Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what is the (a) minimum and (b) maximum number of days a child can reside in care without a visit from their social worker.

We expect local authorities to conduct social worker visits to children in care within the statutory timeframes set out in Regulation 28 of the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010. The statutory timeframes have not changed and the minimum and maximum requirements for visits will depend on the type of placement the child is in.

In exceptional cases, where these visits cannot be made within the prescribed timeframes, such as during periods of significant staff shortages as a result of COVID-19, temporary flexibility has been provided through The Adoption and Children (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020. This includes allowing visits from the child’s responsible authority to be conducted as soon as reasonably practicable and by telephone, video, or other electronic means.

Flexibilities should only be used when absolutely necessary, with senior management oversight, and must always be consistent with the overarching safeguarding and welfare duties that remain in place.