Mr. Fred McBride:

There is no specific length of time. We would monitor it. All children in care have to be allocated a social worker, who visits regularly. The foster carers should have a link worker, who is their own social worker, to help support them, and regular reviews of care plans take place every six months at least. People visit the household regularly, speak to the child and foster carers, review whether the safety plan is working and, as far as possible, try to ensure the child or children are as safe as possible.