The CARES Group
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND
FUNCTION
Foster Cares Ltd
7 Fern Court
Bracken Hill Business Park
Peterlee
SR8 2RR
Reviewed and Updated
January 2014
We can provide this guide if a foster carer, child or birth parent has particular
communication requirements. Alternative formats include pictures, recording and
translation into another language including makaton.
CONTENTS:
1)
Introduction
2)
Status and Constitution
3)
Responsibility and Staff Team
4)
Aims, Objectives & Outcomes
5)
Philosophy and Care principles
6)
Placements and Referrals
7)
Care Arrangements
8)
Recruitment, Approval, Support and Training of Foster
Carers
9)
Development, Training and Support Policy
10)
Complaints Procedure
11)
Ofsted
1. INTRODUCTION
The National Minimum Standards for Fostering Services and the Fostering
Services Regulations 2011 govern the work of fostering providers throughout
England.
According to Standard 16 of the National Minimum Standards for Fostering
Services and Regulation 3 of the Fostering Services regulations, a Fostering
Agency is required to produce a Statement of Purpose.
As part of the regulatory requirement a copy of the Statement of Purpose
will be provided to Ofsted and will be placed on the Foster Cares Ltd website. The
document is also available on to: staff, Placing Authorities, foster parents,
prospective foster parents, children and their birth family.
This Statement of Purpose has been prepared in accordance with these
requirements and will be a useful source of information to Foster Cares Ltd staff,
foster carers and prospective foster carers, children and young people who are
placed with Foster Cares Ltd and their birth family, and also to colleagues from
other agencies.
This Statement of Purpose is reviewed and updated on a regular basis, at intervals
of no more than 1 year.
2. STAUS AND CONSTITUTION
Foster Cares Ltd is the trading name of Foster CARES Ltd. which is registered as a
Limited Company Registration No 5038789. A list of the Directors is available on the
main Company document – Company Details at May 1st 2005.
The CARES Group and Foster Cares Ltd.
The CARES Group was set up in March 1989 initially concentrating on a high quality
social work escort service, CAR-ES (UK) Ltd, to adolescents and young people
displaying a range of aggressive and challenging behaviours. In 1997 due to the
success and expansion of this service and the professional approach of our staff,
crisis intervention work within a residential setting was undertaken and Cares
(Human Services) Ltd set up, caring for individual young people in a community
setting with high staffing ratios. The Group offered a range of residential services in
differing social and economic settings.
In line with the Groups continued expansion, a separate company, Foster CARES
NFP (now Foster Cares Ltd), was established in June 2000, to provide a range of
high quality foster placements in the North of England. The company now has 48
sets of foster carers, currently providing placements for 56 children and young
people, with a total capacity of 96 places. Foster Cares Ltd is providing services for
all Children’s Services Departments across the whole of North East of England and
North Yorkshire.
In February 2005, Foster Cares Ltd opened an office on Rochdale Road in
Manchester, with the aim of developing new fostering services in the North West of
England. Subsequently, the office moved from Rochdale Road to the Lancastrian
Office Centre, Duckworth House, Talbot Road, Old Trafford Manchester in August
2012
This service provides high quality foster placements in line with the philosophy,
values, aims and purpose of the North East Head office. The Manchester office now
has 25 sets of foster carers, currently providing 31 placements for children and
young people, with a total capacity of 49 places.
The current combined total of our approved foster carers across our service
provision is 73 households, providing 87 placements for young people and have a
total capacity of 145 places
Foster Cares Ltd reviewed the Manchester fostering service in 2011 and decided to
implement a new structure, which implemented “one service” across our Fostering
provision. The aim of the new structure was to provide a clear structure, improve
common practice, standardise Agency requirements and be beneficial to the overall
improvement of the service we provide as a whole.
Following the review of service it was decided to appoint a Registered Manager
across both offices and be responsible for their service delivery and development. To
support this a Team manager would be appointed in the North West to provide day
to day management of the service in Manchester to simulate what already existed in
the North East.
After consultation with OFSTED, a decision was taken to voluntarily deregister the
Manchester office and operate both branches under a single registration. This was
implemented as of 27th October 2012
The service aim is to work closely with foster carers/families, children and their
families and all other professionals and significant people involved in the care of
children and young people to ensure that the highest quality service is being offered
which enables all children to reach their full potential and achieve the best outcomes
possible.
3.
Responsibility and Staff Team.
The owner and Chief Executive of Foster Cares Ltd is David Cassie, who is based
at the Old Hall, Byers Green, Co Durham. David is a qualified social worker with
over 36 years’ experience.
