MOTHER & BABY FOSTER PLACEMENT SUBJECT TO PARENTING ASSESSMENT

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338 MARY – OUR MOTHER AND MODEL OF OUR
44TH INTERSCIENCE CONFERENCE ON ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY WASHINGTON

MOTHER & BABY FOSTER PLACEMENT

MOTHER & BABY FOSTER PLACEMENT

SUBJECT TO PARENTING ASSESSMENT IN LEGAL PROCEEDINGS


WORKING TOGETHER AGREEMENT

DATE:XX.XX.XX


Between xxxx xxxxxxxx mother


And xxxx xxxxxxxx foster carer (LBS or name of agency)


And xxxx xxxxxxxx LB Southwark Council




Legal situation:


Baby xxxx is (accommodated in foster care by LB Southwark with agreement from xxxx under s.20)

(subject of an Interim Care Order so LB Southwark shares parental responsibility with xxxx)


Mother xxxx agrees to live at the placement with baby. (State here if mother is also subject to s.20 or CO herself.)


Aim of placement:


The aim of the placement is to provide a calm and stable family environment so that baby xxxx can settle into a predictable routine where all her/his physical, emotional and developmental needs can be met as far as possibly by mother xxxx. Mother xxxx will be provided with advice, assistance and support as set out below in order to give her the best chance to demonstrate and develop positive parenting skill and working with others in the best interest of baby xxxx. The social worker believes it would help if mother could think about the worries which have led to the court hearing and use the opportunity of the placement to work on these. Thinking about what things feel like for baby and why their needs come first will help.


Aim of agreement:


The aim of the agreement is to be very clear about what is expected of mother xxxx, what is expected of foster carer xxxx, what is expected from other people and to set out what is allowed and what is not allowed. Add any other aims as appropriate, e.g. how mother xxx is helped as an older teenager in care or what is allowed and not allowed in respect of extended family.


Placement planning:


Mother xxxx and baby x moved in with Foster carer xxxx on xx.xx.xx. A placement planning meeting took place on xx.xx.xx involving mother, foster carer, social worker, social work manager and supervising social worker – and any others as appropriate.


Expectations of mother xxxx:


  1. Should xxxx have thoughts of leaving the foster placement she will contact the baby’s social worker and her solicitor immediately to discuss the matter.


  1. Not to take baby x out of the foster placement unless in the company of the foster carer until such time as this is agreed.


  1. Baby x will sleep in mother’s room/carer’s room. If mother x hears baby via baby monitor, mother x to tend to her/him, with care being supervised and supported if necessary by the carer.


  1. Mother x to give baby x all feeds, including early morning feed at 6/6.30 a.m. and so mother x needs to be up and alert to do this. This includes preparation, sterilizing and making up feeds. Mother x will allow foster carer to observe her handling of baby x at all times.


  1. Mother x to clean and change baby x promptly throughout.


  1. Mother x to talk and play with baby x to encourage bonding, showing love and affection with physical handling, soothing and stimulation. This includes putting baby’s needs before long and distracting mobile phone calls.


  1. Mother x will care for baby x as fully as possible although she is able to ask for support if she feels the need for some time to herself. Ultimately it is hoped that mother x will be able to provide full and independent care to baby x and so it is important to try and provide as much care as possible. Asking for help and support at any time is welcome.


  1. It is agreed that mother x can go out one evening a week without baby x but will tell the foster carer where she is going, who she is with and return by 10 p.m. and keep in touch with the foster carer if she is late for any reason.


  1. Mother x to listen to foster carers suggestions about how to be a Mum and care for baby x and to try and understand the reasons for advice. If mother x disagrees with advice she will talk about her reasons and if possible reach an agreed understanding or write down the differences for further discussion with other professionals.


  1. Mother x will follow advice given by foster carer, midwife, health visitor or social worker as necessary for baby’s health, safety and welfare. Mother x to understand that if she does not do so then it means baby x’s needs are not being met. Mother x to make sure she says if she does not understand or is confused by the advice so there can be further efforts made to explain why something may be necessary.


  1. Mother x is expected to behave appropriately. If she is upset or angry she should not raise her voice and shout or become abusive, especially not around baby x who will be upset and scared by this. Mother x will do her best not to let upset or angry moods affect the way she cares for baby x so that she responds warmly. If necessary, the foster carer may suggest she take some time out to calm down and take over the care of baby x so that s/he is not affected so much.


