Assessment and Approvals of Foster Carers
Scope of this chapter
NOTE
For temporary approval as foster carers of approved prospective adopters, see Foster Care Procedure, Temporary Approval as Foster Carers of Approved Prospective Adopters.
Related guidance
Fostering Services should recruit a range of foster carers who can meet the diverse needs of children who are looked after or who are receiving a short break service from the service. Recruitment is in line with the Service’s Statement of Purpose, and Managers review, and act on, trends and patterns in the recruitment of foster carers. Careful recruitment and regular monitoring of carers by the Service is designed to prevent unsuitable carers from being recruited and having the opportunity to harm children or to place them at risk. The relevant authorities are informed of any concerns about inappropriate adults. The recruitment, assessment, preparation, training and support of foster carers by the Service have a strong focus on child protection and keeping children safe, including help to ensure that children living in foster homes are safe and feel safe.
Prospective foster carers are made to feel valued and welcomed. The process for assessment is timely and sensitive to the needs of the carers. Assessments that identify foster carers as suitable for a child are informed by a clear understanding of that child’s needs and of the skills necessary to help and support them. Where the Service offers placements to children with complex needs and challenging behaviour, it provides the necessary specialist support and help for as long as they are required.
All members of the public who make an initial enquiry by telephone, email or letter in relation to becoming a Foster Carer will do so directly to the Fostering Service. All enquirers will be treated as a potential Foster Carer and given a prompt response. They will be contacted to gather further information and for a general discussion about fostering.
The Initial Referral Form will be completed in relation to all new enquiries. Preliminary basic information should be obtained - numbers in the household, the availability of a separate bedroom for Children in Care, working hours etc. so that inappropriate enquiries can be filtered out. In addition, a check will be carried out in relation to enquirers and all members of their household on Children's Services records.
Where the enquirers are deemed initially suitable, they will be offered an initial interview to gather more in-depth information. This will be at the enquirers home so home conditions can be seen, and all members of the household spoken to. Some enquirers may remain uncertain at this stage and may prefer for an information pack to be sent to them so they can further consider the information shared over the telephone. The Information Pack will be sent within 5 working days of the enquiry.
Where concerns have arisen during the conversation or where the household does not meet the criteria for Foster Carers then it will be appropriate for the enquirers to be told that they are not suitable to foster at this stage. This information will then be passed on to a Fostering Manager.
If the enquirer has requested an information pack and there is no response back to the Fostering Service within five working days, then three attempts to contact the enquirer will be made over the next five working days. If no further contact is received or is unsuccessful then the enquiry will be closed.
When a response is received as above, should this be appropriate an initial interview will be arranged.
The purpose of an Initial Interview is to gather further information about the household’s suitability:
- Family lifestyle;
- Accommodation;
- Employment status;
- Health issues;
- Other household members;
- Relationships with others;
- Support networks;
- Experience of caring or parenting children;
- Financial implications of fostering;
- Motivation for interest;
- Tasks involved in fostering;
- Availability;
- Any potential issues arising from the Local Authority carrying out checks and references.
A recommendation as to the applicant’s suitability to progress to Stage One of the Fostering Assessment Process will be given by the Assessing Social Worker within the Initial Interview Report. Clear reasons as to the recommendation will also be given to allow the Team Manager to make the decision on whether the applicants should progress or not. A negative recommendation cannot be challenged. This decision and reason will be sent in writing to the applicants by the Fostering Administrator.
Where the decision has been made that the applicants are suitable to progress to Stage One of the assessment process they will be sent a Stage One agreement to sign and return to the Fostering Service. The applicant will now be in Stage One of the process.
All applicants are required to complete an application form detailing all relevant information so that the Fostering Service can carry out all necessary checks and references. This will include both DBS checks on all members of the household who are over 18 years old and medicals for the applicants.
Should the applicants not live within the North Tyneside locality then the Local Authority where they live will be contacted to provide information.
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.
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, 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.
Sharing information about a person that is held in their existing Foster Carer or adopter records is permitted for the purposes of informing a new assessment of a person's suitability to foster or adopt. 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, 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.
Information that should be shared, upon request, in order to inform a new assessment of a person's suitability to foster or adopt includes:
- The report of the original assessment of the person's suitability to foster or adopt (if it is considered by the body requesting the information to be recent enough to be relevant);
- A copy of the report of the last review of the individual's continuing suitability to foster or adopt and any other review report considered useful to understanding the person's current suitability to foster or adopt;
- Details of any concerns about standards of practice and what if anything is being done/has been done to address them;
- Details of allegations made against the Foster Carer/adopter or their household members; and
- Any other information considered to be relevant to the assessment of the person's suitability to foster/adopt.
