St David's Fostering Handbook

F O S T E R I N G H A N D B O O K

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Thisguidehasbeendraftedwiththeassistanceofawiderangeofpeopleinvolved with the fostering service. The author has also widely referenced information available from local specialised service areas including The Fostering Network, Association for Fostering, Kinship and Adoption (AFKA Cymru), The National AdoptionServiceandSocialCareWales.

1.About us

1.1. WELCOME TO ST DAVID’S FOSTERING SERVICE

We would like to offer you a very warm welcome as foster parent/s for St David’s Fostering Service, a registered charitable Fostering service providing foster care for children aged 0-12 years. This Handbook sets out to guide you through your journey with us and should be used as an initial reference point for any questions or queries you may have in respect of how we can all best work together to ensure that children in our care have the opportunity to thrive so they can reach their full potential and to ensure they are looked after safely, and in line with their individual needs and our policies and procedures. As you will imagine there is a lot of information to share and it may appear a little daunting to see it all in one go. To help you to navigate this we have set up the Handbook to include the most significant highlights of each area, which you can then delve deeper into using the links provided. These will include the relevant policies and procedures. It is suggested that when you want to refer to a specific practice issue that you use the search function, as some topics are referred to in more than one place and this should make it easier to navigate and find all relevant references.

Your main source of support will be from the Supervising Social Worker allocated to you. They will give day to day advice and support you through the process of receiving a placement and with specific fostering tasks. Always ask, especially if you are unsure about anything.

1.2. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

OurStatementofPurposeprovidesallthe informationrequiredtofulfilthe requirementsofourlegalobligations It setsouthowtheserviceissetupand managedandisarichsourceof informationforyou.

StatementofPurpose-English StatementofPurpose–Cymraeg

1.3. SERVICE GUIDE

OurServiceGuideaimstoprovide succinctinformationabouttheservices weprovideandisavailabletoyouand thechildreninyourcare.

1.4. PROMOTING EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY

StDavid’siscommittedtoworkinginan anti-discriminatoryway.Itrecognises andworkswithindividualdifferencesin respectoflanguage,ethnicity,culture, gender,sexuality,disability,orreligious beliefs Staffandfosterparent/s' completeinductiontrainingbasedona recognisedcompetencyframework, Fosterparent/salsoreceiveregular1to1 supervision,focusedonidentifyingand addressingtheindividualneedsofthe child/reninplacementtakingparticular accountoftheirdevelopmentalneeds, health,education,safetyandwell-being alongsidetheirsocial,linguistic,cultural and/orreligiousbeliefs

Vision–Everychildlivingwithafoster familyisprovidedwithanurturing environmentinwhichtogrowandthrive Mission–Throughamodernisationof placementapproachwewillprovide openrecruitmentfocusedontheneedsof childrenlookedafter(CLA)andwill supportfamilieswhocannurturechildren livinginWaleswhereafosterplacement isneeded

1.6. CHILDREN’S VOICE AND CHILDREN'S RIGHTS

TheUnitedNationsConventionontheRightsoftheChild(1989)setsoutthe basichumanrightsofchildrenthroughouttheworld. Webelieveallourchildrenandyoungpeoplehavetherightto: Havethebeststartinlife.

Takepartin,enjoylearning,andhavethebesteducationpossibleto expandtheirknowledge,developtheircreativityandfulfiltheirpotential. Enjoyhealthylifestylesandbeprotectedfromharm,abuse,neglect,and discrimination

Beabletoplayandhavefun. Belistenedtoandtreatedwithrespect. Haveahomeandacommunitythatisaniceplacetogrowup. Haveenoughfinancialandmaterialsupportforwhattheyneed.

TheUKisasignatorytotheConvention,meaningUKlegislationupholds thesebasicrightsandenableschildrenandyoungpeopletoexercisetheir rights.TheConventionalsostatesthatrightsneedtobebalancedwith responsibilities,inparticulartheresponsibilitytorespecttherightsofothers. Atitsheartisthebeliefthatchildrenandyoungpeopleneedthechanceto participateinsociety.Iftheyarenotgiventhisexperience,theywillstruggle tobecomeresponsibleadultswithanunderstandingofjusticeandrightand wrong.

TheConventionontheRightsoftheChild:Thechildren’sversion|UNICEF

1.7. WELSH LANGUAGE

AtSt David’sChildrenSocietywerecognisethatweallhaveaparttoplay andthateveryone’scontributioncountsinrespectofmakingprovisionfor theWelshlanguageActiveoffer

Whenansweringthephone,wegreetpeoplebilingually.Wealsoknowwho speaksWelshattheServiceandknowwhowecancontactifanyonemaking contactneedstospeakWelsh.

Weunderstandthatlanguageisanessentialpartofaperson’sidentityand thattheneedsofWelshspeakingserviceusersareakeypartoftheequal opportunitiesagendainWalesasoutlinedinTheWelshLanguage(Wales) Measure2011.

StDavid’sChildrenSocietyhasthereforeadoptedtheprinciplethatin carryingoutitsworkinWalesitwilltreatEnglishandWelshlanguageonthe basisofequalityandprovideanactiveofferofprovidingservicesinthe Welshlanguage.

AtapracticallevelwehaveTrustee’s,AdministratorsandaSocialWorker thatarefluentinandcouldprovideaserviceinWelsh.Aswithourwebsite,all keydocumentsattheSocietye.g.statementofpurpose,serviceuserguide andassessmentareavailable,onrequest,inWelsh.

2.

About fostering with us

2.1. APPROVAL/FOSTER CARE AGREEMENT

Asanapprovedfosterparent/syouareresponsibleforthecareofachildin careoryoungperson.Thetermsofyourapprovalareagreedtakinginto accountthenatureandnumberofchildrenthatareconsideredsuitablefor youtocarefor,thetermsofapprovalincludethetypeofcareplacements offered,thenumbersand/oragesofchildren,and/orthenameofthespecific child/renthatyouareapprovedtolookafter Anychangesaremanaged throughaformalreviewprocess.

Asacorememberoftheteam,itisincumbentonyoutoensurethatthechild oryoungperson’sphysicalandemotionalneedsaremet,thattheyattend school,collegeorplaygroup,andthattheirhealthneedsarebeingaddressed inaccordancewiththeirCareandSupportPlan.Itisalsoincumbentonyouto ensurethatyourhousemeetsgoodhealthandsafetystandards,thatthe equipmentyouuseisfitforpurposeaswellasanypremisesthatyouuseona regularbasis,suchasholidaycaravans.Wewillneedtoknowofchangesin yourhousehold,includingday-to-dayactivitiessuchasplansfortaking holidays,babysittingandkeepingpets.

ThetasksassociatedwithFosteringareregulatedbyTheSocialServicesand Well-being(Wales)ActandbyTheRegulatedFosteringServices(Services ProvidersandResponsibleIndividuals)(Wales)Regulations2019 These requirementsarecoveredinyourFosterCareAgreementandatthebeginning ofeachplacementofachildwithyouinaseparateagreementcalledThe PlacementPlan.EverychildinthecaresystemhasaseparateindividualCare andSupportPlanthatisuniquetotheircircumstances.Itisthisplanthat providesthedetailsofthepackageofcarerequired Whenafosteringservice approvessomeoneasfosterparent/s,theyarerequiredtoenterintoawritten agreementwiththem–thisiscalledthefostercareagreement.Itisawritten agreementmadebetweenthefosteringserviceandthefosterparent/swhen theyarefirstapprovedandisrevisitedateveryfostercarereview.

TheFosterCareAgreementstatesthatthefosterparent/swill: attendrelevantmeetingsconcerningthechildoryoungpersonandprovide writtenreportstothemeetingifrequested helptopreparethechildoryoungperson,asappropriate,formeetings complywiththetermsofthePlacementPlaninrelationtoanyparticular child

workwithinthefosteringservice’spoliciesandproceduresandguidance allowinspectorsofthefosteringservicetovisittheirhomebyprior arrangementandtoseethemand/orthechildoryoungperson.

TheFosterCareAgreementalsosetsoutthefollowingrolesandresponsibilities offosterparent/s Thislistoffersageneraloverviewofyourresponsibilities It willbesupplemented,onanindividualbasis,withreferencetothespecific needsofyoungpeopleplacedwithyou.

Theexpectationsintermsofthecareyouarerequiredtoprovideforthe child.Thisincludesarequirementthatthechildbetreatedasthoughthey areamemberofthefosterparent/s'ownfamily

Theprocedureforreviewingyourapproval.EveryFosterparent/shastheir approvalreviewedatleastonceayear.Thisreviewdoesnotmeangoing throughthefullassessmentprocessagain.Inexceptionalcircumstancesa reviewmaybeconductedatanytime,thiswouldbeifsignificantchanges wereidentifiedwithinthefosteringhouseholdorifcomplaintsorallegations weremade.Healthandsafetymattersareroutinelyreviewedatthesame timeasanannualreview.

Whatsupportandtrainingwillbeprovided Howyoucanmakeacomplaint.

TherequirementforyoutonotifyStDavid’sFosteringServiceofany significantchangesinyourcircumstances Thisincludesachangeof addressoranychangetowholivesinthefamilyhome.

TheFosterparent/swillnoteverphysicallyorpsychologicallypunishthe child.

StDavid’sFosteringServicemustbeinformed,byyou,ofthechild’s progressandofanysignificanteventsaffectingthechild

YoumustcareforthefosterchildasoutlinedintheFosterCareAgreement andPlacementPlan

Youmustmaintainasafecareenvironment Thiswillbediscussedand reviewedonaregularbasiswithyourSupervisingSocialWorker.

Atalltimesyouarerequiredtocareforthechild/youngpersonwith knowledgeof,andrespectfor,thatchild’sracial,cultural,religiousand familyorigins,sexualorientationanddisabilityandtoensurethatthechild’s needsaremetinregardtoallofthese.

Totakethechild/youngperson’sviewsintoaccountinmattersofdaily livingandtoensurethattheyareabletomakechoicesconsistentwithyour roleasa‘reasonableparent’.Thisinvolvesattendanceatallmeetings concerningthechild/youngperson,asappropriate,ensuringtheirviewsare sharedwiththeresponsibleauthority

ToensurethatyouinformStDavid’sFosteringServiceimmediatelyofany seriousillnessesorincidentsthatinvolvesthechildoryoungpersoninyour care.

Toworkwithallthoseinvolvedinthechild’slifeandtocontributetothe implementationofthechild’s/youngperson’scareandplacementplans, withdueaccounttakenofyourdelegatedauthorityasfosterparent/s.

Tokeeprecordsaboutthechild/youngpersoninlinewiththeStDavid’s FosteringServicerecordingpolicy.(SeeRecordKeeping)

Tomaintainstandardsofconfidentialityconcerninganyinformationgiven orheldaboutthechild/youngpersonandhis/herfamily.

Topromoteandsupportcontactwiththechild’s/youngperson’sbirth family,asagreedintheplacementandCareandSupportPlans.

ToattendregularsupervisionandtheAnnualFosterparent/sReviews,and toundertaketraininganddevelopmentopportunitiesinordertodevelop skillsandknowledge.

Toactivelycontributeto‘LifeStory’work,bycollatingappropriate informationandphotographs.

Takingakeyroleinimplementingtheyoungperson’scareandplacement plans

Activelypromotingtheyoungperson’sgrowthanddevelopment (emotional,socialandphysical).

Encouragingandsupportingeducationalprogressandachievement. Championingtheirorigins,religionandculture.

Enablingthemtomakeandmaintainappropriaterelationshipswiththeir birthfamilies.

Supportingtransitionsinapositivemanner.

Fosterparent/salsohaveresponsibilities:-

Tokeepchildrensafeandfreefromharm

Toteachthemhowtogethelpinproblematicsituations.

Topromotetheirsecureattachmenttoadultscapableofofferingsafeand effectivecare.

Toactastheiradvocate.

Toprovidethemastableenvironmentwithappropriatefriendshipand affection.

TofunctionasanactivememberofStDavid’sFosteringService,working withcolleagueswithintheserviceandbeyond,withinagencyguidelines, policiesandprocedures.

Toparticipatefullyinallreviews,familymeetings,caseconferencesand courthearingsasrequired.

Tokeepaccuratecontemporaneouswrittendailyrecordsinrespectof placements;andcontributetoreports.

Totakeupappropriatetrainingopportunitiesandtakeresponsibilityfor owncontinuingdevelopment

TheFosteringPanels(EstablishmentandFunctions)(Wales)Regulations2018MattersrelatingtoFosterCareAgreements

2.2 FOSTER CARE AGREEMENT AND MANAGING CHANGES

Shouldanyofthefollowingapplywhilsta childisplacedwithyou,youarerequiredto notifytheFosteringServiceandchild’s SocialWorkerwithoutdelay,inorderthat mattersarisingcanbemanagedsafely andappropriately.

changeofaddress anychangetowhoresidesinthefamily home

bereavement

criminalconvictionsorcautions applicationstofoster,adoptor childmind

changesinrelationshipsuchas separationfrompartneroranew partnerrelationship

2.2.1 PREPARING FOR CHILDREN TO STAY

Onceapprovedasfosterparent/s,achild willbematchedtoyourcare Itcanbean excitingtimeforyoubutalsoadaunting one,particularlyifthisisyourfirsttime

Focusingontheneedsofthechild(ren)is key,andgoodcommunicationwithusis vitaltohelpyouestablishhowyoucan meettheneedsofthechild

Itmayhelptohaveabitofaplaninplace, keepsparetoiletries/nappies/PJsorother essentialssuitableforchildreninyourage rangeready,particularlyifyouare approvedasanemergency/shortterm fosterparent/s.

Itmaybehelpfultohavealistof questionstohandtotrytofindoutas muchinformationaboutthechild(ren) aspossible,tohelpyoutomeetthe needsofthechild(ren).

Whatarethechild’scurrent hobbies/interests,anddetailsof anyclubsattended.

Informationontheirdiet,their favouritefoodsandinparticular anyallergiesordietaryneeds. Informationabouthealthneeds andanydiagnosisforboth physicalandpsychological health(eg historyof anxiety/depressionorselfharming).

Informationabouteducationand anyadditionalneedsorissues withattendance,etc Ifthisisnot localtothefosterparent/shome howwillthechildgettoschool? Forexample,willanytransportbe provided?Requestthedetailsin writing

Emotionalandbehavioralneeds (eg isthechildwithdrawn, verballyorphysicallyabusiveto others?Isthechildatriskof absconding?)

Informationonanyculturalor religiousneeds(eg anyspecific dietaryrequirements,skincareor haircareneeds,anddoesthe childattendaplaceofworship, etc.).

Informationonanyknownor suspectedabuseincluding physical,sexual,emotional, neglect,domesticviolence, sexualexploitation,exploitation bycriminalgangs,orconcerns abouttheinfluences ofextremismthatcouldleadto radicalisation. Familysituationandproposed contact/familytime arrangementsandroleofthe fosterparent/s(e.g.arethe familyinsupportoftheirchild comingtolivewithyou?Whatis theirproximitytotheparents' house?Arethereanyknownrisks oranyactionstobetaken?)What contactarrangementswith extendedfamilyorsignificant othersinthelifeofthechildare there?

Doesyourhomehaveapet,does thisposeanyconcernsfor matching?

Ideally,everyplacementshouldbeplannedwithanopportunityfor introductionswiththefosterfamilybeforethechildrenmovein.Fosterparent/s shouldbeabletomeetthechild’sparentsbeforehand Thiscanhelpto establishagoodrelationshipfromthestart.

Childrennewtoafosterfamilywillneedinformationaboutthehouserules. Manyfosteringhouseholdshaveafamilybookwhichsetsouthowthefamily operates Itcanincludethingslikebedtimes,mealtimes,thekindoffood everyoneinthefamilylikesordislikesandtheactivitiesandhobbiestheyenjoy.

Fosterfamiliesmustalsobeclearaboutbehaviourexpectationsandwhatthe consequenceswillbeifthesearenotmet

Havingaroomoftheirownisa requirementforchildrenagedoverthree, unlessotherwiseagreedwithintheirCare andTreatmentPlan.Likeallchildrenand youngpeople,theyneedprivacyand respect,forthemselvesandpossessions thatareimportanttothem,suchasletters orbirthdaycards

Childrenneedtofeelsafe,toknowthatno oneisallowedtohurtthem.Foster parent/swillneedtoconsiderthisandwill usuallydrawuphouse‘policies’tomake surethateveryoneinthehomeknowsthe rulesandguidelines.Such‘safercaring’ policiescanalsoprotectfosterparent/s fromtherisksoftheiractionbeing misunderstood

Inthecaseofaplannedmovedforachildincare,aPlacementPlanning meetingwilltakeplacebeforethechildcomestolivewithyou,involvingsocial workers,fosterparent/sandwhereappropriatebirthparents.Inanemergency situationthismeetingshouldtakeplacewithin5workingdays ThePlanshould includedetailsofanydelegatedauthoritytothefosterparent/stomakedayto daydecisionsforthechild.

2.2.3

DELEGATED AUTHORITY

Delegatedauthorityistheprocessthat enablesfosterparent/stomakecommon sense,everydaydecisionsaboutthe childrenandyoungpeopletheycarefor, suchasallowingthemtogotofriends’ housesforsleepovers,takingpartinsporting andoutdooradventuretypeactivitiesthat maycarryanelementofrisk,signing consentformsforschooltripsandeven arranginghaircuts.UsingaDelegated Authorityformyoucanasthefoster parent/s,giveconsenttosomebasic medicalordentaltreatments.Itisusualfor thistoincluderoutinedentaltreatmentand plannedmedicalinterventions.Thisshould begiventoyoubythechild’ssocialworker attheplacementagreementmeetingoras soonaspossiblethereafter.

Youneedtoinformthechild’ssocialworker andyourSupervisingSocialWorkerabout anymedicalappointmentsthatyouhave attendedwiththechildandshouldensure thesedatesarealsoaddedtothefoster parent/sdiaryformsthatyoucomplete.

Forothermedicalsituationsconsenthasto begivenbythepersonwhohasparental responsibility(thiswouldusuallybeaparent orlocalauthoritysocialworkmanager).In anemergency,adoctorcantakewhatever actionisnecessary,evenwithoutparental consent.

Holdersofparentalresponsibilitycan delegateauthoritytofosterparent/sto undertakesuchtasksanddecisions Foster parent/sneverhaveparentalresponsibility forafosteredchild,sotheycanonlytake decisionsaboutthefosteredchildwhere thatauthorityhasbeendelegatedtothem bythelocalauthorityand/ortheparents

Clarifyingwhoisbestplacedtotakeeverydaydecisionsdependsonmany factors:theyoungperson’sage,views,legalstatusandcareplan,theparents’ viewsandtheexperienceandviewsofthefosterparent/s Collaborationand consultationareessentialforsuccessfulworkingpartnerships.

ThePlacementPlanalsoaddressesthepurposeoffosteringthechild(e.g.if thatisforashortorlongerterm),arrangementsforeducation/training,the child’spersonal/culturalhistory,theirlikesanddislikes,arrangementsforhealth andanyarrangementsforconsent,theexpectationsinregardtobehaviour andbehaviourmanagement,contact/familytimearrangements,frequencyof socialworkvisits,etc.

2.3 OUTCOMES

StDavid’sFosteringServiceiscommissioned throughaframework,calledthe4C’sthatsets outspecificdesiredoutcomesdesignedto trackandmeasureachild'sprogresswhilst beinglookedafter. Theintentionistomonitor deliveryofthewellbeingoutcomesasoutlined intheSocialServicesandWellbeing(Wales)Act 2014,withineight(8)commonaspects:

Physicalandmentalhealthandemotionalwellbeing

Protectionfromabuseandneglect

Educationtrainingandrecreation

Domestic,familyandpersonalrelationships

Contributionmadetosociety

Securingrightsandentitlements

Socialandeconomicwellbeing

Suitabilityoflivingaccommodation

Monitoringisdefinedinthisaspectbychildrenandyoungpeopleintheir languageas:

Beingalive&feelinggood

Stayingsafe

Learning

Belonging

Takingpart

BeingMyself

Happyhood

Funkyliving

Ourservicesaresetupandmanagedwiththeseoutcomesattheforefrontof ourthinking.Thismeansthatyouwillnoticetheseheadingsbeingused frequentlyinoursupervisionandtrainingandfeedbackprocesses.Thisallows ustomonitor,review,reportandsetupservicestopromotethebestoutcomes.19

3. Safe Care Plans

Oneofthemostimportantresponsibilitiesoffosterparent/sistokeepchildren andyoungpeoplesafe Atthesametime,fosterparent/smustkeep themselvesandtheirfamiliessafefromanyharmthatcouldarisethrough fostering,includingtheriskofcomplaintsorallegations.Thekeytogood,safer caringisforfosterparent/stoberisksensibleregardingtherisksinvolvedfor childrenindifferentsituationsandmakingwellthoughtthroughdecisions,in partnershipwiththechild’sSocialWorkerandthefosteringservice

Afosterchildoryoungpersoncomingtostaywithyouwillnotknowyourfamily rulesandboundariesandwilltaketimetolearnthem.Theymaycomefrom familieswheretherewasalackofstructuretofamilylife,orboundarieson behaviour,andtheirpre-careexperiencesarelikelytoaffecttheirbehaviour If youhaveanyconcerns,youshouldtalkthesethroughwithyoursupervising socialworker.

Fosterparent/smustalwaysbalancerisksintheeverydaydecisionstheytake forthemselves,theirchildrenandtheirfosteredchildren Thedifferencewitha fosteredchildisthatfosterparent/scareforthemonbehalfofthelocal authorityandsoareaccountablefortheday-to-daydecisionstheytake.They willbeaskedbytheirfosteringservicetodosomethingsdifferentlythanthey mightwiththeirownchildren,tokeepeveryonesafe.

Childrenandyoungpeopleincareareoftenmorevulnerablethantheirpeers, duetotheirpreviouslifeexperiences,sofosterparent/sneedtounderstand andmanagetheparticularriskstheymayfacewhilehelpingchildrentohave asnormalachildhoodastheycan.

Wecannoteliminateriskfromeverydaylife,thekeytogood,safercaringis aboutfosterparent/sbeingrisksensibleoftherisksinvolvedforparticular childrenindifferentsituationsandmakingconsidereddecisions,inpartnership withthechild’sSocialWorkerandthefosteringservice.

