Authorisation for a Child to be Looked After and Funding Agreements Outside East and West Practice and Resources Panel

1. Decision in an Emergency

When there is a request to accommodate a child in an emergency, the request should be discussed initially with the relevant Service Manager. If they support accommodation, the request should then be made to the relevant Head of Service.

If authorisation is given it will be for up to 2 weeks, or the next appropriate East and West Practice and Resources Panel meeting.

Any Out of Hours requests should be made through the Out of Hours Team who will seek agreement from the on duty Head of Service/Operations Director.

2. Communication of Decision by Decision Maker

Once agreed, the Head of Service should email authorisation to the worker and manager, copying in the Brokerage Accommodation Team (DutyBrokerage.AccommodationTeam@hertfordshire.gov.uk). Authorisation by the Head of Service will normally outline how long the accommodation is agreed for and any actions the worker is required to undertake. The placement should always be in house provision where possible. This should all be recorded as a casenote on LCS by the allocated worker.

3. Actions Required by the Social Worker

The worker for the child(ren)/young person will contact Brokerage Accommodation Team via telephone call with as much detail as possible about the child's needs and requirements. A Placement Request Form (PRF) must be completed on LCS. This must include the outcomes you expect from the provider as well as the type of placement sought.

4. Actions of the Brokerage Accommodation Team

Brokerage Accommodation Team will source the most appropriate in house placement. If they are unable to identify an in house resource, they will inform the social worker about what independent placements are available.

If agreement is required in an emergency for the funding of an:

• Independent fostering placement - authorisation must be sought from the Operations Director, Specialist Services & Commissioning. This request must come from the relevant Service Manager;
• Semi independent placements - as above (Operations Director, Specialist Services & Commissioning);
• Independent residential placement - as above (Operations Director, Specialist Services & Commissioning).

If the Operations Director, Specialist Services & Commissioning is not available, then the Operations Director, Children & Families should be contacted.