Information should only be shared with the informed, explicit consent of all parties referred to in the information, including young people where they have sufficient understanding to consent to the sharing of their information (if they do not have sufficient understanding, the consent of a person with Parental Responsibility would need to be obtained). This means that the person giving consent needs to understand why their information is to be shared, what will be shared, who will see their information, the purpose to which it will be put and the implications of sharing that information.
If consent is refused, the current Fostering Service should consider whether there is any information in the records that is a cause for concern. Any information about an applicant's conduct or suitability to foster/adopt that has caused concern should be shared even if the individual has refused consent. If there are no such concerns, and the individual has refused consent, information should not be shared. This may require documents to be redacted to remove information relating to individuals who have refused consent.
Requests for access to information should be accompanied by the written consent of the applicant to the sharing of their information.
The receiving service should acknowledged the request within two working days, seek consent from all others referred to in the information within five working days and the information, redacted where necessary, should be provided within 15 working days.
Where, having regard to any information obtained, it is decided by the Fostering Manager that the applicant is not suitable to become a Foster Carer, the applicant must be notified in writing with reasons. This notification may be given whether or not all of this information has been obtained. Such a notification may not be given more than 10 working days after all the information has been obtained. The applicant has no right to make representations about the decision or to have their case reviewed under the Independent Review Mechanism. However, the applicant must be informed that they can complain via the fostering service'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 reasonable way, rather than the question of the applicant's suitability to foster.
The administrative staff will arrange for the following checks to be made on all members of the household aged 18 and over: Disclosure and Barring Service, Probation, Health Trust, Education, Children's Services (including the List of Children with a Child Protection Plan) and whether the applicants have a right to work in the UK. These checks should be recorded including the date when the checks were made.
Where the applicant or any member of the household has been known to Children's Services, information should be obtained from the relevant Social Worker or via the Case Files.
Where applicants have recently moved to the UK (within the last 10 years), checks may also be made on all members of the household aged 18 and over. The application process for criminal records checks or 'Certificates of Good Character' for someone from overseas varies from country to country. For further information, see GOV.UK - Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.
In addition, where the applicant has school age children, the relevant school(s) will be contacted, with the permission of the applicant, for information regarding the applicant's ability to promote the child's education.
On receipt of the statutory checks, the administrative staff will update the electronic records.
Where the checks reveal that the applicant or a member of the household is a Disqualified Person (Foster Carer), see Persons Disqualified from Fostering Procedure.
Where the information relates to an offence, which does not automatically disqualify the applicant, for example because the applicant is seeking approval in relation to a specific child only, the manager must consider whether the application should still proceed. Such convictions will not necessarily preclude an application, but this will depend on the seriousness of the offence and how long ago it was committed. In a case where the conviction would usually disqualify an applicant, the case should be referred to the Agency Decision Maker (Fostering) for a preliminary decision - see Persons Disqualified from Fostering Procedure. In any other case where there is doubt, an early referral should be made to the Agency Decision Maker (Fostering).
Information relevant to the application that has been obtained from the Disclosure and Barring Service may only be retained on the applicant's file for a limited period and should be destroyed when a decision is made on the application. The manager should note on the file that the Disclosure and Barring Service information has been destroyed and that the information led to a particular view, without citing the information itself.
Where the applicant has been a Foster Carer within the preceding 12 months and was approved as such by another Fostering Service Provider, a reference must be requested from that other Fostering Service Provider.
There is no requirement to also interview personal referees. However, additional verbal and/or written references may be sought from personal referees. If the previous fostering service, for whatever reason, does not provide a reference, interviews with two personal referees must be conducted.
Otherwise, each applicant will be asked to provide the names of four personal referees, who are adults, have known the applicant for at least five years and are not related to the applicant, and two other referees who are family members. All referees should be people who know the applicants well in a personal capacity. From these references the assessing Social Worker will interview at least two personal referees and one family member.
Where there is a joint application, referees should know both applicants, or additional referees will be required.
A written reference must be obtained from each applicant's current employer regardless of the applicant's occupation. In addition, where the applicant has frequently changed jobs, written references should also be obtained from past employers.
Where the prospective applicant has made a previous application to foster or adopt, the relevant agency must be asked to confirm in writing the outcome of the application and provide a written reference.
