Cross-border placement process

The smooth functioning of cross-border arrangements is in the interests of everyone. Most importantly, this will maintain the adult’s wellbeing and prevent them from falling into crisis, and help alleviate the pressure on family members or carers. In addition, it will ensure that authorities are not financially disadvantaged as a result of making or receiving cross-border placements by reducing disputes and, hence, cases where an authority has to meet needs on a provisional basis pending dispute resolution.

General suggestions

Authorities and health and social care practitioners may wish to consider the following when arranging cross-border placements.

• Authorities may wish to designate a lead official for information and advice relating to cross-border placements and to act as a contact point. (22)
• Authorities should consider the benefits of independent advocacy in supporting and representing the person to facilitate their involvement in the cross-border placement process and meet relevant duties (23) (e.g. an advocate may assist by representing the views of the adult to the placing authority and ensuring that the appropriate information has been provided).
• Authorities should seek to conduct cross-border placements in a timely manner. However, this does not always mean with great haste. The time taken should be proportionate to the circumstances.
• Where an authority is aware that a self-funder is likely to arrange a cross-border move in circumstances that do not amount to arrangements by a local authority for the purposes of Schedule 1, it should inform the new authority (with the permission of the person themselves, or someone on their behalf if they lack capacity). This may help the new authority to be aware of any people in its area that may in the future need social care.