4.3.9 Initial Visits

AMENDMENT

This chapter was updated in December 2011. The changes are:

The first visit to be undertaken within 10 working days;
Information regarding visit/interview;
Additional Information.

1. General Guidance

The purpose of the initial visit should be part information giving, part screening/assessment of suitability. The write up and return should be completed within one month of allocation.

All enquirers will have had access to an Adoption Information Pack. This is updated regularly and available on the internet at Leeds City Council. It is useful for workers to be familiar with the contents of this pack prior to the initial visit, so that they can clarify information if required. Most enquirers will also have attended an information meeting. Workers should also see: Assessment and Approval of Prospective Adopters Procedure.

It is important to be encouraging of applicants, but also to be honest and realistic about potential, and to highlight any concerns. It is unfair to raise applicant's expectations when progressing their application is inappropriate or unlikely. If you are not recommending they proceed you should explain this clearly to them. If further discussion with a manager is required, this should also be explained, and applicants informed that the outcome will be confirmed to them in writing by the relevant manager. It will be appropriate on occasions, for workers to undertake a 2nd follow up visit.

Please remember that you or a colleague will be required to undertake this assessment if it proceeds.

2. Arranging Contact

Where possible contact by telephone to discuss interest and arrange an appointment to visit (within 2 working days of receipt of the request.) This will allow some discussion and initial screening to eliminate inappropriate and unsuitable enquiries. If the discussion is positive at this stage, then an initial home visit can be arranged (to be undertaken within 10 working days of receipt of the request).

You will need to take CRB paperwork and an application form with you to the initial visit. Please alert applicants to the need for identity evidencing documentation to be available - see latest CRB guidance for details. This can also be outlined in the letter confirming the home visit arrangements (see Appendix 1 - Home Visit Arrangements Letter).

3. Visit/Interview

The following areas should be covered:

Names/address/dob's/telephone numbers/email;
Accommodation:
- Smoke alarms and CO2 detectors are required and a home fire safety check should be encouraged (Tel 01274 682311 to arrange) in advance of any assessment;
- Applicants need to be made aware that a Health and Safety Checklist (which is available from the Forms Library) will be completed.
Family composition:
- For single applicant's also check relationship status and expectations.
Interest/motivation:
- A minimum of twelve months should have passed since infertility treatment was concluded;
- Applicants need to be aware of the need to use contraception as required;
- Any child placed for adoption must be at least two years younger than children in the family;
- We would be very reluctant to accept an application to adopt an older child where there is a younger child in placement;
- 2nd time adopters will not be considered until the first child is at least 3yrs of age and at least twelve months has passed since the first adoption order was granted.
Employment/experience:
- Are they financially stable and will they be able to take sufficient time off work to meet the child's needs?
Support networks (extended family/neighbours/friends);
Statutory checks and references:
- Please ask applicants to tell us about any convictions;
- Prospective adopters should be specifically asked to identify anything that they know of that may preclude them from adopting;
- Have they had help or support from other agencies e.g. Health or CAMHS?
- Please ensure applicants are aware of our policy on contacting employers, headteachers, health visitors, ex partners, adult children; and of taking up references with family members etc.
Medicals and health:
- Check drink, drugs, weight (BMI) issues;
- Complex issues will require early medicals to be undertaken and agreement of the medical adviser before proceeding.
Smoking policy;
Pets;
Corporal punishment;

Applicants also need to be aware of:

The four full days preparation/training requirement with compulsory attendance of all applicants at all days;
Safebase training is an additional compulsory requirement;
2nd time adopters attending preparation/training more than three years ago will be required to attend preparation/training again in full. Those attending preparation/training less than three years ago will be required to attend the one day 2nd time adopters training provided via the consortium.

Applicants also need to be aware of the 4 full days preparation/training requirement with compulsory attendance of all applicants at all days.

4. Outcome

If the outcome of the interview is positive, complete the training referral form and leave an application form and the CRB forms (which you will need to evidence) for completion, with an SAE to return to the worker undertaking the visit at their office base.

To avoid paperwork being mislaid, the person undertaking the initial visit should collate all the information and return it in one pack to the team manager. This may require a 2nd home visit.

If you have reservations, do not leave the application form or complete the CRB's and discuss with your manager.

5. Write up Visit

Please confirm visit date and write up using the headings in Section 3. Highlight any outstanding CRB/health/stat check/medical/reference issues clearly and add paragraphs headed Suitability/Impression and conclude with a clear Recommendation which is signed and dated.

6. Forward to Team Manager

Attach the training referral sheet and the Initial Visit Report to the initial enquiry paperwork, and forward with the CRB and completed application form (if appropriate) to the Adoption Team Manager. A letter will then be sent to the applicant/s confirming the home visit outcome.

A copy of the Initial Visit Report should be retained in the Initial Home Visit folder for future reference.

If not proceeding, return the initial enquiry paperwork to the Adoption Team Manager, with a write up explaining clearly your reservations as outlined to the applicant, and your recommendation. The Adoption Team Manager will write setting out the decision not to proceed and the reasons. Advice will be given of any steps to be taken in order to meet the criteria or of how they might pursue their interest elsewhere.

7. Additional Information

Applicants should be informed that to avoid delay, assessments will commence as soon as possible and before checks and medicals have been returned. It should be emphasised to them however, that if there are any issues at all in connection with medicals or checks, then they should inform us of these without delay.

Where health issues are identified, early medicals will be requested. The Agency Medical Advisor will then need to confirm that the medical outcome is satisfactory before an application can proceed.

Where applicants disclose that CRB checks are unlikely to be clear, the application cannot progress until CRB checks have been returned and “signed off” by the Service Manager who must also give consent to the application progressing.

Applicants need to be made aware of the current priority recruitment needs of the service.

Initial checks will be undertaken and providing they have a suitable outcome, assessments will then be allocated around training dates, and according to resource availability and need. This will involve a period of waiting for all applicants.

Appendix 1 - Home Visit Arrangements Letter

Click here to view Appendix 1 - Home Visit Arrangements Letter

Appendix 2 - Referral Sheet: Preparation to Adopt

Click here to view Appendix 2 - Referral Sheet: Preparation to Adopt

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