The administrative staff will send requests for written references to each referee.
On receipt of the references, the administrative staff will update the electronic records.
The applicants will be provided with the relevant medical form to fill in with their details and a letter requesting them to make an appointment with their GP for a medical to be carried out. The medical form (AH1) will be sent by the Fostering Service with a covering letter to their GP requesting a medical to be carried out and completed Form to be sent to the Medical Adviser. On receipt the Medical Adviser will provide a medical report to the Fostering Service.
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 alongside the Fostering Panel.
Prospective foster carers should be prepared to become foster carers in a way which addresses, and gives practical techniques to manage, the issues they are likely to encounter and identifies the competencies and strengths they have or need to develop.
The Foster Carers preparation/Training Course will cover in detail all aspects of the fostering task, including the need for approved Foster Carers to notify the manager of any changes in their home circumstances, for example any new relationships they have where they wish their new partners to become a member of the household - see Section 14, Changes in the Foster Carer's Household or Circumstances for the procedure to be followed where such changes occur.
Applicants will be booked on the course once their completed application forms are received. All prospective Foster Carers will be required to attend this training, which is an integral part of the assessment process.
The objectives of the course are:
- To raise awareness and understanding of the key issues which need to be addressed by all Foster Carers;
- To assist applicants to consider more thoroughly the implications of fostering;
- To assist applicants to determine the type of resource they can offer to the children needing care via a Fostering Household.
Those facilitating the course will provide written feedback on issues relating to the applicants for the Assessing Social Worker which must be used in his or her assessment. Any issues of concern should be referred to the manager.
Where issues emerge during the training as a result of which the manager decides that it is not appropriate to proceed with the application, the applicants should be visited by a Social Worker and notified in writing of the decision, with reasons. Advice should be given of any steps they may take in order to meet the criteria or of how they might pursue their interest elsewhere, if appropriate.
When all specified information has been received the Fostering Team Manager will make a decision as to the applicant’s suitability to progress to Stage Two of the assessment process. This decision will be sent to the applicants in writing within five working days. Applicants at this stage may go on hold for a six-month period. This cannot be for more than six months otherwise all checks and references will have to be completed again. Once applicants have signed their Stage Two agreement, they will be allocated an Assessing Social Worker to complete the final stages of this process within a four-month period.
Note that Stages 1 and 2 of the assessment process can be carried out concurrently, but the Stage 1 information must be sought as soon as possible, and the decision about whether an applicant has successfully completed Stage 1 must be made within 10 working days of all the information required in that Stage being received.
The Fostering Panel must make its recommendation on the application within eight months of the applicant first applying to be assessed.
Fostering Administrator will book the applicants on to the Foster Carers Preparation/Training Course - see Section 6, Training Course.
Where the Assessment – Stage One information has been obtained, and no notification has been given within 10 working days that the applicant is not suitable to be a Foster Carer, the assessing social worker will:
- Familiarise themselves with the application form;
- Contact the applicant(s) and arrange a visit;
- Draw up a written agreement setting out the dates for the assessment visits and the date for the presentation to the Fostering Panel;
- Interview couples individually and together and ensure the children of the applicant or other significant members of the family/household are seen alone;
- Contact ex partners (see below);
- Inform the applicant(s) of any revised timescales if there are delays.
The Assessing Social Worker will record all appropriate factual information and address issues including the applicants' understanding of the following areas:
- How they brought up their own children/ how they intend to care for children in care;
- Caring for children born to someone else;
- Contact between children and their families;
- Helping children to make sense of their past;
- Sexual boundaries and attitudes;
- Awareness of sexual and other forms of abuse;
- Health and health promotion;
- Promotion of education;
- Approaches to discipline;
- Awareness of how to promote secure attachments between children and appropriate adults;
- Religion;
- Standards of living and lifestyles;
- Racial, cultural and linguistic issues;
- Experiences of disability and attitudes to disability;
- Awareness of equal opportunities;
- Understanding and dealing with young people's behaviour including encouraging children to take responsibility for their behaviour and helping them to learn how to resolve conflict.
The list is not exhaustive - other issues relevant to the individual applicant and their family may need to be addressed. The skills and personal qualities that need to be evidenced will be different according to the type of fostering the applicants want to do, e.g. babies and toddlers, short term or permanent.
The Assessing Social Worker may contact the previous partners of the applicants (taking care not to disclose confidential personal information about the applicant). Where there were any children of the relationship or where children were cared for jointly, the Social Worker will arrange to interview them face-to-face wherever practicable. All adult children of the applicant(s) living away from home will also be contacted.
