasions, the Social Worker should also arrange to visit at times when all members of a household can be seen; or for children’s Homes, a significant number of adults and children.

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 his or her wishes, feelings and views
2. To advise, assist and befriend the child
3. To observe the child with the Staff/foster Carer/Parent
4. To monitor the standard of care offered by the placement
5. To monitor how the contact arrangements are working
6. To provide support to the placement
7. To identify any areas where additional support is required
8. To evaluate whether the placement is helping to achieve the objectives of the child’s Care Plan.

Placement Plan Reviews can be undertaken during Social Workers visits.

4. Recording

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/Carers/Parents
5. Any matters of concern or difficulties
6. Any observations on the child's welfare and the success of the placement
7. Any requirements for action.

End