Outcomes for children, young people and families are more likely to improve if all agencies work together to put children and young people at the heart of integrated service delivery. (CAF implementation guidance DfES)
Standard Needs Placements:
Standard SWIIS placements are offered for children and young people over 5 years of age needing long or short term care in a stable family setting.
For placements of children under 5 lower charges apply.
A standard SWIIS placement has the following features:
- focus on promoting maximum life chances
- working in partnership and within clearly agreed care plans
- include health and education assessments and monitoring
- short term therapeutic input provided where required
- direct placement support input, specialist health adviser involvement or learning support in school, provided in the early stages or at difficult stages of these placements (e.g. where a school inclusion plan is required or there are specific health issues which need to be resolved)
- practical help with contact arrangements - may be particularly valuable where there are supervised contact issues or a high level of contact for younger children or sibling groups.
Higher Needs Placements:
“.. you know I haven’t stayed any where long enough to unpack my stuff . I know I was a handful and I regret treating social workers or anyone who tried to help me like rubbish… but if anyone was to see me now they would see how much I have changed … I know the entire placement workers were getting ready for me to run again, luckily for them I haven’t and never will.”
Young Person 2 years into placement
Higher needs placements are designed for children and young people who have already experienced difficulties or disruptions in previous settings. This may include:
- a history of school exclusions or issues relating to Statements of Special Educational Need;
- specific physical, health or behavioural difficulties requiring close supervision;
- other known risk factors or particular vulnerability;
Higher needs placements, therefore, provide:
- additional supervision and resources
- an enhanced level of structure and support.
- direct education and health input
- regular respite care
- risk assessment,
- the implementation of agreed behaviour management plans and assessment reports
Carers receive enhanced payments which reflect the additional professional tasks and levels of supervision associated with these placements.
Intensive Support:
“I was worried about a court date I had and I thought I was going to be locked up but I wasn’t and for the first time ever I went to court in a suit, I really felt smart, I’d never had anything like it but (carers) told me that there are certain times when you have to look smart and hold your head up. It’s the first time that any foster carers have stood by me, went to the courts with me and stood by my side. This feeling was great and when I got another chance I could have cried, I was buzzing everywhere”
Young offender aged 15
This level of service is available for young people who are particularly vulnerable or require intensive monitoring, supervision or support for other reasons. It includes:
- parent and child placements – including parenting skills assessments if required
- placements that are an alternative to residential care or secure accommodation
- situations where there is a significant history of previous placement breakdowns as a result of offending behaviour, challenging behaviour, sexually inappropriate behaviour, substance misuse or other high risk behaviour. This may also include young people subject to Court orders, bail conditions or curfews.
- young people who are permanently excluded from school
- children and young people with significant disability or personal care needs
Direct educational input in accordance with the National Curriculum as part of an ‘out of school package’ and additional day care support and respite provision are also available if required at this level.