Safercaringisallaboutbeing“risk-sensible”,notrisk-averse.Itisaboutfoster parent/sworkinginpartnershipwithchildrenandyoungpeople,theirparents, whereverpossible.SocialWorkerswillhelptodeveloptherightsafercaring planforthechildbeingmindfuloftheirday-to-daylifetounderstandand balancetherisksinvolvedinaparticularactivityordecision,ratherthan applyingafixedsetofrulesinallcircumstances.

Youwillprobablywanttoagreeonyoursafer careplanbeforehand,withthewholefamily, beforeyoutalktonewlyarrivedchild(ren) Somefosterparentsjustliketotalkthings through,inanage-appropriateway,others liketoputthingsonpaperinwordsand pictures.Eachfamilywillhavetheirownwayof doingthis

Yoursafecareplanmustbeupdated wheneverthereisanotablechangetoyour householdornewfosteredchild(ren)jointhe household Youwillalsoneedtocompletea safercareplaninadvancewhenyoutake childrenawayonholiday.

Yoursupervisingsocialworkercompletespart ofthesafercareplanandwillalsoofferadvice oncompletingyourpart.Theplanisreviewed annuallyaspartofyourfosteringreview.

Sometimesaspecificriskassessmentmaybe neededforchildrenoryoungpeoplewhen particularincidentsorworrieshavearisen.

Thefollowingaresomeoftheissuesyouwill needtoconsiderwhendevelopingaSafeCare Plan Thisisnotintendedtobeanexhaustive orprescriptivelistbutwillhelpindrawingupa personalisedplan,whichshouldbetailormadeforyourfamily.

Considereachissuefromeveryone'spoint ofview(thefosterchild,otherchildrenin thehousehold,yourself,visitors,possibly petsetc.)

Anyspecificsituationswhenandwhere areasofproblemsmayarise Whichcaregiverisresponsiblefor implementingeachaspectoftheplan (remembertoincludeoutsiderslike babysitters)

Settingtimestoreviewtheplan,especially whentherearesignificantchanges Impactofwhenyougoforaholidayor weekendaway?

Whatwillyoudoifoneormoreaspectsof theplanarenotworking?

TheNamesyouuse

Childrenshouldbeactivelyencouragedto callyoubyyourfirstnameand discouragedfromcallingyou'mummy'or 'daddy'becauseitcancauseconfusion andambiguityabouttheirownfamily

PhysicalContact

Youmustprovidealevelofcare,including physicalcontact,whichdemonstrates warmth,respectandapositiveregardfor children

Physicalcontactshouldbegivenina mannerwhichissafe,protectiveand avoidsthearousalofsexualexpectations, feelingsorinanywaywhichreinforces sexualstereotypes

3.1 SHOWING AFFECTION

Oneoftheprimetasksforfosterparent/sistoworkwiththechildrento maximiseopportunitiesforformingandbenefitingfrompositiverelationships withadults

Showingaffectionisaparticularlyimportantpartofyourcaringroleand shouldneverbeavoidedbecauseofthefearofallegations.Warmthand understandingareessential,buteveryoneneedstoknowandunderstand whenarelationshipisinappropriate

Childrenwhohavesufferedunexpectedlossesinadultrelationshipsarelikely tobeconstantlyfearfulofbeingabandonedagain.

Childrenshouldalwaysbeaskedfirstiftheywouldlikeakiss,hugoracuddle. Theyneedtobetaughtbyacaringadulttosay'no'iftheydonotwanttobe touchedandwhattouchisappropriatetouch.

Familieswillallhavedifferentwaysofshowingaffectionandyouneedtobe carefulnottoimposeyourwayonothers.Iftouchhasmeantsomethingother thanaffectiontoachildinthepast,theymightnotunderstandthatwhenyou trytoshowthemaffection.

3.2

PLAYING

Playisacruciallycrucialfactorinourdevelopment.Itisparticularlyvaluableto childrenasitenablesthemtoexploretheirrelationships,developtheirphysical abilities,exploretheirenvironmentsandlearnaboutteamplayingand boundaries,usuallywithinacreativeandnon-judgmentalframework.

Sometimesolderlookedafterchildrenhavenothadtheopportunitiestoplay thatothersofthesameagehavehadandthereforeitshouldbenotedthat theymayenjoygamesthataredesignedforyoungerchildren. Wherepossibleencouragechildrentoplayinpublicpartsofthehome.Listen outwhenchildrenareplayingandcheckwhentheygoquiet

Youmayfeelthatthechildshouldplaywithfriendsatyourhomeparticularly duringtheearlydaysofaplacement.Thismaybemoredifficultwhentheyare olderchildren.Ifyouarenotsure,talktoyourSupervisingSocialWorker.

Bemindfulofyourboundariesandcarefulnottoinadvertentlyputyourselfina positionwhereyourphysicalactionsorbehaviourmaybemisconstruedbya child,roughandtumbleplaywouldfallunderthiscategory.

3.3 BULLYING

Instilfirmunderstandingthatbullyingisnotacceptableandbeclearaboutthe actionsthatwillbetakenifyoususpectbullyingoraretoldofbullying happening

Becleartochildrenaboutwhatisacceptablebehaviour.

Ifnecessary,provideopportunitiesforchildren toconsidertheissueofbullyingthrough creativeactivitieseg writingstoriesorpoems ordrawingpictures.Usethesetocreate discussionsaboutbullyingandwhyitmatters.

Begoodrolemodelsasfosterparent/sand attendtraininganddevelopmentopportunities regularlytobeawareofissuesrelatedto bullyingandtounderstandhowourpolicies andproceduresandexpectationsworkin practice.

StDavid'sFosteringBullyingPolicyand Procedure.docx

3.4 INTIMATE CARE

Childrenshouldbesupportedand encouragedtoundertakebathing,showers andotherintimatecareofthemselveswithout relyingonfosterparent/s.Ifchildrenaretoo youngorareunabletobathe,usethetoiletor undertakeotherhygieneroutines, arrangementsshouldbemadetoassistthem.

Arrangementsforintimatecareofyoung and/ordisabledchildshouldbesetoutinthe PlacementPlanforeachchild.

Childrenwhoareoldenoughshouldbe encouragedtowashthemselvesandshould haveprivacyinthebathroom Itmaybe possibletositoutsidethebathroomsoachild remainssafeyetisabletobatheinprivacy.

3.5 ENURESIS AND ENCOPRESIS

Ifitisknownorsuspectedthatachildis likelytoexperienceenuresis,encopresisor maybepronetosmearingitshouldbe discussedopenly,butwithgreatsensitivity, withthechildifpossible,andstrategies adoptedformanagingit;thesestrategies shouldbeoutlinedinthechild'sPlacement Plan.Pleasebemindfulofthefactthatthe reviewoftheplanmaybeheldinthe presenceofavarietyofinvolved professionalsandbemindfulofachildor youngperson 'ssensitivitieswhen discussingsuchsensitiveissues.Itmaybe appropriatetoconsultaContinenceNurse orotherspecialist,whomayadviseonthe mostappropriatestrategytoadopt. Always

Talktothechildinprivate,openlybut sympathetically. Donottreatitasthefaultofthechildor applyanyformofconsequence.

Donotrequirethechildtoclearupunlessagreedaspartofthetreatment strategy;arrangeforthechildtobecleanedandremovethenwashany soiledbeddingandclothes

Maintainarecordtoassistindeterminingpatternsortrendsandfor reportingbacktotheSocialWorker.

Makearrangementsforthechildtohavefoodingoodtimebeforebedand arrangeforthechildtousethetoiletbeforeretiring;alsoconsiderarranging forthechildtobewokentousethetoiletduringthenight Usemattressesorbeddingthatcanwithstandsoiling. Allowforchildrenwhoareoldenoughtowashthemselves.Consideration shouldbegiventowhetherthechild'spreviousexperiencesand preferencesmeanitmightbebetterforeitherfosterparent/sidentifyingas aparticulargendertocarryoutthistask,orforboth,jointlytodoit Fosterparent/sshouldleavethedooropenwhenputtingchildrentobed.

3.6 MENSTRUATION

Whereverpossible,girlsshouldbesupportedand encouragedtokeeptheirownsupplyofsanitary protectionwithouthavingtorequestit.Thereshould alsobeadequateprovisionfortheprivatedisposal ofusedsanitaryprotection.

3.7 EDUCATION ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS, SEX AND SEXUALITY

Sexeducation,sexuality,sexualorientation,and contraceptioncanbecomplexissuesforafoster familytoconsiderwithregardstothechildrenand youngpeoplewecarefor.Therecanbelegalpoints toconsiderintermsoftheageofconsentor potentiallyethical/moral/religiousdifferencesto negotiatebetweentheyoungpeople,theirparents, carers,socialworkers.

Thereisaresponsibilitytoequipchildrenwith knowledgearoundhealthyrelationships,looking afterthemselves,treatingeachotherwithkindness, stayingsafeandrecognisingthedifferencebetween onlineandofflinefriendships.Carersareexpectedto beinvolvedindiscussingrelationshipsandsex educationwithyoungpeopletohelpthemtomake informeddecisionsabouttheirwellbeing,healthand relationshipsaswellaspreparingthemfora successfuladultlife.

Supportcanbeaccessedfromtheirsupervisingsocialworkerandspecialist nurse.

Age-appropriateconversationsaboutrelationshipsshouldbeginearlyina child’slifeandcontinueastheygrowup.Butifayoungpersonisplacedwith youasanolderteenager,itisnevertoolatetotalkaboutsex.Allchildrenneed communication,guidance,andinformationabouttheseissues,evenifthey sometimesdonotappeartobeinterestedinwhatyouhavetosay Theymay comeacrossalotofinappropriateinformationontheTV,radioorinternetso theyneedtobeabletocheckwhatisrightandwhatiswrong.

Remembertotalktobothgirlsandboysanddonotassumeiftherearetwo carers,theotherisdoingit Bothcarersshouldbeinvolvedinthese conversations.

Youmustadoptthesameapproachwithchildrenwhoexploreorareconfused abouttheirsexualidentityorwhohavedecidedtofollowaparticularlifestyle solongasitisnotabusiveorillegal

Discussingrelationshipsandsexcanbemorecomplexifthechild/young personhasbeensexuallyabused.Theymayblamethemselvesandhave confusedfeelingsaboutthepurposeofsex.Youmayneedtoworkcloselywith otherprofessionalsincludingthechild’ssocialworkertoensuretheyareclear onappropriaterelationshipsandsexualbehaviour,andtorebuildself-esteem anddeveloptrustingrelationships.

Youshouldtrynottoprojecthowyoufeel aboutthesubjectontothechild,soifyou cringewhenaskedaquestion,thechildmay alsoshutdownorbeunsurewhatthismeans.

Schoolsaregovernedtoproviderelationship andsexeducationinthebroadestsensebut childrenwillalwaysbeinfluencedbytheir experienceswithinthehomeenvironment. Somelookedafterchildren’sexperiencesmay nothavebeenconventional,theymayhave beeninenvironmentswhereboundarieswere notinplacethusimpactingontheir developmentofaheathyattitudetowardssex, sexualityandrelationships.Your understandingandapproachinenabling thesetypesofexperiencestobeworked throughsensitivelyisimperativeinhelpingthe child/reninyourcaretonavigateandexplore theirdevelopmentalneedssafely.

Relationshipsandsexeducationisimportantforallofusaswegrowup This shouldalsobeageappropriate.Childrenneedtobehelpedtothinkabout whatmakesagoodfriend,theyneedtolearnhowtoavoidsituationsthat mightputthematriskofabuseand/orexploitation.

YourPlacementPlanandSafetyPlanwillprovideaframeworkforyouto manageanyparticularissuesandasalways,yoursupervisingsocialworker willbeavailabletoassistwithanyissuesarisingandsupportanytrainingor developmentopportunitiesrequiredforyou.

3.7.1 MASTURBATION

3.7.2 AGE OF CONSENT

Effectiverelationshipsandsexeducationathomeandatschoolisessentialif youngpeoplearetomakeresponsibleandwell-informeddecisionsabouttheir livesandresistpeerpressure

Schoolsarerequiredtoproviderelationshipsandsexeducationaspartofthe curriculumforallchildrenandyoungpeople.Schoolprogrammesarebased onnationalandlocalguidelinesandtakeplacebothatprimaryand secondarylevel Sometimesyouwillbeautomaticallynotifiedbyachild’s schoolofwhattheyareplanningtodeliver;ifnotyoushouldtrytofindout whenprogrammesarebeingintroducedsothatyouarepreparedforany questionstheymayhave.

Sexandconsent|Childline Video:WhenThinkingAboutConsent,StartWithACupOfTea

3.8 GOING OUT

Legalobligationsinrespectoftheuseof childcarseatsmustalwaysbeadhered toandwilldependontheageandability ofthechild.

Thinkaboutwhotravelsaloneinacar withafosterchild.Itcanbeaneffective wayofthechildhavingone-to-one contactbecauseitcanbeeasiertotalk withoutanyeyecontact.However,achild whohas,ormayhavebeen,abused mightfeelunsafealoneinacarwithan adult.

Asaferuleisforfosterparent/stoavoid travellingalonewithafosterchild Ifthis cannotbeavoided,thechildshouldtravel inthebackofthecar.Iftherearetwo Parentswithachild,itwillbesaferforthe childtobeinthefrontofthecarrather thaninthebackseatwithoneadult Once youknowthechildwellyoumaywantto reviewthissituation.

3.10 SUPERVISION OF CHILDREN IN THE HOME

Asafosterparentyouareresponsibleforthesupervisionofchildrenandyoung peopleinyourcare.Thedegreeoffreedomgiventochildrenwilldependon manyfactors,includingthechild’sage,levelofdevelopmentand communicationneeds.Foranysignificantdecision-makingthechild’scare planandviewsoftheirsocialworkerareobviouslykey Intermsofday-to-day carefosterparentsalsoneedtokeepinmindthatyoumaynotbeawareofall ofachild’shistory.Assuch,childrenshouldbesupervisedwhileplaying togetherandthisshouldgenerallytakeplaceinalivingarea,ratherthana bedroom.Childrenshouldnotbeleftunsupervisedwithdogs.Somechildren whoarelookedaftermayhavepreviouslyexperiencedhavingbeenlockedina bedroomso‘sendingchildrentotheirbedroom’asasanctionshouldbe avoided.Ifyouhaveanyconcernsaboutsupervisionwithinthehome,you shouldspeaktoyoursupervisingsocialworkandanyareasofconcernshould berecordedinyoursafercareplan.

3.11 LEAVING YOUR CHILD OR YOUNG PERSON HOME ALONE

Thelawdoesnotdetermineanageat whichachildcanbeleftalonebutitis againstthelawtoleaveachildaloneifit putsthematriskandparents/carers canbeprosecutediftheyleaveachild unsupervised‘inamannerlikelytocause unnecessarysufferingorinjurytohealth’. Leavingachildinthecareofoneofyour ownteenagechildrenforashorttimeis somethingthatyoushoulddiscusswith yoursupervisingsocialworker TheNSPCC state‘There’snolegalageachildcan babysit–butifyouleaveyourchildren withsomeonewho’sunder16,you’restill responsiblefortheirwellbeing.’Thereare anumberoffactorstoconsiderin thinkingthroughwhatthiscouldmeanfor achildwhoislookedafter,andforyour ownchild,forexampleifanemergency weretoarise,oranallegationweretobe made

Asfosterparentsyouarecaringforachildonbehalfofthelocalauthorityand youshouldalwaysbemindfulofthis,whilstalsobalancingthisagainstthe needsofourchildrentonotbetreateddifferently.Forteenagers,beingleftat homealoneisastepwhichneedstobeconsideredinthecontextoftheyoung persondevelopingindependenceskills.Beforeleavingachildalone,youmust makeajudgementabouthis/hercapabilitiesandreliability,butyouwillbe unabletodothisuntiltheyoungpersonhasbeenlivingwithyouforsometime. Thesocialworker’sopinionmayalsobehelpfulindecidingwhethertheyoung personisreadyforthisstep

3.12 ALLOWING A CHILD OR YOUNG PERSON TO GO OUT ALONE

Decidingwhenayoungpersonshouldgooutaloneisajudgementbasedon his/hermaturity,amongstotherfactors.However,therewillalsobe considerablepeerpressuretoallowit,whetherthechildisreadyornot.Before allowingachildtogooutaloneforthefirsttime,forinstancewalkingtoschool ortotheshops,youmustensurechildrenareawareofalltherelevantrisk factorsincludingtrafficortalkingtostrangers.Theyshouldbeeducatedabout howtokeepthemselvessafeandwhattodoinanemergencyorif,for instance,theymissthebushome.

Thisareacanbeproblematicforfosterparentswhoarefosteringyoung peoplewithahistoryoffewornoboundaries.Whereverpossibleyoushould putinplacehouserulesaboutwhenyoungpeoplecangoout(forinstancenot onaschoolnight)andwhentheymustreturn.Youngpeoplemustalsoinform youwheretheyaregoingandwithwhom.

Theremaybetimeswhenanswersaboutwheretheyaregoingarevagueand whentheydonotcomplywiththeagreementaboutthetimetoreturn You maybeconcernedthattheyareputtingthemselvesatriskbutequallyunable tophysicallystopthemfromleaving.Thesearenoteasysituationstoresolve. Havinganargumentmaymeantheyoungpersonwillnotreturntothefoster homeatall,thusplacinghimself/herselfatevengreaterrisk.

Incopingwiththissituation,therelationshipthatyoubuildwiththeyoung personisextremelyimportant.Iftheyareabletomaintainchannelsof communication,theyoungpersonismorelikelytoconsideractingonwhat youaresaying.Thismeansavoidingconflictandargumentbutexplaining calmlyhowworriedyouareabouttheriskshe/sheisbeingexposedtoand ensuringthattheyhaveappropriateinformationaboutdrugs,alcohol,and sexualhealth.Youshouldalsomakeclearthatwhateverhappensyouwillbe therefortheyoungperson.

Youshouldalsodiscussanyconcernswithyoursupervisingsocialworker,who maybeabletoofferadditionalsupportandadvice.

3.13 PHOTOS, VIDEOS AND THE INTERNET

ItshouldbeclearinthePlacementPlanwhocansigntoagreeforthechild's photoorvideofootagebeingtakeninsettingssuchasschool.

Ifphotos,videosortheinternethavebeenpartofanyabuseforthe child/youngperson,youshouldcheckthebestwayforwardwiththechild's SocialWorker.

Itisalwayshelpfulwhenyoudotakephotosorvideos,toaskthechild's permissionfirstandmakesurethattheygetcopiesandthattheyknowwho elsewillseethemandwhy

Beextrasensitivetohowchildrenreacttohavingtheirphototaken.Nevertake photosofchildrenhavingabathorwearingnoclothes. Whenthechildusestheinternet,takeaninterestinwhattheydoandagree, when,whereandhowtheywilluseit Ensurethatyouinstallsoftwarethatfilters inappropriatematerialforchildrenonalldevicesavailabletochildren.

Fosterparent/smusttakeupregulartraininginmanagingthedigitalworld andsafeguarding.

LDREN WITH TIES

hadisabilityareparticularly oabuse.

bemoreofaneedforintimate re.Whereachild/youngperson lityorcomplexhealthneeds,the lWorkerwillofferadvicebasedon alneedsofthechildinyourcare nt/swillneedtomakesurethata personwithcommunication abletoexpresstheirwishesabout re,andthisshouldalsobe

3.15 THE FOSTER PARENT/S' AND OTHER FAMILY MEMBER'S BEDROOMS

Someparentsliketoletyoungchildrengetintotheirbedtotalkandlistento storiesortobecomfortedwhentheyarenotwell.Itisoneofthedilemmasyou facewhenasafamilyyouaretryingtogiveyourownchildrenanormal upbringingwhilstwantingtoprovideasafeenvironmentforthechildrenyou foster.

Sharingyourbedcantriggerthememoryofabuseandgivethewrong messagesaboutwhatmighthappenandwhatisacceptable.Itissaferto provideallchildrenwithatimeofaffectionoutsideyourbedroom.

3.16 CHILDREN'S BEDRO

Yourplanshouldbeclearaboutb rulese.g.,itmaybedecidedthat knockonbedroomdoorsbeforeg

Childrenovertheageof3should ownroombutthereareexception circumstanceswhenchildrencan Whenthishappens,theyshouldh ownspaceintheroomandsome storepersonalpossessions.

Childrenmustnotsharebeds.

Somechildrenwhohavebeenabusedmightneedtheirownspacesothat theylearnthattheyhavetherighttobesafeandprivate Themostimportant thingisforthemtohavesomewheretokeeptheirbelongingssafe.

3.17 BEDTIME

Bedtimesareanopportunityforfosterparent/stoshowcareandwarmth towardsthechild,strikingthebalancebetweenrulesandsafecaringthatneed tobefoundforeachindividualchild.Therulesaresettoprotectthemselves andothers.Childrenneedtolearnhowtosay'no'.Fosterparent/sneedtoknow howtoexplainthedifferencebetweenwhatisandisnotacceptablebehaviour andhowtohelpchildrenchangebehaviourthatisnotrightfortheirage.You mayneedtosaythatyouaretalkingtothemaboutrelationshipsandsexto helpthemdealwithsituations,feelsaferandaspartofgrowingup.

Familieswillhavedifferentapproachestothissubjectandhowchildrenget informationaboutrelationships,sexandsexualityandwhattheyaretold.You willneedtofindoutfromthechild'sSocialWorkerwhatthefamily'sapproach wasandthebestwayofdealingwiththis,particularlyifthechild/youngperson hasadifferentculturalorreligiousbackgroundfromyourown.Youmayalso wanttocheckoutwithschool/educationalsettingwhattheyaredoingonthe subjectsoyoucanbeprepared.

Providingasafeenvironmentmeansthatotherchildreninthefosterhome mustunderstandthatanysexualactivitywithafosterchildisasunacceptable aswithabiologicalbrotherorsister

Themostimportantthingisthatthechildfeelstheycancomeandaskyou questionsandtalktoyouaboutthesubjectiftheyarenotsure.Fosterparent/s shouldneversharepersonaldetailsaboutthissubjectwiththechild.

3.18 THE WAY YOU DRESS

Itisimportantforpeopletodressappropriatelywheninthehouse Makesure thatyourfamilyandfosterchildrenwearnightwearandthatexpectationsare clearforeveryone

3.19 FIRE PLAN

Discussandagree,asafamilywhatroutesyouwilltakeifafirestartsand practiceanevacuation.Thinkaboutwherekeysarekeptsoeverybodyknows wheretheywillbeforthefrontandbackdoorsandwindows.

