The Homefinding & Fostering Agency

THE HOMEFINDING & FOSTERING AGENCY

FOSTER CARER AGREEMENT

The following document sets out the expectations that this Agency and the placing authorities have of foster carers and the support that is available to foster carers. It should be read in conjunction with the Agency policies and procedures. This agreement is based on consultation with foster carers during workshops to clarify roles and responsibilities and is underpinned by The Children Act 1989, the "Quality Protects" initiative, Every Child Matters, National Minimum Standards for Foster Carers, Working Together to Safeguard Children and all relevant legislation as well as contractual requirements of the placing authorities.

General

All foster carers are expected to provide a high quality of care in accordance with National Minimum Standards and the requirements of the Department of Health. The standard of care provided should also be consistent with organisational aims and objectives.

The Agency appreciates that specific requirements of foster carers will vary with each placement and will, to some extent, depend on the legal status of the child and the relationship that they have with parents. However, there is a need for issues to be clarified as far as possible even if definitive guidance cannot always be given.

To cooperate as reasonably required with Ofsted and in particular to allow a person authorised by Ofsted to visit your home and interview you at any reasonable time.

Foster carers are expected to ensure that every child: Be Healthy, Stay Safe, Enjoy and Achieve, Make a Positive Contribution and Achieve Economic Well-Being in accordance with the Outcomes Framework for children and young people.

To allow any child placed with foster carers to be removed from their home if Regulation 36 applies which gives guidance on the termination of placements. This applies when it is considered by the Agency, responsible authority or area authority that the continuation of a placement would be detrimental to the welfare and safety of the child.

Accountability and Communication

All foster carers are accountable to the Agency in the first instance. The Agency is accountable to the placing authorities. The placing authority delegates certain functions to the Agency and requires us to provide a service at an agreed price.

The delegated functions include the recruitment, assessment and support of foster carers.

The placing authority only can decide where to place a child. The ending of a placement should be negotiated between the agency, foster carers and the placing authority; however the placing authority can end a placement at any time.

The Agency is required to provide a professional service of the highest quality and must be kept

1 fully informed at all times of issues relating to the welfare of children placed within the agency.

Likewise, the Agency needs to keep the placing authority fully informed. The lines of communication need to reflect this.

Placing authorities should not approach carers directly to make placements and in these circumstances must be referred to the Agency.

The Agency must keep all carers regularly informed of issues relating to foster care by way of regular bulletins and training events. The Agency is kept informed by information it receives from the placing authorities and professional bodies. The Agency is approved as a provider of services under the Pan London contract and has corporate membership of The Fostering Network and CoramBAAF. The agency is also inspected by Ofsted and was assessed as overall Good in November 2015.

Foster carers should communicate with social workers via the agency and not directly whether it is the allocated social worker or a duty social worker.

Foster carers must always immediately report any disclosure made by a child or any observations they have relating to safeguarding issues.

Written reports requested from foster carers must come via the Agency.

Although all foster carers will have a designated Supervising Social Worker from the Agency, they may communicate via any member of staff. Any written reports or E-mails submitted to social workers or Children’s Guardians must first be sent to the Agency.

Any difficulties in relation to contact with parents and others, including telephone contact, should be reported to the Agency. Foster carers are not expected to get involved in conflict with parents and extended birth family members. In particular, they should not involve you with criticisms that parents and others make of social workers or the care plan. Foster carers need to inform parents that their role is the day-to-day care of the children and not to be involved in the politics surrounding the placement.

Care plan decisions rest with the social worker who will consult with the child, parents and other professionals. Decisions are usually made at the children’s Looked After Review meetings.

Placement of Children

In the first instance Access to Resources Teams from the placing authority will approach the Agency.

After an initial discussion the Agency will identify possible carers. The Agency will then contact the carers to see how they feel. This is their opportunity to ask any questions. Under no circumstances will the Agency ever place foster carers under pressure to take a placement. The Agency will always endeavour to obtain as much information as possible but in some

2 circumstances the local authority may not have all of the information required, particularly if it is being dealt with by a duty social worker. In other situations the social worker may be responding to an emergency and the child(ren) may be unknown to the department.

