Foster Care Agreement

Under The Fostering Service (England) Regulations 2011, Schedule 30 (2d) the London Borough Newham, Fostering Service is required to enter into a written agreement with foster carers at the time of their approval and re-approval.

The Foster Care Agreement provides written information about the terms and conditions of the partnership between foster carers and the London Borough of Newham.

Further detail is provided in the Foster Carers Handbook which foster carers are expected to read. The Handbook is updated regularly.

Newham Fostering Service aims to provide services that are culturally sensitive and anti- discriminatory. In working together, foster carers and social workers must aim to ensure that services are sensitive to the needs of disadvantaged groups in the community. Racism and discrimination will not be tolerated.

The Newham Fostering Service recognise that Fostering is a skilled and demanding task and we are committed to provide effective support to carers and appropriate training opportunities.

Newham Fostering Service:

We will provide the foster carer(s) on approval with a Foster Carer’s Handbook.

We will ensure that every foster carer is allocated a named supervising social worker to provide support, advice and supervision to the carer and their family and to act as a link between the carer and Newham Fostering Service.

We will ensure that the foster carer(s) are regularly visited and supported. The supervising social worker will agree a pattern of visits with the carers, according to needs and circumstances. All foster carers will be visited regularly at least a minimum of every 6 weeks. There will be at least one unannounced visit each year. At other times the supervising social worker will be available for advice and consultation.

We will ensure that, if your supervising social worker is not available another member of the Fostering Team is available, usually through the duty desk.

We will provide the foster carer(s) with information about support groups and other meetings in a way that facilitates attendance. Support groups are facilitated by supervising social workers. The support groups are held both in the daytime and evening.

We will provide our foster carer(s) on approval with details of the fostering allowances.

We will enrol the foster carer(s) as member(s) of the Fostering Network.

We will provide you with a one off setting up grant at the start of your fostering career to pay for equipment and furniture for the children you will be fostering.

We will offer the foster carer(s) post approval and an ongoing comprehensive training programme to ensure that they continue to develop their skills and expertise. The Fostering Service is also committed to ensuring all foster carers complete the Children’s Workforce Development Council’s Training, Support & Development Standards.

We will produce an annual training programme and an individual training profile for each foster carer. This profile will be regularly reviewed by your supervising social worker.

Newham Foster Carer(s):

I will comply with the terms of any foster placement agreement including to care for the child as if they were a member of my family and to promote the child’s welfare having regard to the Department’s long and short-term arrangements for the child.

I understand that the quality of care offered in my home will be monitored. I shall make myself available for supervision.

I understand that I am expected to contribute information to the child’s Care Plan and Review and work to recommendations from planning meetings.

I understand that I am expected to attend at least four support group meetings each year

As a new carer, I will complete within the first 12 months of my approval, the Children & Workforce Development Council standards as a condition of my re-approval

After completion of the mandatory training courses, I will attend a minimum of four training courses each year as agreed with my supervising social worker or recommended by the Fostering Panel or Management.

I have read the Foster Carers Handbook entries relating to fostering allowances. I am clear that from the allowances payable, I am expected to provide a good supply of appropriate clothing, toys and personal possessions and to ensure these are kept in a way that will enhance each child/young person’s self-esteem.

I understand that any clothing, toys and possessions purchased for the child/young person whilst in placement will remain with the child/young person when they move placement or return home.

I understand that the furniture and equipment needs to be maintained to a good standard at all times.

Newham Fostering Service:

We will ensure that foster carers receive as much information about a child/young person placed with them that is available at the point of placement. Further relevant information will be provided as soon as is available.

We will ensure that a Placement Planning Meeting takes place and that the foster carer(s) receive all the Looked After Children’ forms. A copy of the Placement Agreement will also be provided. This should take place within 3 working days.

A delegated authority form should be completed during the PPM by the child’s social worker detailing where possible, current arrangements for contact, the child’s identity, professionals contact details and where applicable the child’s needs and preferences for health including arrangements for education for example.