3.20 RESTRICTIVE PHYSICAL INTERVENTION

Fosterparent/sneedtobeconfidentinunderstandingthedifferencebetween appropriatephysicalinteractionbetweenthemselvesandthechildanda restrictivephysicalintervention.Restrictivephysicalinterventionmustneverbe usedbyfosterparent/sotherthaninexceptionalcircumstances,where Parentshavereceivedspecialisedtrainingandthenonlyonthebasisofprior andexplicitagreementwiththechild'sSocialWorker,IROandparent(s)as recordedinthechild'sPlacementandCareandSupportPlan.

StDavid'sFosteringServicePromotingRelationshipsandRestraintPolicyand Procedure.docx

3.21 MISSING FROM HOME

Theplanneedstomakeexplicithowyoushouldrespondinthecircumstances wherethechildismissinginaccordancewiththe'missingchildren'procedure andanymeasuresthatarehelpfulinreducingtheriskofthechildgoing missing AdetailedsetofguidanceislistedlaterintheHandbook

3.22 SAFE STORAGE OF MEDICATION

Theplanmustspecifywhereallmedicationwill besecurelystoredinthehouseholdin accordancewithrequirementsofstorage, administrationanddisposalofmedicationand firstaidprocedure.

SafeCaringplancreated20.09.24.docx SafeCarepolicydocx

4. Safeguarding Allegations and Concerns

(see also 21)

Anallegationisanassertionfromanypersonthatafosterparentoranother memberofthefosteringhouseholdhas,ormayhave,behavedinawaythat hasharmedachild,committedacriminaloffenceagainstachildorbehaved towardsachildinawaythatindicatestheyareunsuitabletoworkwith children.

Allegationsaremoreseriousthangeneralcomplaintsagainstfosterparents becauseallegationshavetobeinvestigatedundertheAll-WalesChild ProtectionProcedure.Allegationsshouldbetreateddifferentlyfromconcerns aboutpoorstandardsofcare.

Thelocalauthorityinwhichthefosterparentlives,thefosteringservicethey workfor,thelocalauthorityresponsibleforthefosteredchildandthepolicewill allbeinvolvedindecidingexactlyhowaparticularallegationisinvestigated.

Fosterparent/sandallyoungpeopleofsufficientageandunderstanding residingwithinthefosteringhouseholdshouldbefamiliarwiththecontentsof the'Managingallegationsagainststaffandfosterparent/s'procedure’andin particularbeconfidentinknowingwhattoreportandwhotoapproachshould theyhaveanyconcernsofasafeguardingnatureaboutfosterparent/sand/or amemberofstaff.

TheFosteringNetworkprovidefurtherinformationhere

TheFosteringNetwork“Allegations,concernsandComplaints”bookcanbe purchasedofsharedasrequired-informationcanbefoundhere

5. Supervision and Support

StDavid’sFosteringServicebelievethatsupportforfosterparent/siscrucial andplaysakeyroleinstabilityandsuccessofplacements.StDavid’sFostering serviceaimtomaintainskilledprofessionalrelationshipswithyouatalltimes toensurethatyoureceivethesupport,training,andinformationnecessaryto enableyoutoprovidecareandsupportinaccordancewiththechild’splan

Regularprofessionalsupervisionwillbeundertaken.Thiswillbeaminimum monthlyforshort-termplacementsandinaccordancewiththeplacement agreementforlongertermarrangements.

Supervisionwillberecordedonastandardtemplate,signedoffandsaved securelyandwillbeusedtomonitorpracticeandoutcomes.Thistemplatewill bein2sections,onechildrenspecifictobesavedwithinthechild’sfileon CHARMSandtheotherfosterparent/sspecifictobesavedwithinthefoster parent/sfileonCHARMS

Fosterparent/s

Updateonactionsagreed

Changeofcircumstances/issuesarisinginthefosteringfamily

Training

HealthandSafety Outcomes

SafeCaring ActionsAgreed

Children Health Education Contact

SavingsandPocketmoney

SocialandEmotionalwellbeing

RisksandConcerns

StDavid’sFosteringServicewillprovideregular supportgroupsforfosterparent/sthatwill incorporatebothtraining/developmentand socialopportunities.

Wewillensurefosterparent/sreceivesupport, includingsupportoutsideofficehours,as appearsnecessaryintheinterestsofchildren placedwiththefosterparent/sandtoenable themtoprovidecareandsupporttochildren inaccordancewitheachchild’scareand supportplan.

Fosterparent/swillhaveaccesstospecialist andtailor-madesupportwhenneeded.This includesaccesstopsychologicalhealth supportandtherapeuticservices.

Allchildrenshouldbemadeawareofthe supportandservicesavailabletothemand shouldhaveaccesstoanindependentadult theycantrustandwhocanrepresenttheir interestsifrequired Thisincludessonsand daughtersoffosterparent/swhoseneedsand viewsshouldalsobeconsideredbythe fosteringagency.

StDavid’sFosteringservicewillalwaysensure fosterparent/sareawareofthesupport availabletothemduringanyallegations/ complaintsmadeagainstthem.Foster parent/sandtheirfamilieswillhaveaccessto independentsupportwhenneeded

StDavid’sFosteringservicewillmonitorand reviewtheinformation,training,advice,and supportprovidedtofosterparent/sand prospectivefosterparent/sandmakeany improvementswhichmaybenecessary

SupervisionofFosterparent/spolicy.docx 110124Fosterparent/sSupervision Template.docx

6. SelfAwareness/Care

Asafosterparentitisimportantthatyouareawareofyourlimits,whichcanof coursebeimpactedbymanydifferentfactors;changesinyourfamily circumstances,health,worksituationandtheneedsofthechild(ren)youare caringfor.Ifyouarebecomingstressedandlosingyourpatiencewithachild,it isessentialthatyoutakeactionstraightawaytokeepthechildandyourself safe.

Seekinghelpfromyoursupportnetwork,otherfosterparents,andspeaking withyoursupervisingsocialworkerattheearliestopportunityisvitally important Thebehaviourofchildreninthecaresystemcanreflectthetrauma theyhaveexperiencedandthisinturncantriggerreactionsforfosterparents; recognisingthis,admittingtohavingdifficulties,andtakingpromptactionis notasignofweakness.Experiencetellsusthataskingforhelpearlyon preventssituationsescalating.

Whenfosterparentsbecomestretchedbeyondtheirlimits,eitherbytheneeds ofthechild(ren)theyarecaringfor,orbyacombinationofadditionallife factorstheremaybeariskof:

CompassionFatigue:whereyoubecomesodrainedandexhaustedthat psychologicalchangesoccurinthebrainwhichrenderyouunableto connectwiththechildoraccessempathyorhigherthinking/reasoning.An elementofcompassionfatigueis‘burnout’describedasfeelingsof physicalandemotionalexhaustion

Secondarytrauma:whereyoufeeltraumatisedbythechild’sexperiences

Self-caremayincludeshortbrainbreakwithacupoftea,awalk,bath,reading, exerciseoraplannedweekendordayaway,ventingtoasupportive friend/listener

Buildin‘brainbreaks’thismaybeshortregularbreaksoraperiodofrespite Useyournetworkstobuildinsupport.

Attendtrainingandsupportopportunities.

7. Finance and Insurance

StDavid’sFosteringServicerespectandcelebratethecriticalroleofourfoster parent/s.Whilemoneywillnotbethemainmotivationforyoubecomingfoster parent/swithusweunderstandthatitisimportant

Onceapprovedasfosterparent/sandyouwelcomeachild/renintoyourlife youwillreceiveaweeklyallowanceof£470perweekforeachchildthatyou lookafter.Thisallowanceismadeupofafosteringfeeandachild’sallowance thatcoverscostsassociatedwithcaringforthechild,includingengagementin hobbiesandinterests,clothing,food,andhouseholdexpenses.Formostfoster parent/s,thiswillbetaxfreeandwillunlikelyaffectanybenefitsyouare receiving.

Wewillaskyoutosignanagreementwithus,coveringthearrangementsfor financialpayments,itwillinclude,butisnotlimitedto,thefollowingpoints;

Paymentsaremade2weeksinarrearsfromthedateachildisplaced Whatdayoftheweekpaymentsaremade.

Theagreedamountofsavings

Howtodealwithanyissuesarising

3.19 FIRE PLAN

HisMajesty’sRevenueandCustoms(HMRC)treatsallfostercarersasselfemployedfortaxpurposes.So,oncetheyhavebeenapproved,allfostercarers shouldregisterasself-employed.HMRCwillchargeapenaltyifafostercarer doesnotregisterasself-employedwithinsixmonthsoftheendofthetaxyear inwhichtheyareapproved(i.e.theyeartheystartself-employment).Thetax yearrunsfrom6Aprilto5April,sothedeadlineforregisteringasselfemployedis5October.(Forexample,ifyoubecameapprovedasafostercarer between6April2023and5April2024,youwouldneedtoregisterby5October 2024.)

It'ssimplesttoregisterwithHMRConline YoucanalsocallHMRCifyouneed supportwithyourregistration.

Onceregisteredasself-employed,foster carerswillneedtocalculatehowmuchtax theyoweandsubmitaself-assessmenttax returneveryyear.Todothis,it’simportantthat fostercarershavearecordofthechildren theyfoster,thedatestheyarewiththem,and theirages.

Fostercarerswhoregisterasself-employed areautomaticallyregisteredforClass2 NationalInsurancecontributions.

Tax&NationalInsuranceContributionsfor FosterCarers|FinancialSupport|The FosteringNetwork

Weunderstandthattherearelikelytobe differencesinhowfosterparent/sspendthe allowanceallocatedtoeachchild.The followingstipulateswhatweexpectthe allowancetocover,anyadditional expenditureneedsmustbediscussedand agreedinadvance,inlinewiththeidentified needsofthechild.

FosterHome•Heating•Lighting•Toiletries• Skinandhairproducts•Haircuts•General householdexpenses•Decorating•Insurance• Equipmentincludingtoysandfurniture

Travel(includingcontact)

Food•Specialdietaryneeds•Celebrationsof birthdaysandotherfestivities

Education•Toddlergroupequipment/ nurseryfees•books,pens,paint,papers

Sports•HealthandLeisurememberships/ fees•clothingandequipment

Socialandcultural/religiousactivities• Cinema•Theatre•Recreationalactivitiesand outings(incl.entrancefees)•Prayerbooks• Festivities•Specialclothing

Althoughthisisnotanexclusivelistitaddressesthemostprevalentareas whereregularexpenditureisneeded.

Inaddition,fosterparent/sareexpectedtobudgetandsavemoneyforitems suchasabicycle,schooluniform,schoolexcursionsetc.Wherenecessary receiptsandevidenceofspendingmayberequestedandthereforeitwouldbe consideredprudentforyoutokeepreceiptsforinspectionandmaintaingood records

Fromthetotalpaymentfosterparentsreceive,theyshoulddeductthetotal ‘basicrate’(includingpocketmoney,recreation,toiletrymoneyandclothing allowance)fortheagegroupofthechildtheyarefostering.Childrenand youngpeoplecanbedividedintoagegroupsasfollows:-0to11yearsand12 yearsplus.Oftheremainingfigure,30%representsthe‘rewardelement’and theremainderistobespentonthechild/youngperson.Itistheresponsibility ofthefosterparent/stodeclarethisforincometaxpurposes.Atleastoncea yearyouwillreceiveanotificationfromusoftheminimumrecommended weeklyallowanceforeachchild(includingpocketmoney,recreational activities,toiletry,clothingandtransport).Awrittenrecordofhowthe allowanceisspentmustbekept(includingreceiptsforclothes,leisure activitiesetc.),thiswillbeinspectedandnoted,bytheSupervisingSocial Worker.

Savingsmoneybelongstothechild/youngperson.Whenaplacementends theSSWascertainsfromtheLocalAuthoritySocialWorker,inwriting,wherethe child’ssavingsmoneyistobeforwardedto.Thisisusuallydonebymeansofa Banktransfer.Insomesituations,theremaybeacontractualarrangement withaLocalAuthoritywhichrequiresaspecificamounttobesavedeachweek Manychildrenandyoungpeoplewouldwanttosaveadditionalmoneyfrom theirallowance,orpocketmoneysofosterparent/swillneedtoopenasavings account.Fosterparent/smustbeproactiveandseeksupportiftheymeet difficultiesinopeningabankaccountforalookedafterchild.Detailsofthe child’ssavingsmustbemadeavailabletothechild’sSocialWorkerandthe SupervisingSocialWorkerattheirrequest.

FosterCarerfinanceclaimform.docx

Whileyoudonotneedtohavespecialisthomeinsurancetobefosterparent/s, wewillexpectyoutoadviseyourinsurancecompanyofyourfosteringroleand westronglyrecommendthatyouspeaktopotentialinsurersaboutyour occupationtoensureyouarenotexposedtoanyunnecessaryrisk.

TheFosteringNetworksuggests10keyquestionstoaskapotentialinsurer

Iamafosterparent/s,doyouapplyanyadditionalrestrictions,reductions orexclusionstomypolicy?

Doyoucovermyfosterchildren’spossessionsascontentsofmyhome?Are thereanynon-standardrestrictions,reductionsorexclusionstothis?

Wouldyouprovidecoverforanyaccidentaldamagecausedtomy buildingsandcontentsbyafosterchildinmycare?

Wouldyouprovidecoverforanyintentionalormaliciousdamagecaused byafosterchildinmycare?Ifyes,whatwouldIberequiredtoprovideas evidencetosupportmyclaimsubmission?

DoyourequiremetoletyouknowasandwhenIacceptnewplacements, orfosterchildrenleavemycare?Ifso,whatinformationwouldyouneedme toprovideandhowquicklycouldyouconfirmifcoverisavailable?

Ifafosterchildhasacriminalbackgroundorabackgroundofcausing damage,doIneedtodisclosethistoyou?

DoyouhaveacaponhowmanyfosterchildrenIcanhaveinmycareat anyonetime?

Whatisyourclaimsprocessfordealingwithfosterparent/shome insuranceclaims?

Doyouhaveateamthatunderstandsmyroleasfosterparent/s?Doyou understandthatIwillhaveoccupation-relatedvisitorstomyhome regularly,suchasSocialWorkers?

AmIabletogetspecificfosterhomeinsuranceadviceatanystageduring mypolicyperiod?

Asfosterparent/s,intheeyesofaninsurer,youmayalsobeusingyourhome asabusinesspremises.Thisiswhyitisparticularlyimportantthatyouspeakto anypotentialinsurerstoreallyunderstandwhatyouareandarenotcovered for.

Withstandardhomeinsurance,itmaynotbeenoughjusttotellyourinsurer youfosterchildren.Whileitmaynotmakeanydifferencetoyourpolicyor premium,andtheymaynoteitonyourpolicythatthisisyouroccupation,it couldbethatyoufindyouarenotcoveredforthingsyouassumeyouwould be.Somespecificthingstothinkaboutare:

Fosteredchildren’spossessions-Thismayseemtoyoulikeastandard partofbeingfosterparent/s,butyouneedtomakesurethatanyinsurer considersyourfosterchildren’spossessionstobecontentsofyourhome.If not,andthereisanylossoraccidentaldamagetoanyoftheirbelongings, yourinsurermaynotpayout.

IntentionalDamage-Youmaywellhavefosteredchildreninyourcare fromtimetotimewhohaveexperienceddistressingsituationsthatmeans theyshowsignsofanger;resultinginthemdamagingorstealingyour propertyorcontents.Ifyourinsurerdeemsfosterchildrensimplytobepart ofyourfamily,thiswilllikelymeanthatanydamagetheycause intentionally,ratherthanaccidentally,andanytheftorattemptedtheft wouldnotbecoveredunderyourpolicy,soyoumayfindyourselfoutof pocket.

Claimrequirements-Ifaninsurercanextendyourpolicytoincludean elementofintentionaldamageandtheftcover,youshouldalsocheckwith themwhattherequirementswouldbetoclaimunderthissectionofthe policy.Itmaybethatyouwouldneedtoobtainacrimereferencenumber foranyincidentsofthisnatureinordertoprogresstheclaim.We understandthataddingtoacriminalrecordforyourfosterchildrenislikely thelastthingyouwanttodo,soitisworthaskingthisquestiontoensure thisiscoveryouwouldbeable,andcomfortable,claimingon.Thereare specialistproviderswhocanofferpolicieswherethereisnoneedtoobtain crimereferencenumbersforclaimsofthisnaturetobeprocessed.

Awarenessofyourroleandwhatitentails-Itisunlikelythatastandard homeinsuranceproviderwouldreallyunderstandwhatitmeanstobe fosterparent/sandtheprocessesthatyoufollowtoacceptnew placements.Itmaybethataninsurerunderstandsthatyouarefoster parent/s,butthatasaconditionofthepolicy,theyrequireyoutonotify themofanynewplacementsyouareconsideringacceptingandwhether theyhaveacriminalbackgroundorahistoryofcausingdamage.

8. The Fostering

Family, Mealtime, Bedtime and Play

8.1 THE FOSTERING FAMILY

Becomingfosterparent/swillhaveasignificantimpactoneveryonelivingat homeandeveryoneinthehouseholdneedstobecommittedtofostering.The wholefamilywillbeinvolvedinthedecisiontofosterandtheassessment processandtrainingisavailableforchildrenoffosterparent/s.Childrenof fosterparent/shavetosharetheirparents,theirtoysandtheirfriends,aswell assometimescopewithdifficultandchallengingbehaviour.Despitethese difficulties,manysaythatbeingpartofafosterfamilyhashadapositive impactonthemandhelpedthemtounderstandothersbetter.WEwillalways checkuponthechildreninthehomeandseekfeedbacktomakesurethat theirviewsareheardandwherenecessaryactedonintheirbestinterest

MyFamilyFosters:ahandbookforsonsanddaughtersofFosterparent/s-The FosteringNetworkPublications

8.2

MEALTIMES

Itisofcourseimportantthatyougivechildrenandyoungpeopleahealthydiet thatprovidesthemwithnutritionalvalue,andmodelhealthyeating.Mealtimes aresignificantfamilysocialoccasionsandthereismuchtobegainedfrom them Youmayalsoneedtotakereligion,culturalanddietarychoicesinto considerationofboththechildandtheirbirthfamily.Thisshouldbenoted withintheplacementplan.Foranumberofreasons,thechildrenandyoung peoplewecareformayhavedevelopeddifficultiesinrelationtotheireating habits,andthiscanbequitecommon.

Asaguideforallchildrenandyoungpeoplewecareforyoushouldconsider thefollowing:

Modelhealthyeatingchoices

Provideregulartimesformealsandsnacks

Ensuresugarintakeislimited

Introducenewfoodsslowlyandbepreparedforsomeresistancetoany changes

Learnaboutthefoodchildrenandyoungpeopledolike

Ensurethechilddrinksregularwaterandfluids,avoidinghighsugarcontent drinks

8.3 BEDTIMES

Effectivesleepisimportantforch youngpeople’sphysicalandem wellbeing Forsomechildrenwe however,theymaynotbeusedt structuredbedtimeroutineorm goingtobedwithvulnerabilityo addition,adjustingtoanewhom differentadultscaringforthemc sleeppatternsandmakeitdiffic initiallysettletosleepinyourhom

Ifthechildoryoungpersonyou structuredbedtimeroutinealrea beneficialtoadheretothisasm possible,atleastintheinitialsta haveacomforttoywhichhelps sleep,beusedtonightlight,ifthe thedarkorenjoystoriesbeforet informationyoucangainfromth membersorpreviouscarers,as socialworker,canbeverybenef

Childrenandyoungpeoplerequ amountsofsleep,accordingtot developmentandage.Youmay followinginhelpingestablishas bedtimeroutine,oreffectiveslee Awarm(nothot)bathcanh

Establisha‘sleep’friendlyenv lightsencourageproduction hormone,melatonin

Regulardaytimeandbedtim Securityobjects,includingbla toys

Keepcomputermonitorsand theirbedrooms

Avoidcaffeineorsugarprior

Ifyouareconcernedabouttheb ofthechildoryoungpersonyou advice.Someusefulguidancecanalsobe accessedfromthesleepfoundation:

thinanychildand entisacriticalfactor wellbeing Language, ocialskillsarelearned ovidingfun, unitytodevelop reforchildrenand othadan playfulactivities. orwithotherscould hemandtheymay ncouragementfrom ildrendevelopin rowntime;itis themtoother eandguidancefrom rkerifyouhaveany outachild’splay

Yourroleasafosterparentiscrucialinhelpingchildrendevelopasenseof self,funandoftheirownabilitiesandtherearemanyactivitiesyoucan providefortohelpthemdeveloptheirplay,including: Physicalactivitytodevelopbodymovementandco-ordinationsuchas ballgames,runninganddancing Imaginativeplayincludingplayingwithdollsandpuppets,drawingand paintingtohelpdevelopimagination,creativityandexpression Musicalplay;thiswillhelpdeveloplistening,rhythmandhearingskills Boardgamescandevelopskillssuchassharing Reading,sharingandactingoutstories Exploringtheoutsideenvironment

9. Annual Reviews health and safety at home

Allfosteringservicesmustreviewtheirfosterparent/sinaccordancewith appropriatelegislation,fosteringregulationsandguidance.Thereviewwill considerwhetherfosterparent/s'approvalshouldcontinueandifthereshould beanychangestotheirtermsofapproval(ifanyareset).

Reviewsareanopportunitytoreflectonthepreviousyear,consultothers, acknowledgewhathasgonewell,andconsideranychallengesaswellas exploringthesupportneedsoffosterparent/s.Italsoprovidesanopportunity toundertakeaformalreviewofhealthandsafetyandtrainingmatters. Fosteringregulationsmakeitclearthatthefirstreviewreportmustgobackto thepanel.Afterthat,thereisnolegalrequirementforareviewtogobackto panel,althoughthefosteringservicemaychoosetodoso.

Thefollowingprinciplesapplyintermsofannualreviews:

Fosteringservicesshouldhaveaclearlocalpolicyandpracticeguidancein relationtohowtheymanagereviews.

Termsofapprovalarekeptunderreviewinordertomonitoranychangesin circumstances,householdmembers,ageandrangeofchildrencaredfor etc.

Allegationsorconcernsmaytriggertheneedforareviewaswellasany significantchangeinthefosteringhousehold,suchasaserioushealth issue,bereavement,separationordivorce.

