Page reportSummary
Page Layout
Display issue details:
The line numbers refer to lines in the original source. Any with a line number of '0' are implicit tags added by Total Validator:
1 
W874 [WCAG21 2.4.1 (A)] Add a skip navigation link as the first link on the page:
If your document has structure then you should add a skip navigation link to make it easier for accessible users to get to the page's content. To ensure detection, skip navigation links should point to a <main> element, or an element with role='main'. See Understanding 2.4.1, and Skip Navigation. <!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN"
"http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd">
2 P967 [WCAG21 3.1.1 (A)] Use the 'lang' attribute to denote the primary language of the document:
You should always identify the primary natural language of a document using a 'lang' attribute on the <html> element. See WCAG 2.1 HTML Technique H57. <html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
3 <head>
4 E604 The matching end tag appears to be missing:
According to the HTML specification being tested against, the tag must have an end tag. Sometimes this error is caused by improperly nested tags where the end tag exists but cannot be matched with the corresponding start tag. See XHTML 1.0. <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">
5 <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" />
6 <meta http-equiv="Content-Script-Type" content="text/javascript" />
7 <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" />
8 <title>
8 What happens if an allegation is made against me or my family? | Haringey Foster Carer Handbook
8 </title>
9 W605 Duplicate tag found: See matching tag on line: 13
A duplicate tag has been found with the same attributes. Although this should not affect the page, it indicates that a mistake may have been made. <link rel='shortcut icon' href='https://www.proceduresonline.com/resources/logos/procedures/favicon.ico'
type='image/x-icon'/>
10 W605 Duplicate tag found: See matching tag on line: 14
A duplicate tag has been found with the same attributes. Although this should not affect the page, it indicates that a mistake may have been made. <link rel="apple-touch-icon"
href="https://www.proceduresonline.com/resources/logos/procedures/apple-touch-icon-57x57-precomposed.png" />
11 W605 Duplicate tag found: See matching tag on line: 15
A duplicate tag has been found with the same attributes. Although this should not affect the page, it indicates that a mistake may have been made. <link rel="apple-touch-icon"
href="https://www.proceduresonline.com/resources/logos/procedures/apple-touch-icon-72x72-precomposed.png" />
12 W605 Duplicate tag found: See matching tag on line: 16
A duplicate tag has been found with the same attributes. Although this should not affect the page, it indicates that a mistake may have been made. <link rel="apple-touch-icon"
href="https://www.proceduresonline.com/resources/logos/procedures/apple-touch-icon-114x114-precomposed.png
" />
13 W605 Duplicate tag found: See matching tag on line: 9
A duplicate tag has been found with the same attributes. Although this should not affect the page, it indicates that a mistake may have been made. <link rel='shortcut icon' href='https://www.proceduresonline.com/resources/logos/procedures/favicon.ico'
type='image/x-icon'/>
14 W605 Duplicate tag found: See matching tag on line: 10
A duplicate tag has been found with the same attributes. Although this should not affect the page, it indicates that a mistake may have been made. <link rel="apple-touch-icon"
href="https://www.proceduresonline.com/resources/logos/procedures/apple-touch-icon-57x57-precomposed.png" />
15 W605 Duplicate tag found: See matching tag on line: 11
A duplicate tag has been found with the same attributes. Although this should not affect the page, it indicates that a mistake may have been made. <link rel="apple-touch-icon"
href="https://www.proceduresonline.com/resources/logos/procedures/apple-touch-icon-72x72-precomposed.png" />
16 W605 Duplicate tag found: See matching tag on line: 12
A duplicate tag has been found with the same attributes. Although this should not affect the page, it indicates that a mistake may have been made. <link rel="apple-touch-icon"
href="https://www.proceduresonline.com/resources/logos/procedures/apple-touch-icon-114x114-precomposed.png
" />
17 <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css"