Where a placement ends prematurely because of the decision of the carer or Newham Fostering Service, we will arrange a meeting to review the implications for the foster carer(s).

Newham Foster Carer(s) will:

I agree to comply with the terms of any foster placement agreement and to co-operate with any other arrangements made by Newham Fostering Service for the child/young person.

I realise I am expected to work in partnership with Newham Fostering Service to actively prevent any child being excluded from school, and ensure good outcomes for the child in relation to their education.

I understand any information given to us about the child in our care and their family is strictly confidential, will be kept in a secure place and not be disclosed to any other party without the consent of Newham Fostering Service.

I understand that I will receive regular visits from social workers, sometimes unannounced and outside the prescribed working hours of the local authority.

I will welcome the child/young person placed into my family and care for them in a way which positively promotes their education, health, welfare, identity and development. I will strive to treat any child/young person placed with me as an equal and valued member of my family and will respect and value his or her language, religion and culture.

I have read, understood and will abide by Newham Fostering Service’s Equal Opportunities Policy.

I will help children deal with a sense of loss resulting from their separation from their family, previous carers and surroundings.

In conjunction with Newham Fostering Service, I will promote and support contact arrangements between the child and their birth family. Following a risk assessment and in line with the child’s best interest and safety of the foster family, contact can take place in the foster home.

I will enable social workers to see the child/young person alone.

I will ensure money is saved on a regular basis in accordance with the set rates into the child’s savings account by direct debit (L.C.C.U.: London Community Credit Union) set up by the Fostering Service. I will maintain a record of savings kept and pass the records and savings onto either the supervising social worker or the child’ social worker when the placement ends.

I will purchase a suitable item of luggage for each young person placed (from the fostering allowance) to ensure that no child/ren move their belongings in ‘bin liners’ to another placement.

I will attend reviews and meetings concerning children in my care and give my views clearly. If unable to attend, I shall provide information that can be presented in writing. I shall attend court hearings and give evidence and attend meetings with other professionals if the needs of the child/young person require it.

I will ensure the child’s health is carefully monitored, in liaison with the child’s social worker. I agree to notify Newham Fostering Service immediately of any serious illness of hospitalisation of the child or of any other serious occurrence affecting a child.

I have read and understood the entry in the Foster Carers Handbook and undertake not to administer corporal punishment or any other form of sanction considered inappropriate by Newham Fostering Service.

I will discipline a child or young person only in a fair and consistent manner, appropriate to their age and development. Any behaviour management strategies should take note of a particular child’s or young person’s history and be discussed with his or her social worker. I will also give rewards and praise (including commendation and extension of privileges) appropriately.

I agree to notify Newham Fostering Service if the child is excluded from school or truanting or absent from the placement.

I understand that I am expected to take children to and from school and contact, if this is age appropriate.

I understand that I am expected to attend parent’s evenings and any other relevant meetings regarding the child/young person’s education. I will provide the child/young person with a suitable environment to study and will encourage young people to complete any given homework.

I agree to notify Newham Fostering Service if the child is offending and/or has any involvement with the Police.

I will ensure that my home is a safe, hygienic, healthy and stimulating environment for children, in line with the National Minimum Standards 10 and the Foster Carers Handbook. I shall take advantage of advice and training as required on all issues of health and safety.

I will keep any pets the family has under suitable control and also maintain their general health with their appropriate vaccinations etc.

I will ensure daily logs are kept on all children/young people in placement. These logs will be accessible to the social workers and will move with the child to their next placement and remain the property of Newham’s Children and Young People’s Service. I will ensure daily logs and other correspondence concerning the child, will be kept in a secure place.

Newham Fostering Service:

We will provide details of the fostering allowances.

We will ensure all foster carer payments are paid regularly at fortnightly intervals.

Newham Foster Carers:

In the event of any under/over payment in my carer’s allowance, I will notify my supervising social worker, or in their absence, the duty worker, immediately. Any overpayments will be repaid to Newham Fostering Service promptly.

I will ensure foster children are included in the plans for family holidays or family holiday activities.