It is the policy of this Agency only to place children that it believes the identified foster carers will be able to cope with. If the foster carer agrees that he/she will be able to cope with the placement in question, their details will be securely E-mailed to the local authority.

The agency may also request further information from them at this time. When they have read the foster carers details they may come back to the agency with more questions and the agency may need to contact the foster carers again. This may take some time as the allocated social worker will need to liaise with their manager.

It is usually best practice for placements to be planned and the social worker, the child and sometimes the parents to be able to meet the carers first. Such arrangements must always be made through the Agency. In reality this does not often happen and children may need to be placed very quickly. In these cases the Agency will make every effort to ensure that the foster carers are able to make an informed decision about whether or not the placement should go ahead.

A member of staff from the Agency will usually be present at any pre placement meeting and will be present when placements are made if possible although telephone support will be provided.

What can you expect from the Agency?

You will receive your payments regularly on a monthly basis by automatic credit transfer. You will need to give your personal bank details to the Agency.

The Agency is responsible for deducting savings of £1.42 per day for each child from the carer’s payment which is placed into a separate savings account. Once the child or young person moves on the accumulated savings are passed to the placing authority.

The Agency has replaced specified allowances in line with good practice so that the child is not made to feel different to any other children within the family.

The Agency may make extra payments at its own discretion for specific reasons, for example classroom support in approved cases and one-off expensive items for College courses.

Foster carers will receive a regular programme of training and development and it will be expected that they attend at least four sessions per year. The agency provides training to help foster carers to do the job to the best of their ability and ensure that all foster carers are competent in safe caring and protecting children from harm. In addition to four mandatory training courses, the agency provides general training courses, many of which are facilitated by outside trainers and also offer AC Education on-line training.

Within 12 months of approval all newly approved foster carers are expected to complete the

3 Training, Support and Development Standards for Foster Care.

The agency social worker will view foster carers’ diary and diary recording sheets and ensure children’s records are kept in a safe place. Completed Diary Recording Sheets are to be submitted to the SSW either weekly or monthly dependent on the needs of the children.

Foster carers will have a designated Supervising Social Worker to support them and any children that are placed with them. The role of this worker is to provide supervision in all aspects of caring for the child. The aim of these sessions will be to ensure that the Outcomes Framework of Every Child Matters is adhered to. These will be formal meetings and will cover a variety of issues, for instance training and development. It is not the role of the Supervising Social Worker to take the children out and entertain them. Visits will be arranged on a regular basis but will vary dependent on the needs of the carers. Foster Carers will receive a copy of the report of that visit for their own records which will be signed. Supervising Social Workers will also attend LAC reviews, CAMHS meetings and PEP’s as required. These all form part of supervision.

Foster carers will have a formal Annual Review to assess their progress and be provided with a report. The Supervising Social Worker will also liaise with birth and foster children. The Annual Review will usually be undertaken by a different supervising social worker from the agency.

Experienced foster carers within the Agency can be available to offer advice, assistance and mentorship to less experienced carers, for instance at the Skills to Foster training.

Foster carers will receive professional and administrative support from the Agency and this will include the attendance at meetings with them, help with the preparation of reports, coordination of contact arrangements and liaison with other professionals.

The Agency will provide supervisors for contact when this is required and transport for contact when it is not considered appropriate that foster carers should do this.

The Agency will assist with transport arrangements when the child attends a school some distance from the placement and the LEA does not make funding available for this. This will usually be a short-term arrangement until a local school is found. However if the young person is unwell or requires picking up early, then it is an expectation that foster carers will undertake this task.

Foster carers will be able to contact the Agency 24 hours per day, 7 days per week including all Public and Bank Holidays. Normal office hours are Monday to Friday, 9.00 am to 5.00 pm. Outside of these times we operate an 'out of hours' service. This service is available for emergency situations only that cannot wait until the next working day.