Areportofthereviewmustbewrittenandsharedwiththefosterparent/s andtheyshouldhavetheopportunitytoincludetheirowncomments. Areviewshouldataminimumseekandtakeaccountoftheviewsofthe fosterparent/s,anychildreninplacementduringthelastyear,andthe children’sSocialWorker(s)

Fosteringservicesmustprepareawrittenreportsettingoutwhetherthe fosterparent/sissuitabletocontinuetofoster,theirhouseholdcontinuesto besuitableandthetermsofapprovalcontinuetobeappropriateandsend outwrittennotificationtothefosterparent/s/s.

Wherefosteringservicesdeterminetheunsuitabilityofapproval,thefoster parent/smustbeinformedoftheirrightsandtimescalestosubmitany writtenrepresentationstothefosteringserviceprovider.

Manyofourduediligencechecksare completedatthesametimeasyour annualreview Thisincludeschecksonthe environmentthatyoulivein.Wewillbe interestedinmakingsurethatyouhave consideredallaspectsofyourlifewhen completingyourhealthandsafetyrecords, includingtakingaccountofyourhome, gardenandtransportarrangement,any holidayproperty/caravanthatyouown, regularvisitorstoyourhomeandfamily pets.YourDBS,medicalandvehicle insurance/taxdetailswillalsobechecked Anychangesorissuesarisingoutsideof theannualreviewprocessbeing undertakenshouldbenotifiedtoyour SupervisingSocialWorker,withoutdelay.

10. Training (induction/ mandatory/ ongoing)

StDavid’sFosteringservicewillensureanytraining(induction,ongoingor otherwise)isprovidedtofosterparent/sinlinewithSocialCareWales InductionFramework,FosterCareCompetencyFrameworkandNational SafeguardingGuidance.

StDavid’sFosteringServicehavearrangementsinplacetomonitorandreview thesupportoradvice,trainingandinformationprovidedtofosterparent/sand prospectivefosterparent/s.Thisfeedsintotheprovider’sstatutoryQualityof Carereview.

Learninganddevelopmentopportunitiesareconsideredtobeanessential foundationforallfosterparent/s.Someoutcomesarespecifiedwithinthe regulationsandarerequiredtobeupdatedinaccordancewithlocalpolicy. Fosterparent/smayrequireadditionallearninganddevelopment opportunitiesatanypointtoensurethattheycanmeettheidentifiedneedsof specificchildrenandyoungpeopleintheircare.

Inadditiontoourlocalinduction,aimedathelpingyoutogainaworking knowledgeofourpoliciesandprocedures,thefollowinglistoutlinesourcore trainingframework YourSupervisingSocialWorkerwillworkcloselywithyouto ensurethatyoucanaccessandprioritiseattendanceandwillseekfeedback whencourseshavebeenundertaken.Weexpect,wheretherearetwofoster parent/sinahousehold,bothtoattendcourses.

RecordingandReporting(includinguseofCHARMS)

ConfidentialityandGDPR

Safeguarding

PromotingEqualityandDiversity

ChildDevelopment

SaferCaringandAllegations

SupportingEducationandDevelopment

WorkingwithBirthFamiliesandContactRecording

PresentingandInformationSharing,includingDataProtection

TransitionsforChildrenandYoungPeople

LifeJourneyWork

GoodHealthandWell-being

DevelopingaSecureBaseandPromotingAttachment

ManagingChallengingBehaviourandPromotingPositiveStrategies

AdvocacyandChildren’sRights

HealthandSafety

FirstAid

Theselearninganddevelopmentopportunitiesbuilduponacorefoundation andreflectoveralldevelopmentneeds.Fosterparent/smayrequireadditional learninganddevelopmentopportunitiesatanypointtoensurethattheycan meettheneedsofthechildrenandyoungpeopleintheircare Itisrecognised thatotheropportunitiesoutsideofthisframeworkmayberequiredtomeet specificneeds.

MovingChildrenontoAdoption

AdvancedAttachmentandTraumaTherapeuticRe-parenting

DigitalSafetyandSocialMediaAwareness

FosteringSons&DaughtersandtheInvolvementofExtendedFamily CaringforChildrenandYoungPeoplewithAdditionalNeeds

AdvancedStrategiestoManageChallengingBehaviour

AdvancedSaferCaringandRiskManagement

ChildExploitation

WhenI’mReady-PromotingIndependentLivingwithTeenagers

TherapeuticPlay

Understandingandworkingwithchildrenandyoungpeople’spsychological distress

Takingcareofyourselfandeachother

SubstancesandAddiction

Domesticabuse

CountyLines

CourtSkills

EqualityandDiversity

Theremaybeaneedforfosterparent/sto accessspecificlearninganddevelopment opportunitiestomeettheneedsofthe childrenplacedwiththemortheirown personaldevelopment.Thesemaybe accessedatanytimeduringtheirjourney throughthePostApprovalLearningand DevelopmentFramework.Thesespecific opportunitiesmayinclude:

ChildandParentPlacements

ShortBreaks/SupportCare

Managingtransitionsfromresidential careandreunificationwithbirthfamilie UnaccompaniedAsylum-Seeking

ChildrenandYoungPeople

Radicalisation

Caringforchildrenwhohave experiencedsexualabuse

Caringforchildrenwithspecificneeds e.g.disabilities

FosteringChanges

TraintheTrainers

PeerMentoring

Sexualorientationandgenderidentity awareness

Sexandrelationships

CompetenciesforFosterparent/s.docx

E-learningModulesArchives-AFKACymru 10-LD-Framework E-1.pdf

11. Recording and Information Sharing

Keepingclearandaccuratechronologicalrecordsisakeypartoffoster parent/srole.Therecordskeptbelongtothefosteringservice,andchildrencan eitherasktoreadthematthepresentmoment,orlateron,asadults.Theyalso provideinformationfosterparent/scanuseinreviewmeetings.

Recordsshouldenableachildtounderstandthemselvesandtheirpast.They mayalsobehelpfulforthechildinlaterlifewhentheywant/areableto understandmoreabouttheirchildhoodexperiencesandlifejourney. Itisthereforecriticallyimportant,asfosterparent/sthatyoucontributeto theserecordsandkeepadailylogofeventsaboutallthechildren/young peopleplacedwithyou.

Recordsalsohelptomakesurethatsituationsareclearlyunderstoodandthis canhelpifallegationsaremadeagainstyou.Theymayalsobeusedto contributetowardsaCourthearingortomakeimportantdecisionsaboutthe child/youngperson.

Trytowritedownthingsassoonastheyhappen,includingthedateandtime, whowaspresentandwhatexactlywassaid.Notesshouldbebriefandtothe point

Caserecordsshouldreflectchildren’slivesandhowyouaresupportingthe child.Theyshouldreflectachild’sachievementsandclearlyrelatetotheplans fortheirfutures.Recordsshouldhelpachildunderstandtheirhistories, backgroundandexperiences Theyareabletoseethem,challengethemor contributetothemastheywish,withappropriatesupport.

Ifyouthinkthatsomethingissosensitivethattheyoungpersonshouldnotsee whatyouaregoingtowrite,youshouldcontactyourSupervisingSocialWorker totalkaboutthisandhowthisshouldberecorded

TheFosteringServicewillprovideyouwithelectronicrecordswhichyouwill completeforeachchild/youngpersoninyourcare.Weuseasystemcalled CHARMSthathelpsustoorganiseourservicerecordsandcommunications whilstalsokeepingrecordssafeandinchronologicalorder.Thesystem supportstheservicepracticeframeworkthroughitssetup.Youwillreceive traininginordertomakethebestuseofitinyourrole.YourSupervisingSocial Workerwillroutinelycheckyourrecordsduringsupervisionmeetingsanduse theinformationonCHARMStocompilereportsandinformationforyourAnnual Review.CHARMStrainingisprovidedtoensurethatyoucanusethesystem effectivelyandefficiently.

Wewouldencourageyoutouseadiarytorecordappointments,meetingsand arrangementsincludinganyleisureactivitiesthechildoryoungpersonis involvedin.

11.1 WHAT TO RECORD

Contact-withthechild’sfamily/others,howwasthechild,howwasthe family/others,whentheydidnotturnupandanyreasongiven.

Detailsofvisits,meetingswithSocialWorkersorotherprofessionalsandthe child’sreactionifany.

School/nursery/educationalsetting-anyimportantconversationsyou havewithschool,openevening,concernsorgoodthings

Datesofmedicalordentalappointmentsandtreatmentgiven.Include datesofcancelledorrearrangedappointments.

Datesandtypesofimmunisation.

Date,typeandlengthofanyillnesses.

Detailsofanyaccidentsorinjuries,howeverslight Nameanywitnessesand actiontaken.Recordthetime,dateandnameoftheSocialWorkertowhom anyincidentsarereported.

Commentsthechildmakesthatgiveyoucauseforconcern,recordthese usingthechild’sownwords.

Detailsofthechild’sbehaviourthatcauseconcern Recordtheiractual behaviour,whathappenedbeforethebehaviourandhowyoudealtwithit.

Anypositiveimprovements, achievementsandsignificanteventsfor thechild

Dateswhenthechildisawayfromthe fosterhome–withfamily,friends, schooltrips,introductionstonew parents.

Ifthechild/youngpersongoesmissing

Detailsoftimeswhenthechildiswith otherparentssuchasbabysittersand whotheywere.

AnyinvolvementwiththePolice.

Detailsofanytheftordamagecaused bythechild.

Detailsofanyspecificincidentse.g.if thechildgoesmissing,eventsor changesofcircumstancesofyour household Includeanycomplaint disagreementswiththechildortheir family.

Anysignificantmilestonesinthechild’s developmentsuchastheirfirstwordor firststeps

Anyothersignificanteventor information.

11.2 RECORDS - CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE

Whenachild/youngpersonisplacedwith you,thechild’sSocialWorkerwillgiveyou: PlacementPlan(whichwillbe developedinconsultationwithyou)

CareandSupportPlan,includingany riskassessments

HealthCareandTreatmentPlan

PersonalEducationPlan

NotesfromLookedAfterReviews

Ifthereareanyfurtherreviewsaboutthechild/youngperson’sprogress,youshould attendthereviewandreceivecopiesoftheminutes Copiesofallthesedocuments shouldbekeptaspartofthechild’srecords.

Youshouldaskthechildtheirviews,wishesandfeelingsandmakesuretheirvoiceis heardwhenplanningcareandsupport.Theyshouldalsobetoldwhenthisisnot possibleandwhy 54

Allrecords,irrespectiveofwhethertheyarepaperorelectronic,shouldbe securelykeptandelectronicmessaging(e.g.e-mails)shouldalsobesentina secureandsafewaysoastopreservetheirconfidentialandprofessional nature.Youmayneedtosharelimitedinformationwithclosefamilymembers andyourownchildrendependingontheirageandunderstanding.Ifyouare unsureabouthowmuchtoshare,askthechild'sSocialWorkerand/orthe SupervisingSocialWorker.

Youcansharebasicinformationwith doctors,healthvisitorsetc,butiftheyneed furtherinformationthatyouareunsure whetheryoucanshare,givethemtheSocial Worker'scontactdetails.Ifprofessionalsvisit thechild/youngpersonathome,youshould asktoseetheiridentificationcard Whenever personalinformationissharedwithanother personoragency,itshouldalwaysbe recordedandforwhatpurpose.Ifyouare attendingameetingandinformationis sharedwithyou,makesureyouknow whetheryoucansharethisinformationwith thechild,youngpersonorparentsbefore sharingthisinformation.Attimeseffective sharingofinformationisessentialforthe earlyidentificationofneed

11.3 FOSTER PARENT/S RECORDS

Youarerequiredtokeepinformation includingyourformFassessmentandFoster CareAgreement,recordsofsupervision meetings,yourSafeCareandHealthand Safetyriskassessments,alistofthechildren youhavelookedafteraswellasyourupto datetraininganddevelopmentrecordsand arecordofanyallegationsmadeagainst you.

Theserecordshavetobekeptforatleast10 yearsafterthedatethatyourapprovalends

StDavid’sFosteringServicesusesanelectronicdatabaseforrecordkeeping andmanagementthatiscompliantwiththeGDPRrequirements.Itsupports realtimecommunication,thatenableschronologicalinformationtobe managedwithinasecureandsafesystem.Information,includingphotographs canbesafelyuploadedandstored.TheGDPRandDataProtectionAct2018do notprevent,orlimit,thesharingofinformationforthepurposesofkeeping childrenandyoungpeoplesafe.

Toeffectivelyshareinformation:

allpractitionersshouldbeconfidentoftheprocessingconditions,which allowthemtostore,andshare,theinformationthattheyneedtocarryout theirsafeguardingrole.Informationwhichisrelevanttosafeguardingwill oftenbedatawhichisconsidered‘specialcategorypersonaldata’ meaningitissensitiveandpersonal

wherepractitionersneedtosharespecialcategorypersonaldata,they shouldbeawarethattheDataProtectionAct2018includes‘safeguardingof childrenandindividualsatrisk’asaconditionthatallowspractitionersto shareinformationwithoutconsent

informationcanbesharedlegallywithoutconsent,ifapractitioneris unableto,cannotbereasonablyexpectedtogainconsentfromthe individual,oriftogainconsentcouldplaceachildatrisk.

RememberthattheGeneralDataProtection Regulation(GDPR),DataProtectionAct2018 andhumanrightslawarenotbarriersto justifiedinformationsharingbutprovidea frameworktoensurethatpersonal informationaboutlivingindividualsisshared appropriately. 11.4

relevantpersonalinformationcanbe sharedlawfullyifitistokeepachildor individualatrisksafefromneglector physical,emotionalormentalharm,orif itisprotectingtheirphysical,mental,or emotionalwell-being.

11.4.1 BREACHES OF CONFIDENTIALITY

Ifpersonaldataissharedwithouttheconsentofthepersonorwhentherewas nolegalbasisforthesharing,theFosterServicewillcarryoutaninvestigation intothecircumstances.

Breachesofconfidentialityarealwaystakenseriouslyandmayresultinaction beingtakenwhichislikelytoincludeareviewofyourapproval.

11.4.2 GOOD PRACTICE PRINCIPLES

1.Beopenandhonestwiththeindividual (and/ortheirfamilywhereappropriate) fromtheoutsetaboutwhy,what,howand withwhominformationwill,orcouldbe shared,andseektheiragreement,unlessitis unsafeorinappropriatetodoso.

2.Seekadvicefromotherpractitioners,or yourinformationgovernancelead,ifyouare inanydoubtaboutsharingtheinformation concerned,withoutdisclosingtheidentityof theindividualwherepossible

3.Wherepossible,shareinformationwith consent,andwherepossible,respectthe wishesofthosewhodonotconsentto havingtheirinformationshared Underthe GDPRandDataProtectionAct2018youmay shareinformationwithoutconsentif,inyour judgement,thereisalawfulbasistodoso, suchaswheresafetymaybeatrisk.Youwill needtobaseyourjudgementonthefactsof thecase.Whenyouaresharingor requestingpersonalinformationfrom someone,beclearofthebasisuponwhich youaredoingso.Whereyoudonothave consent,bemindfulthatanindividualmight notexpectinformationtobeshared.

4.Considersafetyandwell-being:baseyour informationsharingdecisionson considerationsofthesafetyandwell-being oftheindividualandotherswhomaybe affectedbytheiractions.

5.Necessary,proportionate,relevant,adequate, accurate,timelyandsecure:ensurethatthe informationyoushareisnecessaryforthe purposeforwhichyouaresharingit,isshared onlywiththoseindividualswhoneedtohaveit,is accurateandupto-date,issharedinatimely fashion,andissharedsecurely(seeprinciples)

6 Keeparecordofyourdecisionandthereasons forit–whetheritistoshareinformationornot.If youdecidetoshare,thenrecordwhatyouhave shared,withwhomandforwhatpurpose

11.4.3 TRAINING

Wewillprovidetrainingaroundrecording,data protectionandinformationsharing.Ifthereis anythingthatisnotclear,thenyoushouldseek advicefromyourSupervisingSocialWorker and/orchildren’sSocialWorker

11.5.1 NOTIFIABLE EVENTS

Deathofachild

Seriousaccidentorinjuryofachildplaced withfosterparent/s Outbreakatthehomeoffosterparent/sofany infectiousdiseasewhichintheopinionofa generalpractitionerattendingthehomeis sufficientlyserioustobesonotified

AnyreferraltotheDisclosureandBarringServicepursuanttothe SafeguardingVulnerableGroupsAct2006

Allegationthatachildplacedwithfosterparent/shascommittedaserious offence

Anyincidentwhichisreportedtothepolicerelatingtoachildplacedwith fosterparent/s

Anyincidentofachildplacedwithfosterparent/sbeingabsentwithout permission

Anyseriouscomplaintorallegationaboutanyfosterparent/sapprovedby theserviceprovider

Instigationandoutcomeofanychildprotectionenquiryinvolvingachild placedwithfosterparent/s

Anyincidentofchildsexualorcriminalexploitationoranysuspectedchild sexualorcriminalexploitation

12. Working With Birth Families

Contactisalegalwordoftenusedbyadultswhenmakingdecisionsabout childrenandyoungpeopleincarestayingconnectedwiththeirfamily.Thiscan includevisitingtheirfamily,talkingonthephone,writinglettersorsending presentsorcards.Thechild’sCareandSupportPlanwilldeterminewhoachild cansee,forhowlong,andwhereandwhenitwilltakeplace

Whereappropriateregularcontactprovideschildrenandyoungpeoplewith anongoingsenseofidentity,aswellasfeelingsofstabilityandsecurity. However,asfosterparent/s,thiscanoftenposechallenges.

Forbirthparents,contactcanhelpthemtofeelreassuredaboutthechild’s newsituationandtoacknowledgeboththeirownbondwiththechildandthe bondbetweenthechildandthefosterparent/s.Itmayalsohelpthemto acceptthecourt’sdecisionaboutwhereandwithwhomthechildshouldlive.

Thechild’sbirthfamilyarelikelytoalwayshavearoleinachild’slife.Many childrenwillthinkaboutthemeveryday.Wheretherehasbeenabuseand neglectthesethoughtsmaybedistressingyettheirfirstfamilywillremaina majorpartofachild’sinnerworldandidentity.Contactcanreassurechildren thattheirfamilymembersareallrightandstillcareaboutthem Itcanhelp themprocesswhytheynolongerlivewiththemandcometotermswiththeir past.Itcanhelpthemtocontinuetodeveloprelationshipswithsiblingsand theirwiderfamilynetwork,whichmaybeparticularlyimportanttothemas theygetolder.

12.1 BIRTH PARENTS' RIGHT IN FOSTER CARE

AspartoftheSocialServicesandWell-being(Wales)Act2014,localauthorities and,inturn,independentfosteragencies,arerequiredtosupportandpromote contactwithbirthfamilies,unlessitisnotinthebestinterestofthechild Birth parentsbenefitfromthereassurancethattheirchildisbeingtakencareof,so maintainingcontactthroughoutthefosterplacementallowsthemtocontinue anddeveloptheirrelationship.

Theamountandtypeofinteractionbirth familieshavewiththeirchildwhilstinfoster carewillvarycasebycase Foryounger children,thelevelofcontactmaybehigh, tomaintaintheattachmentrelationship, whereasateenagermayrequireless contact.Thiswillalwaysbedecidedbythe localauthorityandSocialWorkers

Fosterparent/sneedtosupport relationshipsbetweenfosterchildrenand theirbirthfamilyandareencouragedto applythefollowingprinciplesandpractice

12.2 SPEAKING POSITIVELY ABOUT THE FOSTER CHILD’S FAMILY

Oneofthemostimportantwaystosupport afosterchild’scontactwiththeirbirth familyisbyspeakingpositivelyaboutthem Theremayhavebeencircumstancesthat haveledtoyourfosterchildbeingplaced inthecaresystemwhichyoudonotagree with–however,asfosterparent/s,itisyour jobtoprotectthechildinyourcarefrom theseeventsandfocusonthepositives.

Thiswillhelptostrengthenthebond betweenthechildoryoungpersonand theirfamily,anditcouldhelptowork towardsreunification,ifthisisthegoal.

12.3 LEARN THINGS ABOUT THEM

Makeaconcertedefforttolearnaboutthechild’sfamily Whatdotheyliketo do?Whatdoesthefamilytreelooklike–whohasimportantrelationships? Whattypeofhobbies,socialorculturalactivitiesdotheylike?Beinginterested andcuriouswillprovideyouwithgoodopportunitiesforconversationtopicsat meetingsandwillhelpyoutorelatetoyourfosterchildtoo.

12.4 MONITOR BEHAVIOURAL CHANGES

Itiscommonforfosterchildrentoexhibitbehaviourchangesbeforeandafter visitswiththeirbirthparents Thesevisitsmaytriggerfeelingsof disappointment,sadnessorloss,buttheycanalsoprovokefeelingsofanger andconfusionastowhytheyareseparated

ItisimportantthatbehaviourchangesarerecognisedandreportedtoSocial Workerssothattheycanbemanagedcarefully Thechild'sfeelingsfollowing birthfamilyvisitsshouldalwaysbevalidatedwhilstsupportingwaysto appropriatelyexpressthesefeelings

12.5 PREPARE FOR VISITS BEFOREHAND

Openingupthelinesofcommunicationbeforevisitsisimportant,sothefoster childcanaddresstheirwishesandfeelingsbeforehand.Agoodpieceof adviceistonotassumeyouknowwhatyourfosterchildisfeeling–andbe awarethattheiremotionsmaychangeovertime.

Preparingforvisitswilldifferforeachchild–forexample,theymayfindvalue inknowingthedateofthemeetinginadvancesotheycanprepare,butthey couldalsobecomeanxiousaboutthisiftheyknowtoofarinadvance

12.6 MANAGING REUNIFICATION

Inmanyfosteringplacements,theendgoalisreunification.Thisreferstowhen thefosterchildisplacedbackintothecareofthebirthparents,familyor guardians,andistypicallymorecommoninemergencyplacementsorshorttermplacements.Forboththefosterchildandthefosterparent/s, reunificationcanpresentmixedandcomplexemotions.Yourfosterchildmay havereservationsaboutbeingreunitedwiththeirbirthparents,andyoumay finditdifficulttosaygoodbye.OurTherapeuticTransitionscanassistin managingthesefeelingsandhelptomakeitapositivemove,forall concerned.

12.6 MANAGING REUNIFICATION

Althoughtherearemanybirthparentswhofeelgratitudeandrespecttowards fosterparent/sforlookingaftertheirchildren,therearealsobirthfamilieswho experiencedifficultieswhichmaymanifestinresentmentandjealousy.

