CHILDREN’S SERVICES CSF4194 FOSTER CARE AGREEMENT FOSTERING SERVICES REGULATIONS

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Fostering Services Regulations 2002

CHILDREN’S SERVICES CSF4194

CHILDREN’S SERVICES CSF4194 FOSTER CARE AGREEMENT FOSTERING SERVICES REGULATIONS



FOSTER CARE AGREEMENT


Fostering Services Regulations 2011

Regulation 27 (5)(b)

SCHEDULE 5


(Including relatives, friends and connected carers)


Name of Carer(s)


1st Carer:

     

2nd Carer:

     

Address of household:

Date of Approval:

     

Category of Approval:


  1. Hertfordshire County Council values foster carers as part of the team working with children and are committed to providing supervision, support and training in order to meet the needs of foster families and the children placed.


  1. All foster carers will be allocated a supervising social worker on approval.


  1. All foster carers will have a minimum of one contact per calendar month and a minimum of 6 formal supervision visits, plus at least 2 unannounced visits per year. It is important to note that this is a minimum and that most mainstream foster carers will receive monthly supervision or more as may be required in accordance with placement need.


  1. Hertfordshire County Council acknowledges its obligation to ensure annual reviews of foster carers are conducted in a timely manner.


  1. Support groups and training events are arranged at a time and location suitable for foster carers. Foster carers are required to attend a minimum of six support groups a year as part of their continued professional development.


  1. All foster carers are provided with the opportunity and support to complete the Training, Support and Development Standards (TSD).


NB for foster carers approved to offer short breaks a minimum of 4 contacts and 2 supervision visits per year is required.


  1. The Fostering Service will ensure that all payments to foster carers are completed in a timely way.


  1. Mainstream foster carers will be allocated an experienced foster carer to act as a buddy.


2. Hertfordshire County Council insurance cover for foster carers is as follows:


(a) Property all risks: limit £250,000

(b) Public liability: legal liability to third parties for accidental loss or

damage to property of injury, disease or death.

(c) Employers liability: The County Council's liability to employees

(including foster carers) for death, injury or disease.

(d) Legal protection: cover for prosecution defence costs, personal legal

advice and domestic assistance. Limit of £25,000.


  1. Hertfordshire County Council Fostering Service undertakes to ensure that each child placed has an up to date placement plan. Each carer will also have a support plan to meet the individual needs of each placement, including those of the child and of the carers. This plan will be initiated at the time that the child is placed and is reviewed at least annually.


  1. Hertfordshire County Council has a multi-disciplinary approach to fostering and provides foster carers with a comprehensive and robust package of support in order to stabilise placements and prevent placement breakdown. Placement Support meetings are an essential part of ensuring stability for children.


  1. Hertfordshire County Council Fostering Service welcomes feedback from foster carers. The formal compliments and complaints procedure is outlined in the foster carers’ handbook.


  1. In addition to the above statutory requirements, we understand that Hertfordshire County Council Fostering Service adheres to the good practice enshrined in the Fostering Network Protocol on movement of carers between agencies.


Hertfordshire County Council accepts that carers have the absolute right to freedom of movement between approving fostering services. However, in all circumstances the welfare of any child in placement must be paramount.


As (an) Approved Foster Carer(s) I / we also make the following statutory undertaking:


  1. To provide safe, secure and stable placements to children and young people.

  2. To give written notice to the Fostering Service without delay and with full details of: -


  1. any intended change of my / our address;

  2. any change in the composition of my / our household (including a new partner);

  3. any other change in my / our personal circumstances and any other event affecting either my / our capacity to care for any child placed or the suitability of my / our household; and

  4. any request or application to adopt children, or for registration for child minding or day care.


  1. a) To inform our supervising social worker of any overpayments we receive and pay the money back immediately.

b) If we are made aware of any overpayments by our SSW we will immediately arrange to repay this money.


  1. Not to administer corporal punishment to any child placed with me / us.


  1. To ensure that any information about the child in placement and their family remains confidential and is not disclosed to any person without the consent of the Fostering Service.