Applicants will be encouraged to be actively involved in contributing towards the assessment and supported to provide their own written report/portfolio for Panel to evidence their capabilities and to support their application.
The foster home will also be thoroughly checked to ensure it provides appropriate and safe accommodation for the child, as well as safe transport. Each child over 3 has their own bedroom or, where this is not possible, the sharing of the bedroom has been agreed by the placing authority. A risk assessment must be conducted in regard to pets.
The applicant must be notified that the case is to be referred to the fostering panel, be given a copy of the report and be invited to send any observations in writing within 10 working days beginning with the date on which the notification is sent.
At the end of the 10 working days, (or when the applicant's observations are received, whichever is sooner), the report, the applicant's observations on that report, if any, and any other relevant information obtained, must be sent to the fostering panel.
Where, having regard to the information obtained during Stage 2, it is decided that the applicant is unlikely to be considered suitable to become a Foster Carer, notwithstanding that not all the Stage 2 information has yet been obtained, a Brief Report may be prepared and submitted to the fostering panel in the same way as for a full assessment report.
Where the applicant disagrees with the decision and/or is not willing to withdraw, a brief report on the application should be presented to the Fostering Panel and the procedure to be followed should be the same as if the report was a full report on the applicants (see Section 8, The Panel Recommendation to Section 10, Representations / Independent Review Procedure).
The Assessing Social Worker will attend the Panel meeting, together with the applicants if they so wish. The decision to attend rests with the applicants and a wish not to attend will not prejudice consideration of their application.
Applicants who decide they wish to attend should be fully prepared as to the procedure prior to their attendance.
The Panel will consider the reports together with all the supporting documentation, and make a recommendation to the Agency Decision Maker (Fostering) regarding the suitability of the applicant for fostering.
The recommendation, with reasons, will be recorded in writing and, where approval is recommended, the category of fostering, any limitations of the approval to named children (for example in the case of a Family and Friends Foster Carer) or conditions as to the age range or number of children to be placed in the foster home will also be specified.
Where the applicant does not attend the Panel meeting, the Social Worker undertaking the assessment will advise the applicant of the Panel recommendation within 24 hours of the Panel meeting. This will be verbally, by telephone or, where appropriate, a home visit.
The Agency Decision Maker (Fostering) will make a decision as to the suitability of the applicant, based on the reports presented to the Fostering Panel and the minutes detailing the Panel's recommendation. Where the decision is to approve the applicants as Foster Carers, the Agency Decision Maker will specify the terms of the approval i.e. the number and age range of children to be fostered, the type of referral they can consider and any specific inclusions/exclusions. Applicants can be approved for more than one referral category.
Where a Brief Report has been submitted to the fostering panel, the Agency Decision Maker will, considering the fostering panel's recommendation, make a determination about whether to terminate the assessment or whether the full assessment should be completed.
The decision must be made within 7 working days of receipt of the panel's recommendation and final set of panel minutes and must be recorded, together with reasons.
The Team Manager will arrange for the applicants to be given verbal notification of the decision within 24 hours and written notice of the decision, with reasons, signed by the Agency Decision Maker, within 5 working days of the decision.
If, at Stage 2 of the assessment process, the Agency Decision Maker gives a Qualifying Determination that they propose not to approve the applicants as Foster Carers, the applicant will be advised that if they wish to challenge the decision, they have a right to submit representations within 28 days of the date of the written notice of the decision to the Agency Decision Maker. In addition, as an alternative, they may exercise the right to apply to the Secretary of State to request a review of the decision by an Independent Review Panel under the Independent Review Mechanism. Any such application must be made in writing within 28 days of the decision and supported by reasons.
The Foster Carer will not have the right to request a review by an Independent Review Panel if they are regarded as disqualified as a result of a conviction or caution for a specified offence – see Persons Disqualified from Fostering Procedure.
If no written representations or notification of a request for a review are received within this period the Agency Decision Maker’s decision stands.
If written representations are received within the period, to the Fostering Service the Panel Adviser will arrange for the reports and other documentation to be reconsidered by the Fostering Panel, taking into account the written representations, and make a new recommendation to the Agency Decision Maker (Fostering).
The Panel Administrator will advise the applicant within 7 days of the date of the Panel meeting when they can attend, and that their written representations will be considered.
In these circumstances, applicants who wish to attend the meeting of the Fostering Panel can arrange for a friend or supporter to accompany them, however this is in a supportive capacity only and not to speak for them.
