Section 2, Fitness to Provide or Manage the Administration of a Fostering Service has been updated in line with updated Ofsted Guidance – Social Care Common Inspection Framework: Independent Fostering Agencies.
A new Section 8, Other Harmful Practices has been added. The Health and Care Act 2022 has made it illegal to carry out, offer or aid and abet virginity testing or hymenoplasty in any part of the UK. It is also illegal for UK nationals and residents to do these things outside the UK. Information on Breast Flattening which is an offence as set out in CPS So-Called Honour-Based Abuse Legal Guidance has also been added.
Managing Allegations Against Staff and Foster Carers
This chapter has been amended in line with revised Keeping Children Safe in Education. A new Section 2, The Difference Between an Allegation of Harm and a Concern has been added.
Staffing and Safe Recruitment of Staff
This chapter has been amended in line with revised statutory guidance Keeping Children Safe in Education. Information has been added to note that Keeping Children Safe in Education provides that copies of a curriculum vitae should only be accepted alongside an application form as a curriculum vitae on its own may not provide adequate information. Information has been also added in relation to online searches.
Health Care Assessments and Plans
Information in relation to allergies has been added into Section 4, Health Plans.
Medication and First Aid
A new Section 4, Allergies has been added.
Positive Relationships and Behaviour Management
This chapter has been amended to incorporate Ofsted feedback. Additional information has been added into Section 2, Positive Behaviour Support and Section 5.4, Recording of Sanctions.
Restrictive Physical Intervention and Restraint
This chapter has been updated.
Self-harm and Suicidal Behaviour
This chapter has been updated to include information from Self-harm: Assessment, Management and Preventing Recurrence NICE Guidance.
Health and Safety in the Foster Home
Information in relation to allergies has been added into Section 6, Diet, Nutrition and Allergies.
New Chapters and Features
Chapter Title
Details
Supporting Children and Young People with Disabilities
Section 5, Supervised Contact has been updated to reflect a finding by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman that the supervisor's observations of the contact must be clearly recorded in the child's record and shared with the parents within 3 months of the visit.
