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Contents

1. Introduction
2. Application
3. Signatures on the Application Form
4. Young People with Disabilities
5. Children Living in Foster Care or with Parents under Placement with Parents Regulations

1. Introduction

Following the changes made on the 5th October 1998, its now a legal requirement for any young person under the age of 18 to have their own passport. If a young person appears on a passport previously issued to their parents or legal guardian, this passport can still be used until it becomes invalid. At that time the young person must apply for his or her own passport.

Passport application form SE/01/01 can be obtained at a local Post Office and on completion can be returned to:

• Passport office
• Main post offices
• Branches of Lloyds Bank
• Branches of World Choice Travel Agents

The appropriate fee can be paid by either cheque or postal order. The fees and method of payment are identified on leaflet FE/01 which is issued with the application form.

2. Application

For a child Looked After, under Section 20 of the Children's Act the application must be made by a parent with Parental Responsibility. The form must be countersigned by a 'professionally qualified person' who also endorses the photograph as a true likeness of the child/young person. A Team Manager should sign these (Section 10 of the application form).

For a child subject to a Care Order, the application form can be completed by the child's Social Worker. The application will also need a copy of the Care Order and a letter from the Social Worker or Team Manager giving consent for the child to go on holiday/obtain a passport and confirming that he/she is a Looked After Child (state legal status, date Order made and Court).

In the section of the application marked 'other information', give details of the Act/Section under which the child is Looked After. The form must be countersigned by a professionally qualified person who also endorses the photograph as a true likeness of the child/young person. A Team Manager should act in that capacity (see Section 10 of the application form).

3. Signatures on the Application Form

If applying for a passport for a child aged eleven or under, Section 8 should be left blank.  The parent for a child Accommodated under Section 20 of the Children Act 1989 or Unit Manager for the team for a child subject to a Section 31 Care Order should complete Section 9.

If applying for a passport for a child aged between twelve and fifteen the young person completes Section 8 and the parents for the child Accommodated under Section 20 of the Children Act 1989 or Unit Manager for the team for a child subject to a Section 31 Care Order completes Section 9.

If the applicant is sixteen or seventeen, Section 8 should be completed by either a parent or person with Parental Responsibility and the young person completes Section 9.

Please note, consent must be given by the mother where the parents are unmarried unless the father has a Parental Responsibility.

4. Young People with Disabilities

If the child/young person is unable to write because of a disability, a declaration by the person responsible for their welfare is acceptable. The signatory should explain in Section 11 that the applicant has a disability and that he/she as parent, or doctor has signed on the applicant's behalf.

5. Children Living in Foster Care or with Parents under Placement with Parents Regulations

Permission to apply for a passport is delegated to the Unit Manager with responsibility for the child. In the absence of the Unit Manager the Divisional Manager may sign the application form.

Children living with Foster Carers or with their own parents under a Care Order require permission to be taken abroad whether this be on holiday or for any other reason.  Permission may be given by the Unit Manager or Divisional Manager and the Head of Safeguarding and Specialist Provision in the Unit Manager's absence.

Permission for holidays within term time will not normally be given unless there are exceptional circumstances.

There should be a brief report to the Unit Manager covering the following areas:

• Dates of holiday/trip
• Where the child is to be taken
• Who is attending
• Views of the parents of those with Parental Responsibility
• Any perceived additional risks

If a child in on an interim Care Order the view of the CAFCASS Representative should be considered.

In most circumstances the Unit Manager will respond within one week.

When a child is going abroad accompanied by foster carers a letter signed by the Unit Manager confirming consent should be sent to the foster carers. Although this is not strictly essential is may avoid potential difficulties.

End