The Managing Director responsible for fostering services is Colin Rice. Colin is
based at our Peterlee, County Durham, Head Office, however has responsibility
across the Fostering Service. Colin is a qualified Social Worker with a Dip.SW. He
has also has completed his NVQ 4 in management. Colin has 26 years’ experience
in social care including direct work with young people in residential care,
management experience and experience of working in fostering services for both
Local Authority and Independent sector’s.
Staff Team - Durham
Foster Cares provide Supervising Social Workers on a different basis to many
agencies. As foster carers vary in the number of children they are approved to look
after, we prefer to measure support needs as a reflection of this. Supervising Social
Workers are therefore allocated to families based on the potential number of children
placed. This figure is currently 10 places and is intended to indicate that the welfare
of the child in placement is of paramount importance.
Foster Cares Ltd presently has two Team Managers one in the North East and one
in the North West. We currently have four Supervising social workers based in the
North East and three in the North West.
Dawn Paton – Registered Manager - Dawn took up her post in March 2013. Dawn
is a qualified Social Worker who has worked in both local Authority and independent
sectors. Dawn has experience in child protection, fostering and as a Team manager
and a Fostering service manager. Dawn successfully applied to become Registered
Manager in July 2014
Claire Robson – Quality & practice development co-ordinator - has been in post
since February 2002 and completed her MA/Dip SW in June 1998. Claire also has
experience of working in Residential Care with children with Learning Difficulties and
Physical disabilities, Local Authority Emergency Family Placement Team, Local
Authority Children and Families/Child Protection Team, Project Management of a
Residential Service for High Risk Young People, Young Carer’s Scheme and
Education Day Programme. She has also completed her Practice Teachers Award,
is a qualified mediator and is the certified Instructor for MAPA.. Claire took up her
current post in March 2013 with the emphasis of “joining up” the service ensuring
practice is shared and implemented
Nichola Mulholland –Supervising Social Worker - joined the team in June 2003,
having just completed her MA/Diploma in Social Work. Prior to completing her
Dip.SW she gained experience working as a Residential Social Worker for children
and young people with a range of needs including those with Learning Difficulties
and Physical Disabilities and as an Assistant Social Worker within a Local Authority
Social Work office. Nichola has recently completed her NVQ assessor’s award at a
local college and is Practice teacher for social work students.
Andrew Peacock –Supervising Social Worker - joined the team in September
2004. Andrew completed his MA. / Dip. SW at Durham University in June 2002 and
prior to this worked in Care for the Elderly and for MIND. Since qualifying he has
worked for in a Youth Offending team, a Long Term Placement area team and a
Local Authority Fostering team prior to joining Foster Cares Ltd. k.
Hazel Ross – Supervising Social Worker - joined the team in November 2004
after working for the Looked After Children team in Derbyshire. Hazel completed her
BA/ Dip. SW at Sheffield Hallam University in June 2002 and prior to this worked for
NCH Young Carers Service. Hazel has completed her Post Qualifying Award in
Social Work (level 1).
Louise Cook – Recruitment coordinator – Louise joined the team in May 2012, is
a qualified social worker who has experience as a child protection worker in Local
Authorities and more recently in Fostering services in the Independent sector
Debbie Strong – Supervising Social Worker – Debbie joined the team in July
2013, is a qualified social worker. Debbie is an experienced Supervising social
worker and has a background in residential child care and supporting people with
disabilities
Joanne Green – Administrator – Joined the team in 2007 and has since become
an integral part of the team ensuring the efficient running of the service.
Claire Eltringham – Administrator – Joined the in 2011 and has established
herself as an integral part of efficient running of the service.
Staff Team – Manchester
Caroline Larkin – Team Manager NW
Caroline qualified as a social worker in 2001 after completing her Diploma in Social
Work and has many years of previous experience working within social care settings
including Young People’s Residential Services. She has undertaken social work and
Team Manager roles within statutory and voluntary settings. Caroline is a skilled
assessor and has specialised in undertaking fostering and Special Guardianship
Assessments.
Ann Young –Supervising Social Worker
Ann was appointed in September 2012, Ann qualified as Social Worker in 1998. She
has over 30 years’ experience in Social Care. She has been a residential Manager in
children’s services for a number of years. She has more recently worked as a child
protection social worker.
Sara Nugent – Supervising Social Worker
Sara joined the Agency in June 2013 having completed a very successful final year
placement as part of her BA social work degree. Sara has a background in education
and support work with young people.
Sara Jayne Baldam – Supervising Social Worker
Sara joined the Agency in July 2013 having completed a very successful final year
placement with the Agency as part of completing her BA social work degree. Sara
has a background of working in residential child care.
Rachel Cash - Administrator - Rachel is an experienced administer who joined
the Manchester team in April 2014
Staff Team Structure.
COLIN RICE
Managing Director
DAWN PATON
Registered
Manager.
CAROLINE
LARKIN
Team Manager
N.W.
