Customer Care and Complaints Service
Children's Services & Learning Directorate
Southampton City Council
4th Floor, Marland House
SOUTHAMPTON SO14 7PQ
Please ask for: Anne Daly FOI Ref: FOI/0910/342
Direct dial: 023 8083 3154 Fax: 023 8083 3815
Mrs L Taylor 16 October 2009
Dear Mrs Taylor
Information Request
Thank you for your information request which was received by the City Council on 16 October 2009 is currently being considered.
In your request you have asked for the following information:
http://www.centreforsocialjustice.org.uk/client/downloads/BB_family_breakdown.pdf
December 2006 - Evidence shows children in care are being let down and suffer more than those placed with relatives.
We are interested to see how the introduction of the PLO (Public Law Outline) Welfare Checklist 2008 has altered the outcomes for children.
I would be grateful if under the FOIA you could advise how many times your Local Authority has applied for care orders via the Family Courts WITHOUT the Welfare checklist set out in section 1 of the Children Act 1989 being completed. The completion of the Welfare Checklist would confirm that extended family members had in fact been contacted prior to any application for a care order.
Whoever signs the application for a care order is responsible for ensuring that the Welfare checklist has been fully completed, please state who within your authority holds this position.
`The Government recognises the importance of family members taking care of children who cannot be cared for by their parents. We know that a child brought up by a family member benefits from living with someone they already know and trust rather than a stranger.
The Children Act 1989 placed a duty on local authorities to support the upbringing of children by their families wherever possible, and that services should be provided to children in need and their families to enable this to happen.
There is now an increased focus on the steps that must be taken prior to any court proceedings. Unless it is necessary to take emergency action to protect a child from immediate harm, the local authority must undertake various steps before initiating care proceedings. Welfare checklist set out in section 1 of the Children Act 1989'
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As required by law, the City Council will respond to you as soon as possible and no later than 20 working days after the receipt of your request.
Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the council is able to charge a fee where the cost for responding is above the Appropriate Fee Limit (further information on fees is available on: http://www.southampton.gov.uk/Images/Charging%20Policy_tcm46-158785.pdf
Should such fees be incurred the Council will notify you as soon as is reasonably practicable to discuss any options available to you.
The council may also charge you the cost of disbursements, such as photocopying and postage, where the cost is over £5.00. Should such costs be incurred in providing you with the information you have requested, you will be notified of any charges as soon as is reasonably practicable.
Any payment requested by the council in response to your request must be paid in advance of any information being provided to you.
Yours sincerely
Anne Daly
Anne Daly
Freedom of Information Co-ordinator
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