Contactmustalwaysreflectwhatisinthebestinterestsofthechild Understandinghowthebirthparentisfeelingandrecognisingthelossthey facewillhelpavoidconflictandkeepthefocusonthechild Effective communicationisvital.Trytobeopenandhonestwithparentsaboutthe benefitsofstickingtocontactarrangementsforthechild.Helpingchildren createanarrativeabouttheirpastandbeingopenandtruthfulwiththemcan helpthemfeelsecureintheirnewidentityandlife.

Asfosterparent/s,youwillbesupportedandtrainedtounderstandhowto managetheseinteractionsandensurethatthesearenotreflectedontothe fosterchild.Theyneedtoviewboththeirfosterfamilyandtheirbirthfamilyon thesameteam,iftheyexperienceanyhostilitythiscouldresultinthemfeeling compelledtochooseaside

13. Working, in partnership with the Professional Network

13.1 SOCIAL WORKER

Everychild/youngpersonplacedinfostercarewillhaveaSocialWorker, employedbythe(ir)LocalAuthority.Sometimestheyarereferredtoasthe LASW.(LocalAuthoritySocialWorker)

Theirroleisto:

1.Assesstheneedsofachild.

2.Developarelationshipwiththechild.

3.Coordinatethechild’sCareandTreatmentPlanandensureitisregularly androbustlyreviewed.

4Workwithyou,thechildandthechild'sfamily

5.Shareinformationwithyou.

6.Identifyandmanagerisks,inpartnershipwithyouandotherprofessionals, actinginthebestinterestofthechild.

7.Obtainingsuitableresourcestoensurethatthechild'sneedsaremet.

8Visitthechildatthefosterhomewithinoneweekoftheplacementand thenatleasteverysixweeksforthefirstyearorvisitinlinewiththeCare andSupportPlan.Thereafter,wheretheplacementisintendedtolastuntil thechildisaged18,atintervalsofnotmorethanthreemonths,andinany othercase,atintervalsofnotmorethansixweeks.

9SocialWorkersworkwiththewholefamily,notjustthechild/ren,and althoughtheirprimaryconcernisforthechild'swelfaretheydohaveto balancethiswiththewishesandneedsoftheparents.

Ifyou,orthechildyouarelookingafter,areexperiencinganydifficulties contactingtheSocialWorkeritisimportanttoletyourSupervisingSocial Workerknowsothattheycanworktotryandresolvethis.

13.2

INDEPENDENT REVIEWING OFFICER

EachchildoryoungpersonplacedinfostercarewillhaveanIndependent ReviewingOfficer(IRO).Whereveritispossible,theIROwillmeetthechild beforethefirstLookedAfterReview

Siblinggroups,whetherornot placedtogether,shouldusuallyhave thesameIROwhowillbeallocated forthedurationthatthechildis lookedafter.

TheIROhastworoles:

Monitoringachild'scaseonan on-goingbasis

Chairingachild'sLookedAfter Review.

Theycanbeausefulsourceof supportforyou,ifplansforachild arenotgoinghowtheyshould, althoughitisthechild'sSocial Workerwhoremainsultimately responsible.

13.3 EDUCATION

Everyschoolhasadesignatedteacherforchildrenincare,theyhavea particulardutyinrespectofensuringthatsafeguardingprocessesaredealt with.Youwillworkwiththeeducationalsettingstomakesurethechildis supportedwellandachievingwhattheyshouldfrombothaneducationaland socialperspective,withintheireducationsetting.Therelationshipyoudevelop withthechild’sclassroomroomteacher/swillbesignificanttothechildand willenableeffectivecommunication.

13.4 GUARDIAN AD LITEM

AGuardianisappointedbythecourtfromCAFCASS(ChildrenandFamily CourtandSupportService)whentheywantanindependentviewofwhathas beenhappeningandwhatshouldhappeninthechild'slife Theymayalsobe involvedinadoptionproceedings.

Youshouldencouragethechildtosharetheirviews,particularlyabouttheir futureandaresupportedtospendtimewiththeguardianappointedsothat

AtheGuardiancantellthechild'sstoryincourtwherethechildisnotableto dothisthemselves.

13.5 INDEPENDENT VISITOR

TheLocalAuthoritylookingafterachildhasadutytoappointapersontobe thechild'sIndependentVisitorwhereitappearstothemthatitwouldbeinthe child'sbestintereststodoso.TheIndependentVisitorwillhaveadutytomake regularvisitstothechildandmaintainothercontact,bytelephoneandletter asappropriate.

IndependentVisitorsareparticularlyimportantwherechildrenhavenocontact withanymemberoftheirfamily.Themainpurposeofthevisitsandcontacts willbetobefriendthechildandgiveadviceandassistanceasappropriate.

13.6 ADVOCATE

Thisisapersonappointedtospeakonbehalfofanotherpersonand/orto supportthem.AllchildrenwhoareLookedAftershouldbegiveninformation abouthowtoaccessanAdvocate.Thechild'sIndependentReviewingOfficers shouldalsomakesurethatthisinformationisavailabletothechildandassist thechildinidentifyingandappointingasuitableAdvocateasappropriate.

13.7 CHILD ADOLESCENT MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE (CAMHS)

TheChildandAdolescentHealthService takereferralsforLookedAfterChildren. Someofthesechildren,duetotheir experiences,mayhaveemotionaland mentalhealthissues.Yourrolewillbeto highlightanyissuesofconcernabouta child/youngpersonthatmayresultinthe needtorefertothisservice.Thereferral willbemadebythechild'sSocialWorker.If theserviceisneeded,youshouldmake sureappointmentsarekeptandworkwith professionalsfromtheservice.

13.8 THE LOOKED AFTER CHILDREN NURSE

Achild’shealthcareneedsareusuallymanagedthroughtheGeneral Practitioneralthoughchildrenincarearealsoappointedtoaspecialistnurse whoisinvolvedinmonitoring,reviewingandcoordinatinghealthserviceinput. Otherhealthprofessionalsmayalsobeinvolvedonacase-by-casebasis, dependingontheindividualneedsofthechildsuchaspaediatricclinicians, physiotherapists,dieticians,opticians.

14. Inspections

FosteringserviceprovidersareregisteredbytheWelshGovernmentand subsequentlyinspectedaspartofaregularcycle,inmostcasesthisisathree yearlycycle

Allinspectionsaremadeagainstasetofpublishedregulations.InWalesthe CareInspectorateWalesundertakesthisfunctiononbehalfoftheWelsh Government.TheRegulationsaimtoensurethatchildrenwhoarelookedafter bypeopleotherthantheirparentsreceivethebestpossiblecareandthatthe serviceswhoprovidethatcarearefittodoso,takingaccountthattheyareset uprobustly,properlyresourced,suitablymanagedandconductedinlinewith therightsandneedsofthechildreninplacementandfocusedonwellbeing outcomes.

Inspectionsofindependentprovidersareundertakenbyregulatoryinspectors, theyanalysespecifiedqualityassuranceinformationmadeavailablebythe registeredprovider/ResponsibleIndividualalsoknownastheR.I.,thisincludes recordsofapprovalsandterminations,complaints,safeguardingconcerns andallegations Theywillvisittheservice,meetwithfosterparent/sandPanel membersandwillconsultwithchildren,birthfamiliesandotherkey stakeholders,oftenbyusingquestionnaires Theywillbeinterestedinyour trainingandsupervisionexperiencesandwillwanttoknowhowwellyouare supported.Inspectorswillnotturnupatyourhomeunexpectedly.Often inspectionsarefocusedonatheme Whereshortfallsinthequalityofcareare evidencedtheserviceproviderisrequiredtotakeactionswithinaset timescaletoimprovetheservice

TheRegulatedFosteringServices(ServiceProvidersandResponsible Individuals)(Wales)Regulations2019

15. Types of

Placements

15.1 (WELSH) EARLY PERMANENCE – ALSO KNOWN AS WEP

WithmostchildreninWales,whentheyarefirstremovedfromtheirbirthfamily eitherjustbeforeoratthestartofcareproceedings,theyareeitherplacedwith familymembersorinashort-termfosterplacementwithapprovedfoster parent/s.Ifthelocalauthorityplan,ratifiedbythecourt,isforthechildtoeither bereunifiedwithbirthparentsorplacedwithfamilymembers,thenthechild movesfromtheirfosterplacementattheendofproceedings.Ifthecareplan foradoptionisacceptedbythecourt,thenthefosterparent/sseesthechild throughtheirtransitiontotheiradoptiveplacement WithWEP,thefoster parent/swhotakethechildatthestartofproceedingsarealsoapproved prospectiveadoptiveparents.Theyactasanyfosterparent/s,caringforthe child,facilitatingcontactwiththebirthfamilyandtakingpartinthechild’s lookedafterreviews.Ifthecareplanisforreunificationorplacementwith family,thentheyhelpthechildwiththetransitiontotheirbirthfamily Ifthe careplanisforadoption,thenthechildstayswiththefosterparent/swhothen becometheiradoptiveparents.Thefosterparent/saretrainedandprepared tobecomefosterparent/sandactivelyworktoadetailedreunification programmefromthestartofcareproceedings,oftenfacilitatingregular contactwithbirthparentsand/orotherfamilymembers Thefosterparent/s understandthatthechildmayreturnhometobirthparentsorbeplacedwith familyandfriendsattheconclusionofthecareproceedings.Itisonlyifthese optionsareruledoutbythecourt,followingawelfareanalysisandthemaking ofaplacementorderthattheformalmatchingtakesplace,andthefoster placementtransformsintoanadoptiveplacement Theconcurrentcarersbear theriskofthisplacementnotbecominganadoptiveplacement.Ifthechild returnshomeorgoestofamilyorfriends,thenthechildwillnothave experiencedanymoremovesthaniftheyhadbeeninashort-termfoster placementandthenreturnedtofamily.Ifthechildremainswithconcurrent carers,thentheywillbenefitfromremainingwiththeonecarerthroughtothe adoptiveplacement.

15.4 LONG TERM

15.2 THERAPEUTIC FOSTERING

Therapeuticfosteringisamorespecialist placementforchildrenwhohaveexperienced significantneglectortraumaandwouldbenefit greatlyfromtherapeuticcare Workingin partnershipwiththeFamilyPlaceand incorporatingtheFosteringTogethermodel, specificallydesignedtosupporttransitionsfrom bothresidentialotherfosteringprovisions

15.3 SHORT TERM

Referstoatemporaryplacement,wherefoster parentssupportachildforaspecificperiod,whilst decisionsarebeingmadeinrelationtotheirlongtermcare.Thismaybeareturntoparentsor widerbirthfamily,ontoadoptionorintoalongtermfosteringarrangement.Shorttermfoster parentsworkinpartnershipwithchildren’s familiesandinvolvedprofessionalsand contributetotheassessmentofthechild’s longer-termneeds.

Incaseswhereassessmentsconcludethatareturntoparentsortowiderbirth familyisnotappropriateandneitherisadoption,childrenandyoungpeople willneedalong-termfosteringplacementwheretheycanbesupporteduntil theyreachadulthood.

15.5 PARENT AND CHILD FOSTERING

Parentandchildfosteringprovidesasupportiveandsupervisedenvironment whereparentsareofferedguidanceandhelpedtodeveloptheirparenting skills,sotheycanprovidegoodenoughcaretotheirchild.Fosterparentswill workinpartnershipwithprofessionalsinvolvedwiththeparentandchildand areexpectedtocontributetowardtheassessmentsofparents.

15.6 SHORT OR PLANNED BREAK FOSTERING

Thistypeoffosteringisaregularoroneoff,pre-arrangedcareprovisionfora childoryoungperson.Thiscouldbetosupportfamilyoranexistingfostering placement,whereithasbeenassessedasappropriateandnecessary.Short breakspromotenewopportunitiesandexperiencesforchildrentodevelop additionalrelationshipsandallowparentsandcarerstheopportunitytospend timewithotherchildreninthefamilyortorestandrecharge

16. Making Placements

16.1 MATCHING

Everyplacementismadeinlinewithdueprocess.Thismeansthatwetake particularcarearoundmatchingchildrentospecificcarersbecauseweknow thatthiswillbenefitthechildandthefosterparent/sandhelptoachievethe bestpossibleoutcomesincludingplacementstabilityandretentionofour fosterparent/s Wecollateandshareyourinformationroutinelywithlocal authoritiestoenableustomakeplacementswithyouandexpectplacing authoritiestoshareasmuchinformationandhistoryastheycan The followingsetsoutourkeyconsiderationsandfitswiththecriteriasetbythe placingauthoritieswhenseekingappropriatecarefor‘their’children.

1. Thechild'shistoryandanyknownresilience/riskfactors

2 Thetypeoftheplacementneeded

3. Thechild'semotional,socialandphysical/healthneeds

4. Thechild'seducation

5. Contactarrangementswithrelativesandfriends

6. Thechild'sidentity/race/culture

Wealsodetermine

Youravailability

Yourexperience/strengths/needs

Yourfamilycomposition

Thedistancefromthefosterhometothechild'sschool

Otherchildrenintheplacement

Yourownchildren.

Oncethepossibilityofaplacementhasbeenidentified,thechild’ssocial workerwillliaisewiththefosterparent/ssupervisingsocialworker.Atthis stage,thesocialworkerwillalsodiscussthechildwiththeprospectivefoster parent/sandshare/clarifyanyrisksassociatedwiththeplacementwiththe fosterparent/sandthesupervisingsocialworker.Thechild'ssocialworkerwill visitpotentialfosterparent/sandconsultwithotherprofessionals,priortoa decisionbeingmade.

Iftheplacementisoutsidethefosterparent/s’stermsofapprovalan exemptionisrequiredwhichneedstobeagreedtobyallpartiesandsignedoff byourFosteringPanel

Whenaplacingauthorityapprovesthefosterplacement,theplacement planningprocesscanstart

Itisgoodpracticeforanintroductoryvisittobearrangedtotheproposed placement,withthechildandparents(ifappropriate).

13.Matching|FosteringandAdoption

16.2 PLACEMENT PLANS

EachindividualchildhasaPlacementPlanwhichmustbecompletedeitheron thedayorwithinfivedaysofaplacementbeingmadewithyou Thisplanis drawnupbythechild/youngperson’ssocialworker,withyouandyour SupervisingSocialWorkerandfamilymembers.Thisplandetailsthe expectationsandroutinesofthechild,aswellashowtheirneedswillbemetin thefosterplacement.

ThePlacementPlancoversthefollowingareas:

1. Objectivesandpurposeoftheplacement.

2. Arrangementsforthechild’s education/training,includingthenameand addressofthechild’sschool/other educationalsetting/providerand designatedteacher;theLocalAuthority maintaininganyEducation,Healthand CarePlan.

3 Thechild’spersonal/culturalhistory

4. Thechild’slikes/dislikes.

5. Arrangementsforthechild’shealth (physical,emotionalandpsychological) anddentalcare,includingthenameand addressofregisteredmedicalanddental practitioners;arrangementsfor giving/withholdingconsentto medical/dentalexamination/treatment.

6. Arrangementsforcontactbetweenthe child,theirfamilyandothers

7. Frequencyofsocialworkvisitstothechild andreviewmeetings.

8. IfanIndependentVisitorisappointed,the arrangementsforthemtovisitthechildand theircontactdetails

ThePlacementPlanwillalsooutlinethenecessaryarrangementsforending placements.

Theplacementplanwillbereviewedatthechild'slookedafterreview.However, ifchildrenarenotsettlingintotheirplacement,managerscantakestepsto ensurethattheplanisreviewedwiththeplacingauthority,theparentsand fostercarers(asappropriate)toconsiderthebeststepstotake.Theywill challengeeffectivelyandtakeactionwhentheyareconcernedthatplacing authoritiesarenotmakingdecisionsthatareinchildren'sbestinterests,when thestatutoryrequirementsforlooked-afterchildrenarenotmet,orwhenthey cannotkeepchildrensafe.

Whereitisnecessarytoreviewtheplacementarrangementsbetweenlooked afterreviews,thenthiscanbedonebythechild'ssocialworkerinconjunction withthefosterparent/sandtheirsupervisingsocialworkeraswellaswiththe child,parentsandothersaffected.Thiswillusuallytakeplaceataplacement planreviewmeetingconvenedbythechild'ssocialworker. Iftheoutcomeofanyreviewisthattheplacementplanisamended,thenthe amendmentshouldbecirculatedbythechild'ssocialworkertoallthose participatinginthereviewprocess.

16.3 DELEGATED AUTHORITY.

ThePlacementPlanmustshowwhocanmakedecisions,including: Medicalanddentaltreatment. Educationandschooltrips. Overnightstays. Leisureandhomelife. Faithandreligiousobservance Useofsocialmedia.

Anyothermatterswhichthelocalauthority/personwithParentalResponsibility considerappropriate.

ThePlacementPlanwillalsoidentifyanymattersaboutwhichtheLocal Authority/personwithParentalResponsibilityconsidersthatthechildmay makeadecisionabout.

16.4 CARE AND SUPPORT PLAN AND LOOKED AFTER REVIEWS

Reviewsareformalmeetings,chairedbyanindependentreviewingofficer (IRO) TheIROmustbesatisfiedthatthewishesandfeelingsofthechild's parents,anypersonwhoisnotaparentbutwhohasparentalresponsibility andthecurrentfosterparent/shavebeenconsideredaspartofthereview process.Yoursupervisingsocialworkerwillsupportyoutoattendand contributetothereviewandattendthemeetingswithyou.

16.4.1 THE PURPOSE OF THE LOOKED AFTER REVIEW IS TO:

Ensurethatappropriateplansareinplacetosafeguardandpromotethe overallwelfareofthelookedafterchildinthemosteffectivewayand achievepermanenceforthemwithinatimescalethatmeetstheirneeds. Tomonitortheprogressoftheplansandensuretheyarebeingprogressed effectively.

Tomakedecisions,asnecessary,foramendmentstoplanstoreflectany changeinknowledgeand/orcircumstances.

Forayoungpersonlivinginfostercare,thefirstlookedafterreview followingtheir16thbirthdayshouldconsiderwhetheraWhenI'mReady arrangement(wherebytheyoungpersonremainsinthefosterhomeafter theageof18)shouldbeanoption.

Thereviewshouldalsotakeaccountofthechild'splacementplanandany otherplanensuringthattheyareuptodateorthatarrangementsarein placetoupdatethem

AreviewwillalsobeconvenedbytheIROwherethecircumstancesofanevent hasasignificantimpactuponthechild'sCareandSupportPlan,assuggested inthefollowingsortsofcircumstances:

AproposedchangetotheCareandSupportPlanarisesatshortnoticein thecourseofproceedingsfollowingdirectionsfromthecourt. Whereagreeddecisionsfromthereviewarenotcarriedoutwithinthe specifiedtimescale.

Majorchangetothecontactarrangements.

Changesofallocatedsocialworker

Anysafeguardingconcernsinvolvingthechild,whichmayleadtoenquiries beingmadeunderSection47ofthe1989Act('childprotectionenquiries') andoutcomesofchildprotectionconferences,orothermeetingsthatare notattendedbytheIRO.

Complaintsfromoronbehalfofthechild,parentorcarer

Unexpectedchangesinthechild'splacementprovisionwhichmay significantlyimpactonplacementstabilityorsafeguardingarrangements.

Significantchangesinbirthfamilycircumstancesforexamplebirths, marriagesordeaths,whichmayhaveaparticularimpactonthechild.

Ifthechildischargedwithanyoffenceleadingtoreferraltoyouth offendingservices,pendingcriminalproceedingsandanyconvictionsor sentencesbecauseofsuchproceedings.

Ifthechildisexcludedfromschool.

Ifthechildhasrunawayorismissingfromtheirplacement.

Significanthealth,medicalevents,diagnoses,illnesses,hospitalisations,or seriousaccidents;andpaneldecisionsinrelationtopermanency.

16.4.2 PREPARATION FOR THE STATUTORY REVIEW

Whenarrangementsaremadeto conductareview,thesupervising socialworkerwilltalktoyouand arrangeforareporttobedrafted whichisforwardedtothechild's socialworkerintimeforthemto circulateit.Yourreportshould detaileventssurroundingthe child'scare,education,healthetc. sincethelastreview.Itisthechild's socialworker'sresponsibilityto ensurethatinvitationsandpapers aresenttothoseinvolvedinthe reviewatleast10daysbeforethe meetingtakesplace.

Thereisapresumptionthatchildrenattendtheirreview.Iftheydonotwishto attend,theyshouldbeencouragedtocompleteareviewquestionnaireor preparetheirownreport/letter/contributionforthereview.Achild'sdisability shouldnotbeanobstacletotheirattendance.

Ifitappearstobenecessaryorthechildrequestsit,anadvocateor,if appointed,anindependentvisitorcanbeaskedtoaccompanythechild

TheIROmayadjournareviewmeetingonce,fornotmorethan20working days,iftheyarenotsatisfiedthatsufficientinformationhasbeenprovidedby thelocalauthoritytoenableproperconsiderationofanyofthefactorstobe considered.TheIROshouldconsidertheeffectsonthechildofdelayingthe meeting,andseekthewishesandfeelingsofthechild,carerandparents whereappropriate.Noproposalunderconsiderationatthereviewcanbe implementeduntilthereviewhasbeencompleted

16.4.3 RECORD OF REVIEWS

Followingthereview:

TheIROshouldproduceawrittenrecordofthedecisionsorrecommendations madewithin5workingdaysofthecompletionofthereviewandafullrecordof thereviewwithin15workingdaysofthecompletionofthereview;

Thefullwrittenrecordofthereview,includingthedecisions,shouldbe distributedwithin20workingdaysofthecompletionofthereview;

Within10workingdays,followingthecompletionofthereview,thesocialworker shouldupdatethecareandsupportplaninrelationtoanychangesagreedat thereview

17. Having a child to stay

17.1 WELCOME PACK

Awelcomepackorfolderisagreatwaytoshareinformationwithafoster childbeforetheycometoyou.Itwillhelptofamiliarisethemwiththeirnew home,yourroutinesandgeneralrules/expectationsandhelpthemtobegin tofeelmorecomfortablewiththechange

Includepicturesofyourhouse,garden,andtheirroom.Introduceeveryonein yourfamily,includingpets,andsharethethingsyouliketodoasafamily.

17.2 PREPARE YOUR FOSTER CHILD’S BEDROOM

Beforetheyarrive,arrangetheirbedroomsoitisascosyaspossible,makeup anageappropriate‘welcome’pack,filledwithpersonaltouchessuchas toiletries,anotebookandpen,cuddlytoyandbooks.Anightlightmayalsobe agoodidea,evenforolderchildren.

