S.L. 285.1 Art. 7Duties of key social worker.

Following the issue of a care order in respect of a child or young person, a key social worker shall be appointed to follow the development and well-being of such child or young person and for such purpose such key social worker shall inter alia -

(a) visit the child or young person at regular intervals;

(b) monitor the child or young person’s placement and assess his well-being;

(c) ensure that the child or young person’s educational and medical needs are taken care of;

(d) ensure the provision of such other requirement which the child or young person may need;

(e) hold a case review every six months or during any such other lesser period as may be required for the purpose of hearing the professionals involved, the child or young person, the parents and the foster carers, if any, of the child or young person, the carers of the residential homes in which such child or young person may be residing, and any other significant person as determined by the key social worker following consultation with the professionals involved;

(f) establish a care plan for the child or young person giving details of the tasks to be accomplished, the services to be provided to the child or young person and the intended outcome of such care plan;

(g) ensure the provision of support and counselling to the child or young person, where and when necessary;

(h) act on reported episodes of alleged abuse, if any, of the child or young person;

(i) establish the possibility or otherwise of reintegrating the child or young person with the natural family or of placing the child or young person with a foster family;

(j) send a copy of the reports of the case review to the Board;

(k) prepare a report for the Board, establishing a care plan for the child or young person and the significant recommendations necessary in the best interests of the child or young person;

(l) inform the Board of any serious incident relating to the well being of the child or young person;

(m) appear at Board hearings to provide any additional information, as may be necessary, for the Board to reach its recommendations.