The department sought views on proposals to maintain flexibilities on the timing of medical reports in the foster carer and adopter assessment processes, the use of virtual visits, and the continued suspension of the regular cycle of Ofsted inspections of children’s services providers. The department also asked for views on two proposals relating to adoption; to allow medical reports to be completed by other qualified medical professionals and to remove the requirement for a full medical examination.
The majority of respondents agreed with the proposals to maintain the flexibilities on the timing of medical reports in the foster carer and adopter assessment processes, the use of virtual visits, and the continued suspension of the regular cycle of Ofsted inspections of children’s services providers. On the two proposals relating to adoption; whilst a majority agreed with the proposal to allow medical reports to be completed by other qualified medical professional, there were a greater number who disagreed with the second proposal, to remove the requirement for a full medical examination, and concerns were raised in relation to safeguarding.
The department decided to continue only with plans to extend the existing flexibilities on medical reports (for fostering and adoption), virtual visits and Ofsted inspection cycles, as set out in this document. We have reflected on the responses to the two other proposals to amend adoption regulations and, as safeguarding is an area on which the department places paramount importance, we decided to give this further reflection and are not proceeding with these additional flexibilities at this time.
The department is clear that the flexibilities will only remain in place for as long as they are needed; they will be reviewed in terms of monitoring and in line with the Government roadmap to recovery and there currently are no plans to extend them beyond 30 September 2021.
We are seeking views on our proposal to extend or amend a limited number of flexibilities within the Adoption and Children (Coronavirus) (Amendment) (No'.2) Regulations 2020, in relation to Medical Reports, Virtual Visits and Ofsted Inspections.
The government’s overriding objective in any amendments to the statutory framework is to enable the most effective support and protection to children and their families, by local authorities, local safeguarding partners and regulated services, within the statutory framework.
On 24 April, the Adoption and Children (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 came into force to provide local authorities (LAs) and children’s social care providers with temporary flexibilities to support them during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. In August 2020 we consulted on whether to continue some of the flexibilities in the children’s social care sector that came into effect in April. These were in relation to the stage of the respective approvals process for adopters and foster carers that the medical reports would be needed, virtual visits/contacts and Ofsted inspection intervals. Following the consultation, a further set of regulations were laid. These are due to elapse 31 March 2021.
Given the continued impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, we are now consulting on a proposal to extend or amend those regulations and we are inviting interested individuals and organisations to comment on our plans.
The results of the consultation and the Department's response will be published on GOV.UK in Spring 2021.
Share
Share on Twitter Share on Facebook