17.3 UNPACKING

Waituntilyourfosterchildisreadybeforeofferingtohelpthemunpacktheir personalbelongings.Encouragethemtomaketheirroomtheirownandbe availabletohelpthemtoarrangetheirroomsoitishowtheylikeit.

17.4 KEEP YOUR FOSTER HOME CALM AND QUIET

Onceyourfosterchildhasarrived,keepyourhouseasrelaxedandquietas possibletohelpthemtosettleinandfeelcomfortable.Allowthemtohave somealonetimeandgivethemachancetoexploreyourhome Itis importantnottooverloadthemwithvisitorsbeforetheyhaveachancetofeel settled.

17.5 MEALTIMES

Offerfoodsthatyouknowtheylikebutbemindfulthattheymaynotfeelupto eating Trytobeencouragingandrelaxedaroundmealtimestobuildtrust Makingfoodtogethercouldbeaneffectivewayofhelpingthemtosettleand mayhelpthemintheirorientationoftheirnewhome.

17.6 ROUTINES

Apredictableroutinewillhelpyournewfosterchildtofeelsecure,ifyouknow theiroldroutinetrytosticktothisforthetime-being.Consistentmealtimes, bedtimes,anddailyactivitieswillhelptoprovidestability,andcanreduce anxietyduringtheadjustmentperiod

17.7 RESPECT THEIR BELONGINGS

Theymaycometoyouwithbelongingsthat appeartohavelittlevalueorbeveryworn, tatty,andill-fitting Considerwhateverthey arrivewithasvaluableasitmaybeallthey haveandholdsomesentimentalvalue.Keep anybelongingssafeeveniftheycannotwear orusethemanylonger.

17.8 FOSTER FAMILY ACTIVITIES

Findoutwhattheyenjoydoing.Ifthereisa particulargame,makesureyouhaveitsoyou canplayittogether.Allowthemtopickouta familyactivityandgetthewholefamily involved–thisempowersthemtohaveavoice intheirnewfosterhome,justlikeallfamily membersshouldhave

18. Managing Money

18.1 SAVINGS

Thelong-termwellbeingofchildrenisparamountandsupportingachild’s transitiontoadultlifeisakeypartofpromotingtheirlong-termwellbeing.To supportthistransitionaspartofgoodcorporateparentingpractice,andto promoteconsistencyandfairness,localauthoritiesandfosteringservicesare expectedtoensurethatchildrenintheircarehavesavingsmadeontheir behalf.

Savingsareimportantforyoungpeopleandcanstartatanyage.Thesooner achildstartssavingandbeingawareofmoneymatters,themoretheycan begintounderstandandplanfortheirfuture.Whetheritisshort-termsavings, suchassavingforacomputergameorgoingonholiday,orlong-termsaving forafuturegoal–adepositonahomeoracar–itisnevertooearlytostart.

18.2 POCKET MONEY

Fosterparent/shaveakeyroleineducatingandsupportingchildrenand youngpeopleintheresponsibleuseofmoney,includingpocketmoney,short termandlong-termsavings.Thisisparticularlyimportantforolderchildren andyoungpeoplepreparingforindependence.

Receivingpocketmoneyisbeneficialforallchildrenandyoungpeople.It promotesasenseofbeingtreatedthesameasotherchildren.Itgivesalevel ofchoiceandcontrolregardingdecisionschildrenmake,encourages independenceandpromotestheunderstandingofthevalueofmoney,and cansupportindevelopinglifelongbudgetingskills

Childrenandyoungpeopleshouldbeawareoftheamountofpocketmoney theyshouldexpectandbeallowedtospenditastheychoose,with appropriateadultguidance.Theamountshouldincreasewithage.Children shouldbeencouragedtouseashort-termsavingsaccountforanymoney theyhaveleftoverwhichtheycanusetosaveformoreexpensiveitemsthey wishtopurchaseortosavetouse,forexampleforholidayspendingmoney Theyshouldnotbeexpectedtobuypersonalcareitemsorotherhousehold expensesfromtheirpocketmoneyasthisisprovidedforwithinthefostercare allowance,unlessthisisagreedastheyoungpersonmovestoindependence

Intermsofnormalisingfamilylifeforchildrenit wouldbeunfairifsomechildrenreceivedeither moreorlessthantheotherchildreninthehome, especiallywheretheiragesaresimilar. Therefore,arrangementsneedtoconsiderthe pocketmoneypaidtootherchildreninthe householdandsomeparityreached.

Wesuggestthattheamountshouldnotexceed theelementforpersonalneedswithinany benefitpaymentayoungpersoncouldexpectif theywereunemployed.Thisisimportant becauseitistheresponsibilityofbothsocial workersandfosterparentstohelpensurea smoothtransitiontoindependentlivingafter fostercare.Itwouldbeunhelpfultothisprocess ifayoungperson'spocketmoneyenabledthem toenterintoalifestylewhichwasnotpossibleif theylaterhadtoliveindependentlyonlimited incomesuchaseducationgrantsorwelfare benefits.

Discussionsabouttheamountofpocketmoney shouldincludethefosterparent,socialworker andifoldenoughthechildandyoungperson, andthisshouldbeagreedatthestartofthe placementandreviewedregularlyasthechild getsolder

TheFosteringNetworkhasputtogetherausefulguidetoassistfosterparent/s inmanagingmoneyonbehalfofthechildrentheylookafter.

https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/sites/default/files/2022-06/Longterm%20savings%20PIN Jun22 1.pdf

YourSupervisingSocialWorkerandthechild’ssocialworkerwillguideyouand helpyoutomanagesavingsandwillcheckontheseroutinely.AsanAgency wewouldalsopointout,inlinewithourpoliciesandprocedures,thatpocket moneyorsavingsshouldneverbeusedasawayofcontrollingbehaviouror withheldbasedonwhetherornotachildhascompleteddailytasksor householdchores.

19. Placement Ending

19.1. GIVING NOTICE FOR A CHILD’S PLACEMENT TO END

Ifyouareofaviewthatthechildoryoungperson’splacementcannotbe supportedtocontinueyoucanputinnoticetoendtheplacement Noticeto endachild’splacementshouldbeatleast28daysinordertoidentifya suitablenextplacement,preparethechildtomoveandfacilitateatransition. Supportwillcontinuetobeofferedandreviewedduringthenoticeperiod.

19.1.2 MANAGING THE ENDING OF A PLACEMENT

Whereverpossiblewhenaplacementisending,atransitionplanshouldbe developedtomovethechild/youngpeople.Thisshouldbedevelopedbythe child’ssocialworkerinconjunctionwithyouandtheirsupervisingsocial worker.Thechild/youngpersonmightbefeelingworriedaboutwhatisgoing tohappentothemevenifthemoveisonethattheyfeelpositiveabout.

Youmayfeelanxiousaboutthechild/youngperson’smovetoo,thisisnatural, thatiswhyitisimportantforeveryonethatthereisaclearplanaboutwhat willhappenandwhowilldowhat.Itisreallyimportantthatyoutalktoyour

SupervisingSocialWorker,especiallyifyouthinkthatthemoveisnotinthe child’sbestinterests

UsefulTips

Youhaveanimportantparttoplayinhelpingthechildtomoveandshouldbe positiveaboutitevenifitisindifficultcircumstances.Whenyouaretalkingto thechildaboutthemovebepositiveaboutwhytheyaremovingandwhatwill happen.

Plan"goodbyes"forfriendsandfamilymembersthatthechildiscloseto Youshouldputtogetherinformationaboutthechild/youngperson’sdaily routine,likes/dislikesandanyotheressentialinformationthatwillhelpthe newcarerandletthechild’ssocialworkerknowifyouarehappytotalkto thenewcarer.

Ifthechild/youngpersonhasphotographs,lifestorybookandother informationaboutthetimethattheyhavespentwithyou,youshould makesurethattheygowiththem.Yoursupervisingsocialworkerwill discusswithyouexamplesofwhatsortofthingstokeepsothatthechild hasasmanypositivememoriesaspossible.

Makesureyoupackallimportantdocumentssuchastheirpassport.

Youshouldprovideclearinstructionsaboutanymedicationor appointmentsthechildmayhave

Thechild'sbelongingsshouldbemovedinasuitcaseorholdallandnever betransportedinbin-bagsorotherinappropriatecontainers.

Letthechildknowwhatcontacttheymayhavewithyouinthefutureand providethemwithphotographsandmementoesoftheirtimewithyou. On-goingcontactwiththechildaftertheyhavechangedplacementshould bejointlyagreedbetweenyou,thesupervisingsocialworkerandthechild’s socialworker.

19.2 PLACEMENT DISRUPTION/BREAKDOWN

Whenendingsareunplanned,thewelfareandwell-beingofchildrenremain paramountandtheAgencyandfosterparent/smustalwaysactwiththisin mind.Itisalsoimportanttounderstandtheimpactonotherchildrenlivingin thefosterhome,inordertomanageissuesthatarelikelytoarise

ADisruptionMeetinginrelationtochildrenwhoseplacementhasended abruptlyoronanunplannedbasiswillbeconvenedundertheproceduresof theplacingauthority.

Thoseinvited,oraskedtocontributewillinclude:

-Thechild

-Thebirthparents(asappropriate)

-Thechild'ssocialworkerandmanager

-Thelinkworker/keyworker(forresidentialcare)andhomemanager

-Thefosterparent/s(s)andsupervisingsocialworker

-TheIndependentReviewingOfficer

-Thechild'scurrentfosterparent/s/caregivers

-Otherrelevantprofessionals

Themeetingwillensurethechild(dependingontheirageandlevelof understanding)isgiventheopportunitytounderstandthereasonsforandbe supportedwithmanagingthetransition.

Whereappropriate,youwillbesupportedtomaintainlinkswithchildrenwho leaveyourcare.

Theagendawilldependonthechild/circumstances,butthechairpersonwill endeavourtoensurethatthecircumstancesleadingtothedisruptionare carefullyreviewed,andthatallconcernedareprovidedwithopportunitiesto expresstheirviewsfreelytoestablish:

1 Afactualaccountofhowandwhythedisruptionoccurred

2. Anopportunityforlearning,inordertoavoidthesamethinghappening again-forthechildorothersintheplacement

3. Anyimpactonfutureplanningforthechild

4. Ifanyspecificworkneedstobedoneandtoensureitiscompleted 5Thatnecessaryactions/notificationshavebeenundertaken

Thechairpersonwillrecordthemeetinganddraftminutes,whichwillbe circulatedtoallconcerned.

Afosterparent/sReviewwillbeconvenedafteraplacementdisruptionto considerthefosterparent/s'Approvalinlinewithourpoliciesandprocedures.

20. Safeguarding

KEY PRINCIPLES

1.Fosterparent/shaveadutyofcaretotheirfosterchildrenandmust upholdstringentsafeguardingpoliciestoensurethattheyupholdtheir responsibilitytoprotectchildrenfrommaltreatment,whethertheriskof harmcomesfromwithinthechild’sfamilyand/oroutside(fromthewider community),includingonline.

2.Fosterparent/sshouldbeawareofrisksandmakewell-thought-out decisionsinpartnershipwiththechild’sSocialWorkerandthefostering service

3.Children’ssafetyandwelfaremustbepromotedatalltimesinallfostering placementstopreventimpairmentofchildren’smentalandphysical healthordevelopment.

4.Fosterparent/sshouldactivelysafeguardandpromotethewelfareofall childrenwithinthefosteringhousehold,takingactiontoenableallchildren tohavethebestoutcomes.

5.Positiverelationshipswithchildrenandacultureofopennessandtrustare essential.

6.Fosterparent/smustundertakeregulartrainingandevidenceaworking knowledgeofusingpoliciesandproceduresrelatingtosafeguardingto ensurethatchildrenaregrowingupincircumstancesconsistentwiththe provisionofsafeandeffectivecare

StDavid'sFosteringServiceSafeguardingPolicyandProcedures.docx

20.1 SPECIFIC SAFEGUARDING DEFINITIONS AND CONCERNS

20.1.2 ABUSE

Aformofmaltreatmentofachild.Somebodymayabuseorneglectachildby inflictingharm,orbyfailingtoacttopreventharm.Harmcanincludeill treatmentthatisnotphysicalaswellastheimpactofwitnessingilltreatment ofothers Thiscanbeparticularlyrelevant,forexample,inrelationtothe impactonchildrenofallformsofdomesticabuse,includingwheretheysee, hear,orexperienceitseffects.Childrenmaybeabusedinafamilyorinan institutionalorextra-familialcontextbythoseknowntothemor,morerarely, byothers.Abusecantakeplacewhollyonline,ortechnologymaybeusedto facilitateofflineabuse Childrenmaybeabusedbyanadultoradults,or anotherchildorchildren.

20.1.3 EMOTIONAL ABUSE

Thepersistentemotionalmaltreatmentofachildsoastocausesevereand persistentadverseeffectsonthechild’semotionaldevelopment Itmayinvolve conveyingtoachildthattheyareworthlessorunloved,inadequate,orvalued onlyasfarastheymeettheneedsofanotherperson.Itmayincludenotgiving thechildopportunitiestoexpresstheirviews,deliberatelysilencingthem,or makingfunofwhattheysayorhowtheycommunicate.Itmayfeatureageor developmentallyinappropriateexpectationsbeingimposedonchildren These mayincludeinteractionsthatarebeyondachild’sdevelopmentalcapability, aswellasoverprotectionandlimitationofexplorationandlearning,or preventingthechildparticipatinginnormalsocialinteraction.Itmayinvolve seeingorhearingtheill-treatmentofanother.Itmayinvolveseriousbullying (includingcyberbullying),causingchildrenfrequentlytofeelfrightenedorin danger,ortheexploitationorcorruptionofchildren.Somelevelofemotional abuseisinvolvedinalltypesofmaltreatmentofachild,thoughitmayoccur alone.

20.1.4 NEGLECT

Thepersistentfailuretomeetachild’sbasicphysicaland/orpsychological needs,likelytoresultintheseriousimpairmentofthechild’shealthor development.Neglectmayoccurduringpregnancyasaresultofmaternal substanceabuse.Onceachildisborn,neglectmayinvolveaparentorparent failingto:

provideadequatefood,clothing,andshelter(includingexclusionfrom homeorabandonment)

protectachildfromphysicalandemotionalharmordanger ensureadequatesupervision(includingtheuseofinadequatecaregivers) ensureaccesstoappropriatemedicalcareortreatment providesuitableeducation

Itmayalsoincludeneglectof,orunresponsivenessto,achild’sbasicemotional needs.

20.1.4 NEGLECT

Aformofabusewhichmayinvolvehitting, shaking,throwing,poisoning,burning,or scalding,drowning,suffocating,orotherwise causingphysicalharmtoachild.Physicalharm mayalsobecausedwhenaparentorparent fabricatesthesymptomsof,ordeliberately induces,illnessinachild

20.1.6 SEXUAL ABUSE

Involvesforcingorenticingachildoryoungpersontotakepartinsexual activities,notnecessarilyinvolvingahighlevelofviolence,whetherornotthe childisawareofwhatishappening.Theactivitiesmayinvolvephysical contact,includingassaultbypenetration(forexample,rapeororalsex)or non-penetrativeacts,suchasmasturbation,kissing,rubbing,andtouching outsideofclothing.Theymayalsoincludenon-contactactivities,suchas involvingchildreninlookingat,orintheproductionof,sexualimages,watching sexualactivities,encouragingchildrentobehaveinsexuallyinappropriate ways,orgroomingachildinpreparationforabuse.Sexualabusecantake placeonline,andtechnologycanbeusedtofacilitateofflineabuse.Sexual abuseisnotsolelyperpetratedbyadultmales.Womencanalsocommitacts ofsexualabuse,ascanotherchildren

20.1.7 CHILD CRIMINAL EXPLOITATION

Whereanindividualorgrouptakesadvantageofanimbalanceofpowerto coerce,control,manipulateordeceiveachildoryoungpersonundertheage of18intoanycriminalactivity(a)inexchangeforsomethingthevictimneeds orwants,and/or(b)forthefinancialorotheradvantageoftheperpetratoror facilitatorand/or(c)throughviolenceorthethreatofviolence.Thevictimmay havebeencriminallyexploitedeveniftheactivityappearsconsensual.Child criminalexploitationdoesnotalwaysinvolvephysicalcontact;itcanalso occurthroughtheuseoftechnology.

20.1.8 CHILD SEXUAL EXPLOITATION

Childsexualexploitationisaformofchildsexualabuse.Itoccurswherean individualorgrouptakesadvantageofanimbalanceofpowertocoerce, manipulateordeceiveachildoryoungpersonundertheageof18intosexual activity(a)inexchangeforsomethingthevictimneedsorwants,and/or(b)for thefinancialadvantageorincreasedstatusoftheperpetratororfacilitator The victimmayhavebeensexuallyexploitedevenifthesexualactivityappears consensual.Childsexualexploitationdoesnotalwaysinvolvephysicalcontact; itcanalsooccurthroughtheuseoftechnology.Achildisdefined,inlawas anyonewhohasnotyetreachedtheir18thbirthday.Thefactthatachildhas reached16yearsofage,islivingindependentlyorisinfurthereducation,isa memberofthearmedforces,isinhospitalorincustodyinthesecureestate, doesnotchangetheirstatusorentitlementstoservicesorprotection.

20.1.9

Alsoknownascoercivecontrol,controllingorcoercivebehaviourisaformof domesticabuse.In2015,theoffenceofcontrollingorcoercivebehaviourwas introducedunderSection76oftheSeriousCrimeActasacriminaloffence. Controllingorcoercivebehaviourisincludedinthedefinitionofdomestic abuseinsection1(3)(c)oftheDomesticAbuseAct2021.Controllingorcoercive behaviourisapatternofabuse(ontwoormoreoccasions)thatinvolves multiplebehavioursandtacticsusedbyaperpetratorto(butnotlimitedto) hurt,humiliate,intimidate,exploit,isolate,anddominatethevictim.Itisan intentionalpatternofbehaviourusedtoexertpower,control,orcoercionover anotherperson.Controllingorcoercivebehaviourisoftencommittedin conjunctionwithotherformsofabuseandisoftenpartofawiderpatternof abuse,includingviolent,sexual,oreconomicabuse.Childrencanbeusedto controlorcoercethevictim,forexample,byfrustratingchildcontactand/or childarrangements,tellingthechildrentocallthevictimderogatorynamesor tohitthevictim,orbythreateningtoabductthechildren.Thispatternofabuse causesfear,seriousalarmand/ordistresswhichcanleadtoasubstantial adverseeffectonavictim’sday-to-daylife.Thiscanhaveasignificantimpact onchildrenandyoungpeople.Section68oftheDomesticAbuseAct2021 cameintoforceon5April2023andremovedthe‘livingtogether’requirement forthecontrollingorcoercivebehaviouroffence,whichmeansthattheoffence appliestopartners,ex-partnersorfamilymembers,regardlessofwhetherthe victimandperpetratorlivetogether.

20.1.10 COUNTY LINES

Isatermusedtodescribegangsandorganisedcriminalnetworksinvolvedin exportingillegaldrugsintooneormoreimportingareaswithintheUK,using dedicatedmobilephonelinesorotherformof‘dealline’.Theyarelikelyto exploitchildrenandvulnerableadultstomoveandstorethedrugsandmoney, andtheywilloftenusecoercion,intimidation,violence(includingsexual violence)andweapons.Thisactivitycanhappenlocallyaswellasacrossthe UK;nospecifieddistanceoftravelisrequired.

20.1.11 DOMESTIC ABUSE

Domesticabusemaybeasingleincidentoracourseofconductwhichcan encompassawiderangeofabusivebehaviours,includinga)physicalor sexualabuse;b)violentorthreateningbehaviour;c)controllingorcoercive behaviour;d)economicabuse;ande)psychological,emotional,orother abuse.

Underthestatutorydefinition,boththepersonwhoiscarryingoutthe behaviourandthepersontowhomthebehaviourisdirectedtowardsmustbe aged16oroverandtheymustbe“personallyconnected”(asdefinedinsection 2oftheDomesticAbuseAct2021).Thedefinitionensuresthatdistincttypesof relationshipsarecaptured,includingex-partnersandfamilymembers.All childrencanexperienceandbeadverselyaffectedbydomesticabuseinthe contextoftheirhomelifewheredomesticabuseoccursbetweenfamily members,includingwherethosebeingabusivedonotlivewiththechild Experiencingdomesticabusecanhaveasignificantimpactonchildren. Section3oftheDomesticAbuseAct2021recognisestheimpactofdomestic abuseonchildren(0to18),asvictimsintheirownright,iftheysee,hearor experiencetheeffectsofabuse.Youngpeoplecanalsoexperiencedomestic abusewithintheirownintimaterelationships Thisformofchild-on-childabuse issometimesreferredtoasteenagerelationshipabuse.Dependingontheage oftheyoungpeople,thismaynotberecognisedinlawunderthestatutory definitionofdomesticabuse(ifoneorbothpartiesareunder16).However,as withanychildunder18,wherethereareconcernsaboutsafetyorwelfare,child safeguardingproceduresshouldbefollowedandbothyoungvictimsand youngperpetratorsshouldbeofferedsupport.

20.1.12 EXTRA-FAMILIAL HARM

Childrenmaybeatriskoforexperiencingphysical,sexual,oremotionalabuse andexploitationincontextsoutsidetheirfamilies.Whilethereisnolegal definitionforthetermextra-familialharm,itiswidelyusedtodescribedifferent formsofharmthatoccuroutsidethehome.Childrencanbevulnerableto multipleformsofextra-familialharmfrombothadultsand/orotherchildren. Examplesofextra-familialharmmayinclude:criminalexploitation(suchas countylinesandfinancialexploitation),seriousviolence,modernslaveryand trafficking,onlineharm,sexualexploitation,child-on-child(nonfamilial)sexual abuseandotherformsofharmfulsexualbehaviourdisplayedbychildren towardstheirpeers,abuse,and/orcoercivecontrol,childrenmayexperiencein theirownintimaterelationships(sometimescalledteenagerelationship abuse),andtheinfluencesofextremismwhichcouldleadtoradicalisation. Extra-familialcontexts-Extra-familialcontextsincludearangeof environmentsoutsidethefamilyhomeinwhichharmcanoccur.Thesecan includepeergroups,school,andcommunity/publicspaces,includingknown placesinthecommunitywherethereareconcernsaboutriskstochildren(for example,parks,housingestates,shoppingcentres,takeawayrestaurants,or transporthubs),aswellasonline,includingsocialmediaorgamingplatforms

20.1.13 EXTREMISM

ExtremismisdefinedinthePreventstrategyasthevocaloractiveoppositionto fundamentalBritishvalues,includingdemocracy,theruleoflaw,individual libertyandmutualrespectandtoleranceofdifferentfaithsandbeliefs.Wealso includeinourdefinitionofextremismcallsforthedeathofmembersofour armedforces.

