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282 <h2>
282 Persons Disqualified from Fostering
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287 <div id="scope_box">
288 <h3>
288 SCOPE OF THIS CHAPTER
288 </h3>
289 <p>
289 This procedure applies to all new applications for approval as foster carers and to all foster
carers who have already been approved as foster carers.
289 </p>
290 <p>
290 See also
290 <a href="p_fost_panel.html">
290 Fostering Panel Procedure
290 </a>
290 .
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291 <h3>
291 AMENDMENT
291 </h3>
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292 In April 2017, this chapter was reviewed and updated by Bexley to reflect local processes – in
292 <a href="#approved">
292 Section 3, Approved Foster Carers
292 </a>
292 , information was added with regard to Disclosure and Barring Service checks which cause immediate
concern for the child/childrens welfare.
292 </p>
293 </div>
294 <div id="sections">
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296 Contents
296 </h3>
297 <ol>
298 <li>
298 <a href="#persons_disq">
298 Persons Disqualified from Fostering
298 </a>
298 </li>
299 <li>
299 <a href="#new_apps">
299 New Applications
299 </a>
299 </li>
300 <li>
300 <a href="#approved">
300 Approved Foster Carers
300 </a>
300 </li>
301 </ol>
302 <h3 id="persons_disq">
302 1. Persons Disqualified from Fostering
302 </h3>
303 <p>
303 A person is disqualified from acting as a foster carer for the agency (unless a relative of the
child or already acting as a foster carer) if s/he or any adult member of the household has been
cautioned for or convicted of a specified offence committed at the age of 18 or over.
303 </p>
304 <p>
304 A specified offence is defined as an offence against a child*, an offence specified in Part 1 of
Schedule 4 of the Fostering Services Regulations 2011, the importation/possession of indecent
photographs of a child under 16 and any other offence which involves bodily injury to a child
(other than common assault or battery).
304 </p>
305 <p>
305 In addition, a person is disqualified from acting as a foster carer for the agency (unless a
relative of the child or already acting as a foster carer) if s/he or any adult member of the
household has been cautioned for or convicted of an offence specified in paragraph 1 of part 2 of
Schedule 4 of the Fostering Services Regulations 2011 committed at the age of 18 or over OR falls
within paragraph 2 or 3 of Part 2 of Schedule 4, notwithstanding that the offences listed have
been repealed.
305 </p>
306 <p>
306 <span class="tiny_text">
306 *A list of these offences is set out in the Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000, except
that it does not include an offence contrary to section 9 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003
(sexual activity with a child) where the offender was under 20 when the offence was committed
and the child was aged 13 or over.
306 </span>
306 </p>
307 <h3 id="new_apps">
307 2. New Applications
307 </h3>
308 <p>
308 Where Disclosure and Barring Service checks reveal that an applicant for approval as a foster
carer is a disqualified person, the applicants must be advised that their application cannot
proceed. This must be confirmed in writing to them, together with the reasons, and retained with
their application form. The file should also be closed electronically.
308 </p>
309 <p>
309 Where the applicant is seeking approval as a Family and Friend Foster Carer and the person would
otherwise be regarded as disqualified, an application for consent to proceed with the assessment
in relation to the particular child can be considered by the
309 <a href="files/sod_decision_making.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
309 Agency Decision Maker (Fostering)
309 </a>
309 on the recommendation of the Fostering Panel.
309 </p>
310 <p>
310 In these circumstances, the assessing social worker responsible for carrying out the checks on the
prospective foster carer should prepare a report on the application setting out:
310 </p>
311 <ol style="list-style-type:lower-alpha">
312 <li>
312 The reasons for the application;
312 </li>
313 <li>
313 The circumstances surrounding the conviction or caution which would result in the person being
disqualified unless consent is given;
313 </li>
314 <li>
314 An assessment of whether the placement would meet the child's needs despite the
conviction/caution; and
314 </li>
315 <li>
315 A recommendation as to whether the application should proceed.
315 </li>
316 </ol>
317 <p>
317 The assessing social worker will arrange with the Panel Administrator a date for the Panel to
consider the report and a copy of the report should be sent to the Panel Administrator 10 working
days before the relevant Panel meeting.
317 </p>
318 <p>
318 The Panel minutes will be sent to the Agency Decision Maker (Fostering), who will consider the
recommendation of the Fostering Panel on any such applications.
318 </p>
319 <p>
319 The decision of the Agency Decision Maker (Fostering) will be recorded in writing and a copy
placed on the case record of the applicant. A copy of the decision will also be sent to the person
concerned. The decision will also be entered on the electronic records.
319 </p>
320 <h3 id="approved">
320 3. Approved Foster Carers
320 </h3>
321 <p>
321 Where information is provided or updating Disclosure and Barring Service checks reveal that an
approved foster carer has been convicted of or cautioned for a criminal offence as a result of
which he or she will become a disqualified person unless consent is given, an urgent review of the
foster carer's approval should be held - see
321 <a href="p_review_fos_care.html">
321 Review and Termination of Approval of Foster Carers Procedure
321 </a>
321 - and a written report detailing the circumstances leading to the conviction/caution, together
with background information from the foster carer's file, must be presented to the Fostering Panel
as soon as possible. The report should contain a recommendation on whether consent should be
granted to allow the foster carer to continue to be approved as a foster carer for the child or
children currently in placement.
321 </p>
322 <p>
322 If the information received from the Disclosure and Barring Service checks causes' immediate
concern for the child/childrens welfare, immediate action may be necessary to safeguard the
welfare of the child. In these instances the child's social worker and his or her manager should
consider whether it is necessary to remove the child to an appropriate placement to ensure that he
or she is safeguarded.
322 </p>
323 <p>
323 Where a child is removed, consideration should also be given to the need to suspend making any
further placements with the foster carer(s) concerned pending further investigation. The Fostering
Service will inform the foster carer(s) in writing of any such decision.
323 </p>
324 Consideration should also be given to the position of all other children in the household, including
the foster carer's own children.
325 <p>
325 If this is not the case, a copy of the report prepared by the Supervising Social Worker and the
Child's Social Worker should be sent to the Panel Administrator at least 10 working days before
the relevant Panel meeting.
325 </p>
326 <p>
326 Where such information is received, the social worker for any child currently in the placement
must be informed and any plans for termination of the placement will also need to be considered,
as appropriate.
326 </p>
327 <p>
327 Where the report recommends the termination of approval of the foster carer, the report should be
presented to the earliest possible Fostering Panel.
327 </p>
328 <p>
328 The Agency Decision Maker (Fostering) will consider the recommendation of the Fostering Panel on
any such applications.
328 </p>
329 <p>
329 The decision of the Agency Decision Maker (Fostering) will be recorded in writing and a copy
placed on the case record of the foster carer.
329 </p>
330 <p>
330 Written notice of the decision, together with reasons, must then be sent to the foster carer as
soon as practicable.
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