Ending a Placement

Placements can end naturally or because of an unforeseen situation. There are many reasons why a placement ends such as:

• The young person returns to their family;
• The placement breaks down;
• The young person is moved to another placement;
• The young person is old enough to live independently;

Wherever possible when a placement is coming to an end, a plan should be developed to move the young person. The young person might be feeling worried about what is going to happen to them even if the move is one that they feel positive about.

You may feel anxious about the young person’s move too, this is natural, that’s why it is important for everyone that there is a clear plan about what will happen and who will do what. It is really important that you talk to your Supervising Worker, especially if you think that the move is not in the young person’s best interests.

You have an important part to play in helping the young person to move and should be positive about it even if it is in difficult circumstances. When you are talking to the young person about the move be positive about why they are moving and what will happen.

Plan "goodbyes" for friends and family members that the young person is close to.

You should put together information about the young person’s daily routine, likes/dislikes and any other important information that will help the new carer and let the young person’s social worker know if you are happy to talk to the new carer.

If the young person has photographs, life story book and other information about the time that they have spent with you, you should make sure that they go with them.

Make sure you pack all important documents such as their passport.

You should provide clear instructions about any medication or appointments the young person may have.

The young person’s belongings should be moved in a suitcase or holdall and never be transported in bin-bags or other inappropriate containers.

Let the young person know what contact they may have with you in the future and provide them with photographs and mementoes of their time with you.

If a placement ends without this being planned, a disruption meeting may be held. A disruption meeting is an opportunity for everyone who has been involved in the young person’s care to look at what has happened, what went well and what could have gone better. This helps not only you as a supported lodgings host but may help the young person in future placements.