After considering the representations, the Panel will make a recommendation, which the Agency Decision Maker (Fostering) will consider before a final decision is made.
If the decision remains not to approve the application, the manager will arrange for the applicants to be informed verbally within 2 working days. Written notice of the final decision, together with reasons, must be sent to the applicant by the Fostering Administrator within 7 working days of the Panel meeting. Information about the Complaints Procedure must also be sent. A copy of the report to the Panel, the Panel's recommendation and the decision, with reasons, must be retained on the applicant's case file.
If the applicant decides to refer the matter to an Independent Review and not the Fostering Service, the relevant Panel reports, any new information obtained since the Panel meeting, a record of the decision made and reasons, a copy of the written notification of the decision and a copy of the Panel minute, if different, will be sent to the Independent Review within 10 working days of their written request.
The procedure for the Independent Review is carried out by CoramBAAF; the applicant and two representatives of the fostering agency will be invited to attend the Independent Review.
After considering the representations, the Independent Review will make a recommendation, which the Agency Decision Maker will consider before a final decision is made.
Written notice of the final decision, together with reasons, must be sent to the applicant within 7 working days of the receipt of the Independent Review recommendation.
Where the decision is to approve the application, the procedure set out in Section 12, After Approval will be followed.
Applications will be considered from married couples, civil partners, unmarried couples, single people and those within same sex relationships.
Applications will be considered from people of any or no religious persuasion.
Applications will be considered from people of any race or culture.
The minimum age for Foster Carers is generally 21 years. In exceptional circumstances, e.g. with some Family and Friends Carers, the minimum age may be reduced to 18. There is no specific upper age limit.
Applications will be considered from people irrespective of gender identity.
Applications will be considered from people of any sexual orientation.
Applicants may be in work or not.
Applicants will be required to have a full medical and undergo any further tests/checks that may be required by the Fostering Panel's Medical Adviser. The Medical Adviser will advise on the applicants' ability, from a health point of view, to meet the needs of a child who requires fostering. Any comments or advice given by the Medical Adviser must be taken seriously by the applicants and will be addressed during the assessment process.
Applicants are expected to positively promote a healthy lifestyle which will enable a child to reach their full potential. This would encompass attention to nutrition, exercise, routine and hygiene.
It is expected that Foster Carers will comply with nationally recommended alcohol consumption levels and that children's needs and safety will always be met.
A person who is seeking approval as a Foster Carer will not be considered if they or any adult member of the household are within the category of Disqualified Persons (Foster Carer) - see Persons Disqualified from Fostering Procedure.
Other convictions will not necessarily preclude an application, but this will depend on the seriousness of the offence and how long ago it was committed. All such cases will be referred to the Agency Decision Maker who will make a decision as to whether the application can proceed or not.
Applicants may own their own home or live in rented accommodation.
They will need living and sleeping accommodation appropriate to the number and ages of the children they are seeking to foster.
It is important that the home environment is child-friendly, welcoming to children, safe and meets reasonable levels of hygiene.
All applicants will have a safety check on their home undertaken by the Assessing Social Worker. This will include the outdoor space, animals (including the sleeping and toileting arrangements for any pet) and the holding of any firearms. These risk assessments are updated on a yearly basis or more frequent if carers move home, or have adaptations to their home such as extensions.
Relevant childcare experience of applicants is considered in relation to their skills and experience that they bring to Fostering, alongside the type of referrals they may consider. However, it is important to note that people who have had no childcare experience may also be considered as suitable to foster depending on their overall circumstances, skills and experience in other areas.
All applicants must be prepared to facilitate family time between any child they are caring for and their parents, siblings and significant family members.
Once approved, the administrative staff will enter the Foster Carers' approval details, including their first review date, on the Fostering Register database, see Section 13, Register of Foster Carers, and update the electronic records.
The Foster Carer will be allocated a Supervising Social Worker - see Supervision and Support of Foster Carers Procedure. If the Social Worker does not know the new carer, they will read the assessment and the supporting documentation presented to the Fostering Panel including the references prior to introducing themselves to the carers and arranging to meet them, their family and members of their support network as appropriate.
The Supervising Social Worker will visit the Foster Carers within one week of their approval and request the Foster Carer to sign a Foster Care Agreement between the Local Authority and the Foster Carer, which contains the information the Foster Carer needs to carry out their functions as a Foster Carer effectively, ensuring that the Foster Carer understands its contents.
