Welfare Checklist (PLO) 2008 introduced to ensure children are placed with relatives rather than in care

Mrs L Taylor made this Freedom of Information request to Kingston upon Thames Borough Council This request has been closed to new correspondence. Contact us if you think it should be reopened.

The request was successful.

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

John Newnham,

Dear Mrs Taylor

Your email requests for information on 14 October has now been considered
and the information requested is as follows:

I am instructed that the Council is not aware of situations where any
applications for care orders have been issued without consideration of the
welfare checklist. The Council always considers whether family placement
for the child is an option.

Care proceedings initiated by this Council are sent out in the name of
Head of Legal Services, namely Nick Bishop after authority has been given
by the client Directorate to commence proceedings.

If you have any queries or concerns then please contact me.

If you have any concerns or queries about the handling of your enquiry,
then please contact the Records Manager and Data Protection Officer, Royal
Borough of Kingston upon Thames, High Street, Kingston upon Thames KT1
1EU, telephone 0208 547 5757, email: [1][Kingston upon Thames Borough Council request email]

Further Information on the Act is available from the Information
Commissioner at: Information Commissioner's Office, Wycliffe House, Water
Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5AF. Telephone: 01625 545 700,
[2]www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk

Yours sincerely

J. Newnham

Principal Solicitor

Environmental, Property & Corporate Services Team

References

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1. mailto:[Kingston upon Thames Borough Council request email]
2. http://www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk/