Supervision and Support of Foster Carers

1. Introduction

Test amendment tableFoster carers benefit from professional and supportive relationships with the Fostering Service, which help them to provide high-quality care.

Foster carers are part of the team around the child, which is mutually supportive. They are actively involved in planning for the child, and their views are valued by the Local Authority to positively influence children's progress. They work very effectively together with children's social workers to ensure that placements are appropriate, planned and meet the needs of children. The support provided to foster carers by the Fostering Service is also designed to help them to cope with the additional demands of fostering on their family life.

All approved foster carers will have an allocated, suitably qualified fostering social worker. The allocated fostering social worker is responsible for supervising and supporting carers, ensuring that they have the necessary guidance, support, challenge and direction to maintain a quality service, including safe caring practices. This will include an understanding that they must work within the National Minimum Standards for Fostering and the agency's policies, procedures and guidance. The supervising social worker should provide effective support and challenge through the supervision and review processes to ensure that carers are providing high-quality care.

The fostering social worker must also ensure that the foster carers' training and development needs are identified, and that newly approved carers work towards completing the Training, Support and Development Standards for Foster Carers Workbook. They also have the responsibility to ensure foster carers are familiar and made aware of new policies and guidance.

The foster carer(s) should be fully aware of the Notification of Significant Events and the need to immediately report to the fostering social worker or Fostering Agency the following:

• The Death of a Child;
• A Serious illness or serious accident of a child placed with them;
• The outbreak at the foster home of any infectious disease (which in the opinion of a general practitioner attending the home is sufficiently serious to be notified);
• An allegation that a child placed with them has committed a serious offence;
• Concerns that a child placed with them is being sexually exploited;
• The Police been called to the foster carer's home as a result of a serious incident relating to a child placed there;
• A child in placement who has gone missing;
• Any serious concerns about the emotional or mental health of a child, such that a mental health assessment would be requested under the Mental Health Act 1983.

See also: Notifications of Significant Events Procedure.

2. Planned Supervision Visits

Carers will receive regular and effective supervision that is focused on children's experiences, needs, plans and feedback. Supervision will recorded by the supervising social worker and stored on the foster carers records.

A programme of supervision visits should be set up and agreed between the foster carer and the fostering social worker from the time of the foster carer's approval, and endorsed by the fostering social worker's line manager. If there are two foster carers, both should be present for at least half of the arranged visits.

Supervision is essentially a supportive and enabling two way process to:

• Ensure the foster carers understand how they contribute to the local authority's services for children;
• Enable foster carers to contribute effectively to the plans for the children for whom they are caring and ensure that plans for children remain in children's best interests;
• Provide appropriate monitoring and feedback on the foster carers' work to ensure the Training, Support and Development Standards for Foster Carers are fully met;
• Complete personal development plans for each carer, which are linked to their training and their annual review;
• Support foster carers by providing advice or making this available from elsewhere as appropriate;
• Give foster carers an opportunity to raise any problems and make sure they are addressed appropriately;
• Acknowledge the challenges and demands that the fostering tasks make on foster families and ensure appropriate support is available;
• Recognise and address any difficulties the foster carers' own children may be experiencing arising from fostering; and
• Assist foster carers to work in an anti discriminatory way that respects and promotes individual differences.

The agenda for each meeting should cover:

1. Matters arising from the last supervision;
2. Personal issues, e.g. effect of a placement on the foster carer's own family, changes in the carer's situation and circumstances etc.
3. Carer's practice in line with the National Minimum Standards;
4. Child/ren in placement:
   1. Their health, cultural, educational, leisure and family time needs - and any support needs;
   2. Progress and work with respect towards each child's Care Plan;
   3. Any accidents, injuries and illnesses experienced by each child;
   4. Any complaints in relation to children placed with them and their outcomes;
   5. Any issues around behaviour management in relation to children placed with them;
   6. Any other significant events (see Section 1, Introduction);
   7. Any medication, medical treatment or first aid administered.
5. Training/development issues for the foster carers and their family, including evidence of the National Minimum Standards (Personal Development Plans should be reviewed at each supervision and reviewed document attached to the carer's file);
6. Safe caring and health and safety issues;
7. Foster carer's recording which is to be reviewed by the fostering social worker who should load the record to the carer's and child's file.