Foster carers will be provided with advice and assistance and emotional support when children placed with you are being prepared for a permanent placement, training sessions will also be offered regarding transitions.

Appointments can be made with the Agency for consultations with professionals when advice is

4 required that is outside of our own expertise.

Should a foster carer wish to make a complaint against the Agency, the agency’s complaints procedure provides for a complaint to be considered by its independent panel of experts when the situation cannot be resolved less formally. A copy of the complaints procedure is available separately.

All foster carers are entitled to be treated fairly in a non-discriminatory manner regardless of gender, race, age, sexuality, religion, ability or ethnic background.

What you should expect from the Allocated Social Worker for the Young Person

The social worker is ultimately responsible for the welfare of the looked after child and is responsible for making and terminating any placements in discussion with their manager and the agency.

The social worker is entitled to have direct access to children that you look after at all times, flexibility may be required in this.

The social worker should arrange for a placement agreement meeting prior to the placement being made or as soon as possible thereafter. Also at this point the agency can complete a Placement Plan and Delegated Responsibility.

The social worker will arrange for a looked after review within 4 weeks of the placement being made. A subsequent review will be arranged for 3 months later and then reviews will take place every 6 months, unless it is agreed differently. This is in accordance with statutory regulations. Reviews should normally be held in the place where the child is living but sometimes this will not be appropriate.

The social worker will investigate child protection issues relating to the children and their families. Any safeguarding procedure issues relating to the placement are the responsibility of the authority local to where the child is living. The placing authorities will liaise with the local authority.

The social worker is responsible for liaison with the child, family and other professionals to formulate a Care Plan in relation to the child.

The social worker will coordinate care proceedings together with the legal section of the placing authority.

What you may expect from other professionals

Social work team managers may deal with urgent matters (via the Agency) in the absence of the allocated social worker. Urgent matters may be dealt with by duty social workers (via the Agency) in the absence of the allocated social worker or when a social worker has not been allocated. When there is no allocated social worker the case may also be managed by the team

5 manager or a senior member of the team.

Children subject to care proceedings before the court are represented by a Children’s Guardian who works with a solicitor/barrister and ensures that the best interests of the child are represented. Both the Guardian and the solicitor may wish to visit the children and talk to you and may request written reports (via the Agency). Reports may also be requested from the solicitor representing the local authority (via the Agency). The Agency will normally coordinate the submission of reports to court as information may come from various sources. Occasionally a member of staff from the Agency will attend court for cross-examination when this is required.

Looked After Children’s Reviews are usually chaired by an independent person appointed by the local authority who is not involved in the management of the case. This is also the case with Child Protection Plans. Some local authorities have Reviewing Officers to chair reviews.

Family placement social workers from the placing authority may be involved with the placement of children. They will also be involved with preparation for adoption/longer term placement when this is the Care Plan. This involvement will include attending reviews and visiting foster carers and the children as part of the process.

In some circumstances, as part of safeguarding proceedings, police officers from special investigation units may visit foster carers’ homes to interview children or take a statement from the foster carers themselves. It must be remembered that safeguarding proceedings may also involve criminal investigations.

What the Agency and the planning authority expect from you

General

A high standard of parenting consistent and in line with minimum standards for foster carers.

Skilled, competent and sensitive interaction with foster children, their families and other professionals. This includes being non-racist and non-sexist and not unfairly discriminating against others on the basis of gender, ability, culture or ethnicity.

Facilitating and promoting contact between foster children and their families.

Keeping children placed with you safe and as far as possible meeting their linguistic, social, emotional and intellectual needs.

To inform the fostering agency of any change of circumstances, household composition, or of any application to adopt or of any offence.

28 days’ notice in writing should you wish to cease fostering.

Maintaining full accountability and communication with the Agency as set out in this Agreement. 6 Specific Requirements

One carer to be available to looked after children at all times.

In general, looked after children should not be left unsupervised. However there are certain circumstances whereby it is appropriate for some young people to be left unsupervised if they are of an age and level of responsibility where they are not at risk or in danger.