CLAIRE
ROBSON
Quality /
Practice /
Development
TREVOR
MCADOO
Finance
Administrator
ANDREW
PEACOCK
Supervising Social
Worker
ANN YOUNG
Supervising
Social Worker
HAZEL ROSS
Supervising Social
Worker
Sara Nugent
Supervising
social worker
NICHOLA
Mulholland
Supervising Social
Worker
Sarajayne
Baldam
Supervising
social worker
DEBBIE STRONG
Supervising Social
Worker
Rachel Cash
administrator
LOUISE COOK
Recruitment Coordinator
JOANNE GREEN
Administrator
CLAIRE
ELTRINGHAM
Administrator
All Supervising Social Workers at Foster Cares Ltd hold a recognised professional
qualification in social work and have a sound base of knowledge and practice
experience in the child care field. They practice in line with regulation, visiting foster
carers at home on a regular basis.
Foster Cares Ltd operates a 24/7 Duty System staffed by our own team of social
workers which allows foster carers direct access to known staff outside normal
working hours.
Foster carers, their own children and children placed with them have access to
support and recreational groups and activities, reflecting the family model of Foster
Cares Ltd and recognition that there are issues for all parties which can be explored
in groups as well as one-to-one settings. This network is also designed to facilitate
opportunities for relatively seamless respite arrangements, which are agreed with the
Agency and the placing Local Authority.
4. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
Foster Cares Ltd aim to provide services which complement those provided by Local
Authorities; through cooperation rather than competition.
Foster Cares Ltd will provide an emergency, short, medium and long-term needs led
service for Looked After Children and young people where they can reflect and plan
for the future with their families, social workers and other significant people.
The placing Authority should approve the placement and arrange for statutory visits
by the child’s social worker. Each child will have an Individual Placement Agreement.
AIMS:
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To provide a range of high quality family/foster placements which are able to
meet and promote the needs of the individual child.
To ensure that every child/young person is able to reach their full potential
and achieve the best possible outcomes.
To ensure children are safe and feel safe and are able to keep themselves
safe.
To ensure that children and young people are prepared for adulthood and
independence to enable them to be positive and contributing citizens.
That every child has opportunities akin to their peers and feels valued and
self-confident in who they are and .
OBJECTIVES:
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To recruit, assess, train and support highly skilled foster carers who are able
to meet the needs of children and young people and enable them to make
progress in all areas of their development.
To ensure recruitment strategies are targeted so that children have the
opportunity of living in a family which values, recognises and supports their
ethnic and cultural heritage.
To provide high quality training to staff and foster carers
To provide high levels of support and guidance including 24 hour contact/duty
service.
To work in partnership with professionals: contribute to planning and share
appropriate information
To ensure the way in which the service develops takes account of the views
of children/young people, staff, birth families and other professionals and
focuses on how to maximise the progress and outcomes for children/young
people.
Adhere to legislation, regulation, statutory and good practice guidance.
To attend all meeting in relation to the child/young person
To ensure children and young people have all the necessary plans in place
To undertake regular monitoring and reviewing of children’s progress and
take action if required.
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A placement agreement, which reflects the child’s needs as identified in
his/her care plan, to ensure that the key development areas of health,
education, social, emotional and behavioural needs are met.
Ensure every child has access to at least 25 hours education in a registered
setting where they can make progress and achieve to the best of their
potential.
To promote a child centred service which listens to children, values them and
challenges discrimination.
To ensure the fostering service including the fostering panel operates
according to legislation, regulation and procedure.
To ensure a flexible service by developing co-operative planning and
discussion forums with relevant agencies across the area covered by the
service and monitoring and recruiting according to need.
Commitment to a review schedule, which will reflect general and specific
outcome targets for each child.
Ensure access to appropriate services including health care,
physical/psychological/emotional & sexual health, speech & language .
An open, honest approach to achieve a shared understanding of the
outcomes expected from placement with the child, foster carers, family and
social workers.
Records which are kept on a daily basis in such a way as to facilitate the
participation of the child in their progress and key life events while respecting
the need for confidentiality and security of such information.
Facilitate the child’s network of family and friends to promote contact where it
is in the child’s interests and the building and sustaining of positive and
supportive, secure relationships.
Stability and consistency in the child’s attachments and networks.
Increased self-esteem and confidence through support and encouragement
in personal achievement and positive feedback.
After-care planning and support and a commitment to Staying Put.
OUTCOMES:
1. Each and Every child is enabled to meet their maximum potential as set out in the
‘Every Child Matters’ 5 Outcomes: Stay Safe, Be Healthy, Enjoy and Achieve, Make
a Positive Contribution, and Achieve Economic Well-Being.
2. The service provided is tailored to meet the needs of each individual child and is
flexible and responsive to changes over time.