href="https://www.proceduresonline.com/trix_cms_snippets/cookie/jquery.cookiebar.css" />
18 <script type="text/javascript"
src="https://www.proceduresonline.com/trix_cms_snippets/cookie/jquery.min.js">
18 </script>
19 <script type="text/javascript"
src="https://www.proceduresonline.com/trix_cms_snippets/cookie/jquery.cookiebar.js">
19 </script>
20 <script type="text/javascript">
25 </script>
26 <meta name="author" content="Haringey Fostering Service" />
27 <meta name="description" content="Haringey Fostering Service" />
29 <meta name="robots" content="index, follow" />
30 <meta name="rating" content="all" />
31 <meta http-equiv="pragma" content="no-cache" />
32 <link title="small" href="scripts/style.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" />
33 <link title="medium" href="scripts/style_larger.css" type="text/css" rel="alternate stylesheet" />
34 <link title="large" href="scripts/style_largest.css" type="text/css" rel="alternate stylesheet" />
35 <link title="hivis" href="scripts/style_hi_vis.css" type="text/css" rel="alternate stylesheet" />
36 <script type="text/javascript" src="scripts/styleswitcher.js">
36 </script>
37 <script type="text/javascript" src="scripts/rollover.js">
37 </script>
38 <script type="text/javascript" src="scripts/pageOrganizer.js">
38 </script>
39 <script type="text/javascript" src="scripts/highlight.js">
39 </script>
40 </head>
41 <body onload="MM_preloadImages('images/contact_us_button_hover.png'); highlight();">
42 <script type="text/javascript" src="scripts/tooltip.js">
42 </script>
43 <div class="banner">
44 </div>
45 <div id="topper">
45 </div>
46 <div id="container">
47 <div id="content_frame_overflow">
47 <div class="content_text">
48 <h1>
48 What happens if an allegation is made against me or my family?
48 </h1>
49 <div class="scope_box_blue">
50 <p style="font-weight:500; font-size: 140%;">
50 Standards and Regulations
50 </p>
51 <p>
51 Fostering Services National Minimum Standards (England) 2011:
51 </p>
52 <ul>
53 <li>
53 <a href="http://www.minimumstandards.org/fost_four.html" target="_blank">
53 Standard 4 - Safeguarding Children
53 </a>
53 .
53 </li>
54 <li>
54 <a href="http://www.minimumstandards.org/fost_twentytwo.html" target="_blank">
54 Standard 22 - Handling allegations and suspicions of harm
54 </a>
54 .
54 </li>
55 </ul>
56 <p>
56 Training, Support and Development Standards for Foster Care:
56 </p>
57 <ul>
58 <li>
58 <a href="files/foster_care_tsd_standards_guidance.pdf" target="_blank">
58 Standard 2 - Understand your role as a foster carer
58 </a>
58 .
58 </li>
59 <li>
59 <a href="files/foster_care_tsd_standards_guidance.pdf" target="_blank">
59 Standard 6 - Keep children and young people safe from harm
59 </a>
59 .
59 </li>
60 </ul>
61 <p>
61 See also:
61 <a href="safer_policy.html">
61 Developing a Safer Caring Plan
61 </a>
61 .
61 </p>
62 </div>
63 <p>
63 <br />
64 </p>
65 <h2 class="h2_underlined">
65 Contents
65 </h2>
66 <ol>
67 <li>
67 <a href="#intro">
67 Introduction
67 </a>
67 </li>
68 <li>
68 <a href="#ways">
68 Ways in which you can Manage Risks
68 </a>
68 </li>
69 <li>
69 <a href="#alleg">
69 What Happens if an Allegation Is Made
69 </a>
69 </li>
70 <li>
70 <a href="#Dealing">
70 Dealing with Any Change of Status
70 </a>
70 </li>
71 </ol>
72 <h2 class="h2_underlined">
72 <br />
73 1.
73 <a name="intro" id="intro">
73 </a>
73 Introduction
73 </h2>
74 <p>
74 Occasionally allegations and complaints are made against foster carers or those in their family.
Obviously this can be a difficult and distressing situation.
74 </p>
75 <p>
75 When a child is placed with you, their social worker will provide you with all relevant
information needed to keep them safe, including details of any abuse or neglect they have
experienced, and/or previous allegations made by the child.
75 </p>
76 <p>
76 All foster carers will receive training and guidance on how to provide a safe home environment for
any children in their care and all other members of the foster family. You will also be provided
with information on how to access the relevant
76 <a href="http://www.londoncp.co.uk/" target="_blank">
76 London Child Protection Procedures
76 </a>
76 It is important that, on an on-going basis, you record any incidents or concerns involving
children in your care and any complaints made by the child or their family as they can provide
important evidence if an allegation is made.
76 </p>
77 <h2 class="h2_underlined">
77 <br />
78 2.
78 <a name="ways" id="ways">
78 </a>
78 Ways in which you can Manage Risks
78 </h2>
79 <ul>
80 <li>
80 Ensure that you carefully consider the referring information from the social worker, and seek
additional clarity if needed from the practitioner who accompanies the child during the initial
visit or introduction;
80 </li>
81 <li>
81 Sometimes, concerns about a child will not be fully appreciated until more in-depth assessment
is undertaken. Be prepared to raise any queries that you, as a foster carer, have at the
Placement Planning Meeting (which should be held during the first 5 working days of the initial
placement) or before if required;
81 </li>
82 <li>
82 Keep a daily record of any concerns or incidents which occur;
82 </li>
83 <li>
83 Be clear on 'house rules' and expectations around behaviour and ensure all members of the
household are aware of these;
83 </li>
84 <li>
84 Develop your own
84 <a href="safer_policy.html">
84 Safer Caring Plan
84 </a>
84 to keep everyone safe, this should consider who in the household may be vulnerable to
allegations;
84 </li>
85 <li>
85 Follow the training you have received and access support from your Supervising Social Worker;
85 </li>
86 <li>
86 Make sure you have appropriate insurance cover;
86 </li>
87 <li>
87 When needed, or if you feel unsure, approach your Supervising Social Worker to ask for advice
and guidance in a timely way on any concerns you may have; and
87 </li>
88 <li>
88 Work closely with other professionals, taking on board any practice advice or information
provided. It is important you also share this with your Supervising Social Worker.
88 </li>
89 </ul>
90 <h2 class="h2_underlined">
90 <br />
91 3.
91 <a name="alleg" id="alleg">
91 </a>
91 What Happens if an Allegation Is Made
91 </h2>
92 <p>
92 If an allegation is made against you or a member of your family you will be notified verbally and
in writing.
92 </p>
93 <p>
93 The allegation will be investigated fairly and confidentially in line with the Multi-Agency
Safeguarding Children Procedures (see
93 <a href="https://www.londoncp.co.uk/chapters/alleg_staff.html" target="_blank">
93 London Child Protection Procedures, Allegations against staff or volunteers, who work with
children
93 </a>
93 ). All investigations into allegations are overseen by a Designated Officer in the local authority
(also called the LADO) who will coordinate and oversee allegations, and monitor the progress of
cases to ensure they are dealt with as quickly as possible consistent with a fair process.
93 </p>
94 <p>
94 Where there are concerns that a child has suffered significant harm, a multi agency Strategy
Meeting will be called within 2 working days of the allegation being made or received to decide
whether an investigation by Children’s Social Care Services and / or the Police is required and if
so, how it will be carried out. Ofsted will need to be informed of all allegations (see:
94 <a href="monitoring.html">
94 Significant Events and Notifications - When I need to tell other people about things Procedure
95 </a>
95 ) and they will be invited to send a representative to any Strategy Meeting. Your Supervising
Social Worker will also attend.
95 </p>
96 <p>
96 Any Strategy Meeting will also consider whether, due to the nature of the allegation, your own
children should be considered as part of a Child Protection Conference.
96 </p>
97 <p>
97 You will be given the chance to respond to the allegation before a final decision is made about
what action to take. Your views and opinions will be sought in any Assessment undertaken by the
social worker dealing with the allegation.
97 </p>
98 <p>
98 The minutes of the Strategy Meeting and any relevant information will be held on your record. In
some situations depending on the seriousness and nature of any allegation, the local authority may
look for a new placement for the child and a decision may be made not to place any other children
during the investigation and until there is an outcome to the investigation.
98 </p>
99 <p>
99 Your Supervising Social Worker will not be able to discuss all the details of the allegation with
you during the investigation.
99 </p>
100 <p>
100 The fostering service provider will make sure you have information on the following:
100 </p>
101 <ul>
102 <li>
102 How you will be supported whilst you are under investigation, including local arrangements for
payments;
102 </li>
103 <li>
103 The address and contact telephone number of the independent agency who can provide you with
support during the investigation;
103 </li>
104 <li>
104 Insurance arrangements for legal expenses.
104 </li>
105 </ul>
106 <p>
106 Sometimes a child living with foster carers might make a false allegation of abuse. Possible
reasons for this can include:
106 </p>
107 <ul>
108 <li>
108 Misinterpreting an otherwise innocent action;
108 </li>
109 <li>
109 To bring attention to past or non recent abuse for the first time and because you or someone in
the household is trusted;
109 </li>
110 <li>
110 As a way to have some control over their life which may seem out of control;
110 </li>
111 <li>
111 To express some anger or frustration (albeit inappropriately);
111 </li>
112 <li>
112 To bring an end to a foster placement.
112 </li>
113 </ul>
114 <p>
114 In such situations, you should work alongside the child’s allocated social worker to identify any
additional support which could be provided to the child.
