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4.1.4 Protocol for Relinquished Babies

RELATED CHAPTERS

This chapter should be read in conjunction with the detailed Placement for Adoption Procedure and the Protocol with CAFCASS for Relinquished Babies.

SCOPE OF THIS CHAPTER

The term "relinquished baby" is used here to describe a child under the age of 8 months living in Croydon whose parents are making the choice of adoption for the child.

The term parent includes the birth parents, whether or not they hold Parental Responsibility for the child and legal parents e.g. the husband of the child's mother.

Mayday Hospital Team will deal with all relinquished babies living in Croydon who have not reached the age of 8 months.

If other family members are known to another Children's Social Care Team, the responsibility for the relinquished baby must transfer to the Mayday Hospital Team to facilitate fast tracking to adoption.

This will not apply if the child has returned home following birth and there is active, ongoing social work with the family.


Contents

  1. Pre-Birth Procedure
  2. Post-Birth Procedure


1. Pre-Birth Procedure

  1. Give written information to all parties whose consent is required. (A parent's information pack is being collated and will be available.)
  2. Offer pre-birth counselling.
  3. Gather as much information about the birth parents and the extended family (maternal and paternal) and as many photographs as possible, including siblings and half siblings. This is for the Child's Permanence Report, life story work and CAFCASS.
  4. Start to complete forms with birth mother: BAAF Health Consent, BAAF Form PH, Form IHA-C Part A and Agreement to Place.
  5. Explore alternatives to adoption and ensure this discussion is written up.
  6. Explain the giving of consent to the placement and advance consent to adoption and the need for CAFCASS to witness the consent.
  7. Ensure that all those who need to give consent are fully informed of the   process.
  8. Consent to adoption must be reliable and informed. If any adult whose consent is needed has mental health or other issues which may call into question the validity of their consent, contact legal for advice.
  9. Due weight must be given to the mother's wishes but they are not absolute; if in doubt consult legal.
  10. Meet with any relatives who are offering care and complete a Viability Assessment.
  11. Consider referral for independent support and advice to e.g. The Peepul Centre. (See request form in the pack).
  12. Make a referral to the Pre-Adoption Team and book a date for a pre-birth discussion at the Adoption Panel (emergency slot). Present part-completed Child's Permanence Report (you will not have information on the child at this stage).
  13. Send advance notice to CAFCASS - see Protocol with CAFCASS for Relinquished Babies.
  14. Make a referral to the Access to Resources Team (ART) for a placement and inform ART if the Adoption Team is considering the child's direct placement with the prospective adopters.
  15. Ensure that mother is aware that she will need to have ongoing contact so that information can be shared, changes in circumstances and wishes responded to and information collated for the child's permanence record.
  16. You will need to know the addresses of family members
  17. Hold a Legal Planning Meeting in the 8th month of pregnancy.
  18. Maternity alert to be sent to the Hospital's Maternity Department regarding plans for the baby, the name of the allocated social worker, who they should contact when the mother goes into labour and the family's wishes regarding the care of the baby following birth.
  19. Liaise with ART and pre-adoption team regarding plans for the baby and the baby's due date.


2. Post-Birth Procedure

 In cases where there has been no pre-birth referral please refer to the above section for initial work to be done.

  1. Talk to the mother and, if possible, father and ascertain whether they still wish to relinquish the child for adoption.
  2. Check arrangements for the care of the baby and plan the baby's discharge with the birth family, hospital staff and prospective carers. (If pre-birth planning has not taken place, a direct placement of the child with the prospective adopters will not be possible).
  3. Ensure the birth mother is aware she will need to have ongoing contact with the social worker so that information can continue to be gathered, any change in circumstance or wishes can be dealt with and that the Child's Permanence Report can be shared.  Ensure that she leaves a current address for herself and relatives and tell her that she must inform the social worker of future changes of address.
  4. Discuss with line manager if gate keeping is required and if necessary follow this procedure; complete paperwork for Section 20 admission to care - see Decision to Look After and Care Planning Procedure.
  5. Admit the child to foster care via ART - see Placement in Foster Care Procedure.
  6. Book a date for the Adoption Panel to consider whether the child should be placed for adoption. Emergency slot.
  7. Refer for an adoption medical and attend appointment with the child. This must take place before consideration by and attendance at the Adoption Panel.
  8. Complete the Child's Permanence Report and obtain the mother's signature.
  9. Inform CAFCASS on standard form - see Protocol with CAFCASS for Relinquished Babies.
  10. . Ensure that the child's birth is registered and obtain 2 certified copies of the birth certificate
  11. Comply with Looked After Reviews Procedure and Social Worker Visits to Looked After Children Procedure.
  12. Continue Life Story Work. Gather information and liaise with the foster carer. See Life Story Books Guidance.
  13. Attend Adoption Panel for recommendation as to whether the child should be placed for adoption.
  14. Once decision is made, refer to CAFCASS for witnessing of parental consent.
  15. Identify adopters with the adoption social worker; this includes visiting short-listed applicants together and making a choice - see Placement for Adoption Procedure.
  16. Consider possible adoption support needs - see Adoption Support Procedure.
  17. Attend Adoption Panel seeking recommendation for proposed placement. (NB The Adoption Placement Report for the Adoption Panel is prepared jointly by the child's social worker, the family finder and the adopter's social worker.)
  18. Attend a Placement Planning Meeting, with the prospective adopters and the adoption social worker, and plan the child's introduction to and placement.
  19. Once Authority to Place for Adoption has been obtained, proceed with plan for introductions and placement.
  20. Attend Adoption Reviews - see Adoption Reviews Procedure and visit the child as set out in Monitoring and Supervision of Adoptive Placements Procedure.
  21. Prepare Adoption Report for the Court Hearing and ensure that the adoption social worker's input is included - see Court Reports in Adoption / Special Guardianship.
  22. Prepare Later Life Letter - see Later Life Letters Procedure.

End