Understanding your child’s placement

Your rights

• Right to receive information about your child: You have the right to be informed about decisions that affect your child.
• Right to ask professionals for information: You can ask the care team at the home for information. If your child has been placed with a foster family, you can contact the Child Protection Officer.
• Right to maintain contact with your child: Unless otherwise indicated, you can maintain regular contact (visits, phone calls, letters, etc.) with your child. As far as possible, the arrangements will be agreed together at the initial meeting and recorded in the placement plan. If, however, the placement was ordered by a court, it will decide when and how you can see your child.
• Right to take certain decisions: You will be involved in decisions about your child as far as possible, depending on the placement plan and court decisions.

Your responsibilities

The most important thing is to accept support from the professionals advising you.

It isn’t easy, but remember they are there to help you. They will support you in stabilising and improving your situation. That way, you will be able to focus better on your role as a parent.

Here are some examples:

• Comply with and obey court decisions
• Work with the SPMi and, if your child is in a residential home, with the care team
• Attend meetings with the professionals involved
• Take part in the discussion on the aims of the placement
• Work to achieve your objectives
• Submit your request to see if you can be granted an exceptional visiting right three weeks in advance