  1. To complete accurate recordings in line with HCC recording policy.


  1. To comply with the terms of any placement plan including any decisions made in respect of Delegated Authority.


  1. To care for any child placed with me / us as if the child were a member of my/ our family and to promote his/her welfare having regard to the long term and short-term plans for the child.


  1. To actively promote the safety and welfare of children in our care.


  1. To protect children from abuse and other forms of significant harm


  1. To attend training and use positive behaviour management techniques such as TCI or Fostering Under 12’s.


  1. To attend ARC training and use the model within our practice.



  1. To provide opportunities for the children in my/our care to make their own choices.


  1. To provide children with their own private space.


  1. To be aware that as foster carers we have a commitment to use social media responsibly and our accounts may be checked by the Fostering Service.


  1. To have an awareness of concerns in relation to children’s internet use and to maintain an open dialogue with children on this issue in order to kept them safe.


  1. To co-operate as reasonably as required with the Chief Inspector Ofsted and in particular to allow a person authorised by the Chief Inspector to interview me / us and to visit my / our home at any reasonable time.


  1. To keep the Fostering Service informed about the child’s progress and to keep a sensitive and appropriate record of the child or young person’s time in this placement, ie memory box, photographs and to notify the Fostering Service immediately of any significant events affecting the child.


  1. To allow children to be removed from my home when the authority responsible for the child deems the placement not to be the most suitable way of performing their duties to the child, or where the responsible authority deems continuation of the placement to be detrimental to the child.


  1. To endeavour not to end placements abruptly but to ensure children leave my/our care in a planned way. To ensure that stability for children is paramount I / we understand that at least one Placement Support Meeting must have been held, prior to any decision being made about a placement move.


  1. I / we will help children to understand the reasons why they are leaving. I / we will support children during the transition to their new placement, to independent living or to their parental home.

  1. To actively promote family contact in line with the care plan.


  1. To access any training identified by my/our supervising social worker, manager, or IRO; including safeguarding, safer caring and any training relating to a child’s specific needs, e.g. a child with a disability. Also to complete a First Aid course in the first year, to be updated every three years.


  1. To encourage children to take part in a range of activities including leisure activities and trips; enabling them to pursue individual interests and hobbies.


  1. I / we understand that HCC does not support any decision to allow children looked after to take holidays during school term time. I / we understand that current research evidences that this has significant impact upon their learning.


  1. To support a child’s education and achievements by attending PEP meetings, parents evenings and support with homework. To also liaise with school/college in order to achieve best outcomes for children.


  1. To ensure that a child’s health needs are met by registering them with a GP and Dentist. To attend all health appointments and carry out any advice given; to positively promote good health by healthy eating, exercise etc.; to record all significant health issues in Health Visitor red book or My Child’s Journey (green health passport) provided by your supervising social worker.


  1. To enable children to access and understand the children’s guide.


30. To enable children to access National Youth Advocacy Service (NYAS) if they feel their voice is not being heard.


31 To complete the Training Standards during my/our first year as (a) foster carer(s) or within the first 18 months for a Family and Friends or Connected Person’s Carer.


32. We undertake not to join another Fostering Service (other local authority or private agency) whilst we have children in placement, unless arrangements for the continuing management of such placements are made to the satisfaction of both the placing authority and the existing Fostering Service.

I/we confirm that we have received a copy of Hertfordshire County Council Fostering Service Foster Carer’s Handbook (available on line at: www.hertfordshire.gov.uk. ) To search for Foster Carers’ Handbook and a copy of the Foster Care Payments document go to Children’s Social Care; Fostering; Training Support & Policies; Handbook. See hyperlink www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/services/childrens-social-care/fostering-and-adoption/fostering/training-support-and-policies.aspx



Signature

1st Carer

Signature

2nd Carer


Name

(Print)…………………………………


Name

(Print)………………………………


Date…………………………………..


Date………………………………...


Foster Carer Agreement Page 5 of 5 October 2017

CSF4194 Issue No. 9


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