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<p>There are currently a range of permanence options for children in public care,
all of which can deliver good outcomes for individual children.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>
</p><p>For many looked-after children, permanence will be secured outside of the care
system through a safe return to their family. In April 2015, the government made changes
to the care planning regulations and the statutory guidance ‘Working together to safeguard
children’ to ensure a sharper focus on a safe and successful return home for children
where this is the best route to permanence. This included a requirement that the authority
appropriately assesses the proposed arrangements for the child and sets out the support
that will be provided when the child ceases to be looked-after.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>
</p><p>Special guardianship or adoption offer permanence for other groups of children.
Local authorities are responsible for core adoption and special guardianship support,
including information, advice, guidance, training and financial assistance.</p><p>
</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>To improve practice where the best permanence option for children
is to remain looked-after, the government amended regulations in April 2015 to introduce
‘long term foster care’ as a distinct placement type. Every looked-after child must
have a care plan which includes a ‘plan for permanence’ and sets out the support they
will receive.</p><p> </p>
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