A request was made to the Department of Health and Social Care for detailed financial data, placement statistics, and policy documents regarding fostering services from 2014 to 2020. The authority responded by sending all requested information, including 81 pages of documents and the full text of the 'Policy and Procedure for the Assessment and Approval of Foster Carers'.
Key Facts
The Department of Health and Social Care confirmed that all requested information was sent.
The response included 9 documents totaling 81 pages.
The assessment of foster carers is conducted by qualified social workers within the Family Placement Service.
Prospective carers must complete 'Skills to Foster' training as part of the assessment process.
The assessment process involves a full CoramBAAF Form F evaluation following the initial visit and training.
Data Disclosed
2020-02-03
2020-02-28
Apr 2014
81 pages
9 documents
2013
Original Request
Question 1:
What was your total spend (Exclusive of VAT) on fostering services through independent fostering agencies for each financial year from Apr 2014 to current date?
Question 2:
How many children were placed with foster carers using independent fostering agencies for each financial year from Apr 2014 to current date?
Question 3:
How many children are currently placed using independent fostering agencies?
Question 4:
How many children do you currently have waiting for a foster carer?
Question 5:
Do you have a framework agreement in place for independent fostering agencies?
a) Please advise on the expiry date of the current framework / approved provider list.
b) Is the list currently closed or is DHSC children and families division taking on new independent fostering providers?
Question 6:
a) Please provide a list of your current, approved suppliers & if applicable, the tier they are placed on.
b) If the contract is split into lots (i.e. 5-10 year olds), please clarify which agencies are approved under each lot.
c) Please advise on number of current placements with each of these agencies.
d) Please provide a fee breakdown of fees charged by each agency.
Question 7:
Please advise on your allowance and pay range for foster carers.
Question 8:
Do you provide a birthday allowance to foster carers? If so, how much is paid?
Question 9:
Do you provide a Christmas or Religious Festival allowance to foster carers? If so, how much is paid?
Question 10:
Do you provide a summer holiday allowance to foster carers? If so, how much is paid?
Question 11:
How many foster carers do you currently have registered direct with DHSC children and families division?
Question 12:
How many children are placed with IOM local foster carers (excluding independent fostering agencies)?
Question 13:
Please provide me with the following contact names:
a) The name of the senior manager with overall responsibility for commissioning Children's Social Care Services
b) The name of the service manager responsible for fostering.
c) The name of the officer responsible for the recruitment of foster carers.
Question 14:
Please provide copies of all your most current fostering policies and procedures.
Data Tables (47)
Full name, address and date of birth and any social media aliases
Details of health (supported by a medical report);
Particulars of any other adult members of the household;
Particulars of the children in the family, whether or not members of the household, and any
other children in the household (including school attended);
Particulars of their accommodation;
If the applicant is, or has been, a foster carer approved by another fostering service provider,
the name and address of that fostering service provider;
Where the applicant has previously been, or is currently, approved as a foster carer by
another fostering service provider, or as a prospective adopter by an adoption agency, and
consents, access may be requested to the relevant records compiled by that other fostering
service provider/adoption agency in relation to the applicant. That service/agency must
provide access within 15 working days of a request being received;
Names and addresses of three persons who will provide personal references (only one of
whom is to be a family member) and details of former partners who will also be contacted for
references;
Particulars, including contact details for any adult children of the applicants residing outside of
the home (to inform references as below);
Particulars in relation to the applicant and any other member of the applicant’s household who
is aged 18 or over, an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check;
Details of current, and any previous, marriage, civil partnership or similar relationship;
4.27 The applicants will be provided with the relevant medical form to fill in with their details and
send to their GP with a covering letter requesting that the GP complete the Form and send it
to the Family Placement Service. The fee for the GP completing this form will be met by the
Family Placement Service. On receipt of the completed form, the Family Placement Service
will pass the information to the Medical Adviser to the fostering panel for comment. This
advice will be included within the Form F assessment.
4.28 Where the medical information suggests that the applicant may not be suitable for health
reasons, this should be discussed in detail with the applicant(s) and withdrawal may be
advisable at this stage. Additional advice may be sought from the Medical Adviser or the
Medical Adviser may raise questions with the GP where this is appropriate. It may be
necessary for reports from other health professionals also to be obtained and presented to
the Medical Adviser and the Fostering Panel as part of the assessment process.
4.29 If there is disagreement between the allocated Assessor and their Manager regarding
whether an application should proceed on health grounds, further advice should be sought
from the medical advisor and this all passed to the Service Manager for a decision regarding
the assessment proceeding.
