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Contents

1. Introduction
2. Purpose of the Meeting
3. Who Should Arrange the Meeting
4. Invitations and Venue
5. Who to Invite
6. Agenda
7. The Process of the Meeting
8. Length of Meeting
9. The Findings of the Meeting
   
   Appendix 1: Invitation Letter
   Appendix 2: Agenda for a Disruption Meeting
   Appendix 3: Factors That Appear to Contribute to Outcomes in Foster Care and Adoption

1. Introduction

When a placement ends through “disruption” (rather than a planned ending) a placement meeting should be held. This should be as soon after the ending as possible, when feelings have calmed sufficiently to enable reflection to take place. Currently (October 2003) it is expected that all placements that have been approved by the Adoption Panel which disrupt will have such a meeting including residential and family placements. Other placement disruptions may require a disruption meeting. These should be agreed by the locality team manager and their service manager. 

2. Purpose of the Meeting

The purposes of holding a disruption meeting may include, 

1. Helping to meet the child/young person’s future needs
2. Identifying causes of the disruption in a non-judgemental way
3. Providing a learning opportunity helping to improve practice
4. Demonstrating that disruption is rarely caused by a single individual factor.
5. Assisting and supporting participants in overcoming negative feelings about the disruption
6. Airing feelings.

A disruption meeting is not a meeting to investigate complaints. Occasionally matters that may become the subject of complaint may emerge and should be pursued using the appropriate processes. Similarly, the meeting should not be used as a planning meeting though planning issues may arise that need to be dealt with elsewhere. 

3. Who Should Arrange the Meeting

Responsibility for arranging the meeting lies with the child’s social worker and their team. The first stage is for the social worker for the child to inform their team and service manager. They will agree who should chair the meeting. This should be someone who has not been involved in the case. The timing and venue should be settled, as well as who is to be invited.

4. Invitations and Venue

The chair and referring social worker must discuss who needs to invite whom, given that some preparation will usually be necessary. Invitation can be verbal but must be confirmed by letter (see Appendix 1, Invitation Letter). 

The invitation letter includes a statement about the purpose of the meeting, the agenda, the participants and the expected length of time. The locality team is responsible for invitations and co-ordination of the meeting. A reply paid envelope should be used for the confirmation slip.

The venue should be in a place that is considered neutral by all the participants. 

5. Who to Invite

The following should be invited to the meeting,

Essential 

1. Child/young person (age appropriate)
2. Natural parent/s (in direct personal contact)
3. Locality social worker
4. Former carers (either last foster carers, adopters or residential establishment)
5. Present carers (key-worker if child is now in residential care)
6. FPU social worker/s (Fostering Team social worker or Adoption Team social worker or both) 
7. Officer-in-Charge (Residential)
8. Team Managers (Locality and FPU)
9. Other key people involved in the former placement
10. Interpreters/cultural advisers
11. Note-taker

Desirable or to be considered

1. Previous locality social worker
2. Previous FPU social workers
3. Anyone with parental responsibility
4. Former carers

NB:  Only people who have been closely involved should be invited.

6. Agenda

This should be discussed prior to the meeting using the standard headings recommended by BAAF as a guide (see Appendix 2, Agenda for a Disruption Meeting). The decision may be to hold the meeting in two parts if not all the information is relevant to all participants.

7. The Process of the Meeting

Given the purposes of the meeting, the atmosphere should be one of respect and allowing each participant to make a positive contribution. It may perhaps be summed up as “therapeutic investigation”.

The current social worker should prepare a chronology for the meeting. There may be a need for some participants to be debriefed after the meeting has ended. It is important for all participants to take responsibility for this and consider who this may be and by whom before the meeting takes place. 

8. Length of the Meeting

Meetings will vary with their complexity and the number of participants. Up to 3 hours with a break should be allowed with some meetings requiring more time.

9. The Findings of the Meeting

The Chair needs to summarise the main points and note any disagreements. Participants should be invited to say what they learned or consider to be important or significant about the meeting. These, together with any other notes taken, will be circulated to participants and to the relevant Service Managers in specialist/residential services. Copies should be kept in relevant case files, with a statement about confidentiality. (Appendix 3: Factors That Appear to Contribute to Outcomes in Foster Care and Adoption sets out some factors that may influence placement outcomes)

Appendix 1: Invitation Letter

Executive Director  Address
		Switchboard: Extension: Direct Line: Email: Web:  Date:
My Reference:	Your Reference:	Please ask for:
HOUSING AND Children's Services
Dear name Invitation to a Disruption Meeting You are invited to attend a meeting to discuss the end of placement of name with name. The purposes of such a meeting can include, assisting in meeting the child/young person’s future needs, identifying causes of the need for the placement move, to provide an opportunity to learn and reflect on what has happened, to help with future placements and practice and a chance to share views and opinions about the situation. A number of other people will be invited to the meeting which will be chaired by somebody who has no direct connection with the case. The other people invited to the meeting are, list of participants Usually all of these people will meet together but if you think this will be difficult for you please let me know and we can discuss this. The meeting will be held on date at time. The venue will be address. The expected length of time for the meeting will be hours.  A copy of the usual agenda for this type of meeting is enclosed. I hope that you are able to attend. Please confirm your attendance using the slip attached.  Yours sincerely name designation
Agenda for a Disruption Meeting on name
Circumstances in which name came to be Looked After. A history of being Looked After. A flow-chart can be useful and should be prepared by the  social worker. Why the decision was made to seek this type of placement. The carer’s previous experience of this sort of placement. Why this particular set of carers was matched to this child/young person. The pattern of introductions, how decisions were made regarding this, and any written agreements made. The process of the placement, including what went well. What led to the placement ending prematurely. Subsequent events. What we think we have learned from this experience.
Disruption Meeting - Confirmation of Attendance Slip Please return this slip for the attention of:  name in the envelope provided. I/we will be able to attend the meeting on name on date Name: ......................................................................................... Job title or designation:.............................................................

Appendix 2: Agenda for a Disruption Meeting

Agenda for a Disruption Meeting

On Name

1. Circumstances in which name came to be Looked After.
2. A history of being Looked After. A flow-chart can be useful.
3. Why the decision was made to seek this type of placement.
4. The carer’s previous experience of this sort of placement.
5. Why this particular set of carers was matched to this child/young person.
6. The pattern of introductions, how decisions were made regarding this, and any written agreements made.
7. The process of the placement, including what went well.
8. What led to the placement ending prematurely.
9. Subsequent events.
10. What we think we have learned from this experience.

Appendix 3: Factors That Appear to Contribute to Outcomes in Foster Care and Adoption 

Factors That Appear to Contribute to Outcomes in Foster Care and Adoption

Child-related

1. Child has significant behavioural or psychological difficulties.
2. Long periods in residential care.
3. Placed in adolescence with serious behaviour problems.
4. Ignorance about origins and why in care.
5. Lack of preparation.
6. Rivalry with carers’ own children.
7. Disruption of education.

Foster home-related

1. Carers are inclusive of natural family.
2. Willingness to work with social workers.
3. No children of same sex/age or younger than child.
4. Trained, prepared, and supported.
5. Clarity about role and expectations.
6. Carers have strong family and community support networks.

Birth parents

1. Consistent visiting
2. Belief they are important to their child.

Social work-related

1. Preparation and support of children.
2. Preparation/training and post placement support.
3. Involvement of birth parents in arrangements plus continuing support to them.
4. Contractual approach - clarity of role/expectations.
5. Maintaining child’s networks.
6. Frequent visiting to carers and birth parents especially in early stages.

End