Before any move, the caseworker must talk to the child or youth to determine his or her thoughts and recommendations about the best placement. The discussion must take place in a developmentally appropriate manner. The caseworker must ensure that the child or youth understands he or she is simply making recommendations and there is no guarantee that the caseworker can fulfill the requests. The discussion must include the following:

• The child’s or youth’s preferences for the placement, including:
  • Desire to remain in current school.
  • Household composition.
  • Rural or urban setting.
  • Number of other children in the home.
  • Animals.
  • Access to extracurricular activities.
• What the child or youth liked and disliked about previous placements, if applicable.

The caseworker must also consider information gathered about the child or youth throughout the life of the case.