3. Foster carers feel valued, supported, encouraged and rewarded in their role.
4. Foster carers feel prepared and receive development, training and support
opportunities to enable them to meet the needs and achieve the outcomes of the
children placed with them.
5. The work of foster carers is recognised and rewarded.
6. The development of the service takes full account of the views and wishes of its
foster carers, children and young people in placement, birth children, the staff and
colleagues from other agencies and birth families.
7. The work of the service complies with and is in the spirit of the Foster Care Charter to
maximise potential and achieve the best outcomes possible.
5. Philosophy and Care Principles
The values, which inform our approach to foster care, are:
Children are children first and are entitled to a safe living environment in which they
feel secure and their unique circumstances, rights and opinions are respected and
listened to. While looked after they should have a positive experience of family life,
relationships and attachments, which validate the child’s, own family and recognise
the loss and separation, which they have experienced.
Children should have an experience akin to their peers and be enabled to reach their
full potential and successfully achieve all 5 outcomes. They should be treated by
foster carers ‘as if they were their own’ and given every opportunity to live a full and
happy life.
It is essential to give the opportunity for the child to be involved in planning for the
future, which, where possible, should involve active consideration of rehabilitation to
members of the wider family network. In the absence of such a solution, to plan for
stability and permanence in attachments which continue to validate the child’s own
family, race, culture, language, religion, gender and sexual orientation.
To achieve this, foster carers will work in partnership with the child, their family and
social worker. To ensure positive outcomes in the child’s physical, intellectual, social,
emotional and behavioural development we will work together with those who have
parental responsibility and professionals in order to access the opportunities,
resources and support needed to secure a future which will fulfil the child’s potential
and encourage social inclusion.
We do not believe that readiness for independence is achieved at a date determined
by the young person’s 18th birthday, so we will continue to work with all parties
towards independence at the young person’s pace. We are committed to Staying
Put.
As an organisation we work within the Department of Health Looking After Children,
‘Good Parenting, Good Outcomes’ guidelines; Quality Protects performance
indicators; Children Act 1989; the Foster Placement (Children) Regulations 1991;
Children Act 2004 with an emphasis on the Every Child Matters guidance; Working
Together to Safeguard Children 1999; Cares Standards Act 2000 and the associated
Fostering Services Regulations 2011, the National Minimum Standards 2011.
We are therefore concerned to target the following specific outcomes for the children
and young people that we look after:
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Children should enjoy the best possible physical and mental health.
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Children should fulfill their intellectual and educational potential.
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Children should experience security in their attachments.
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Children should enjoy satisfying and appropriate social, family and peer
relationships.
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Children should be active and positive citizens.
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Children should be building a range of skills to enable them to become fully
participating adults.
6. Placements and Referrals
Placements are available for children and young people both male and female, aged
0 to 18 years. We have foster carers able to provide a wide spectrum of placements
including those for children displaying difficult and challenging behaviour, sibling
groups, emergency placements, younger children, solo placement, remand and
parent and child placements.
Bridging and Emergency Placements. Many of our foster carers can respond at short
notice to a crisis and look after a child until the plans for their future have been
agreed and implemented.
Short Term Planned Placements. We provide short and medium term placements
during which the future placement needs of young people can be assessed by
providing our own assessment and working together with the young person, their
family, social workers and others involved in the young person’s welfare.
Long term placements We are also able to provide long term placements where the
LA, foster carer and the Panel agree that this is in the best interests of the child.
Permanency placements We are also able to respond to requests for permanent
matched placements for young people where this is identified as being in the best
interests of the child. We are committed to ensuring foster carers and children
understand and appreciate the commitment they are making when agreeing
permanency .
Parent and Child Placements We have a number of placements, which can provide
intensive assessment and support for parenting abilities in placement, and with
agreed after care support.
Remand Placements. We have a limited number of experienced Remand Foster
Carers who can provide the appropriate, assessment, support, control and guidance
to young people in the Criminal Justice system, again with opportunities for agreed
after care support.
Foster Cares Ltd supports the view that planning and matching of placements is
essential in providing security and stability for the child and avoiding breakdown.
While full information is not always available to the referring Local Authority Social
Worker, high standards are expected by the Agency in the provision of child centred
information and referrals are encouraged at the earliest possible opportunity.
Planned Placements
Where possible all placements should be planned in advance. These should be
discussed with the Duty Supervising Social Worker or Team Manager, followed by a
written referral with full details. A Pre-Placement Planning Meeting will then be
convened within agreed timescales to explore the detailed issues for the placement.
A meeting involving all parties will then produce a written Individual Placement
Agreement.
Emergency Placements
Such referrals must be discussed in the first instance with the duty supervising social
worker who may decide further discussion is necessary with the Team Manager
before a final decision can be made.
A full matching assessment will still be carried out.
