Dear Sir or Madam,

http://www.centreforsocialjustice.org.uk...

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’

Yours faithfully,

Mrs L Taylor

Dear Mrs Taylor,

Thank you for your request for information relating to the Welfare
Checklist (PLO). Your request was received on 15th October 2009 and I am
dealing with it under the terms of the Freedom of Information Act 2000
and/or the Environmental Information Regulations 2004.

In some circumstances a fee may be payable and if that is the case, I will
let you know. A fees notice will be issued to you, and you will be
required to pay before we will proceed to deal with your request.

If you have any queries about this letter, please contact Sue Smith or
Stephen Hughes on telephone number 01254 585761. Alternatively, our email
address is [1][Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council request email]

Please remember to quote the reference number above in any future
communications.

Regards

Fozia Khan

Audit & Assurance Administrator | Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council

Audit & Assurance
Tower Block, F Floor| King William Street | Blackburn | BB1 7DY

@: [2][email address]| (: 01254 585649

.

This email and any attached Documents are confidential, and may be subject to
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References

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1. mailto:[Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council request email]
2. mailto:[email address]

Dear Mrs Taylor,

I am responding to your request for information below.

This Local Authority has never issued an application for a Care Order
under the Children Act 1989, without making detailed reference to the
welfare checklist. The welfare checklist remains paramount at every stage
of care planning including actions taken under the Public Law Outline
including pre-proceedings work.

The Director of Legal Services has delegated responsibility as prescribed
by the Council's Constitution to commence legal proceedings on behalf of
the Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council. The responsibility of signing
the application form for issuing care proceedings is delegated by the
Director to the appropriate highly skilled and qualified members of Legal
Services.

Andrew Hutchinson
Strategy Support Manager
The Exchange
Tel (01254) 666445
[mobile number]

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'

Yours faithfully,

Mrs L Taylor

This email and any attached Documents are confidential, and may be subject to
legal privilege, and are intended solely for the use of the individual or entity
to whom they are addressed.

The Council own the Copyright of this e-mail and any attached document(s) which
it has created. If you are not the intended recipient of this e-mail or any part
of it please delete it immediately. You should not use or disclose to any person
the contents of this e-mail or any attachments nor take copies.

The Council have taken every reasonable precaution to ensure that any
attachment has been swept for viruses, but we cannot accept any liability for
any loss or damage sustained as a result of software viruses and would advise
that you carry out your own virus checks before opening any attachment. Please
note that e-mails may be falsified: in circumstances where the content is
important, then you should not rely on its integrity without checking with the
Council.