20.1.14 RADICALISATION

Youngpeoplemaybeexposedtoinfluencefrompeers,fromolderpeopleand theinternetastheybegintoexploreideasandissuesaroundidentity Thereis nosinglejourneytobecomingradicalised;acombinationofinfluencesand factorsmayworkintandem.

Childrenatriskofradicalisationmayhavelowself-esteemorbevictimsof bullyingordiscrimination Extremistsmayprovideasenseofbelongingwhilst brainwashingthemandisolatingthemfromtheirfamilyandfriends. Radicalisationorachildatriskofradicalisationisasafeguardingissuethatwill requireamulti-agencyresponse.

Possiblesignsofradicalisationmayinclude

-Increasedangerand/orconvictionthattheirreligion/cultureorbeliefsare underthreat

-Isolatingthemselvesfromtheirfriends&family

-Talkingasiffromascript

-Increasedsecretivenessespeciallyaroundtheirinternetuse

-Possessingitemssuchasphonesetc.fromunknownsources

-However,anyofthesesignsmightbeusualteenagebehaviour,orasignthat somethingelseiswrong. -Ifyouhaveconcernstalktothechild’ssocialworker andyourSupervisingSocialWorker.Youcanalsotalktotheschool.

-Seriousconcernsshouldbereportedimmediatelyinlinewithour safeguardingpolicy.Ifyoufeelthechildisinimmediatedangeroratriskof leavingthecountry,youwillalsoneedtocontactthepoliceandensuretheir passportissafelystored.

20.1.15 FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION

Financialexploitationcantakemanyforms.Inthiscontext,weusethetermto describeexploitationwhichtakesplaceforthepurposeofmoneylaundering Thisiswhencriminalstargetchildrenandadultsandtakeadvantageofan imbalanceofpowertocoerce,control,manipulateordeceivetheminto facilitatingthemovementofillicitfunds.Thiscanincludephysicalcashand/or paymentsthroughfinancialproducts,suchasbankandcryptocurrency accounts

Thisprocedureinvolvesthepartialortotalremovalofexternalfemalegenitalia fornon-medicalreasons Itisalsoknownasfemalecircumcisionorcutting Despitethereligious,social,orculturaljustificationssometimesoffered,FGMis illegalbecauseitposesserioushealthrisksandcauseslastingphysicaland emotionalharm.

TherearenomedicalbenefitstoFGM;itneitherenhancesfertilitynormakes childbirthsafer.Itmaybeusedtocontrolfemalesexuality.Theprocedureis typicallyperformedwithoutmedicaltrainingoranesthesia,usinginstruments likeknives,scissors,orrazorblades.Evenpartialprocedurescanleadtosevere healthcomplicationsforgirlsandwomen.

TheprevalenceofFGMisdifficulttoascertainduetoitsclandestinenature,but itisestimatedthat137,000womenandgirlsinEnglandandWalesareaffected. Since1985,FGMhasbeenacriminaloffenceintheUK,withadditionalpenalties forUKnationalsorresidentswhotaketheirchildabroadfortheprocedure.

20.2 MANDATORY REPORTING DUTY

Inresponsetotheseverityoftheissue,theUKhasimplementedmeasureslike FGMProtectionOrders,whichanyonecanapplyfortopreventat-risk individualsfromundergoingFGM. Thereisalsoamandatoryreportingdutysince2015,requiringhealth,social careprofessionals,andteacherstoreportanysuspicionorevidenceofFGM involvinggirlsunder18tothepolice.Thisdutyaimstoensureimmediateaction tosafeguardpotentialvictimsandprosecuteoffenders

20.3 CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES

Manyfactorscanmakeachildwithadisabilitymorevulnerabletoabusethan achildwithoutadisabilityofthesameage Safeguardingchildrenwith disabilitiesdemandsagreaterawarenessoftheirvulnerability,individuality andparticularneeds.Itshouldberememberedthatchildrenwithdisabilities arechildrenfirstandforemost,theyhavethesamerightstoprotectionasany otherchild.Peoplecaringforandworkingwithchildrenwithdisabilitiesneedto bealerttothesignsandsymptomsofabuse Childrenwithdisabilitiesmust neverbeleftinsituationswherethereisahighlevelofneglectorotherformsof abuse,becauseapractitionerfeelsthattheparent,parentorservice‘isdoing theirbest’.Fosterparent/swillbechallengedinthesamewayasparentsof childrenwithoutadisability.Childrenwithdisabilitiesmayhavefeweroutside contactsthanotherchildrenmakingthemmorevulnerabletoabusethan childrenwithoutadisability,inadditionthefollowingfactorsalsoincreasetheir vulnerability;

Theymayreceiveintimatecarefromaconsiderablenumberofparents,which mayincreasetheriskofexposuretoabusivebehaviourandmakeitmore difficulttosetandmaintainphysicalboundaries.

Theymayhaveanimpairedcapacitytoidentify,resistoravoidabuse

Theymayhavecommunicationdifficultiesthatmakeitdifficulttotellothers whatishappening.

Notalldisabilitiesarevisible;childrenmayalsofacediscrimination. Theymaybeinhibitedfromcomplainingforfearoflosingservices. Theyareespeciallyvulnerabletobullyingandintimidation(seeBullying procedure).

Theyaremorevulnerablethanotherchildrentoabusebyotherchildren.

Additionalfactorsmaybe:

Thechild’sdependenceonparentscouldresultinthechildhavinga probleminrecognisingwhatabuseis.Thechildmayhavelittleprivacy,a poorbodyimageorlowself-esteem

Parentsandstaffmaylacktheabilitytocommunicateadequatelywiththe child.

Alackofcontinuityincareleadingtoanincreasedriskthatbehavioural changesmaygounnoticed.

Lackofaccessto‘keepsafe’strategiesavailabletoothers

Childrenwithdisabilitieslivingawayfromhomeinpoorlymanagedsettings areparticularlyvulnerabletoover-medication,poorfeedingandtoileting arrangements,issuesaroundcontrolofchallengingbehaviour,lackof stimulationandemotionalsupport.

Parents’ownneedsandwaysofcopingmayconflictwiththeneedsofthe child

Someadultabusersmaytargetchildrenwithdisabilitiesinthebeliefthatthey arelesslikelytobedetected.

Signsandindicatorscanbeinappropriatelyattributedtodisability

Childrenwithdisabilitiesarelesslikelytobeconsultedinmattersaffecting themandasaresultmayfeeltheyhavenochoiceaboutwhetherto acceptorrejectsexualadvances.IndicatorsItisunacceptableforpoor standardsofcaretobetoleratedforchildrenwithdisabilities,whichwould notbetoleratedforchildrenwithoutadisability Inadditiontotheuniversal indicatorsofabuse/neglect,thefollowingbehavioursshouldbeconsidered asabusive:

Forcefeeding.

Unjustifiedorexcessivephysicalrestraint.

Restraintwhichmaybemorethantheminimumrequiredwhichmay indicateapotentialdeprivationofliberty.

Roughhandling.

Persistentcarryingorhandlingchildrenwhenalternativesafemethods havebeenidentified(i.e.carryingachildupstairswhenanalternativehas beenprovided).

Extremebehaviourmodificationincludingthedeprivationoffood, medication,orclothing.

Misuseofmedication,sedation,heavytranquillisation. Inappropriateuseofinvasiveprocedures.

Deliberatefailuretofollowmedicallyrecommendedregimes. Non-compliancewithprogrammesorregimes

Failuretoaddressill-fittingequipment,e.g.calipers,sleepboardswhich maycauseinjuryorpain,inappropriatesplinting. Misappropriation/misuseofachild’sfinances.

Deprivingthechildoftheirlibertywithoutdueregardtotheirwishesand feelings

20.3 CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES

AdvicetoFosterParentsonwhattodoifachilddiscloses

20.4.1Itiscriticallyimportantthatanappropriateresponseisgiventoa childfromtheoutset. Theemotionalandpsychologicalconsequencesfor thechildandtheimpactonthelegaloutcomeofanyresultinginvestigation canbeimpactedonassoonasadisclosureismade,duetotheimmediate actionstakentoaddressconcernsraised

20.4.2Ifachilddisclosestoyou,donotinterviewthechildindepthbutreact calmlyandassurethemitisoktotellyou.Bemindfulofyourresponses bothverballyandnon-verbally.

20.4.3Listencarefullyandre-assurethechild,staycalmandtakewhatthe childsaysseriously,recognisingthedifficultiesinherentininterpretingwhat issaidbyayoungchild/orachildwhohascommunicationimpairment and/ordifferencesinlanguage

20.4.4Keepquestionstoanabsoluteminimumtoensureaclearand accurateunderstandingofwhathasbeensaid. 2045Donotmakeanyjudgementsaboutwhatissaid

20.4.6Explainwhathastobedonenextandwhohastobetold.Neveragree tokeepadisclosuresecret

20.4.7Makearecordofwhathasbeensaid,heardand/orseenandsign anddatetherecord.

2048AdvicefromtheAgency,LocalAuthorityorChilds’SocialWorkerwill needtobesoughtimmediately,inallincidencesofadisclosurebeing made,inordertoinitiateaformalChildProtectionReferralandensure associatedactivitiescanbeinstigatedinlinewithnationalsafeguarding procedures.

2049FosterParentsmustnotifytheStDavid’sFosteringServiceviatheir supervisingsocialworkerimmediatelyandtheymustnotifytheirline manager Inextraordinarycircumstancesoroutofhours,whentheAgency socialworker/managerisnotavailablethearealocalauthorityshouldbe notifiedthroughtheir24/7dutyteam.

20.4.10Whereachildhassufferedaninjurymedicalattentionmaybe neededandtheymayneedtobeseenbyamedicaldoctor.

20411Thechild’simmediatesafetymustalwaysbeconsideredapriorityto ensurethattheyaresafe.AreviewofriskassessmentsandtheSafeCare Policymustbeconsideredasandwhenappropriate.

20.4.12RecordsmustbemadeandsavedonCHARMS,assoonasis practicallypossibleafterthesituationhasbeenmadesafe.

20413Makesurethatthechildissupportedandthattheyknowtheyare nottoblame.Reassurethemitwasrighttotellandthatyourroleistohelp tokeepthemsafe.

20.4.14Theinformationachilddisclosesis‘confidential’andmustonlybe sharedonaneed-to-knowbasis.Fosterparentsshouldbemindedtoseek adviceaboutwhoisnotifiedofadisclosureandwhatinformationtheyare providedwithandbywhom,tokeepthechildsafeandnottoinadvertently prejudiceaninvestigationorassociatedenquiries.

Safeguardingchildren:reportingsuspectedabuse,neglectorharm| GOVWALES

21. Allegations

Anallegationisanassertionfromanypersonthatfosterparent/soranother memberofthefosteringhouseholdhas,ormayhave,behavedinawaythat hasharmedachild,committedacriminaloffenceagainstachildorbehaved towardsachildinawaythatindicatestheyareunsuitabletoworkwith children

Allegationsaremoreseriousthangeneralcomplaintsaboutstandardsof carethatmaybemadeagainstfosterparent/s.Allegationshavetobe investigatedunderchildprotectionprocedures. Allegationscanoccurforavarietyofreasons Somechildrenmaymake allegationsasawayofgainingsomecontrolovertheirsituation.Theymight useitasatooltomoveplacementorbecausetheythinkthatbeingremoved fromfosterparent/swillmeantheygettogohome.

Sometimeschildrenmisinterpretsomethingfosterparent/ssaysordoesand perceiveitassomethingbad.Thiscanbeparticularlytrueforchildrenwho haveexperiencedtraumaorabuseinthepast,astheymaybemoresensitive tocertainactionsorwords.

Thelocalauthorityinwhichthefosterparent/slives,StDavid’sfostering service,thelocalauthorityresponsibleforthefosteredchildandthepolicewill allbeinvolvedindecidingexactlyhowaparticularallegationisinvestigated.

Insomecases,achildmightbedescribingtheabusetheyhavesufferedby someoneelsebutarenotabletoarticulateorunderstandthatthefoster parent/swasnotinvolved.Thiscanbeacomplexandchallengingsituationto navigate,asitinvolvesaddressingthechild'spasttraumawhilealsodealing withtheallegation.

Allegationsmightalsobemadebybirthparents,eithertotrytogainsome controlovertheirsituationortoblamefosterparent/sforaninjurytotheir childthattheythemselvesactuallycommitted.Theseallegationscanbe particularlydifficulttodealwith,astheyinvolveacomplexmixofemotions andrelationships

Whenanallegationismade,itistakenveryseriously Theagencywilltakekey stepstoevaluateandinvestigatethematter.Thiscouldincludeinterviewingall partiesinvolved,reviewingmedicalrecords,andconductinghomevisits The initialtimelineforthisprocesscanvary,butfosterparent/swillbekept informedthroughout.

Itisimportanttonotethatduringthisprocess,theprimaryconcernisalways thewelfareofthechild Theaimistogettothetruthofthematterasquickly andthoroughlyaspossible,ensuringthechild'ssafetyandwell-being.

Theprocessbeginswiththereportingoftheallegation.Thiscanbedoneby anyonewhohasconcernsaboutthewelfareofachild.Oncetheallegationis reported,itisthenassessedtodeterminethelevelofriskandtheappropriate courseofaction.Thisassessmentwillconsiderthenatureoftheallegation,the evidenceavailable,andthepotentialrisktothechild.

Iftheallegationisdeemedseriousenough,it willthenbeinvestigated.Thisinvestigationmay involveinterviewswiththechild,thefoster parent/s,andanyotherrelevantparties.Itmay alsoinvolveareviewofanyrelevant documentation,suchasmedicalrecordsor schoolreports.

Oncetheinvestigationiscomplete,adecision willbemadebasedonthefindings Thiscould rangefromnofurtheraction,iftheallegationis foundtobeunfounded,tovariousactionsifthe allegationissubstantiated.Theseactionscould includeadditionaltrainingorsupportforthe fosterparent/s,changestothefosterhome's policiesorprocedures,orinseriouscases, removalofthechildfromthefosterhome.

Throughoutthisprocess,itiscrucialforfoster parent/stocooperatefullywiththe investigationandtomaintainopenandhonest communicationwiththeirsupervisingsocial workerandtheinvestigatingteam.

Asfosterparent/s,therearekeypracticeprinciplestofollowtopreventor defendagainstallegations.

-PrioritiseSafeCaringatalltimes

-Neverpromisetokeepsecrets.

-Bemindfulofphysicalcontactandhowthismaybemisconstruedbyachild. -Neverengageinintimatecontact.

-Rememberthatpersonalinformationisprivate.

-Alwaysmaintainprofessionalboundariesondigitalplatforms/socialmedia

Keepingdetailedrecordsofinteractionswiththefosterchild,maintainingopen communicationwithyoursupervisingsocialworker,andadheringtothe guidelinesandpoliciesareallcrucial.

Inaddition,itisimportanttocreateasafercaring policyforyourhome.Thispolicyshouldidentify potentialrisksandoutlinestrategiestomitigatethem. Regulartrainingandsupportwillalsohelpyou navigatethecomplexitiesofthefostercaresystem andreducetheriskofallegations.

Understandingthenatureofyourroleasfoster parent/s,thepotentialchallengesyoumayface,and thesupportavailabletoyoucangoalongwayin helpingyounavigateallegations.Itisalsoimportantto rememberthatnotallallegationsaresubstantiated, andanallegationdoesnotautomaticallymeanthat youhavedonesomethingwrong.

Whiletheprospectoffacingallegationscanbedaunting,itisimportantto rememberthatsupportisavailable.Byunderstandingthenatureof allegations,takingproactivestepstopreventthem,andworkingcloselywith us,youcannavigatethesechallengesandcontinuetoprovideasafe, nurturingenvironmentforchildreninneed.

Becomingafosterparent/sisajourneyoffaith,patience,andresilience.Itis aboutmakingadifferenceinthelivesofchildrenwhoneeditmost.Allegations canbeachallengingpartofthisjourney,theyarejustthat-apartofthe journey,notthewhole.Withunderstanding,support,andtherighttools,you cannavigatethesechallengesandcontinueonyourrewardingpathasfoster parent/s.

Asfosterparent/syouwillalsobeabletoseekindependentsupportthrough yourmembershipwithTheFosteringNetwork.

ManagingConcernsandAllegationsAgainstFosterParents.docx FLWAllegationsFactsheet(Aug2021).pdf

22. Compliments and Complaints by, or on behalf of children

Wewelcomecompliments(expressionsofsatisfactionaboutlevelsofservice oractionsofstaff).Positivefeedbackispartofourstrengths-basedpractice andhelpsmotivation,boostsconfidence,andshowspeoplehowmuchthey arevalued Ithelpsustounderstandanddevelopourskillstohelpand supportyou.Thishasapositiveimpactonindividual,team,and organisationalperformance.

Wecanonlyrecordsomethingasacomplimentwhenitisfordoingthejob particularlywell,orfordoingsomethingoutsidetheordinary Agoodindicator iswhenpeopletakethetroubletowritealetterorsendacard.Asafoster parentyoushouldshareyourcomplimentwithyoursupervisingsocialworker /child’ssocialworker/childandfamilysupportworker/teammanager,who canthenshareitwiththeirteams.

Wealsorecognisethattherewillbetimeswhenpeoplearenotsatisfiedwith theservicetheyhavereceivedorarereceiving.Wewouldalwaysencourage issuestoberaisedpromptlyandalongsideroutineopportunitiestooffer feedbackwewouldaskthatyouuseeveryopportunityforchildrenandyoung people(ortheirrepresentatives)tocommentontheservicestheyreceive,to askforchangestobemade,andaskaboutservicestheywouldliketoreceive. Weroutinelyseekfeedbackonourpracticeattimesofserviceandannual reviews,fromallofourstakeholdersincludingyou,yourfamiliesandthe childrenyoulookafter,inlinewiththeOutcomesweworktowardsandour legalobligations,thesearereportedon,toourCommissioners,Trusteesand IndependentPanel.

Thereisaclearframeworkfordealingwithcomplaintswhichhasthreestages andisoutlinedinourpolicy.(seebelow)Acomplaintisanexpressionof dissatisfactionaboutthestandardsofservice,actions,orlackofaction

Beforeaformalcomplaintismade,itwillbedealtwithinformallyatlocallevel (level1ofthecomplaintsprocedure)throughdiscussionsbetweenthechild, theirsocialworker,yourselves,andthesupervisingsocialworker.

Ifthesediscussionsdonotresolvetheissues,thenthecomplaintmayprogress tolevel2whichisdealtwithbytheservice.

Asfosterparentsyoumaybethepersonmakingacomplaint,youmaybethe personbeingcomplainedabout,oryoumaybesupportingachildoryoung persontomakeacomplaint.

Childrenmustbeinformedaboutthecomplaintprocedureinavarietyofways (e.g.,copiesofleafletsetc.)suitabletotheirageandlevelofunderstanding, ourleafletislinkedbelow.

adoptionwales.sharepoint.com/sites/Fostering/Shared Documents/Forms/AllItemsaspx?id=%2Fsites%2FFostering%2FShared Documents%2FPoliciesandProcedures%2FExampleStDavid%27s Policies%2FAdoption%2FCOMPLAINTS%2FCYPComplaints

Leaflet%2Epdf&parent=%2Fsites%2FFostering%2FSharedDocuments%2FPolicies andProcedures%2FExampleStDavid%27sPolicies%2FAdoption%2FCOMPLAINTS StDavid'sFosteringServiceComplaintsPolicyandProceduresdocx

23. Children who go missing

Amissingpersonis:“Anyonewhosewhereaboutscannotbeestablishedwill beconsideredasmissinguntillocatedandtheirwellbeingorotherwise confirmed.”

Wewillensurethatyouarefullyawareofandknowhowtoimplementour MissingProcedureandunderstandhowthislinksupwiththeAll-Wales SafeguardingProceduresthatmustbeimplementedbytheresponsible authoritiesinlinewiththeirpolicyinrelationtochildrengoingmissing.The careandsupportyouprovidetochildrenenablesyoutodevelopagood relationshipwhichwillhelptominimisetheriskthattheywillgomissingand reducetheriskofharmshouldthechildgomissing.Fosterparent/scanhelp childrenintheircaretounderstandthedangersandrisksofleavingthefoster homewithoutpermissionandbemadeawareofwheretheycanaccesshelp iftheyconsiderrunningaway

1.Childrenwhodogomissingfromtheirfosterhomesshouldbeprotectedas faraspossibleandmustberespondedtopositivelyontheirreturn.

2 Childrenwhogomissingshouldexperiencewell-coordinatedresponses thatreducetheharmorriskofharmtothem.Therewillbeaclearplanof urgentactioninplacetoprotectthemandtoreducefurtherharmortherisk ofharm.

3 Youshouldbeawareof,andknownottoexceed,themeasuresyoucan taketopreventachildleavingwithoutpermissionundercurrentlegislation andGovernmentguidance.OurMissingProcedurewillbeupdated accordinglywhenlegislationandGovernmentguidancechanges.

4 YouandtheFosteringServicemusttakeappropriateactiontofindchildren whoaremissing,includingworkingalongsidethepolicewhereappropriate, andtoprotectchildrenwhoareabsentfromthefosterhomewithoutconsent, butwhosewhereaboutsareknown.

5 Ifachildisabsentfromthefosteringhomeandtheirwhereaboutsarenot known(i.e.,thechildismissing),youshouldactinaccordancewiththis Missingprocedureandwiththeprotocolsandproceduresapplicabletothe areawhereyourhomeislocated.

6 Wherechildrenplacedoutofauthoritygomissing,theFosteringServicewill followthelocalprotocol,andcomplywith,andmakeyouawareof,anyother processesrequiredbytheresponsibleauthority,specifiedintheindividual child'sCareandTreatmentPlan.