All new referrals will be managed by our social work team based at our either our
Peterlee head office Tel – 0191 586 9655 or Old Trafford office ,Tel 0161
8727048 dependent upon which office is serving the particular contract or Local
Authority. Alternatively by emailing fostering@cares.co.uk . Referrals made outside
of office hours will be managed by our out of hours social worker who is available
365 days a year.
Placement Procedure.
An Individual Placement Agreement will be drawn up between all parties and
consistent with the desired outcomes. The child’s Placement Plan or Placement
Information Record should be provided prior to placement or within 5 working days of
the start of the placement and the child’s Care Plan, prior to the child’s move into a
planned placement or within 10 working days if a child’s first placement if an
emergency placement. This will include: 
Anticipated period of stay and financial arrangements.
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Educational needs and arrangements.
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Health needs and arrangements.
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Attachment issues.
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Family contact needs and arrangements.
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Cultural, racial, religious, gender and language needs and arrangements.
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Areas of delegated Parental Responsibility.
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Risk Assessment and Safeguarding
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Outcomes and Timescales
Referral Criteria
It is anticipated that Local Authorities will be seeking placements for young people
who have experienced any number of the following:
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A high level of attachment disruptions or difficulties
Inconsistent or inappropriate care arrangements/boundaries
Personal or family trauma, violence or abuse
Loss, separation and rejection
Levels of high criticism and low affection
Involvement in high risk/offending behaviour
Lack of continuity and consistency in education and health care
Social exclusion and disrupted social and peer relationships
Inappropriate levels of independence
CSE
As a consequence, children/young people will need high quality care where they are
nurtured and have their individual needs met so that they can learn to trust, develop
self-esteem and express feelings of anger, guilt and confusion about their lives and
develop to their full potential.
The successful matching of placements involves the balancing of the needs of the
child/young person with the competencies, skills, capacity and circumstances of
foster carers and in ensuring the safety and welfare of all e.g. children already in
placement or living in the home. Such a decision depends on an open and detailed
sharing of the child’s/young person’s history including their strengths to ensure that
their welfare is compatible with individuals and environment of the foster home.
7. Care Arrangements
Foster Cares Ltd promotes that every child/young person receives the highest quality
care possible which enables them to achieve the best outcomes and reach their full
potential.
Health Care
Children/Young people will be supported in cooperating with routine and Looked
After health checks and specific treatments, having regard to their wishes, legal
status, those with parental responsibility, care plans and appropriate
development towards independence.
Children/Young people will be registered with the local G.P, dentist, optician and
any other required service at the earliest opportunity (should it be impractical for
them to continue to attend their previous providers/services).
Young people will be encouraged to participate in a healthy lifestyle, in relation to
diet, hygiene, drugs and sexual relationships, consistent with their cultural, racial
and religious beliefs.
Specialist health care will be sort / provided locally through the relevant health
authority. Issues regarding specialist health care will need to be discussed with
the social worker at the time of referral and appropriate timescales agreed to
ensure that resources are in place before the placement begins.
Contact Arrangements
Positive encouragement will be given to ensure contact with significant people to the
young person can continue or be established where it is in their best interests and
consistent with the Care Plan. The need for supervision of such activities will be
agreed on a case-by-case basis but it should not be assumed that the foster home is
always an appropriate venue for all such arrangements. In general, positive
encouragement will be given to achieve an active partnership with the young
person’s family and all party involvement in planning and decision-making.
Education and Employment
Where it is possible to maintain attendance at the same educational establishment,
this will be supported through negotiation between the Agency, foster carers and the
Placing Authority, those with parental responsibility, the young person and the
Education Department.
Where this is not possible the choice of enrolment at a local school or college will be
supported by foster carers.
Young people will be encouraged and supported to attend school, complete
homework and take part in extra-curricular school activities, develop positive peer
relationships and appropriate community based activities will be provided in
consultation with all parties. Similarly, support will be provided in enjoying positive
work experiences, training schemes, dealing with agencies and authorities to
achieve employment and independence.
Daily Routines
These should reflect each individual child/young person’s abilities and needs in
relation to appropriate dependence/independence and preparation for adulthood.
Such routines and boundaries are closely related to health care and educational
achievement as well as to social inclusion, so are important in the context of social
presentation and social skills which come from a positive experience of family, adult
and peer relationships. Having appropriate relationship skills is particularly important
for young people who have experienced abuse.
Children and young people will be provided with an environment in which they can
build and maintain relationships, understand their own sexuality, establish caring
relationships and develop self-esteem.
Foster carers will work actively with young people to help them prepare for the
responsibilities of adulthood and the capacity to care for themselves by teaching
budgeting, domestic tasks, shopping etc.