5. Stage Two
5.1 Stage two of the assessment is achieved through the interviewing of the applicants in their
family home by the Assessor. Interviews should be conducted both individually and together
(in cases of joint applications) and the children of the applicant(s) and/or other members of
the household should all be seen alone.
POLICY AND PROCEDURE FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATION
For Foster Carers and Supervising Social Workers
It is the intention of the Family Placement Service to ensure that all children and young
people who are looked-after by the Service are kept safe from harm, and part of that
commitment is to enable all medications to be administered in a safe manner. The purpose
of this policy is to provide guidance, and offer agreed processes, to foster carers, social
workers and all other professionals with responsibility for safeguarding the wellbeing of
children looked-after.
This policy and procedure relates to children placed in foster care, including children placed
for respite care. The procedure applies to all medication used for the treatment of a child's
ailments - whether prescribed or not. Non-prescribed medication purchased over the counter
is also referred to as a home remedy.
The procedure applies on the basis that consent to administer medication/first aid/Home
Remedies has been obtained from a parent or person with Parental Responsibility for the
child. This will generally be recorded on the child's Placement Plan.
Contents
1. Prescribed Medication
2. Controlled Drugs
3. Home Remedies
4. Administration of all Medicines
5. Storage of all Medication
6. Stock Checks
7. Disposal of Medicines
8. First Aid
9. Skilled Health Tasks
10. Children with Serious Medical Conditions
11. Recording
Also see section 2, Controlled Drugs.
All children must have their medical health requirements written in their Placement Plan at
the start of their placement, as well as written parental consent to the administration of the
medication.
Before the placement, depending on the child's age and level of understanding, a risk
assessment must be carried out by the child's social worker, in consultation with the child,
his or her parents and the carers, as to whether the child should retain and administer his or
her own medication. If the child is permitted to do so, the arrangements must be set out in
the child's Placement Plan - see section 4, Administration of all Medicines.
If a child is taking prescribed medication at the time of a placement, the child's social worker
must inform the carer before the placement of the medication the child is taking and the
reasons why, and ensure that a supply of medication is provided in the original container
clearly marked with the child's name, the dosage and when the medication should be given.
Where the child takes regular medication there should be a letter from the GP/relevant
consultant setting out the type of medication, dosage and the time the medication should be
given. For children receiving respite/short break care, any changes must be notified to the
respite/short break carer by the parents or main carer and confirmation sought from the
carers’ GP or the child’s GP regarding medication and dosage.
In the event of a planned placement the above information should be available prior to the
placement beginning. However, if the required information is not available, or the placement
is unplanned, then the child’s social worker should obtain and provide the correct information
by the end of the following working day.
For children with severe medical conditions, see also section 10, Children with Serious
Medical Conditions.
In any case where the carer has any concerns about the medication or requires clarification
about the dosage, they must contact the child's GP for advice.
When receiving medication at the start of a placement, carers must check that the
medication is for the relevant child, within its expiry date and, in relation to children receiving
regular medication that the instructions on the label are in accordance with the letter from the
GP/consultant. For children receiving respite care, carers/parents must also ensure that
sufficient medication has been given to cover the length of the child's stay.
If a child is prescribed medication during a placement, foster carers should collect the
prescription from the doctor's (preferably with the child at the time of the appointment).
Carers should ensure that the medication is then collected from the pharmacy.
When collecting medication, carers should ensure that it is appropriately labelled with the
details being the same as that on the prescription. It is not acceptable that medication is
labelled 'as directed' or 'as before'. If this happens, the carers should seek clarification from
the pharmacist or doctor and an appropriate label should be obtained and applied.
Appropriate advice should be sought re: the side effects or any food/other medication that
may affect the effectiveness of the prescribed medication. Carers should also always ensure
that they clarify with the pharmacist whether the prescribed medication is categorised as a
'controlled drug' (such as Ritalin).
Where possible, carers should request pre-packed medication rather than loose tablets in a
bottle. In any case, prescribed medication should be kept in their original containers, clearly
marked with the name of the child for whom they have been prescribed and they should only
be given to the named child as prescribed and set out on the container.
Asthma Inhalers: With regards to asthma inhalers, all children who are using inhalers
should have a written recommendation from the prescribing doctor about how they should be
administered. All inhalers must be labelled with the child's name and workers must have
confirmation that the child has the capability to use the inhaler (confirmed by GP, Nurse or
Clinic).
2. Controlled Drugs
This section should be read in conjunction with section 1, Prescribed Medication.
The Misuse of Drugs Act, 1976 (IOM) classifies controlled drugs into classes A, B and C.
Controlled drugs are included in each of the classes according to the potential for harm they
are thought to present to individuals and to society at large.
When a child is prescribed or currently taking a controlled drug they must only be supplied
for that individual child.
The controlled drug must be kept in a locked container within a locked medicine cabinet in a
location agreed by the fostering social worker. The foster carer must ensure that a 'stock' is
not kept (e.g. no more than 28 days of supply at a time).
When administering a controlled drug, two people should be present - unless it has been
agreed that one person may administer the drugs or that the child may administer the drugs
him or herself. In the event of administering controlled drugs, an agreement should be in
place stating who administers the drugs and this should be described in an individual plan.
On each occasion the drug is administered, the remaining balance of the drug should be
checked and recorded by the person(s) administering the drugs. See also section 4,
Administration of Medicines.
As with all unwanted medicines, any unused controlled drugs should be returned to the
pharmacist and a certificate of disposal obtained and recorded (see section 7, Disposal of
Medication).
3. Home Remedies/Over the Counter Medication
Home remedies are any non-prescription medication available over the counter in community
pharmacies. This also refers to homeopathic and herbal remedies. The only exception is
aspirin which may not be given to children unless prescribed by a medical practitioner. These
treatments are used for minor ailments without immediate consultation with a medical
practitioner.
Home remedies can be given to children by carers, only with the consent of someone with
parental responsibility.
These issues should be discussed at the time of the child's placement and set out in the
child's Placement Plan. Checks should be made with the child's doctor and parents to
ensure that the child has no record of an allergic reaction to any Home Remedies or any
possible adverse reactions between home remedies and any regular prescribed medication
the child may be taking.
Home remedies treatment should not be extended beyond two days without seeking medical
advice. In the case of Paracetamol, medical advice should be sought after 24 hours if the
symptoms persist beyond that time.
1. Advice should always be sought from the pharmacist about any potential interactions
between the home remedies and any prescribed medications the child may be
taking. Children should not be administered both prescribed and non-prescribed
medication unless the child has been seen by their GP and it has been confirmed to
be safe to do so;
2. The use of complementary or alternative remedies should only be undertaken
following a documented discussion/agreement with the child's social worker;
3. All home remedies must be administered in accordance with the manufacturer's
advice on dosage and side effects;
4. Each child must have their own personal record which indicates any home remedies
which have been administered.
Any home remedy purchased for the home should be recorded (see section 11, Recording)
and stored safely.
All non-prescription medication must detail when the medication was opened/started for use
to ensure it is not kept beyond the expiry period/date. See also section 6, Stock Checks.
Following consultation with a pharmacist, if a home remedy is purchased specifically for a
child, a label should be put on the container with the child's name and expiry date. This
medication must not then be used by anyone else within the home.
Injections, enemas and /or suppositories should only be administered by a qualified nurse or
doctor. (In rare circumstances a carer may be offered specific training, by a medically
qualified practitioner, to administer injections and may do so when their competence has
been recorded as satisfactory and authorised in writing by a qualified nurse or doctor)
NB When not in use, medication must be stored safely - see section 5, Storage of
Medication.
4.1 Self Administration by a Child
In the event that a child takes regular medication and is considered to be capable of
retaining and administering the medication themselves, this should be done in accordance
with an individual self-medication plan.
Self-medication plans should be drawn-up in consultation with the child, their GP or
Consultant, the child’s social worker, someone with parental responsibility and the carer. The
plan should clearly identify the medication, dosage and timings and should be written in a
manner that is easily understood by the child.
Issues to be considered include:
Does the child understand the importance of taking the medication regularly and at
the correct time?
Can the child safely store the medication?
Is the child cooperative with staff/carers?
Could the medication be taken and used by other children in the home?
Does the medication have value if sold illegally?
Is there an individual plan guidance
Examples of medications that should be a child's responsibility are oral contraception and
reliever inhalers.
The child should be encouraged to take the medication appropriately and this should
include, if necessary, giving reminders on a regular basis.
If there are concerns that a child is not managing his or her medication appropriately there
should be a review of the arrangements.
4.2 Administration by Carers
When administering medication, the following procedures must be followed:
1. Carers should acknowledge and respect the issue of confidentiality between the
patient and GP;
2 All medicines should be administered strictly in accordance with the prescriber's
instructions or, in relation to Home Remedies, as advised on the packet;
3 Children should not be administered both prescribed and non-prescribed medication
unless agreement has been obtained from the child's GP that it is safe to do so;
4 Aspirin must not be administered to a child unless prescribed by a GP;
5 All children must have an up-to-date medical record sheet for each prescribed/non
prescribed medication;
6 The carer responsible for administering medication to a child must be trained in the
safe administration of medication;
7 When removing the medication from the locked cabinet, the carer must ensure that
the cabinet is locked if it is left unsupervised;
8 All medicines should be administered from the container in which they were
dispensed;
9 If prescribed medication with an expiry date is administered, e.g. eye drops, carers
should record on the container the date opened and the expiry date of the medication
must be checked before administration;
10 Before administering any medication, a check must be made that the correct name of
the child is on the medication container and that the correct dosage is being
administered at the correct time; the records must be checked to ensure that the
medication has not already being given/taken; this will clarify that the medication
being administered is correct;
11 The required dose should be given directly to the child and the carer administering
the medication must ensure that it has been taken;
12 Once administered, the remaining medication must be returned immediately to safe
storage;
13 A check should be made to see whether the course has been completed;
14 The administration of the medication should be recorded on all the appropriate
records as set out in section 11, Recording;
15 If and when medication has been refused or not taken by a child, this must be
recorded and the reasons why. If a child is refusing to take an essential prescribed
medication, the fostering social worker must be informed and advice sought from the
GP/Pharmacist;
16 If a child is absent when a medication is due - this should also be recorded;
17 If the course has been completed, this must be recorded;
18 In the case of prescribed creams being applied, the cream should be squeezed
directly onto the child's finger to apply themselves, where they are able. If it has to be
applied by a carer, latex gloves should be worn;
19 In the event of an error being made in the administration of any medication, advice
should be sought by either contacting the child's G.P. or another medical
practitioner/help line and the advice given must be followed. Where there is a
considerable health threat to the child as a result of the error, the supervising social
worker should be informed immediately, then inform the child’s social worker;
20 Any adverse drug reaction or suspected adverse drug reaction should be reported to
the GP before further administration is considered. If the adverse reaction appears
serious the child should be taken to the emergency department ;
21 If a label becomes detached from a container or is illegible, the prompt advice of the
person who made the supply must be sought. Until then, the container should not be
used.
4.3 Procedure for Administration and Recording of Medication during time away from
the home
When children are away on holiday, carers should take the child's medical details along with
medication administration sheets (MAR) as well as some blanks, should the child be taken ill
whilst away and require medical attention/Home Remedies.
Medications which are to be transported should be kept safely in a secure container.
If a child spends time away from the home, either on home visits, holidays or time spent at
school, any medication due to be taken should be kept in the original container, provided by
the pharmacist, with the exact number required; it should not be transferred to another
container or envelope. If the medicine is to be taken away from the home, a separate clearly
labelled container of medicine should be requested from the pharmacist. Any medication
taken away from the home should be recorded (see section 11, Recording).
If carers are not directly administering a child's medication whilst they are away from home,
instructions and guidance should be handed over to those who will assume this
responsibility.
The medication should always be handed over to someone responsible for the child while
they are away. If a child should return to the home with new or unused medication, all
appropriate records should be completed.
It is the responsibility of the foster carer to ensure the safe storage of all medication in the
home.
All medication must be stored in a locked cabinet, used exclusively for the storage of
medicines and out of reach of children and away from direct light and heat. It should be kept
at a temperature below 25C. A thermometer should also be stored in the locked cabinet,
which should be secured to a wall. The cabinet must be locked when not in use and carers
must retain a key to the cabinet.
Should a child's medication require to be kept in a refrigerator i.e. insulin, a small lockable
fridge should be used for the exclusive use of the storage of this medication.
Carers should ensure that the temperature of the fridge is checked daily and recorded. In the
event of a known or observable power failure to the home, the medication that requires cool
storage should be transferred to a suitable container (cool box) and placed with ice packs, to
maintain its viability.
Carers should ensure that any medication to be applied externally is stored separately in the
cabinet from medication to be taken internally.
All medicines should be stored in their original container and be properly labelled. They
should only be kept at a foster home for the time the child is there unless agreed with the
supervising social worker. At the end of each respite period, therefore, medicines are to be
returned to the child's parents/main carers.
At least once every fortnight, a stock check should be undertaken of all prescribed medicines
and Home Remedies kept - including those which a child retains and administers him or
herself.
Any prescribed medication and/or Home Remedies no longer in use or out of date must be
disposed of – see section 7, Disposal of Medicine.
This is the responsibility of the foster carers.
In the event of a discrepancy between the records and the medication actually stored, the
supervising social worker must be informed.
The course of treatment is completed;
A medical practitioner stops the medication.
All medication to be disposed of should be recorded (see section 11, Recording). Syringes
and needles should be taken away by the GP or nurse using them.
Wherever possible all medication, both prescribed and home remedies, should be disposed
of at a pharmacy. Medication should not be disposed of in other ways unless agreed with a
pharmacist. The carer should have a record of the preferred pharmacy to be used, including
the name, address and telephone number.
Controlled medication must be disposed of at a pharmacy.
In all cases where medication has been taken to a pharmacy for disposal, this must be
recorded and a receipt obtained from the pharmacist.
When a child leaves his or her placement, a signature must be obtained to confirm receipt of
any medication that is handed over, along with instructions for its use, the reasons for it
having been prescribed and any subsequent medication reviews/follow up appointments that
the child may have.
In the event of a child dying whilst in the placement, the home must retain any medication
the child was taking prior to or at the time of his or her death in order that it can be made
available to the coroner.
Fully equipped first aid boxes must be kept in each home and in each vehicle used to carry
children. The foster carers must ensure that suitable arrangements exist for the contents to
be checked in keeping with section 6, stock checks.
First aid boxes must have a white cross with a green background. The inventory must
include the quantity of each item in the box.
Children may administer their own first aid only if they are considered to be capable of giving
first aid themselves under the supervision of the foster carer. This will be confirmed in the
child's Placement Plan.
If children are not deemed to be capable of giving first aid themselves or under supervision,
it must be administered by the carer.
Other than for very minor injuries, professional medical attention must be sought as soon as
possible following the administration of first aid (either take the child to see a medical
practitioner or seek advice by telephone), even if the casualty's condition seems to improve.
In the event that a child requires administration of first aid, a record of this should be made. If
an accident occurs, it must be reported and recorded.
If a child requires a skilled health task to be undertaken, this will only be undertaken with the
written authorisation of the prescribing doctor in relation to the child concerned. If required,
appropriate training will be provided for carers to ensure that they have the necessary level
of skills before undertaking such duties.
For children who suffer from severe medical conditions and who require rapid intervention,
e.g. epilepsy, it is essential that carers follow the individual medication plan, e.g. calling for
an ambulance or contacting the child's parents.
All staff must ensure that emergency aid is summoned immediately to ensure that the child
receives full medical assistance.
First Aid should be recorded in a First Aid Record/Log;
Prescribed medicines, Home Remedies and controlled drugs should be recorded in
the Medication Cabinet Log Book (kept in a plastic sheet inside the medicine cabinet)
- when received and when disposed of or handed to the child's parents on discharge,
e.g. for children receiving respite care;
Each administration of medication should be recorded on a Medication
Administration Record for each individual child;
The storage or stock checking of medicines/drugs should be recorded in the
Medication Cabinet Log Book or as required/agreed by a pharmacist or medical
practitioner;
The disposal of any medication should be recorded on the Medication Cabinet Log
Book.
Where children are permitted to retain and administer their own first aid, Home Remedies or
prescribed medication, suitable arrangements must be made for the recording by the child of
when he or she administers the medication and carers must record instances where this
occurs in the carer’s Log Book.
December 2018 (Revised March 2019) (Review date: December 2019)
required to adhere to the standards that govern their particular service. The Fostering
Services Minimum Standards are therefore the Family Placement Services’ statutory
responsibilities.
2014-15
£0
2015-16
£0
2016-17
£0
2017-18
£35,633.66
2018-19
£43,276.80
2014-15
0
2015-16
0
2016-17
0
2017-18
1
2018-19
1
Age Range
Child’s Allowance
Skills Fee (per week per
child)
0 – 4
£181.00
£160
5 – 10
£207.00
£160
11 – 14
£257.00
£160
15 – 18
£312.00
£160
Age Range
Birthday
0 - 4
£150
5 - 10
£150
11 - 14
£200
15 - 18
£200
Age Range
Holiday (x 3 Child’s
Allowance)
0 - 4
£543.00
5 - 10
£621.00
11 - 14
£771.00
15 - 18
£936.00
Policy & Procedure for the Supervision and Support of Foster Carers
Relevant Standards:
18.4 There are management systems in place for carer supervision, appraisal
and support
21.1 The Fostering Service has a clear strategy for working with and
supporting carers
(Fostering Services, Minimum Standards, 2013)
Contents
3. Support to Foster Carers from their Supervising Social Worker
4. Post Approval
5. Pre Placement
6. During Placement
7. At End of Placement
8. Support Needs of Carers
5.1 Support foster carers to take part in discussions about potential placements with them.
5.2 Support the carer to participate in the placement planning meeting and ensure all known
information regarding the child’s needs is shared with them. To support the carer to produce a
Safer Caring plan for the child and support any areas of concern they have.
5.3 Complete risk assessments and a Safe Care Plan. Discuss and check equipment (especially
in the child's bedroom) and ensure it is appropriate to the age of the child to be placed
5.4 Information about the foster carer and their household will be given to the child before they
are placed in the form of the carer’s Welcome Book. Whenever possible children should be
enabled to visit the foster carer's home before placement begins. In an emergency, at a
minimum the foster carer's profile will be emailed by the Fostering Support team to the child's
social worker so this can be discussed with the child before they arrive;
5.5 Discuss issues relevant to contact with birth parents and other family members to support the
carers in understanding what their role will be with respects to contact when the child is
placed and identify any specific or practical support they may need with this;
5.6 Discuss how child's health needs are promoted and how children should be encouraged to
adopt a healthy lifestyle;
5.7 Assist carer with training needs for appropriate safer care practice, including skills to care for
children who have been abused. For foster carers who offer placements to disabled children,
this includes training specifically on issues affecting disabled children;
5.8 Enquire about holiday plans the carers have made, and if the child is able to join them? If the
supervising social worker must make alternative arrangements (the impact of this will be
discussed with the child’s social worker as part of the placement decision process);
5.9 Exchange contact numbers with all relevant members of the foster family, including out of
hours support;
5.10 That arrangements are made for the provision of specialist equipment for disabled children;
5.12 Visit the placement within 24 hours of the child being placed;
5.13 Discuss with the carer any impact for any child(ren) already in placement and explore what
support is required whilst introductions are undertaken;
6. During Placement
6.1 Where necessary, check and follow up on all issues raised during the placement. Discuss any
areas of concern with foster carers and ensure appropriate support/advice is addressed and
in place at the time rather than waiting for reviews. Support can be provided to carers and
their birth children by the team’s fostering support workers.
6.2 Make the practical arrangements to provide foster carers with breaks from caring as agreed
as appropriate in line with the needs of placed children;
6.3 Ensure the foster carers receive invitations to child’s Looked after Children’s Reviews and
Child Protection Conferences, and attend when appropriate (e.g. new placements or if the
placement is vulnerable);
6.4 Prepare the carer for and attend Foster Carer Review Meetings
6.5 Ensure training programme is updated and accessed by carers and carers’ family and
children;
6.6 Review the Safe Care Plan and any changes in household circumstances, each child placed
is required to have an individual Safe Care Plan;
6.7 Assess and review any health and safety issues within the fostering household including the
addition of any new pets and the environment in which they are kept; all pets within the
household require a pet risk assessment. For any household that has more than 2 dogs the
pet risk assessment must be approved by the Service Manager for the Family Placement
Service;
6.8 Discuss how the carers can support a child’s transition home or to another placement, and
young people’s transition into adulthood and contribute to the young person’s Pathway Plan.
Consider the carer’s needs during and after this transition and the impact on the carers family.
7. At End of Placement
7.2 Discuss fully with the carer and their family all the issues that have led to any unplanned end
of a placement and identify any learning/training opportunities including consideration of
whether a disruption meeting is appropriate;
7.3 Assist the foster carer to complete their end of placement report if required;
7.4 Attend Disruption Meetings as required;
7.5 Obtain feedback from all involved with the placement and explore any support or training
needs of the carer prior to any further placements;
8. Support needs of Carers
Full Response Text
Policy and Procedure for the Assessment and Approval of Foster Carers
Contents
1.
Introduction
2.
Skills to Foster Training
3.
Assessment Process
4.
Stage One
5.
Stage Two
6.
Family Welcome Books and Family Safer Caring Policy
7.
Presentation to the Fostering Panel
8.
After the Fostering Panel's Recommendation
9.
Representations to the Agency Decision Maker (ADM)
10.
Post- Approval and Foster Care Agreement
11.
Register of Foster Carers
12.
Changes in the Foster Carer's Household or Circumstances
1.0
Introduction
1.1
Any social work staff involved in assessment and approval of foster carers are
qualified social workers, have experience of foster care and family placement work and
are trained in assessment. Students and others who do not meet this requirement
carry out assessments and approval under supervision of someone who does and who
takes responsibility for the assessment and approvals (Fostering Services Minimum
Standards, 2013).
1.2
The responsibility for undertaking assessments of prospective foster carers is that of the
Supervising Social Workers employed in the Family Placement Service. The allocation of
these assessments will be undertaken by the Service’s Team Leader; this will be based upon
the workers capacity to take on the assessment work and allocation will occur following the
completion of the initial visit and decision to progress to assessment.
1.3
There are a number of elements to an assessment of foster carers which will ultimately inform
the analysis by the allocated supervising social worker regarding the suitability of the
prospective carers to foster, and inform any recommendations in respect of their approval
status as carers.
1.4
The purpose of these elements is to allow for verification of the information given by the
carers in interview through different means – references, statutory checks (including DBS and
medical) and contributions to training.
1.5
Assessment begins at the initial visit to the applicants where the applicants suitability to foster
will be checked against the initial criteria. Following the decision to proceed with a prospective
carer(s)’s application, they will be invited to the Skills to Foster Training course. This course
again has multiple purposes, in respect of informing both the applicant more about the
fostering task and preparing them for the assessment process; as well as allowing the Family
Placement Service to assess and evaluate their responses to the training. Successful
completion of this course and receipt of their application to become Foster Carers, will lead to
a full CoramBAAF Form F assessment being undertaken by the allocated assessing
Supervising Social Worker.
1.6
There may be occasion (due to demand for the training) where an applicant is invited to the
Skills to Foster training at a later stage of the assessment process.
2.
Skills to Foster Training
2.1
The applicant’s contribution to the Skills to Foster training course will form part of the
assessment of their suitability to become a foster carer.
2.2
Skills to Foster training courses provide an opportunity for the assessing social workers to find
out more about the applicants and to gain a view of their strengths, areas for development,
and of any concerns that need to be clarified as part of the assessment process.
2.3
The Skills to Foster training courses are also aimed at self-assessment in that they enable
applicants to find out more about fostering, and help them to discover whether fostering is
right for them and their family.
2.4
The facilitators of the training group will complete a record of observations made of the
applicants. This will be shared with them and the assessing social worker as part of the
assessment, and this will also form part of the report presented to the Fostering Panel.
2.5
If applicants are unable to make themselves available for 3 consecutive training dates offered
to them then the application will not proceed and the applicants will be encouraged to re-apply
when they have availability.
2.6
If the application is not deemed appropriate because of information emerging from the Skills
to Foster training groups (for example, where there are significant concerns raised in relation
to the family functioning or values), the applicant will be informed in writing of this decision,
with reasons.
3.
Assessment Process
3.1
On the Isle of Man the assessment of prospective Foster Carers (referred to as applicants) is
undertaken through the completion of the CoramBAAF Prospective Foster Carer Report
(Form F). CoramBAAF have produced Guidance Notes for assessors completing these
reports and this guidance should be followed by the assessing Supervising Social Worker
(referred to as the assessor).
3.2
The information gathered during the assessment sessions with the prospective carers, the
feedback from the Skills to Foster training course, the checks and the personal references will
all be incorporated and analysed within the Form F assessment report.
3.3
Once the draft Form F has been completed this should be submitted to the Team Leader for
Fostering for quality assurance and discussion to identify if any further areas of assessment
are required prior to submission to the Fostering Panel.
3.4
The final draft will then be shared and discussed with the applicants. They will be requested
to identify any factual inaccuracies, add their own comments and then sign and return the
report, adding any relevant comments for inclusion and distribution to the panel. A timescale
of 5 working days should be given for the report to be signed.
3.5
The full signed assessment including the CoramBAAF Form F (including any written
comments by the applicants), a summary health report, the report of the interviews with
referees and any other relevant documents should then be passed to the Fostering Team
Leader for final approval. Once approved it will then be submitted to the Fostering Panel
administrator at least 10 working days prior to the scheduled Fostering Panel date, for
distribution to panel members.
3.6
The Form F involves a staged approach to assessment referred to in the document as Stage
One and Stage Two. Stage one involves the gathering of basic information to inform whether
the initial criteria to foster are met and the undertaking of statutory checks including a health
assessment. Stage two involves more in depth information gathering and analysis of the
applicants background, values, beliefs, experiences and understanding of the fostering task.
3.7
Both Stage one and Stage two can be completed concurrently, however if following the
completion of any of the checks as part of Stage one the decision is made regarding the
applicant being unsuitable to foster, they must be informed of this in writing within 10 working
days of all checks being received by the Family Placement Service and the assessment
process stopped. Any concerns arising from the checks undertaken are to be brought to the
attention of the Service Manager for the Family Placement Service by the Assessor to
determine the appropriateness of the assessment continuing. The applicant is to be informed
that they can complain via the Department’s complaints process if they are unhappy with the
way in which their case has been handled. The complaints process should address whether
or not the applicant’s case has been handled in a fair and reasonable way; rather than
consider the applicant’s suitability to foster. The electronic records pertaining to this person’s
application will be retained by the Service for a period of 10 years. Records pertaining to
applicants who withdraw their application prior to approval are retained for a period of 3 years.
3.8
The timescale for the completion of the assessment (from application to panel) is six- nine
months.
4.
Stage One
4.1
At Stage one, a written agreement is entered into between the applicant and the Family
Placement Service which is an agreement that all information they provide is true and that
any failure to comply with this would result in the application being discontinued.
