Special duties of the social services practitioner in relation to care orders

(1) It is the duty of the Department, before and after the termination of the care order, to work with the parents, guardians or relatives, to whom the child returns or is expected to return after the termination of the care order. (2) The duties of the Department under this section include child and family counselling, before, during and after the child’s return and gaining the assistance of those in the community who can help in the process of resolving the problems which caused the care order to be made. (3) In carrying out its duties under this section, the Department shall bear in mind the wishes of the child. 65 (4) Where a child is placed with a foster family, it shall be the responsibility of the Department to communicate with the guardians or parents of the child, to inform them of the progress of the child and to arrange a trial period for the child to be at home as soon as it is appropriate. (5) The social services practitioner shall visit the child during the trial period at home and make plans for the future of the child in consultation with foster parents, the natural parents or the adoptive parents.