Behaviour Management
Foster Cares Ltd trains and supports Foster Carers to use Positive Parenting
Techniques to assist children and young people to understand and develop
behaviours which assists them to become positive citizens.
Inappropriate behaviour may require the application of sanctions, agreed with the
placing authority and people with parental responsibility. These means will only be
used where positive validation and reward is not an effective method and will be of
minimal duration and severity. Sanctions should involve logical and/or natural
consequences and include opportunities for reparation and learning.
Some forms of sanctions/punishment are not acceptable, for example:
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Corporal punishment or any form of physical intervention or use of force
including hitting, pushing, intimidation, threats.
Any deprivation of food or drink usually available, affection, sleep, shelter or
clothing.
Restriction on contact or communication with parents, family and friends,
people with parental responsibility, solicitor, independent visitor, social worker
or other professionals identified in the Care Plan unless a specific requirement
of the agreed Care Plan.
Actions, which could lead to social exclusion or humiliation.
Withholding/forcing of medical treatment.
Being locked in a room.
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Discriminatory language or acts.
Criticism of the young persons’ family or friends.
Any act which leads to the child feeling threatened, humiliated, intimidated
Some forms of sanction/punishment are acceptable but should always be
appropriate in relation to the transgression for example:
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The withholding of a proportion of pocket money to pay towards the cost of
items that have been intentionally damaged or stolen.
Restriction on certain leisure activities, which are ‘earned’ by acceptable
behaviours.
Additional domestic chores or other duties.
Grounding (up to 24hours/ 1 day unless risks are present).
Confiscation of illegal or dangerous items.
Helping to mend things, which the young person has broken.
Apologising to those who have been harmed by the young person’s
behaviour.
Absences/Missing from the Foster Home
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Foster Cares Ltd has a detailed and up to date Missing from Home Policy &
Procedure which is reviewed every year and made available to the Local
Authorities. Everyone must be provided with a copy and receive any changes
or updates which impact on practice as well as receive training on how to
implement.
Children who go missing, return late or have absences are at potential risk
and it must be taken seriously, monitored and action taken. Their care status,
background and experiences make them increasingly vulnerable to harm.
The close links between children who go missing and child sexual exploitation
are recognised and accounted for in policy and practice.
Foster Cares Ltd works to prevent children going missing or absent.
If children do go missing the emphasis is on a quick return.
Foster Cares Ltd works in partnership to identify risk and prevent at the
earliest stage possible.
Foster Cares Ltd will keep a detailed record of any such events and share
appropriate information without delay.
The Protection & Safeguarding of Children and Young Persons
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Foster Cares Ltd has a Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy and Procedure
which all staff and foster carers must adhere to at all times. It is regularly
reviewed taking account of the views of children, foster carers, staff and other
agencies/LAs.
Foster Cares Ltd promotes that ALL children and young people have the right
to be safe, feel safe and know how to keep themselves safe.
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Foster Cares Ltd works together with others in a collaborative and
professional manner to ensure that the child’s safety and welfare is promoted
and protected at all times.
Foster Cares Ltd recognises that certain groups/individuals are more
vulnerable to harm and action is required without delay to ensure they are
protected.
Foster Cares Ltd will inform the LA and/or police without delay if they suspect
or are informed that a child is at potential or actual risk of harm.
Health & Safety
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Foster Cares Ltd recognises that any living environment contains hazards
The fostering household must be maintained to the standards set out and
required in our H&S in the Household Policy and Procedure. The household
should be kept clean, warm and comfortable, providing personal and
communal space appropriate to the needs of its members. It should also be
kept safe from the risks of fire and accidental injuries, offering safety and
security for the child/young person and their possessions without preventing
their freedom of movement.
The H&S check of the household will be updated annually.
Appropriate Risk Assessments must be undertaken, in partnership, when
circumstances changes, risks emerge or a risky activity is being considered
e.g. horse riding, quad biking, ski-ing, swimming, unsupervised time etc.
H&S and Risk Assessment training are mandatory for all staff and foster
carers and are provided regularly and to a high standard.
All dogs will be assessed by a qualified Dog Assessor.
8. Recruitment, Approval, Support and training of Foster Carers
Foster Cares Ltd has a number of Policies and Procedures in relation to the above.
These are in line with and underpinned by DfE Regulations and Standards including
National Minimum Standards & Regulations for Fostering Services 2011, The Care
Planning, Placement and Case Review and Fostering (Misc Amends) Regulations
2013 and Volume 4 Fostering Services: Assessment & Approval of foster carers:
Amendments to the Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regs.
Enquiries
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Foster Cares Ltd has a qualified and experienced social worker who coordinates the recruitment process.
All enquiries are responded to without delay by a qualified social worker. Initial
information is gathered (either face to face or by telephone) to determine
suitability e.g. spare room, availability. Information with regard to the
expectations of the role and the service are shared with the enquirer and
questions are answered.