The supervision visits should be recorded on a pro forma Foster Carer Supervision Record, approved by the foster carer and the fostering social worker, and should include:

• Any concerns expressed;
• Any support needs expressed by the foster carers and how they will be met;
• Any financial issues.

A record of all meetings should be kept on the foster carers' file and one copy given to the foster carers.

The supervision records will inform the foster carer's review – see Review and Termination of Foster Carers Procedure.

3. Frequency of Supervision

Frequency of supervision meetings will be agreed between the foster carer and the fostering social worker and as appears necessary in the interest of the children placed with them. Frequency may vary dependent of the nature and type of placements provided.

The following minimum frequency is required:

Temporary approval under Regulation 24

For the duration of temporary approval visits will be at a minimum of once every 4 weeks.

Short Term placements

For newly approved carers supervision by the fostering social worker should be 6 weekly, at least up until their first review and Agency Decision.

Following a first successful review and Agency Decision, visits by the fostering social worker may be reduced to 8 weekly, if appropriate.

Permanent placements

Where the only placements offered are permanent, after a year of the permanent match, visiting can reduce to 12 weekly, for placements that are assessed as stable.

On hold placements

There may be occasions where a foster carer is unable to offer placements yet remains approved. A minimum of 12 weekly visits should be conducted to focus on future availability and ongoing training and development. The carer's PDP should still be reviewed to consider preparation for future placements.

Respite and Short Break placements

Visits should take place at a minimum of 12 weekly; however this should be agreed between the carers, fostering social worker and Team Manager, dependant on how many children access placements and the complexities such placements. 

4. Unannounced Visits

There should also be unannounced visits at least once a year. The main purpose of the unannounced visit will be to look at the home environment that a child is living in and gain a snapshot of family life.

The unannounced visits will be undertaken by the foster carers' fostering social worker who will need to check:

1. Who is in the home (a successful unannounced visit will need the children placed to be present);
2. Who is looking after the child/ young person;
3. If the carer is not at home, what arrangements have been made for the care of the foster child young person;
4. The conditions of the child's bedroom and all other rooms in the household;
5. The standard of cleanliness that outdoor spaces are sufficient and well maintained and there are no obvious hazards;
6. The interaction and relationship between the child, foster carers and others in the home;
7. The views of the foster child about their placement.

If the foster carers are not at home, the fostering social worker should leave a note for the foster carers to say that they have visited. The unsuccessful attempt will be recorded on the carer's case file.

If the foster carers are not at home but the child is present and being cared for by someone else, the social worker should check the identity of that person but should not continue with the visit.

Unannounced visits should be recorded.

There should not ordinarily be a regular programme of unannounced visits without particular reason – for example if a foster carer is being closely monitored. In such an event the reason for such will be explained to the foster carer.

5. Support Visits

Support visits can also be conducted as and when required for a specific purpose. Support visits may be agreed between the foster carer and fostering social worker to offer support with matters such as a new placement, placement difficulties, the end of a placement (whether that be planned or unplanned), change in circumstances or in the event allegations are made. Occasionally the child's SW may attend support visits if required or requested. Such visits will be recorded on the support visit template. 

6. Support Provided by the Fostering Social Worker

Fostering social workers should ensure the following tasks are completed: 

Post Approval

1. Complete induction with newly approved foster carers; for the first month maintain weekly contact, conducting two visits for induction (the carer mentor will also support);
2. Ensure that all new carers complete the Foster Carer Training, Support and Development Standards by their first annual review (or within 18 months of approval for family and friends carers);
3. Give Foster Carers' Handbook to new carer;
4. Ensure the Foster Carer Agreement is sent to the carer and sure their understanding of it: 2 copies to be signed and one returned and placed on the carer's file;
5. Support carers and / or provide a mentor to support with any specialist issues for disabled children for e.g. support in completing applications for Carer's Allowance, Disability Living Allowance etc.

