3.7.5 Infestations |
RELEVANT LEGISLATION
Sections 22 and 23, Children Act 1989
Regulation 15, Fostering Services (England) Regulations 2011
Standard 6, National Minimum Standards for Fostering Services 2011
Regulations 20 and 21, Children’s Homes Regulations 2001, as amended by the Children’s Homes (Amendment) Regulations 2011
Standard 6, National Minimum Standards for Children’s Homes 2011
SCOPE OF THIS CHAPTER
This procedure applies to children placed in residential and foster care managed by the authority, but the principles apply to the placement of all children in care. Therefore, where children are placed with parents, relatives or friends or in placements not managed by the authority, the social worker must ensure these or other adequate procedures are applied.
AMENDMENTS
The legislative references were updated in September 2011.
Contents
1. Monitoring and Checks
It is acceptable for routine precautions to be undertaken to avoid infestations of head lice, fleas, scabies etc. However, this may not include the undertaking of routine checks of children, for infestations, unless parental consent has been given. This consent should normally be incorporated into individual children’s Placement Plan/Placement Information Records.
2. Head Lice
If it is suspected that children may be infested with head lice, the following measures should be taken:
- The parent(s) and social worker should be informed and advice taken from a doctor, nurse or health visitor before treating it.
- Children do not have to be separated or kept back from school or other activities but care should be taken to inform teachers or other staff/carers, so that they can take reasonable precautions.
Should anyone else in the placement become infested with head lice, the staff/carers must inform their manager/fostering social worker, who will decide what actions are necessary.
3. Fleas or Scabies
If it is suspected that a child may be affected by fleas or scabies, the same measures as those described above for head lice, must be followed.
Additionally, the medical practitioner may decide that it is necessary to initiate fumigation procedures in the home. Where this is necessary, the staff/carers can agree to the fumigation and should inform their manager/fostering social worker of this as soon as possible afterwards.
4. Notifications
Infestations must be reported to the manager/fostering worker, the child’s parent(s) and social worker.
In addition, where, in the opinion of the medical practitioner attending the child, the infectious disease is sufficiently serious, notification must be made to the Service Manager, Quality Assurance and Safeguarding, OFSTED, the relevant health trust and the Placing Authority.
End