Three blogs have just been dedicated to understanding the individual assessment process. However, while gathering the data on the child through the assessments is extremely important, in itself the data is worthless if nothing is done with it. Just having notes on a paper or having an overview in a spreadsheet is not going to automatically lead to a good placement for the child. Something needs to be done with the information gathered.
Once the caseworker has checked and confirmed that all the information needed as been gathered for one particular child, a case conference needs to be held where the information and the available options are discussed. The initial meeting, where the data is analysed and discussed, can generally be done with the caseworker, the counsellor and a manager.
During this conference, the information collected from different people is laid side by side and compared, to gradually allow a full picture to develop about the child, her family (if she has one), the challenges that are present, as well as the strengthens that exist and can be used or built on to the child’s benefit.
Out of this discussion should come an idea of what would be in the child’s best interest, what would have to be put in place to make that work, whether what is needed already exists or still needs to be set up, etc. While a plan A is formulated, at the same time a plan B also needs to be created, because sometimes something immovable suddenly comes up and stands in the way of plan A and if you only start working on a plan B then, this will cause a lot of delays, and possibly problems.
If part of one of the plans involves placement in a foster care family or in a small group home, a careful decision needs to be made on a suitable match between the child and the people who will be caring for her. This can not be based on a random assignment or the fulfilment of the preferences of the future carers, it has to be based on what will be best for the child.
With a plan A and plan B decided on, the final decision is not yet made. Another conference should be held were, aside from the caseworker, counsellor and manager present at the first conference, the child’s parents (or other family members) if relevant, possibly her teacher or doctor, and if at all possible (and if she is willing) the child herself are present. If the child comes to the conference, another counsellor should be appointed specifically to provide the child with support during the case conference.
Together this group of people discuss plan A – and if no agreement is reached on this, also plan B – and a definite decision is made on the child’s placement. In this, the child’s opinions should be seriously considered, even though it might not always be possible to fulfill her wishes. If what is decided to be in her best interest is not what she has said she wants, it should be explained to her – in an age appropriate way – why this is the case.
When this decision has been made, the child placement plan can be written. This should contain a detailed description of where the child will go, and why this was the decision that was made. It also needs to state in detail the kind of support that will be provided, by whom, when and how.
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