No, EP carers will be given some delegated authority to make some day to day decisions but they do not have the legal right and responsibility to make decisions for that child. People with parental responsibility will include the child’s birth parents, and potentially the child’s placing Local Authority if they have a court order.

When a child is placed, EP carers will be given delegated health authority to take a child to medical appointments and to administer prescribed and over the counter medications.

EP carers will be able to attend GP appointments and respond to emergency health situations, however, carers must inform the Local Authority as soon as possible about any accidents, injuries and illness.

Parents may express their wish to attend health or medical appointments and this will be considered on a case by case basis, however it may be appropriate for the EP carer to attend alongside the birth parents.

 Any planned health interventions, for example a planned operation or course of treatment, must have the consent of the Local Authority and parents, who will be the final decision-makers in this regard.

The delegated authority enables EP carers to register the child with a GP. The child must be registered with their birth first names and surname.  You will need to advise the GP Surgery that your contact details are confidential.  It may necessary to have agreement that if you are attending an appointment your name is ‘called’ rather than the child’s.

Parents may be invited to planned medical appointments, if they plan to attend then appropriate arrangements will be made to enable this. A professional (a social worker or family time worker) will also be present.

As above, parents can attend planned medical appointments.

It is important that a child has easy access to a medical professional, should they become unwell. For this reason, a GP practice close to the child’s placement address is preferable. If you live in a different Local Authority to parents, then it may not be an option to register the child with their GP.

The child must be registered under their birth name- both first names and surname.

No. This is not possible in any circumstance. 

Carers cannot make any changes to the child’s appearance, this includes haircuts, piercings etc, unless agreed under the delegated authority agreement which will be discussed at the Placement Planning meeting. If in doubt, this should be discussed with the Local Authority social worker.

During the fostering phase of a child’s placement (i.e. prior to a Placement Order being granted) carers should be referred to by their first names only, and the same goes for their wider family members. During this period of time, EP carers are acting as foster carers for the child and the child is likely to continue to have a relationship with their mum/dad and other family members.

Some agencies require police checks or DBS checks for back-up carers, but not all Local Authorities do. Carers would need to check this with their Social Worker and would be dependent on the requirements of the placing Local Authority. This should be discussed at the Placement Planning meeting.  

If EP carers are planning to go away overnight with the child, they need to inform the Local Authority in advance and provide the address of where the child will be staying. It is important to remember that this should not disrupt the court directed Family Time.

 In some circumstances, overnight stays may also need consent from the child parents and therefore it is advisable EP carers discuss any plans for overnight stays well in advance. 

EP carers require parents’ consent and consent of the Local Authority to take a child abroad. As this would likely mean missing planned Family Time sessions, agreement may not be given.

Social Workers have a statutory responsibility to visit children and clear timescales in which they must do so; it is not advisable to rearrange Social Work visits, unless there is a good, child-led reason (i.e. attending a health appointment).

EP carers may be invited to attend meetings about the child, and this might include; Child in Care reviews and Care Team meetings. They are likely to be asked to update on how the child is doing but will not be asked for their personal views on the care plan.

EP carers have no role in the legal proceedings. The Local Authority will put forward their recommended care plan for the child in court and the child will also have a Court Guardian appointed who will represent the child.  The Court Guardian is likely to visit carers to meet the child during court proceedings.

It is important to remember that the issue being addressed in Court is whether or not it is safe for the child to remain within their birth family. It is not a matter of “us [EP Carer] versus them [birth family]”.

Family Time frequency is decided by Court and carers need to ensure that the child is available for Family Time, except for in exceptional circumstances, i.e. if the child is unwell. The Local Authority will decide where family time will take place, and this is usually in their Family Time centres.

Wherever possible, EP carers should meet the child/children’s parents. If there are risks associated to the security of the placement, then alternative arrangements might be made, for example, a video meeting instead of in-person.

It is often helpful for parents to know who is caring for their child and this can provide reassurance. Should a child’s plan become one of adoption, EP carers benefit from having had the opportunity to know their child’s birth family during the course of proceedings and this gives more detailed knowledge of the family which can be shared with the child as they grow.

As above, if there are no risks to the security of a placement then the best people to transport a child to family time, are the EP carer/s.

It is better for the child that they have their own familiar things around them whenever possible. The Local Authority may have some equipment that can be used within Family Time, if necessary.

It can be beneficial for children to take familiar toys/comforters with them to help them feel more relaxed and comfortable. It can be good for children to have recognisable smells and sounds around them.  

A child should not attend a place of religious worship without parental consent.

No, not without parents’ consent.

EP carers are required to follow NHS guidance on issues such as weaning. Early weaning would only be agreed if recommended by a health professional.

Where parents have a view, their choice of milk should be respected. Where there are disagreements over choice of milk, the child’s health visitor’s advice will be sought.

EP carers are entitled to adoption pay and leave from work from the point of a child being placed with them under Early Permanence (during the fostering phase).

EP carers are not entitled to claim Child Benefit during the fostering phase; however, they will be paid a weekly allowance for caring for the child by the placing Local Authority. This payment will cease either when a child is reunified to parents or connected carers, or when an adoptive match is ratified by the Agency Decision Maker (and therefore becomes an adoptive placement). Once an adoptive placement commences a Child Benefit claim may be made.

A child under 6 months of age must sleep in a bedroom with their care giver (as per the NHS safe sleeping guidelines).

Safe sleeping guidance states that the safest place for a baby to sleep is in their own clear, flat, separate sleep space such as a cot or Moses’ basket. EP carers should not co sleep with any child in their care.

EP carers who go though the process of reunifying a child who has been in their care will be supported to take some time to process this and care for themselves emotionally. If needed, Adopt North East can help them to seek counselling support. When they feel ready, their Social Worker will talk to them about next steps, including whether they feel able to consider adoption/Early Permanence again.

No, there is no set period of time that EP carers need to return to work before being entitled to further adoption leave, however this should be discussed on an individual basis with each employer. It is suggested that these conversations take place prior to taking an Early Permanence placement.