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Contents

1. Usual Limit
2. Applications for Exemption
3. Planned Exemptions
4. Emergency Placements
5. Extensions to Terms of Approval

1. Usual Limit

There is a usual limit of three children in each foster home.

A child may only be placed with foster carers for up to 6 days (or until the area offices next open) by an EDT social worker. In all other circumstances, foster carers may only exceed this number if an exemption has been agreed.

2. Applications for Exemptions

All applications for exemption for foster carers living in Lincolnshire must be made to the Head of Service for approval with the exception of applications for respite. Exemptions in relation to respite periods up to two weeks can be approved by the Fostering Service Team Manager. If the period extends beyond two weeks the matter must be referred to the Head of Service for a decision.

Applications will usually be made because of the following circumstances as evidenced in the Matching Needs Assessment.

1. The child concerned was previously placed with the foster carers and his or her placement elsewhere has disrupted
2. The foster carers have special skills which are not available elsewhere
3. The placement of the child over the limit is the most appropriate way of meeting the child's needs arising from disability, race, religion, language and/or culture
4. The placement is required to keep siblings together

Applications can only be made with the agreement of the foster carers concerned.

The factors to be taken into account in considering whether to grant an exemption are as follows:

1. The number, ages and circumstances of the children concerned
2. The arrangements proposed for the care and accommodation of the children concerned
3. The relationship between the foster carers and the children concerned
4. The period of time over which the placement is likely to last
5. The likely effect on the children concerned and any other children living in the household
6. The foster carers' capacity to provide sufficient care for all the children in the placement
7. If the Matching Needs Assessment evidences that the placement Meets the Child's Needs
8. The outcome of a Risk Assessment. See Risk Assessments when Placing Children in Foster Care Procedure - to follow.

Applications for exemption in relation to foster carers living outside the County must be made to the manager of the fostering service for the local authority in whose area the foster carer lives.

3. Planned Exemptions

Decisions whether or not to grant an exemption in relation to foster carers living in Lincolnshire will be made by the Head of Service. with the exception of applications for respite periods. Exemptions in relation to respite periods can be approved by the Fostering Service Team Manager for periods up to two weeks. If the period extends beyond two weeks the matter must be referred to the Head of Service for a decision. All decisions to grant exemptions will be recorded in writing, together with reasons. Exemptions may be presented to the Fostering Panel. Any exemption will be specific to a child or children and can be subject to conditions. The foster carer will be notified in writing of the decision.

Upon the granting of an exemption, a time limit will be specified and an exemption can only extend beyond that date if the Head of Service authorises it. The decision must be recorded on SWIFT.

4. Emergency Placements

A child can only be placed in a Lincolnshire foster home above the usual limit for up to 6 hours or until the next time that offices are open, by an EDT Social Worker, without specific authority to exempt the foster home from the limit.

An application for exemption must be made to the Head of Service as soon as practicable thereafter and any such exemption can last for up to 3 months before the issue needs to be presented to the Fostering Panel for their consideration and recommendation. Decisions for an exemption for an emergency period of respite can be made by the Fostering Team Manager for a period of up to 2 weeks. If the period extends beyond two weeks the matter must be referred to the Head of Service for a decision.

An interim decision may be necessary on an emergency basis pending full consideration of the exemption but this may only be done by an EDT worker.

Any emergency decisions to grant an exemption must be confirmed in writing and copies of the decision, together with the reasons, must be placed on the child's file and the foster carer's case record. A copy must also be sent to the foster carer.

5. Extensions to Terms of Approval

There will be occasions when a placement will be made that is outside of the foster carer's terms of approval. When proposing such a placement the foster carer's skills and abilities other children in the household, including foster children and the accommodation available, must be taken into account.

Consultations should take place with the foster carer's, the child to be placed, the child's social worker and the social worker's of any other child in placement.

An assessment of risk must be undertaken prior to any placement being made is agreed or made. Please refer to Risk Assessments when Placing Children in Foster Care Procedure - to follow. 

Any such placement must be agreed by the Head of service and decision recorded on SWIFT.

If the placement continues beyond a period of 12 weeks the fostering panel should be asked to consider recommending an extension to the foster carer's terms of approval on a short term basis. If the change of approval is to be made on a permanent basis, then the matter would need to be presented to the Foster Panel for a Change of approval. See Review of Foster Carer's Procedure.

End