  1. No drugs or alcohol to be taken into or on the premises. No smoking in the home and all items relating to smoking to be kept away from baby and children (matches, cigarettes, lighters).


  1. Mother x to understand that if her behaviour were to place baby x at risk of harm then the continuation of the placement will be reviewed to see if it remains in baby x’s best interests. This could lead to a further court hearing to decide future arrangements.


  1. Mother to be considerate and respectful of the foster home and possessions of foster carers and back up carers and she should expect this with regards to her own belongings.


  1. Attend appointments for the purposes of assessment/counselling/receiving social work service or other professional service for mother and baby.


  1. Keep her room clean and tidy and contribute to keeping communal areas clean and tidy, e.g. lounge, hallways, kitchen, bathroom, and close stair gates. These need to be safe and hygienic areas for a baby.


  1. Mother should keep the red health book in a safe place and ensure it is available for health visitors and social workers.


  1. Mother to claim benefits due including child benefit. (Note allowances/pocket money/task & reward system for young mothers with care status in placement.)


  1. Cooking and preparation of own food?


  1. Maintain a calendar/diary to organise and remember times and dates of appointments.


Expectation of foster carer:


  1. Support mother x by understanding she is a first time Mum/young/has had difficulties in her life and needs an experienced, stable and caring person to learn from and form a helpful relationship for the time of the placement.


  1. Provide specific advice to establish a predictable routine for baby x around feeding, changing, bathing and stimulation.


  1. Show positive parenting by modelling, explaining and assisting with tasks as required.


  1. Provide limited respite so that mother x can take some time out for reflection/attending school or college and go out one evening per week until 10 p.m.


  1. Accompany mother and baby to clinic, baby massage, baby group as part of developing a routine which meets baby’s health and development needs.


  1. Keep a daily written log and discuss this with mother x at the end of the day when baby x has gone to sleep. This is a chance for foster carer to say what’s going well and explore any worries she may have. The log will be shared with the social worker and the foster carer’s supervising social worker. The log may be required as evidence in legal proceedings and may form part of the parenting assessment.


  1. Not to leave mother and baby alone in the placement without a foster carer or approved back up carer present in the property. This does not mean constant supervision but it does mean an approved carer is present, available and observant at all times. A back up carer can be used if they are assessed and understand the role of supervising and supporting mother and baby.


  1. In the event that the mother does not respond to baby’s needs in a timely way and fails to do so after prompting, she will step in with feeding or changing and note this in the daily log.


  1. In the event that the foster carer thinks that anything mother does or does not do places baby at risk of harm she will attend to this and notify the Social Worker immediately and this will be explained to mother.


  1. No expectation of financial provision to mother (if appropriate) however basic shopping and budgeting advice will be provided if necessary.


Contact:


Specify arrangements if others are involved in contact as part of legal care plan. Foster carer may need to check mother has prepared suitable bag for baby if she is taking baby for contact at a venue outside the placement. In these circumstances be careful about the transport arrangements so that unsupervised contact opportunities are not inadvertently provided.


Extended family:


You may need to have other parties involved as necessary, e.g. MGM in s.20 arrangements. These can be positive but they can also involve risk factors which need to be managed. You may want to add an expectation about attending a Family Group Conference or providing details of family and friends to provide support and/or care in the longer term. You may wish to add something about the baby’s father.


Support


Mother has ?social worker/personal adviser for herself.

Family Nurse Partnership Health Visitor

CAMHS/Carelink/Counselling

Education

?own Guardian – if mother in proceedings also.

Solicitor in legal proceedings.


Reviews


The agreement will be reviewed on xx.xx.xx ?via statutory review chaired by the Independent Reviewing Officer and the Guardian for baby x will be invited.


Please sign below if you are in agreement to working together in this placement:



___________________________________ Mother Date:


___________________________________ Foster Carer Date:


___________________________________ Social Worker Date:


___________________________________ Supervising Social Worker Date:


___________________________________


___________________________________


45TH INTERSCIENCE CONFERENCE ON ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY WASHINGTON
48TH ANNUAL INTERSCIENCE CONFERENCE ON ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
4E SOMETIMES I FEEL LIKE A MOTHERLESS CHILD


Tags: assessment in, mother, assessment, foster, placement, subject, parenting