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An information pack is given and/or sent to the enquirer.
If suitable (safe, fits criteria etc) and want to proceed an Initial Home Visit is
arranged and undertaken. The recruitment social worker will make
recommendation of the next stage e.g. not suitable & signpost if appropriate,
suitable but requires further information/experience e.g. S2F training, or
suitable and ready to move to application/assessment.
The Approval Process
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Once an application and consent to enquiries has been completed and
accepted an Assessment will begin immediately and completed within 8
months.
Assessment (of suitability) is carried out in accordance with regulation 26.
The Assessment consists of two parts. These can and are usually carried out
concurrently but the information for Stage 1 must be sought asap and the
decision about whether an applicant has successfully completed Stage 1 must
be made within 10 working days of all the information required for stage 1
being received.
Stage 1 of the assessment process is intended to provide the decision maker
with basic information about the applicant to enable clearly unsuitable
applicants to be sifted out. This includes their details and checks with DBS,
LA and NSPCC, personal referee and adult children interviews.
More detailed information is collected in Stage 2 including details of
personality, religious persuasion, background, past & present education and
employment, previous child care experience and skills and competence.
Foster Cares Ltd uses a BAAF Form F as their framework for assessment.
If an applicant has been a foster carer in the previous 12 months, and has a
written reference from their previous fostering service, there is no requirement
to also interview personal referees but we may still do this.
Foster Cares Ltd may access the applicants previous fostering or adoption
records to inform the assessment. When sharing this information we will
always ensure it is done in a way that protects their personal information.
The recommendation of the assessing social worker and the terms of
approval must be included in the assessment.
A decision to change a foster carer’s terms of approval can be implemented
immediately if the foster carer provides written agreement to the change and a
written statement of foster family support needs is completed.
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The completed assessment is presented to the fostering panel who must
receive the report at least 5 days before the panel. They will make
recommendation.
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The Agency Decision Maker will then consider all the information before
making a decision and informing the applicants within 2 days verbally, 5 days
in writing.
All documents will be kept on the foster carer’s personal file held at the appropriate
Agency Office in either Durham or Manchester and, with the exception of information
received under confidential arrangements, can be seen by foster carers on request.
A register of approved foster carers will be kept at each of the company’s offices and
the Local Authority advised of foster carers in their area. Records will be kept for at
least 10 years from the termination or rejection of approval.
The assessment process will be conducted in the spirit of openness, honesty and
participation of the applicants.
The placing authority may also have to satisfy their own Fostering Panel of the
appropriateness of the proposed placement.
Review of Approval
Review of approval as a foster carer is carried at intervals of no more than one year
or in the following circumstances:
Following a serious complaint against carers such as an allegation
Significant change of circumstances
An Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) will co-ordinate all foster carers annual
reviews.
Foster carers are expected to attend their review meeting with the IRO and their
SSW either at your home or at an agreed venue. The annual review will include
consideration of written feedback from placing social workers, young people placed,
birth children, school/education and any other professionals involved.
Foster Carers and their SSW will be asked to demonstrate how you have used your
skills and competencies in relation to the children you care/have cared for and
present this evidence in relation to the BAAF Fostering Competencies and the
Fostering Standards.
The review will only go to panel if it is your first or there has been a significant event
including a serious complaint/allegation.
28 days notice will always be provided of decision to change approval.
As with your initial approval the panel make a recommendation to the agency
decision maker and you will receive a letter confirming the outcome once they have
made their decision. You may be expected to attend panel for your first annual
review.
Termination of Approval/ Appeals Procedure
On occasion Foster Carers and/or their household may no longer be suitable to
continue to foster. This is likely to follow an investigation in relation to an allegation
or complaint against the foster carers or the working relationship with you has broken
down. Foster carers are involved in this process and invited to the panel to discuss
their views.
Foster Cares Ltd will provide you with independent support from Foster Talk
throughout this process.
Foster carers are usually required/invited to attend panel.
Before making a decision that a foster carer or their household is no longer suitable,
the ADM will issue a ‘qualifying determination’. This will advise that the foster carer
may, within 28days of the date of the notice, either submit written representations to
the ADM or apply to the Secretary of State for a review of the determination by the
Independent Review Mechanism (IRM).
For further information see www.independentreviewmechanism.org.uk
The agency will inform the local authority in which the foster carers live and any
other relevant professionals of the outcome.
Resignation
If foster carers do not want to continue fostering they are asked to talk to their SSW
at the earliest opportunity. Depending upon the reasons behind their decision it may
be possible to sort things out so they are able to continue fostering.
If they no longer wish to continue to foster they must give a minimum of 28 days
notice in writing to the agency. An exit questionnaire will be provided by the agency
so that the agency can continue to improve their services to foster carers and
children.
Terms of Approval
Approval will be accompanied by the terms that apply in relation to numbers and
ages of children to be fostered. There may also be matching constraints related to
gender, race, culture, religion, disability or other individual characteristics or
circumstances.
The Form F Assessment or review report will detail any development needs
identified during assessment/review and this will be set out in a
Personal/Professional Development Plan (PDP) and this will include the timescales
and support requirements.
9. Development, Training and Support Policy
Foster Carers
This process begins at the point of contact between Foster Cares Ltd and the foster
care applicant. While it cannot be assumed that any applicant will be approved, it is
essential that applicants knowledge and learning are assessed from the start to
determine whether they have or are able to demonstrate the ability to acquire the
skills, knowledge and competence required to meet the needs of children placed with
us. The opportunities for learning, supervision and peer support should continue until
the termination of foster carer’s approval. Each foster carer has a personal
development and training profile/PDP.
The Assessment Process
Prospective foster carers are expected to attend preparation courses, which are
designed to provide information about the Agency and expectations about the role of
foster carer. The agency presently runs the Fostering Network, “Skills to Foster”
course over a number of days. Experienced carers are invited to be part of this
process and share their experience with new carers. Preparation courses also
provide the opportunity to inform the assessment process and elicit early
development needs.
Post Approval Training and Development
Induction
The Assessing Supervising Social Worker will appraise with foster carers their short,
medium and long-term development needs in relation to the competences and
knowledge needed to fulfil their responsibilities. This will result in a Development
Profile for each carer and will be reviewed monthly in light of experience and
performance.
During the initial induction period, this programme will ensure that the foster carer:
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Knows key personnel and resources in the organisation.
Has a foster carer Handbook
Undertakes Induction Work Set
Starts to complete TSD Standards
Has access to and understands key policy and procedural guidance, such as
health and safety requirements, child care policy and legislation, safeguarding
and child protection procedures and support arrangements.
Is able to understand and meet the needs of young people placed with the
foster carers.
Can apply anti-discriminatory policy to practice.
Can work together with agencies and professionals and in partnership with
the families of children placed with them.
Have their copy of the Foster Cares Ltd Foster Carer Handbook.
The induction process will also inform ongoing development needs in key themes
such as, caring for children, safeguarding and child protection, providing a safe
environment, the foster care task, anti-oppressive practice, moving young people on
and the issues relating to the foster carers’ own family.
Post Induction Training
The Care Standards Act has created requirements that foster carers meet
qualification standards. Foster carers will be encouraged to undertake ongoing
training including completion of the DfE TAD Standards and Diploma Qualifications
and offered support in this process. .
Development opportunities need to be tailored to the individual circumstances and
learning preferences of individual foster carers and a range of methods are used.
Support groups, workshops, supervision, conferences, adult education classes,
individual study, e-courses and formal courses are some of the many forms.
10. Complaints Procedure
Foster Cares Ltd welcomes feedback and will use this to develop and improve the
service. There are various mechanisms for sending information including an e-mail
yourviews@cares.co.uk
Every child at Foster Cares Ltd is provided with a Welcome Pack/Book and this
includes details of how to complain and who is available to help. Children have the
opportunity to contact their LASW at any time.
Foster Cares Ltd supports and promotes the use of advocacy services to assist a
child/young person share their views.
Any child placed with Foster Cares Ltd may, under Section 26(3) of the Children Act
1989, may complain to his/her local authority about his/her care arrangements and
foster carers may also make representations on their behalf. However, children and
young people who are in family placements are potentially vulnerable and every
effort is made to encourage self-expression through whatever route the child or
young person feels comfortable and safe.
Foster Cares Ltd promotes an open and positive culture which values people and
seeks to avoid blame and reactive practice. We also recognise that problems and
issues may occur and that these must be dealt with in a fair and consistent manner
to improve and avoid in the future.
As part of our Safeguarding Policies and Procedures we have a Complaints Policy
and Procedure which identifies our Complaints Process and the people who can be
consulted at times of concern. The “Whistle Blowing” Procedure also recognises that
safeguarding the welfare of the child depends on easy access to people in positions
of responsibility who will listen without fear of reprisal.
11. Registration and Inspection.
Foster Cares Ltd is registered and inspected under The Care Standards Act 2000 by
OFSTED who can be contacted by telephoning 0300 123 1231 or by email at
enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. Or in writing at
OFSTED
Piccadilly Gate
Store Street
Manchester
M1 2WD
* This Document was approved by the registered provider, Mr. J D Cassie on
23.08.2005
* This document was updated on 4.4.07
* Document Review Due Date 30.3.2008
* Document updated 30.6.08
* Document updated 12.04.12
* Document updated 07.07.13
* document updated 10.01.14