Newham Fostering Service:

Has a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of Looked After Children and make appropriate enquiries wherever it has reasonable cause to suspect that a child is suffering or likely to suffer significant harm.

All Child Protection investigations concerning the foster placement will be carried out in accordance with the applicable Child Protection Procedures. At the conclusion of any investigation, foster carer(s) will be informed of the outcome as soon as practicable. The results of any investigation will also be confirmed in writing.

In the event of any investigation we will undertake, whether or not this falls within the Child Protection Procedures, The Fostering Service and the Foster Carers’ Supervising Social Worker will offer as much support as possible to carers and their family members. The option of independent support will be made available when a formal investigation is being undertaken.

Newham Foster Carers:

I understand Newham Fostering Service has a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of Children Looked After.

I have read the section of the Foster Carers Handbook relating to Safe Caring and will undertake the mandatory Safe Caring post approval training as prescribed by Newham Fostering Service.

I understand any complaint/allegation must be fully investigated. I undertake to co-operate with any child protection investigation.

I undertake to allow Newham Fostering Service to remove a child from my home should it ever be considered detrimental to the child’s welfare to remain.

I undertake to notify the Fostering Service immediately of any serious illness of the child or of any serious accident affecting the child.

I undertake to notify the Fostering Service of any incident where the child is missing from the foster home for any period longer than two hours, unless the Child Care Plan indicates otherwise.

Newham Fostering Service:

We will provide insurance cover intended to meet the legal liabilities arising from the placement. These arrangements should be seen as supplementary to the foster carer(s) own household insurance.

Newham Foster Carers:

I have read the Foster Carers’ Handbook entries relating to insurance.

I understand that I am expected to insure my own property appropriately and must inform my insurers (property/contents and motor insurance) of the fact that I am a foster carer.

If I own a motor vehicle I understand it must be maintained in good condition, and with appropriate MOT/Tax and insurance at comprehensive level to assist in my role as a foster carer. Insurance companies will need to know of your fostering role to ensure the children and young people are covered.

I undertake to inform Newham Fostering Service of any request or application made to foster or adopt children or to apply to be an adult carer or registration to provide child-minding for children under the age of 8.

Newham Fostering Service:

We will facilitate Ofsted inspections (under The Care Standards Act 2000). The Fostering Services Regulations 2011 are mandatory and Newham Fostering Service must comply with these.

Foster Carers:

I understand that I may be interviewed as part of the Ofsted inspection process.

I will co-operate as reasonably required with Ofsted and will allow a person authorised by Ofsted to interview me and visit my home at any reasonable time.

Newham Fostering Service:

Will make you aware of our complaints procedure which you are entitled to use if you are not satisfied with any aspect of the service. Details of the corporate complaints procedure is provided in the section Safeguarding Everyone in our Household within the Foster Carers’ Handbook.

Newham Foster Carers:

I understand that the Complaints Procedure can be used to deal with any dissatisfaction or when approaches through normal channels have failed (i.e. discussed with appropriate Line Manager).

I will need to adhere to our smoking policy.

I will adhere to our no smacking policy.

I will not foster for another agency whilst fostering for Newham Fostering Service.

Although you cannot foster for any other agency or local authority while you are a Newham foster carer, I realise that I can be asked to foster children from other local boroughs, but only when all parties (Newham Fostering Service, the Borough where the child lives and the foster carer) agrees to the placement.

Where any of this agreement is not followed by the foster carer(s), we may call a review of the foster carer.

Termination of approval against the foster carer(s) wishes is a Panel decision and can only take place following a review. When approval is terminated the carer(s) will be informed of this in writing with the date from which this takes effect.

The foster carer(s) have the right to appeal against the decision to their termination. The internal appeal procedure can be used or their appeal can be lodged with the Independent Reviewing Mechanism.

If a foster carer no longer wants to foster they must give 28 days notice in writing. Their resignation will be presented to the Fostering Panel and the foster carer(s) will be informed in writing that their approval has been terminated.