Family Time: Policy, Procedure and Agreement

SCOPE OF THIS CHAPTER

This chapter outlines Wirral Council's approach to Family Time. The policy applies to children looked after who have contact with: their parents; anyone with parental responsibility (who is not a parent); siblings; any relative, friend or other connected person. The policy does not apply to arrangements for social visits and overnight stays.

Wirral Council's Policy on Family Time follows consultation with Wirral's children and young people Looked After, who wanted the term 'family time' to be used as opposed to 'supervised contact'. The policy places a greater emphasis on the quality and duration of 'Family Time' as opposed to the frequency. In doing so, Wirral acknowledge that each case is unique, and this may influence decisions in the application of this policy.

STATUTORY GUIDANCE

The Children Act 1989 guidance and regulations Volume 2: care planning, placement and case review, Arrangements for contact (DfE, 2021)