Working with Children in Care, including Statutory visits

• I visit children weekly for the first month they come into care and reduce my visits to fortnightly where it is approved by my Manager.  I ensure that my visiting schedule is discussed with the child and agreed by my Manager, I write the agreed frequency of visits in the Care Plan for the child
  
  
• My visits to children are purposeful and I am clear about what direct work I am undertaking during that visit. I record each session on the child’s file and include a brief analysis of the impact it is having
  
  
• I always use my visits to understand their wishes and feelings and how it feels for them in their home/placement. I use this to inform the C&F assessment which I complete each year
  
  
• I ensure that the child’s experiences, wishes and feelings inform the Care Plan
  
  
• My visit to the child, assesses the impact of the care plan, identify areas of further direct work or support needed
  
  
• I ensure I see the child on their own where appropriate and my intervention with them includes observation of their interaction with the home
  
  
• I have a clear purpose and focus for visits and use them to build knowledge about the child’s life and what outcomes need to be achieved
  
  
• I know what aspirations my child has and I encourage those by supporting their carers to engage in activities that develop and grow the child’s sense of what they can achieve
  
  
• I keep the child’s wishes and feelings at the forefront and will involve them in updates to the plans for their education, health and care
  
  
• I can clearly and accurately answer the question “what is life like for this child?”
  
  
• I ensure that parents and carers understand what is happening for their children not living in their care and I provide additional support to parents so
  
  
• that they may come to terms with the loss of the care of their child, contribute effectively and in a meaningful way to the care of the child and or to prepare for the child’s return to their care 
  
  
• I ensure that when I visit the child I am aware of their surroundings and interactions with the carers which is used to: assess whether their needs are being met; contribute to the Foster Carer’s annual review; and identify any areas of support required
  
  
• I consider the child’s developmental presentation against the age expectations and encourage carers to develop a sense of self and support age appropriate independence skills in preparation for them moving to university or work based education
  
  
• I notify the LADO in respect of any allegations a child makes about their carer or other professional and support the child through the process and afterwards to overcome any negative experiences
  
  
• I notify the IRO of any significant incidents

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Good Statutory Visits include the Social Worker having a clear understanding of the purpose of their visit.  The child should be seen alone, direct work should be undertaken with the child to support the understanding of the Social Worker in knowing what life is like for the child.  Social Workers should attempt to answer the following questions:

• What are the child’s views?
• What is it like for the child?
• Is their increased risk?
• What impact am I having?

Good direct work reflects on past experiences and presenting needs to ensure the right support is offered at the right time. The impact of the care we provide is known and understood, we strive for more for our children and promote aspirations celebrating successes and allowing learning from mistakes.