Granary Families Assessment Centre

Granary Families is committed to helping and supporting families with learning disabilities, wherever possible, to ensure their children gain maximum opportunity to remain in their care. It is known however that parents with learning difficulties are far more likely than other parents to have their children removed from them and permanently placed outside the family home.

We recognise that the methodology used when assessing families with learning difficulties is appropriate and needs-led in respect of the family, as they will almost always require additional support.

Assessments are based on the Welfare checklist, the framework for assessment and other children in need/protection assessment protocols and conduct early and specific psychological and cognitive testing in order to gain the best view we can of what the complications are and how best to assess and assist the family.

Our assessment uncovers the difficultly of understanding, communication and parenting and identifies what support and training a parent would benefit from in order to offer satisfactory parenting and the benefit to the child.

Psychological Assessments may be necessary where a parent is suffering with mental health problems. In such cases we appoint practitioners with extensive mental health experience.

If we suspect a mother may have significant mental health problems, we are able to assess the likely impact on her parenting and provide assistance for her to get the appropriate medical help and if required provide expert psychiatric or psychological assessments.

Our Young Mother/Care Leaver assessments are tailored to reflect the young age and vulnerability of the families who are often children in need themselves. Families will be appointed a case mentor who will work closely with them and who they can share concerns with. The wellbeing of the young mother will be in line with good practice as outlined in the areas covered within LAC reviews.

Granary Families will have experienced support and social workers who are able to deliver Domestic Abuse Awareness workshops and presentations. Parents of abuse may be referred to the Freedom Programme, run by a local partner. 

Granary Families provides robust, fair and evidence-based assessments of parenting skills and capability for local authority and courts. Our assessments are residential, or community based and include:

• Feasibility assessments
• 6 Week Midway residential parenting assessment
• 12 Week Final residential parenting assessment
•  6 Week PAMS Midway residential parenting assessment
• 12 Week PAMS Final residential parenting assessment
• Addendum reports following the completion of a final parenting assessment
• Risk assessments
•  Step down after care community assessments and visits following positive parenting assessment or Supervision Orders being granted

We offer a non-judgemental and non-discriminatory inclusive service to families who are experiencing issues around parenting their babies and young children.

Termination of Placements

Where possible, departures from Granary Families are planned and agreed in advance with the family concerned and any relevant professionals. However, in exceptional circumstances a placement may end abruptly.

The termination of a placement would take place in the following circumstances:

• Non-accidental injury to a child.
• Where the behaviour or level of care offered by a parent puts the child at serious risk of neglect or injury.
• If a sole carer became unwell and had to be admitted to hospital on a long-term basis.

The termination of a placement would be considered, and an emergency meeting called in the following circumstances:

• Where there has been an act of violence that has caused injury to any other person in the Centre.
• If a parent is found to be in the possession of illegal drugs.
• If a parent who has previously undergone a rehabilitation programme with regard to a substance addiction is found to be under the influence of such.
• Where the parent shows a lack of commitment to the placement resulting in non- compliance and disruption at the placement.
• Where a parent’s own needs are too high to be met within the confines of Granary Families and interfere in their direct parenting and care given to their child i.e. mental health.

Where the parent fails to return to the centre at an agreed time leaving their child with staff, see unauthorised absence, such actions will be viewed as abandonment of child and alternative care arrangements for the child will need to be sought.

When the placement ends, the Manager will update our electronic records and notify the finance section so that payment requests to the local authority or responsible person will cease.

Granary Families expects that all placements are planned and consideration is given to whether after care follow-up community visits are required at the end of the assessment.

The placement can be terminated by the local authority/placement authority. If the placement is terminated by the local authority, seven days’ notice is required.

Granary Families welcomes initial enquiries and referrals to the Centre by telephone, in person or by email. At the point that a placement enquiry is made, the Registered Manager will endeavour to obtain the following information from the person making the enquiry.

• The referrer’s name, agency and contact details including email and telephone number
• Details of the family and baby
• Reason for the referral
• Who made the decision and when it was made
• Whether or not the child/ren are subject to care proceedings
• Likely timescales that the placement is required
• Who holds parental responsibility for the Child(ren). A referral form can also be downloaded.
   

The purpose of our first Pre-Placement Meeting is to finalise the Placement arrangements and for Granary to create a Placement Record. This involves a discussion with the parent about their and their baby’s presenting needs and requirements in order for Granary Families to start making the necessary preparations e.g. the parent’s religious persuasion and expectations, cultural and linguistic background and racial origin, as well as the education needs and how these are expected to be met in the placement. We also discuss any needed arrangements for registering the parents and baby with local health professionals, GP, dentist, opticians and colleges if required.