114 </p>
115 <p>
115 The outcome of the investigation into the allegation may:
115 </p>
116 <ul>
117 <li>
117 Recommend that the child is transferred to another placement on a short term or permanent basis;
117 </li>
118 <li>
118 Ask that a member of your household resides elsewhere, at least on a temporary basis. (Note that
this will not include your child);
118 </li>
119 <li>
119 Identify additional training needs for you;
119 </li>
120 <li>
120 Recommend that the Fostering Panel considers your approval category or considers your
suitability to continue as a foster carer (see:
120 <a href="review_approval.html">
120 Reviewing My Approval and Appeals Procedure
120 </a>
120 ).
120 </li>
121 </ul>
122 <p>
122 If a child or other person tells you about any concerns they have in relation to another person,
you should inform your Supervising Social Worker or the child’s social worker as soon as possible
or within 24 hours. If you are concerned that the child is at immediate risk of harm, always
contact the Police.
122 </p>
123 <p>
123 It is important to note that, although there may be insufficient evidence to support a Police
prosecution in some cases, this does not mean that action cannot be taken to protect a child and
the possible termination of your approval could be considered.
123 </p>
124 <h2 class="h2_underlined">
124 <br />
125 4.
125 <a id="Dealing">
125 </a>
125 Dealing with Any Change of Status
125 </h2>
126 <p>
126 See also:
126 <a href="review_approval.html">
126 Reviewing My Approval and Appeals Procedure
126 </a>
126 .
126 </p>
127 <p>
127 If, as a result of the investigation into any allegation, the Fostering Agency identifies that you
should no longer be a foster carer, or seeks to change your category of approval, and you are
unhappy with this, you can challenge this decision by making a representation in writing within 28
days to the fostering service provider or the Independent Review Mechanism (IRM) (see:
127 <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/attending-an-irm-panel-information-sheets"
target="_blank">
127 Information about the IRM for Foster Carers
127 </a>
127 ).
127 </p>
128 </div>
129 </div>
131 <div id="navigation_frame">
131 <div id="navigation_frame_inner">
134 <div align="center">
134 W884 [WCAG21 2.1.1/2.1.3 (A/AAA)] Mouse/Pointer event handlers require keyboard equivalents:
When using mouse/pointer event handlers on elements that can be accessed by keyboard, ensure that you provide an equivalent keyboard handler. See WCAG 2.1 Failure F54. <a href="contact_us.html" onmouseout="MM_swapImgRestore()"
onmouseover="MM_swapImage('contact_us','','images/contact_us_button_hover.png',1)">
134 <img src="images/contact_us_button.png" alt="Useful Contacts and Suggestions"
name="contact_us" width="196" height="58" border="0" id="contact_us" />
134 </a>
134 <br />
135 W884 [WCAG21 2.1.1/2.1.3 (A/AAA)] Mouse/Pointer event handlers require keyboard equivalents:
When using mouse/pointer event handlers on elements that can be accessed by keyboard, ensure that you provide an equivalent keyboard handler. See WCAG 2.1 Failure F54. <a href="http://www.haringey.gov.uk/children-and-families/childrens-social-care/fostering" target="_blank"
onmouseout="MM_swapImgRestore()"
onmouseover="MM_swapImage('contact_us21','','images/foster_carer_hov.png',1)">
135 <img src="images/foster_carer.png" alt="Want to Become a Foster Carer?" name="contact_us21"
width="196" height="58" border="0" id="contact_us21" />
135 </a>
135 <br />
136 W884 [WCAG21 2.1.1/2.1.3 (A/AAA)] Mouse/Pointer event handlers require keyboard equivalents:
When using mouse/pointer event handlers on elements that can be accessed by keyboard, ensure that you provide an equivalent keyboard handler. See WCAG 2.1 Failure F54. <a href="http://www.proceduresonline.com/haringey/childcare/" target="_blank"