The Foster Carer will be given two copies for signature, and will retain one signed copy. The other will be kept on the Foster Carer's file, together with the report and supporting documents presented to the Fostering Panel, a copy of the Panel's recommendation and a copy of the approval decision.
The Foster Care Agreement will contain the following information:
- The terms of the Foster Carer's approval;
- The support and training to be provided to the Foster Carer;
- The procedure for the review of the Foster Carer's approval;
- The procedure for placements of children;
- The procedure for making representations and complaints;
- The requirement to inform the Fostering Service of any change of circumstance, address or in the household composition, or of any registration as a childminder or application to adopt or of any offence;
- The requirements in relation to confidentiality and internet usage;
- The procedures for behaviour management and unauthorised absences of children placed with the Foster Carer including the ban on corporal punishment;
- The procedures for informing the Supervising Social Worker of the child's progress and any significant events relating to the child;
- The need to give 28 days' notice in writing if they wish to cease fostering;
- The need to allow access to the Regulatory Authority.
New Foster Carers will need to familiarise themselves of the Fostering Service policies and procedures, which contains information about fostering in the Local Authority and covers guidance, legal information and insurance details. Information about local Foster Carer support groups will also be provided.
Foster Carers will be assisted by their Supervising Social Worker to monitor and review the Family Safer Caring Policy and Health and Safety Checklist completed during the assessment.
The Supervising Social Worker will continue to provide support and supervision to the Foster Carer up to, during and after all placements - see Supervision and Support of Foster Carers Procedure and ensure that they understand the need to undertake Disclosure and Barring Service and other checks and assessments on any new member of the household - see Section 14, Changes in the Foster Carer's Household or Circumstances - and the need to repeat Disclosure and Barring Service checks on themselves every three years (unless they have subscribed to the Disclosure and Barring Service Update Service) - see Review and Termination of Approval of Foster Carers Procedure.
A register of all approved Foster Carers will be maintained by the Fostering Service containing the following particulars:
- The name, address, date of birth, gender identity and ethnic origin of each Foster Carer;
- The date of approval and of each review of the approval;
- The category and current terms of the approval;
- The name, address, date of birth of each Connected Person with whom a child is placed under Regulation 24 of the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010 and who has been granted temporary approval as a Foster Carer, together with the date and terms of the temporary approval.
The Supervising Social Worker will ensure that any newly approved Foster Carer is clear about their responsibility to notify the Fostering Service before any change in the composition of their household occurs or where there is any significant change in their circumstances which affects their fostering, for example any new relationship, pregnancy or bereavement.
If the Supervising Social Worker discovers that there has been a change in the Foster Carer's household without prior notice, the Team Manager must be informed and an immediate review of the Foster Carer's approval must be convened - see Review and Termination of Approval of Foster Carers Procedure. In these circumstances, a suspension of the foster carer's approval may have to be considered at the review.
Where the proposed new member of the household is a partner of the Foster Carer, there will be a presumption that they will have a part to play in caring for any child in the placement and therefore a full assessment of their suitability for this role must be completed before the partner moves into the foster home. The same procedure for this assessment will be carried out as for any Foster Carer applicant and it will be presented to the Fostering Panel and the Agency Decision Maker (Fostering) in accordance with the preceding paragraphs of this chapter. There will be no presumption that any such assessment will be approved.
Pending the completion of the full assessment, where the Foster Carer wishes their partner to stay overnight before the full assessment is completed, a Disclosure and Barring Service enhanced check must be carried out, and a risk assessment must also be completed to determine the level of additional checks required, before agreement to overnight stays can be given. The risk assessment should take account of, amongst other things, the number and ages of the children in the placement, their views about the Foster Carer's partner, the significance and stability of the relationship (including how long they have known each other) and the Foster Carer's history of fostering. Any agreement to overnight stays must be endorsed by the Fostering Service Manager.
Where a Foster Carer proposes that any person will join the household, notice must be given before this occurs in sufficient time to enable a Disclosure and Barring Service enhanced check to be carried out on the relevant person and an assessment at the appropriate level to be undertaken before the change in household composition occurs. The required detail of the assessment will depend on the extent to which the new member of the household will undertake a caring role in relation to any child placed. Where the new member of the household will play a part in caring for the child in the placement, consideration will be given to the need for a full assessment as for any new partner of the Foster Carer.
For Exemptions to the usual limit of three children and alterations or other Extensions to Approval, see Exemptions and Extensions/Variations to Foster Care Approval Procedure.
Last Updated: May 13, 2024
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