It is envisaged that the majority of the agency referrals are more likely to be children referred under post placement order. These are usually children who have a plan for adoption but whom the local authority have been unable to identify adopters for the child.  The children are therefore more likely to be children who have complex needs, complex backgrounds (mental health, drug and alcohol misuse for example).  Siblings or older children (school age), children who have experienced early trauma and are displaying challenging behaviours requiring on-going work with universal services such as CAMHS.

We will work in partnership with the local authority for the child to be placed permanently via the adoption route.  In rare cases when this is not possible, the Local Authority may be agreeable for a long term fostering plan as a last resort. For this second group of children, the agency may use the BAAF form F if this is acceptable or preferred by local authorities rather than using the PAR at this stage.

Social workers conducting the assessment (who must have adoption or permanency experience) must however, include permanency in the assessment as you would perhaps for a long term fostering placement.