Pre-Placement

6. Complete risk assessments surrounding bedroom sharing (each child over 3 has their own bedroom or, where this is not possible, the sharing of the bedroom has been agreed by the placing authority). Discuss and check equipment (especially in the child's bedroom) and ensure it is appropriate to the age of the child in placement;
7. Take part in discussions about potential placements;
8. Take part in planning meetings regarding placements;
9. Ensure that the child's social worker give the foster family full information about children about to be placed, including a history of abuse or suspected abuse  and the reason for the placement, the child's educational, medical, religious, racial, linguistic and cultural needs;
10. Discuss issues relevant to contact with birth parents and other family members;
11. Discuss how child's health needs are promoted and how children should be encouraged to adopt a healthy lifestyle;
12. Assist carers in dealing with other relevant services such as health and education;
13. Discuss appropriate training to provide appropriate care when caring for children with complex health needs;
14. Assist carer with training needs for appropriate safer care practice, including skills to care for children who have been abused. For foster carers who offer placements to disabled children, this includes training specifically on issues affecting disabled children;
15. Discuss financial issues with the carer: allowances, pocket money, leisure activities, toiletries and travelling etc. and the importance of complying with the terms of the Council's insurance policy for carers;
16. Enquire about holiday plans the carers have made, and if the child is able to join them? If not the carer must inform the child's social worker so alternative arrangements can be made;
17. Exchange contact numbers with all relevant members of the family, including out of hours support;
18. That arrangements are made for the provision of specialist equipment for disabled children;
19. Set date of first visit after the placement, this must be within 1 week of placement and should be recorded as a support visit;
20. Let the social worker for a child already in placement know when another child is placed;
21. Provide carers with training and written policy on behaviour management.

During Placement

22. Where necessary, check and follow up on all issues raised during the placement. Discuss any areas of concern with foster carers and ensure appropriate support/advice is addressed and in place at the time rather than waiting for reviews;
23. Take part in any strategy meetings and section 47 enquiry relating to the foster family. Be involved in interviews/support as agreed;
24. Ensure the fostering social worker and the foster carers receive invitations to child's Case Reviews and Child Protection Conferences, and attend when appropriate (the fostering social worker will attend reviews only when requested and the child is in agreement);
25. Prepare for and attend Foster Carer Review Meetings (see Review and Termination of Foster Carers Procedure);
26. Ensure training programme is updated and accessed by carers and their family and children where suitable (supporting with access to face to face and online training);
27. Visit regularly in accordance with the foster carer's needs, the child's Care Plan and as required (see also Section 3, Frequency of Supervision and Section 4, Unannounced Visits);
28. Review the Safer Caring Plan and any changes in household circumstances;
29. Assess and review any health and safety issues within the fostering household including the addition of any new pets and the environment in which they are kept;
30. Make unannounced visits as required (minimum of 1 per review period);
31. Update Disclosure and Barring Service checks on members of the family every 3 years, including those reaching 18 years of age, and other persons who come to live at the home, who are over 18 years;
32. Whilst there is no statutory time interval, as good practice medical information should also be updated at least every 3 years by writing to the foster carer's GP. In the event of any serious concerns about the foster carers health, a review of the foster carers approval should be carried out immediately;
33. Record contact with carers on carer's case file;
34. Provide reports for Panel as required under the relevant procedures;
35. Where appropriate contribute to Court Reports as agreed with child's social worker;
36. Discuss how the carers can support young people into adulthood.

At End of Placement

37. Support the family as much as possible in what can be a very difficult time;
38. Discuss fully with the carer and their family all the issues that have led to any unplanned end of a placement and identify any learning/training opportunities (disruption meeting for any unplanned ending of a permanent placement);
39. Share end of placement report s completed by the child's social worker;
40. Attend Disruption Meetings as required.

7. Tasks of the Fostering Social Worker if Allegations are made Against the Carer

For the detailed procedure, see Allegations Against Foster Carers Procedure.

Where allegations regarding childcare or child protection are made, the fostering social worker should:

1. Support the family;
2. Discuss fully, with the carer and their family, all the issues that have led to the allegation, as agreed at the Strategy Meeting;
3. Make the carers aware of the process and of their rights during any investigation;
4. Make the carer's aware of their own possible conflict of interests and inform them of where they can seek alternative support and advice from the Fostering Network or other independent sources.

8. Overcoming Difficulties

Supervision should be an open, two way process and it is therefore hoped that any difficulties encountered within the supervisory relationship / function can be swiftly resolved between the parties. However, if this is not the case, contact can be made with management within the fostering service in a further effort to ensure supervision is having the desired outcome for all parties.