All foster carers have a household Safe Care Policy and every child must have an individual Risk Assessment/Safe Care Policy which is updated regularly.

Children to be clothed to a high standard and to be involved with choosing their own clothes. Their clothing should meet all requirements in terms of quality, quantity and variation including school uniform in line with school regulations.

Personal hygiene needs to be met including involvement in choosing their own toiletries.

Ensure that children placed with you have their own belongings and clothing respected. They should be made aware of those items purchased for them that they will be taking with them when they leave and those items that are purchased for general use in the household and will remain there when the child leaves.

Ensure that children placed have their own luggage (i.e. holdall or small suitcase) for holidays and moving on.

Record and report immediately to the Agency any disclosure of child abuse.

Report immediately to the agency any unauthorised absences of children placed.

Negotiate places at local schools for Looked After Children and liaise with the LEA and Head Teachers.

Take Looked After Children on family holidays.

Ensure that children are provided with a healthy and balanced diet and that they are involved in choosing what they eat.

Provide children with their own room (unless there are siblings sharing) and ensure that their privacy is respected.

7 Respect the cultural background of the children and as far as possible ensure that their needs are met in terms of culture, beliefs and religion.

Integrate children into social and community activities and provide them with a range of stimulating activities.

Advise, assist and encourage with schoolwork and as far as possible promote academic achievement. Liaise direct with schools in respect of resolving problems. Report to the Agency as appropriate.

Foster and promote intellectual development by encouraging interests and recognising individual abilities of children.

Transport Looked After Children to local schools.

Transport children to contact when this is appropriate.

Manage children’s behaviour in accordance with permissible forms of control as set out in initial training and the Agency Behaviour Management Policy. The agency promotes training and support for foster carers in relation to de-escalation and the resolution of disputes in managing behavior. Any form of corporal punishment is unacceptable.

Permit, facilitate and encourage contact between children and other family members in accordance with the Care Plan.

Provide children with pocket money if this is within your family culture. The Agency does not specify this amount. This is because the amount will vary depending on what the child is expected to spend the money on. The Agency advice is that the money that you give to children is for personal expenditure only and should not include money for toiletries, clothes, food, outings, transport etc. The amount given will increase with age and degree of independence as the child makes more of his/her own choices.

Encourage all children to save small amounts.

Open up Bank Accounts with the young person.

Pay for school trips, outings and extra-curricular activities.

Register the child with a local GP and attend hospital and health appointments where appropriate. Ensure that they attend for a medical after being placed with you and that they have regular health checks including dental and optical appointments and that their health needs are recognised and met.

Liaise with the Agency regarding medical consent for immunisations or further treatment required following medical examinations.

Liaise with the Agency when you are uncertain about whether or not you can make a decision

8 in accordance with the status of the child. Liaise directly with parents when this is appropriate.

Inform the Agency in advance of any holiday arrangements so that permission can be sought from the child’s Social Worker.

As far as possible ensure that arrangements are not made if they lead to contact arrangements being cancelled. When this is unavoidable, liaise with the Agency so that alternative arrangements can be made.

Inform the Agency immediately if a child is refusing to attend contact, or if there are any other difficulties.

Facilitate meetings in your own home such as review meetings. Facilitate visits by other professionals when arranged through the Agency.

Attend meetings as appropriate such as Child Protection Case Conferences.

Ensure all children have a healthy care book with all relevant information. This book is for the young person, if they move foster placements or when they cease to become looked after.

Keep a brief record of daily events to help monitor the progress of children and to assist when reports have to be written. A foster carer diary and diary recording sheets will be given to all carers and should be used as a working tool. Records should be clear, concise, and legible and cover salient points. Diaries should be available for inspection by the Supervising Social Worker and kept in a secure place for five years, as they may be submissible as evidence in court. Copies of Diary Recording Sheets should be sent to the supervising social worker on a weekly or monthly basis so that they can be forwarded to the child’s allocated social worker and uploaded onto the child’s file.

