Allegations against Adopters

Due to early life experiences, children and young people can display dysregulated behaviour, which can be extremely challenging for the adoptive parent(s) to manage and could lead to a situation that results in an allegation. An allegation can be defined as a person(s) who has:-

• Behaved in a way that has harmed a child, or may have harmed a child;
• Possibly committed a criminal offence against or related to a child;
• Behaved towards a child or children in a way that indicates s/he may pose a risk of harm to children.

Manx Care is committed to ensuring that adoptive parents provide a safe caring environment for the children and young people they care for.

This policy is written in conjunction with the:-

• Adoption Minimum Standards (August 2013), Standard 21; Handling allegations and suspicions of harm;
• Adoption Act 1984;
• Children and Young Persons Act 2001;
• Isle of Man Safeguarding Children’s Board procedures.

Upon an allegation being made, the Safeguarding Children’s Board procedures will be followed and a strategy discussion/meeting will be held to ascertain whether or not the child has suffered or is likely to suffer significant risk of harm. Please see Isle of Man childcare procedures. Chapter 2; Referrals, Assessments and Planning.

During the investigation process, the adopters supervising social worker will continue to update them with regards to its progress and be their link with the service.

In all cases, deciding whether to deal with an allegation as an incident or as a Child Protection allegation or as a complaint requires the following considerations:

• The nature and severity of any actual harm to the child;
• The context in which the alleged harm occurred;
• Whether the alleged behaviour of the adoptive parent(s) was (i) intentional, has it happened before and (ii) has, or is likely to result in significant harm or risk to the child or any other child in the household;
• Whether the concern relates directly to conduct which could be assessed as a risk of harm towards a child, or is a more general practice issue. For example, a lack of training, parenting guidance or support.

If there is reasonable cause to suspect that a child is suffering, or is likely to suffer, Significant Harm following an initial strategy discussion then a Section 46 investigation will take place. This will be carried out by a qualified social worker within the Children and Families Team and when deemed appropriate, jointly with the police. The child must be seen within 24 hours and the enquiry concluded within 15 working days.

If the child continues to be Looked After (pre the Adoption Order), consideration needs to be given to the Managing Allegations Strategy Meeting (MASM) procedure. Please see the Isle of Man Safeguarding Board procedure.

The investigation will determine the outcome for the child. Should the allegation become substantiated and the risks cannot be managed within the adoptive placement, consideration needs to be given as to where the child is best to reside and if it is necessary to convene a Legal Planning Meeting.

If the child is in a pre-adoptive placement, the Prospective Adopters Report would be updated and returned to the Adoption Panel to reconsider their approval.

In the instances where the risk can be managed, consideration needs to be given to the appropriateness of an Adoption Support referral to the Family Placement Team, who will then undertake and complete an assessment of need, within eight weeks, and formulate a support plan.

If the adoptive family is already allocated to a supervising social worker, they will amend the Adoption Support Plan and continue to support the family, up until the Adoption Order is granted.