onmouseout="MM_swapImgRestore()"
onmouseover="MM_swapImage('contact_us22','','images/proc_buttons_hov.png',1)">
136 <img src="images/proc_buttons.png" alt="View the Inter-Agency Procedures Manual"
name="contact_us22" width="196" height="58" border="0" id="contact_us22" />
136 </a>
136 <br />
137 <br />
138 </div>
139 <div class="subsections_frame">
139 <div class="subsections">
140 <h2 class="h3_boxed">
140 Subsections
140 </h2>
141 <ul>
142 <li>
142 <a href="index.html">
142 Home
142 </a>
142 </li>
143 <li>
143 <a href="about_us.html">
143 About Us
143 </a>
143 </li>
144 <li>
144 <a href="being_foster.html">
144 Being a Foster Carer
144 </a>
144 </li>
145 <li>
145 <a href="safeguarding.html">
145 Safeguarding Everyone in our Household
145 </a>
145 </li>
146 <li>
146 <a href="placement.html">
146 The Placement
146 </a>
146 </li>
147 <li>
147 <a href="caring_children.html">
147 Caring for Children
147 </a>
147 </li>
148 <li>
148 <a href="http://www.haringey.gov.uk/fostering" target="_blank">
148 Want to become a Foster Carer
148 </a>
148 </li>
149 <li>
149 <a href="http://www.londoncp.co.uk/" target="_blank">
149 London Child Protection Procedures
149 </a>
149 </li>
150 <li>
150 <a href="http://haringeychildcare.proceduresonline.com/contents.html#fostering_adopt"
target="_blank">
150 Haringey Children's Services Fostering Procedures
150 </a>
150 </li>
151 <li>
151 <a href="fam_friend_carer_pol.html">
151 Family and Friends Carers Policy
151 </a>
151 </li>
152 <li>
152 <a href="guidance.html">
152 Useful Resources
152 </a>
152 </li>
153 <li>
153 </li>
154 <li>
154 <a href="forms.html">
154 Forms and Records
154 </a>
154 </li>
155 <li>
155 <a href="training.html">
155 Training & Support
155 </a>
155 </li>
157 <li>
157 <a href="http://trixresources.proceduresonline.com/nat_key/index.htm" target="_blank">
157 Keywords
157 </a>
157 </li>
158 <li>
158 </li>
159 </ul>
159 </div>
160 </div>
161 <div class="text-size">
162 <h2 class="h3_boxed">
162 Search
162 </h2>
163 <form action="search/search.html" id="cse-search-box">
164 E885 [WCAG21 1.1.1/1.3.1/3.3.2/4.1.2 (A)] User interface controls should have a label or an accessible
name:
Associate form controls with <label> tags, or use the 'aria-label' or 'aria-labelledby' attributes to label controls where it might be confusing or not possible to use a label. See WCAG 2.1 Failure F68. <input type="text" name="zoom_query" class="search_input" size="20" id="zoom_searchbox" />
165 <input type="submit" name="button" id="button" value="go" />
166 </form>
167 <h2 class="h3_boxed" style="margin-top:25px;">
167 Text-size
167 </h2>
168 <div align="center">
168 <a href="#" onclick="setActiveStyleSheet('small'); return false;">
168 <img src="images/small_a.png" border="0" alt="View this website with small text" />
168 </a>
168 <a href="#" onclick="setActiveStyleSheet('medium'); return false;">
168 <img src="images/med_a.png" border="0" alt="View this website with medium text" />
168 </a>
168 <a href="#" onclick="setActiveStyleSheet('large'); return false;">
168 <img src="images/large_a.png" border="0" alt="View this website with large text" />
168 </a>
168 <a href="#" onclick="setActiveStyleSheet('hivis'); return false;">
168 <img src="images/hi_vis_a.png" border="0" alt="View this website with high visibility" />
168 </a>
168 </div>
169 <br />
170 </div>
170 </div>
171 </div>
173 <div class="footer_left_column">
173 Copyright ©
173 <a href="http://www.trixonline.co.uk/" target="_blank">
173 tri.x
173 </a>
173 |
173 <a href="sitemap.html">
173 Site Map
173 </a>
173 </div>
174 </div>
175 <script type="text/javascript">
184 </script>
185 </body>
186 </html>