Foster carers must not agree to attend meetings without the knowledge of the Agency. Foster carers are directly accountable to the Agency and not the placing authority.

It is an expectation that a record is kept of the period a child or young person is in placement, i.e. through photographs in albums with captions/dates and memory boxes/memorabilia.

Confidentiality

Foster carers are required to promote, support and protect the privacy, dignity and rights of children and young people.

Any information that identifies individual’s personally is to be treated as confidential information and the data protection laws therefore apply.

Confidential information must only be shared with others within the agency for genuine purposes and on a ‘need to know’ basis. Confidential information should not be shared with members of foster carers’ families who live outside the household.

9 Confidentiality is breached where the sharing of confidential information is not authorised by the person who provided it or if about another person, by the person to whom it relates or where there was no justification (i.e. a risk of significant harm) for sharing the information.

No foster carer for the agency should knowingly misuse any information or allow others to do so.

Breaches of confidentiality will be regarded seriously and may result in action being taken, for example a review of approval for foster carers.

By signing this Foster Carer Agreement foster carers are agreeing to comply with agency standards and expectations in respect of confidential information.

Respite Care

There are a number of difficulties in arranging respite care. The policy of this Agency is, as far as possible, to place children with you that you can cope with. Our policy is also to be proactive in dealing with problems that you may be experiencing and to offer support as necessary and we as an Agency ask you to make full use of us in this respect.

Respite care can be difficult to arrange as it may tie up resources in advance and prevent those carers willing to offer respite from taking a placement in the meantime. Social workers are not always happy with such arrangements. However, the Agency recognises that in some circumstances it will be appropriate to offer respite care - for example very difficult behaviour, ill health, a family crisis or if you have been working for a long time without a break in placements. In these circumstances we can usually offer respite using current vacancies or may be able to offer support that falls short of removing children from your home such as arranging outings for the children or looking after them to enable you to have time out. These services may also be available if you are caring for particularly demanding individuals or sibling groups.

The Agency recognises the role of your own networks of extended family and friends in supporting you looking after your own children and foster children. We also recognise that their role can enhance the quality of the experience of Looked After Children.

Support carers are therefore encouraged to undertake an assessment and a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. The agency provides specific training for support carers which they are encouraged to attend.

Looked after Children may develop positive and trusting relationships with friends and extended family and they may be able to assist you in practical ways. If you have people who will be baby-sitting or spending significant time with looked after children you must inform the Agency.

It needs to be remembered that the placing authorities are paying for a professional care service, however it is recognised that it is important for you to enjoy help and support in your role as foster carers (please also refer to Respite Policy)

10 Insurance Matters

Whilst being definitive about insurance matters is not possible there are two essential insurance requirements if you are a foster carer.

1. The Agency does insist that all foster carers have an insurance contents policy which has public liability cover. The public liability cover means that all legal liabilities that you or your family has (including Looked After Children) to third parties are covered.

2. The Agency will also insist that when foster carers begin to receive placements then the insurance company must be informed that you are accepting Looked After children into your family and they will be treated as family members.

If the insurance company attempts to increase the premium as a result of the Looked After Children then the agency will support you and ensure that this discrimination against Looked After Children does not happen.

Any issues relating to claims as a result of accidental or willful damage committed by Looked After Children against the foster carers will need to be directed to the Agency as the Agency has cover for liability and willful damage. In reality, over the many years that the Agency has been operating there have been only two events that have led to any damage that have resulted in a claim.

The situation with regard to the professional liability that carers have to the Looked After Children in their care is dealt with by Fostering Network who offer a policy that will cover carers against claims made by children or their parents. This policy will offer support and advice if there is a claim of negligence made against the foster carer that leads to injury or damage to property to the Looked After Child.

Health and Safety

Health and safety checks are carried out on your home by the Agency as part of the Annual Review process and are now an integral part of the initial assessment. You also have a responsibility to take reasonable care to ensure that your home is a safe and healthy place for Looked After Children and visitors and those children you are looking after are kept safe when you are with them outside of the home.

January 2016