Unit 10: Assignment 2 – P2, M1, M2, D1
What services are available for children and young people and their families
in your local area?
The arrangements for providing quality care for looked after children and young people –
P2
Temporary care can be arranged for children and young people if the goal is only to stay
short term until they return to their family after a period of time. In order for care to
become temporary, a number of assessments and procedures need to be held beforehand.
These could include being placed in a residential care home or with foster parents.
Permanent care can be arranged for children and young people if the goal is long term due
to the fact that their parents are no longer fit to care for the child or if child could be put at
a risk of harm. In the same way as temporary care, assessments and procedures still need to
be held for the care of the child or young person to become permanent. For example, if a
child’s parents are seen as unfit to care for a minor and if they have been in foster care for a
significant amount of time.
While foster care is usually a short term solution, if the circumstances change then it could
become long term. Checks are carried out by the Local Authority to make sure that it is
appropriate for them to provide care to the child in their own homes. They must also be
adaptable to change as they may need to care for a number of different children and young
people of different ages and backgrounds at different times.
Respite care is a short term arrangement which is usually decided in advance. It consists of a
child spending time in a residential establishment that caters to their specific needs, for
example if they have a disability and the family cannot currently cope with it.
Residential care is similar to a foster placement, but larger than a foster home. While in a
foster placement the adults live there, but the adults in the residential unit are staff who
work on shifts. There are many different reasons why children and young people may be
taken into residential care, for example it could be for a temporary emergency situation if
the child is at risk of being abused or maltreated. It takes into account the child’s
background and if they have had conflict with the law, then they’ll stay in a certain unit for
young offenders. It can also be arranged for children and young people with behavioural
difficulties as they offer many staff which are specialised in that area.
Adoption is a formal, legal process which may follow the foster care of the child if the
circumstances change and they are happy with their foster family. It occurs when the child
or young person becomes a permanent member of the foster family. This can also follow
, the death of the child’s natural birth parents or if the parent relinquishes all of their
responsibilities for the child or young person.
Planning for care is working with the child or young person, the parents and other agencies
to ensure that the care is the best possible for the child or young person. They work in a
multiagency to ensure that other agencies understand the care given to them and allows
them to work together to ensure that they all know what the child needs in order to
function properly as a looked after child. It also ensures that they are not put at a
disadvantage and that their life is as normal as possible, so they are not treated differently
to a child living with their biological family. Fostering agencies also help to plan for the care
and work with local authorities to help meet the needs of foster carers and help to meet the
demands that can be heavy on care services. They focus on the paramouncy principle, which
is the belief that the child’s best interest and welfare is the first and paramount
consideration. This is outlined in the Care of Children Act. Protecting the safety of the child
is the most important factor.
How policies and procedures help children, young people and their families whilst the
child is being looked after – M1
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) 1989 covers all aspects of
a child’s life and sets out the civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights that all
children everywhere are entitled to. It means that every child has rights, no matter their
ethnicity, gender, religion, language or abilities. It also explains that adults must work
together to ensure that all children can enjoy their rights. This helps parents to understand
the rights that their children have, and how they should be treated as a looked after child.
There are four main articles; non-discrimination, best interest of the child, right to survival
and development, and the right to be heard.
The Every Child Matters 2003 Policy focuses on the well-being of children and young people
from birth until the age of 19 years. There are five key principles and it is stated that every
child should: be healthy, be safe, enjoy and achieve, make a positive contribution and
experience economic well-being. The policy applies to everyone who works in any capacity
with children, or providing services to children. This also includes children’s homes, social
workers, social services and foster carers. It means that it can keep looked after children
safe when it comes to them living with foster families and being in care.
The Children Act 1989 legislates for children in England and Wales. The intention is that
children’s welfare and developmental needs are met, as well as being protected from harm.
The key principles of the Children’s Act reflects some aspects of the ‘United Nations
Convention on the Rights of the Child 1989 Act’ such as protection from harm, respect for a
child’s race, culture and ethnicity, and the responsibility for bringing up children. It ensures
that the needs and safety of a child is always put first, and children should always be placed