4.2
The following information should be collated as part of this stage, relating to the applicant and
all other members of their household to inform the checks and references to be undertaken:
Full name, address and date of birth and any social media aliases
Details of health (supported by a medical report);
Particulars of any other adult members of the household;
Particulars of the children in the family, whether or not members of the household, and any
other children in the household (including school attended);
Particulars of their accommodation;
The outcome of any previous request or application made by them or any other member of
their household to foster or adopt children, or for registration as an early years provider or
later years provider, including particulars of any previous approval or refusal of approval
relating to them or to any other member of the household;
If the applicant is, or has been, a foster carer approved by another fostering service provider,
the name and address of that fostering service provider;
Where the applicant has previously been, or is currently, approved as a foster carer by
another fostering service provider, or as a prospective adopter by an adoption agency, and
consents, access may be requested to the relevant records compiled by that other fostering
service provider/adoption agency in relation to the applicant. That service/agency must
provide access within 15 working days of a request being received;
Names and addresses of three persons who will provide personal references (only one of
whom is to be a family member) and details of former partners who will also be contacted for
references;
Particulars, including contact details for any adult children of the applicants residing outside of
the home (to inform references as below);
Particulars in relation to the applicant and any other member of the applicant’s household who
is aged 18 or over, an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check;
Details of current, and any previous, marriage, civil partnership or similar relationship;
A reference from the applicant’s current or recent employer;
Completion of a Genogram and Ecomap with the Applicants
4.3
Records compiled by another fostering service, or an Adoption Agency, can be used to inform
the new assessment of the applicant’s suitability to foster. For instance, if previous partners
have been interviewed in the past to verify facts, and the current assessing social worker is
satisfied with the records in respect of these interviews, and they are not too old [within 5
years] it should not be necessary to repeat the interviews if no further information is required.
The assessing social worker should, however, satisfy themselves as to the quality and
continuing relevance of the information before using it to inform the current assessment.
Consent must first be obtained to seek this information. If consent is refused, the service or
agency who the applicant is known to should consider whether there is any information in
their records which is a cause for concern. Any information about an applicant’s conduct or
suitability to foster/adopt that has caused concern should be shared under the duty to
safeguard even if the individual has refused consent. If there are no such concerns, and the
individual has refused consent, information should not be shared.
4.4
Where all the specified information has been obtained and notification has not been given
within 10 working days that the applicant is not suitable, then the application must proceed to
Stage Two (if this is not already being undertaken concurrently).
Checks
4.5
During the initial visit to the applicants, the assessor should be explicit to the applicants
regarding the checks and references which will be undertaken as part of the assessment
process. A consent form will be sent to the applicants with their application form, which should
be signed by the applicants and returned with the application. A copy of this consent form
should be included with any written requests to other agencies and the original scanned onto
the electronic file. Refusal of this consent will prevent the assessment process proceeding.
4.6
Documents which relate to the applicant’s history, such as birth, marriage and divorce
certificates or naturalisation documents should always be seen by the Assessor.
4.7
The Family Placement Service staff will record on the applicants electronic file the dates when
enquiries were sent and the dates when replies were received to ensure all checks are
adequately and timely undertaken.
Checks to be undertaken are:
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
4.8
The applicants and all people aged 18 or over living in, or regularly visiting, the household will
be asked to complete a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) disclosure form and produce
the necessary identification. These will then be sent to the Disclosure and Barring Service by
the Family Placement Service. If the applicant subscribes to the DBS Update Service this
may be utilised to undertake this check.
(Note: DBS checks are not transferable unless the applicant subscribes to the Update
Service, therefore copies of checks carried out by other agencies or for other posts cannot be
accepted).
4.9
Once the applicant receives their DBS information they are to show this to the Assessor who
will take a note of the DBS certificate number for the protocol file, and make a note of
anything relevant recorded on the certificate. If the certificate holds information regarding
cautions or convictions the Assessor will pass this information to the Service Manager for the
Family Placement Service for a decision regarding the applicant’s suitability to foster,
dependent on the seriousness of the offence and how long ago this was committed. This
decision will also consider whether the applicant has attempted to cover up or disguise
information about offences.
4.10
If information is received regarding a criminal offence in relation to one person of a joint
application (or another member of the applicant’s wider household), which has resulted in the
Service decision not to proceed with an application, the details of the offence can only be
disclosed to the other applicant with the consent of the relevant person. Without such
consent, the other applicant can only be informed that the reason relates to information
obtained from the checks, but no details can be given.
4.11
Information relevant to the application that has been obtained from the DBS may only be
retained on the applicant's file whilst the information is considered for a decision and/o
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