In the course of exercising custodial responsibility for children in out of home care (OOHC), DCBS staff is responsible for ensuring that the medical and mental health treatment needs of children are met. In some circumstances, children may be admitted to a medical or psychiatric hospital, or residential treatment facility. In those settings, physicians and mental health professionals will be making recommendations for treatments such as medications, medical procedures, surgeries and length/duration of placement in that setting. Procedures for providing consent for medications and medical procedures are outlined in SOP 4.26.2 Authorization for Medical Services.
In the event that the SSW, who is operating as the custodial agent for a child, is of the opinion that a child’s continued placement in a specific hospital or residential program is not in that child’s best interest the procedures outlined below are followed.