7.Whereachildgoesmissingandthereisconcernfortheirwelfare,oratthe requestofachildwhohasbeenmissing,theFosteringServicewillarrangea meetinginprivatebetweenthechildandtheresponsibleauthoritytoconsider thereasonsfortheirgoingmissing.TheFosteringServicewillconsiderwiththe responsibleauthorityandwithyouwhatactionshouldbetakentopreventthe childgoingmissinginfuture.Anyconcernsarisingaboutyouasthefoster parent/sortheplacementwillbeaddressed,asfarasispossible,in conjunctionwiththeresponsibleauthority

8.TheFosteringServicewillliaisewithandchallengetheresponsiblelocal authorityasappropriate(forexamplewhenanindependentreturnhome interviewisnotofferedorarrangedbythelocalauthority)andwilltake appropriatestepstoescalateconcerns

9.Parents,ifitisappropriate,aremadeawareofincidentswhenthechildhas beenorismissing.

23.1 DEFINITIONS

Therearevarioustermswhichareusedinrelationtomissingchildren:

23.1.1MissingChild

AchildreportedasmissingtothePolicebytheirfamilyorparents.

23.1.2MissingfromCare

Alookedafterchildwhoisnotattheirplacementortheplacetheyare expectedtobe(e.g.,school)andtheirwhereaboutsarenotknown.

23.1.3AwayfromPlacementWithoutAuthorisation

Alookedafterchildwhosewhereaboutsareknownbutwhoisnotattheir placementortheplacetheyareexpectedtobeandtheparenthasconcerns ortheincidenthasbeennotifiedtothelocalauthorityorthePolice.

23.1.4YoungRunaway

Achildwhohasrunawayfromtheirhomeorcareplacementorfeelsthey havebeenforcedorluredtoleave.

ThePolice,astheleadagencyforinvestigatingandfindingmissingchildren, willrespondtochildrenandyoungpeoplegoingMissingorbeingAbsent basedonon-goingriskassessmentsinlinewithcurrentguidanceandthe CollegeofPolicingdefinitionofmissingandabsent.Thepolicewillprioritiseall incidentsofmissingchildrenasmediumorhighrisk.

23.2 PLANNING AND PREVENTION

AllchildrenmusthaveaPlacementPlanwhichtakesaccountofanylikelyrisk ofthechildgoingmissing.ThePlacementPlanshouldincorporatemeasuresto reduceorpreventthechildfrombecomingabsent,andinformationthatwould helpfacilitatethelocationofthechildshouldtheygomissing.Aspartofthe referral,placementandongoingplanningprocess,considerationmustbe giventotheriskofthechildbecomingmissing.Ifthereisarisk,aplanmustbe drawnuptoreduceorpreventit.

23.3 SPECIFIC RISKS.

TheCareandTreatmentPlanandtheplacementplanshouldincludedetailsof thearrangementsthatwillneedtobeinplacetokeepthechildsafeand minimisetheriskofthechildgoingmissingfromtheirplacement.

TheCareandTreatmentPlan–shouldincludestrategiestoavoid unauthorisedabsencesand/orachildgoingmissing Itshouldalsoinclude strategiestoreducethedurationandrisksassociatedifthechilddoeshave unauthorisedabsences/gomissing;

ThePlacementPlan–shouldincludestrategiesfor preventingthechildfromtakingunauthorised absences/goingmissing;

Apre-incidentriskassessmentshouldbecompleted forallchildrenforwhomthereisconcernthattheymay runaway.Distancefromhome,familyandfriends shouldbeconsideredasariskfactor; Thechildshouldbeprovidedwithadviceaboutaccess toanindependentAdvocateandthechild'sviews considered;

Statutoryreviewsshouldconsideranyabsencesand revisestrategiestopreventrepeatabsencesand/or missingincidentsandtheCareandTreatmentPlan shouldberevisedaccordingly

Whereachildalreadyhasanestablishedpatternofrunningaway,theCare andTreatmentPlanshouldincludeastrategytokeepthechildsafetoreduce thelikelihoodofthechildrunningawayinthefuture.Thisshouldbediscussed andagreedonasfaraspossiblewiththechildandwithyou.

WherethereareSafeguardingconcernsrelatingtoachildand/orwherethe childhasgonemissingfromtheplacementorfromanypreviousplacement, thePlacementPlanmustincludeinformationagreedbetweentheplacing authorityandtheFosteringServiceabouttheday-to-dayarrangementsputin placetokeepthechildsafe.

Youshouldbeproactiveinprovidingafosterhomewhichpromotesafeelingof securitythataimstominimisethelikelihoodofthechildgoingmissing Youwill workwithchildrentoeducatethemabouttherisksofgoingmissing,helpthem wherepossibletoidentifytriggerpointsandgivethemotheralternativesin theseparticularcircumstances Yourcompetenceandsupportneedsin respondingtomissingfromcareissuesshouldbeconsideredaspartofyour regularappraisalandsupervision

Youshouldknowwhentotrytopreventachildleavingthehomeandshould dosothroughdialogue,butyoushouldnottrytorestrainthechildshouldthey beintentonleaving,orinanyothercircumstances,unlessitisnecessaryto preventinjurytothechildorothers,orseriousdamagetoproperty

Onaday-to-daybasis,youshouldbealerttosignsorindicationsthatachild maybelikelytorunawayorbecomemissing Ifyoususpectthatthismay happen,youshouldtakeanyactionsalreadyagreedwiththeSupervising SocialWorkerandthechild'sSocialWorker,ordowhatyoureasonablyand safelycantoreduceorpreventthechildfromleaving-thisincludes circumstanceswhereachildisrefusingtoreturntothehome.

Iftheriskincreases,youshouldcontacttheSupervisingSocialWorkeror,ifout ofhours,theon-callSocialWorkerforadvice.

Ifthereisaseriousriske.g.,thechildisbehavinginaviolentmanneror threateningtodamageproperty,youshouldcontactthePolice,thencontact theSupervisingSocialWorkeratthefirstopportunity.

Theplanningprocessforeachchild,includingthelikelihoodofthembecoming missing,musttakeaccountofanyspecificriskfactorsforeachchild.Theserisk factorsinclude,butarenotlimitedto,thefollowing:

23.3.1 TRAFFICKING

Theplanningprocessforeachchild,includingthelikelihoodofthembecoming missing,musttakeaccountofanyspecificriskfactorsforeachchild.Theserisk factorsinclude,butarenotlimitedto,thefollowing: Somelookedafterchildrenmaybeunaccompaniedasylum-seekingchildren orothermigrantchildren Somechildreninthisgroupmayhavebeen traffickedintotheUKandmayremainundertheinfluenceoftheirtraffickers evenwhiletheyarelookedafter.Traffickedchildrenareatconsiderableriskof goingmissing,withmostgoingmissingwithinoneweekofbecominglooked afterandmanywithin48hours.Unaccompaniedmigrantorasylum-seeking children,whogomissingimmediatelyafterbecominglookedafter,shouldbe treatedaschildrenwhomaybevictimsoftrafficking.Childrenwhohavebeen traffickedmaybeexploitedforsexualpurposes.

Thelocationofthechildshouldnotbedivulgedtoanyenquirersuntiltheir identityandrelationshipwiththechildhasbeenestablished,ifnecessary,with thehelpofpoliceandimmigrationservices.

23.3.2 GROOMING

Groomingiswhensomeonebuildsanemotionalconnectionwithachildto gaintheirtrustforthepurposesofsexualabuseorexploitation Childrenand youngpeoplecanbegroomedonlineorintherealworld,byastrangerorby someonetheyknow-forexampleafamilymember,friendorprofessional. Groomersmaybemaleorfemale Theycouldbeanyage Manychildrenand youngpeopledonotunderstandthattheyhavebeengroomed,orthatwhat hashappenedisabuse

Childrencanbegroomedforthepurposeofsexualabuseaswellasother formsofexploitationincludinginvolvementincriminalandextremistactivity. Childrenwhoaremissingaremorevulnerabletobeinggroomedandmayalso gomissingbecauseofbeinggroomed

23.3.3 RADICALISATION

Childrenandyoungpeoplecansufferharmwhenexposedtoextremist ideology.

Goingmissingisariskfactorinrelationtoradicalisation:

Achildmaygomissingbecausetheyhavealreadybeenradicalised;

23.3.4 SEXUAL EXPLOITATION

Achild'sriskofbeingradicalisedmightincreasebecausetheyaremissingand arespendingtimewithpeoplewhomayseektoinvolvethemin radical/extremeactivities Theriskisheightenedwhilsttheyaremissing, becausetheprotectivefactorsoffamilyorcarearenotavailabletothem. Goingmissingisasignificantriskfactorinrelationtosexualexploitation.Achild maygomissingbecausetheyarebeingsexuallyexploited.

AcommonfeatureofCSEisthatthechildoryoungpersondoesnotrecognise thecoercivenatureoftherelationshipanddoesnotseethemselvesasa victimofexploitation.

Achild'sriskofbeingsexuallyexploitedmightincreasebecausetheyare missingandarespendingtimewithpeoplewhomayseektoinvolvethemin sexualexploitation Theriskisheightenedwhilsttheyaremissingbecausethe protectivefactorsoffamilyorcarearenotavailabletothem.

23.3.5 CHILDREN AT RISK OF BEING DRAWN INTO OFFENDING BEHAVIOUR

Childrenandyoungpeoplewhogomissingfromcarealsoneedsafeguarding againsttheriskofbeingdrawnintooffendingbehaviourbygangsorcriminal groups.

Inyourroleyoushouldensurethatchildrenarehelpedtounderstandthe dangersandrisksofleavingthefosterhomewithoutpermissionandaremade awareofwheretheycanaccesshelpiftheyconsiderrunningaway.Wherea childgoesmissingandthereisconcernfortheirwelfare,orattherequestofa childwhohasbeenmissing,thefosteringservicearrangesameetinginprivate betweenthechildandtheresponsibleauthoritytoconsiderthereasonsfor theirgoingmissing Thefosteringserviceconsiderswiththeresponsible authorityandfosterparent/swhatactionshouldbetakentopreventthechild goingmissinginfuture.Anyconcernsarisingaboutthefosterparent/sorthe placementareaddressed,asfarasispossible,inconjunctionwiththe responsibleauthority.Writtenrecordskeptbythefosteringservicewherea childgoesmissingdetailactiontakenbyfosterparent/s,thecircumstancesof thechild’sreturn,anyreasonsgivenbythechildforrunningawayfromthe fosterhomeandanyactiontakeninthelightofthosereasons.Thisinformation issharedwiththeresponsibleauthorityand,whereappropriate,thechild’s parents.

23.4 ACTIONS WHEN THE WHEREABOUTS OF A CHILD ARE NOT KNOWN

Wheneverthewhereaboutsofachildarenotknown,preliminarychecksshould becarriedouttoseeifthechildcanbelocated.Forexample,ifachildwas supposedtohavereturnedhomefromschoolbuthasnotarrivedwithinthe normaljourneytime,checkscouldincludefindingoutiftherearetransport delays,phonecallstothechild,phonecallstotheschooltoseeifthechildhas beendelayedetc.Iftheseinitialchecksdonotsucceedinlocatingthechildor therearestillconcernsthat,despitecontactbeingmadewiththechildthey areatrisk,theindividualsandagencieslistedbelowshouldbeinformed.

Itisclearlyimportantthatadeadlineissetattheoutsetoftheseinitialchecks sothattheydonotcontinuebeyondareasonabletime Thisshouldbebased onanassessmentoftherisksrelatingtotheindividualchild.Insomecases, theremightbereasonstobeworriedforthechild'ssafetyimmediatelyandthe agenciesdetailedbelowshouldbecontactedstraightaway–thisin conjunctionwithon-goingattemptstocontactthechildandfindoutwhythey arenotwheretheyaresupposedtobe

Ifachildismissing,youmustcontacttheSupervisingSocialWorkerorthe fosteringmanager,unlessthereisanimmediateseriousrisktothechildor others,inwhichcase,youshouldcontactthePolicefirst.Iftheincidentoccurs outofnormalofficehourstheOn-Call/OutofHoursDutySocial Worker/Managermustbecontacted.

TheSupervisingSocialWorker/DutySocialWorkerorfosteringmanagerwill cometoadecisionaboutfurtheractionsthatshouldbetaken.

TheSocialWorkershoulddecidewhethertonotifytheparent(s)and,ifso,who shoulddoso.

23.4.1

THE INDIVIDUALS AND AGENCIES WHO SHOULD BE CONTACTED

Thelocalpolice. Theauthorityresponsibleforthechild'splacement–iftheyhavenot alreadybeennotifiedpriortothepolicebeinginformed. Theparentsandanyotherpersonwithparentalresponsibilityunlessitis notreasonablypracticableortodosowouldbeinconsistentwiththe child'swelfare.

TheIndependentReviewingOfficer(IRO).

23.4.2 MISSING REPORTS SHOULD INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:

Thechild'sname/s;dateofbirth;status; responsibleauthority; Whereandwhentheywentmissing; Who,ifanyone,theywentmissingwith; Whatwasthechildwearingplusanybelongin suchasbags,phoneetc.; Descriptionandrecentphoto; Medicalhistory,ifrelevant; Timeandlocationlastseen; Circumstancesoreventsaroundgoingmissin Detailsoffamily,friendsandassociates; Updatedriskassessment.

Youshouldtakeallreasonablestepstosecurethesafeandspeedyreturnof thechildbasedonyourownknowledgeofthechildandtheinformationinthe child'splacementplan.Ifthereissuspectedriskofharmtothechild,you shouldliaiseimmediatelywiththepolice Followinginitialdiscussionsbetween theallocatedchildren'ssocialworkerandthepolice,theyshouldagreean immediatestrategyforlocatingthechildandanactionplan.Thistoincludea rangeofactionstolocateandensurethesafereturnofthechild,including:

1. Arrangementsforattemptstobemadetocontactthechildonadaily basisby,forexample,callingtheirmobilephoneorthephonesoffriendsor relativesthattheymaybewith.

2. TheIndependentReviewingOfficer(IRO)shouldalsotryandcontactthe child.

3.Visitingtheirparents'address/esandofanyfriendsorrelativeswithwhom theymaybestaying

4.Policecanconsiderrequestingatraceonthechild'smobilephone.

5.Within3days,amissingfromcaremeeting/telephonediscussionbetween relevantpartiesshouldtakeplaceandincludethepolice,thechild'sSocial Workerandtheprovider.Theactionplanandriskassessmentshouldbe reviewedandupdated

6.Missingfromcaremeetings/discussionsshouldbeheldatleastmonthlyto updatetheactionplanandshareinformation.

7.AnypublicitywillbeledbythePolice,theuseofharbouringnoticesetc.will beagreedatthemissingfromcaremeeting.RecoveryOrdersmaybeused. 8Duringtheinvestigationtofindthemissing/runawaychild,regularliaison andcommunicationshouldtakeplacebetweenthepolice,theresponsible localauthoritychildren'ssocialcareservicesandthehostauthority(ifan outofareaplacement)andanyotheragenciesinvolved.

9. Theauthorityresponsibleforthechildshouldensurethatplansareinplace torespondpromptlyoncethechildisfoundandfordeterminingifthe placementremainsappropriate. 104

23.5 CHILD INFORMATION FORM

1 ThePlacingAuthorityshouldprovideyouwithaChildInformationFormasa recordofessentialinformationforwhenachildoryoungpersongoesmissing. Thisformistobecompletedforchildrenandyoungpeoplelookedafterandbe keptuptodatewitharecentphotographitwillneedtobeamendedfollowing anychangesininformation.

2.TheChildInformationFormshouldbesharedwiththepolicewhenthechild oryoungpersonisreportedmissing.Thiswillassistpoliceinriskassessingthe missingepisodetoprovidetheappropriateresponse.Thechild’sSocialWorker shouldhaveaconversationwiththechildabouttheinformationrecordedin theChildInformationFormandshouldexplainthecircumstancesunderwhich theformwillbesharedwithpoliceandotheragencies

3.WhenachilddoesgomissingthisisdescribedintheFosteringRegulations asa'NotifiableEvent'andbylawthisrequirestheFosteringServicetomonitor andreviewallincidentsofthisnature Itisthereforearequirementthatyou informtheSupervisingSocialWorkerifthechildintheircareleaveswithout permission.

4.Atnotimeshouldyoupassanyinformationtothepress.Allinformation shouldonlybesharedbetweenthelocalauthority,Policeandthefostering manager.

23.6 POLICE RISK ASSESSMENT

Thepoliceclassificationofapersonas'Missing'or 'Absent'willbebasedonon-goingrisk assessment.Achildwhosewhereaboutsare knownwouldnotbetreatedaseither'Missing'or 'Absent'underthepolicedefinitions.

Itisimportanttonotethatfosterparent/sorothers reportingachildmissingtothepoliceshouldnot makethejudgementthemselvesastowhethera childismissingorabsent–thisdecisionwillbe madebythepolicebasedontheinformation provided.AchildwhoisAbsentmaybeatriskfor exampleofchildsexualorcriminalexploitation, involvementindrugs,gangs,criminalactivity, trafficking,forcedmarriage,femalegenital mutilationorradicalisation,andPoliceRisk Assessmentsshouldtakeaccountofthose situationsandmayneedtochangethecategory toMissing

Whereachildisrecordedbythepoliceasbeingabsent,thedetailswillbe recordedbythepolice,whowillalsoagreereviewtimesandanyon-going actionswithyouoranotherpersonreportingtheabsence Allpersonsrecorded bypoliceasAbsentaremonitoredbythepolicesystem.Monitoringisongoing andsubjecttoregularreviewstoensurerisklevelsdonotchange.Where informationbecomesknownwhichintroducesanyrisktothatperson,thenthe casemaybere-categorisedas'Missing'andapoliceinvestigationstarted.

Oneoftheoverridingprinciplesof'Absent'isthatpolicecanfocusresources moreeffectively,inaccordancewiththepoliceriskassessmentsof'Absent'and 'Missing'incidents.AchildwhoisAbsentmaystillbeatriskforexampleofchild sexualorcriminalexploitation,involvementindrugs,gangs,criminalactivity, trafficking,forcedmarriage,femalegenitalmutilationorradicalisation,andthe Policeriskassessmentshouldreflectthis.

23.7 HIGH RISK MISSING CHILD

1.Theriskposedisimmediateandtherearesubstantialgroundsforbelieving thatthechildisindangerthroughtheirownvulnerability;or

2.Thechildmayhavebeenthevictimofaseriouscrime;or

3.Theriskposedisimmediateandtherearesubstantialgroundsforbelieving thatthepublicisindanger.

Thehigh-riskcategoryrequirestheimmediatedeploymentofpoliceresources. Policeguidancemakesclearthatamemberoftheseniormanagementteam orsimilarcommandlevelmustbeinvolvedintheexaminationofinitialenquiry linesandapprovalofappropriatestaffinglevels.Suchcasesshouldleadtothe appointmentofanInvestigatingOfficerandpossiblyaSeniorInvestigating OfficerandaPoliceSearchAdvisor.Thereshouldbeamediastrategyand/or closecontactwithoutsideagencies Familysupportshouldbeputinplace The UKMissingPersonsBureaushouldbenotifiedofthecaseimmediatelyand localauthoritychildren'sservicesshouldalsobenotified.

AMissingchildincidentwouldbeprioritisedas'mediumrisk'wheretherisk posedislikelytoplacethesubjectindangerortheyareathreattothemselves orothers.Thiscategoryrequiresanactiveandmeasuredresponsebypolice andotheragenciesinordertotracethemissingpersonandsupportthe personreporting.Thiswillinvolveaproactiveinvestigationandsearchin accordancewiththecircumstancestolocatethemissingchildassoonas possible

Section17ofthePoliceandCriminalEvidenceAct1984providespolicewith powerstoenterandsearchpremisessuchasforthepurposesofsavinglife andlimbortoarrestapersonwhohascommittedanoffence

ThepolicecanusethepowersunderSection46(1)oftheChildrenAct1989to removeachildintopoliceprotection,forupto72hours,iftheyarelikelyto suffersignificantharm.Earlyandeffectivesharingofinformationbetween professionalsandlocalagenciesisessentialfortheidentificationofpatternsof riskybehaviour.Thismaybeusedtoidentifyareasofconcernforanindividual child,ortoidentify'hotspots'ofactivityinalocalarea.

23.8 ONCE THE CHILD RETURNS HOME

Youshouldtakethefollowingstepswhenachildreturnsaftersuchanevent: Assessthechild'simmediateneedsi.e.,offersomethingtoeat,doesthe childneedashower/bathandacleanchangeofclothes?Isthereanyneed formedicaltreatment?

Explaintothechildthatyoudonotwantthemtogomissingbuttheywillbe welcomedbacktothehousehold.

Trytogainaninsightintotheyoungperson'sabsenceandwhatcanbe donetominimiseitsrecurrence,althoughthepointatwhichthechild returnsmayormaynotbethebesttimetotrytodiscussthereasonswhy thechildhasgonemissing

Informallrelevantprofessionalsi.e.,Police(unlesstheyreturnedthechild), fosteringmanager,thechild'sSocialWorkerandtheindependentreviewing officerthatthechildhasreturned

TheFosteringServicewillmakearrangementsforSafeandWellchecksand IndependentReturnReviewinterviews:

23.9 SAFE AND WELL CHECKS

Safeandwellchecksarecarriedoutbythepoliceassoonaspossibleafterthe childhasreturned.Theirpurposeistocheckforanyindicationsthatthechild hassufferedharm,whereandwithwhomtheyhavebeen,andtogivetheman opportunitytodiscloseanyoffendingbyoragainstthem.

Whereachildgoesmissingfrequently,itmaynotbepracticalforthepoliceto seethemeverytimetheyreturn.Inthesecasesareasonabledecisionshould betakeninagreementbetweenthepoliceandyouasthefosterparent/swith regardtothefrequencyofsuchchecksbearinginmindtheestablishedlink betweenfrequentmissingepisodesandseriousharm,whichcouldinclude ganginvolvement,forcedmarriage,maltreatmentorabuse,bullyingorsexual exploitation.

Theassessmentofwhetherachildmightrunawayagainshouldbebasedon informationabout:

1 Theirindividualcircumstances

2.Familycircumstancesandbackgroundhistory.

3.Theirmotivationforrunningaway.

4.Theirpotentialdestinationsandassociates.

5.Theirrecentpatternofabsences.

6 Thecircumstancesinwhichthechildwasfoundorreturned

7.Theirindividualcharacteristicsandriskfactorssuchaswhetherachildhas learningdifficulties,mentalhealthissues,depressionandothervulnerabilities.

23.10 INDEPENDENT RETURN REVIEW

Theindependentreturnreviewisanin-depthinterviewandshouldbecarried outbyanindependentprofessional(e.g.,aSocialWorker,teacher,health professionalorpoliceofficer,notinvolvedincaringforthechildandwhois trainedtocarryouttheseinterviewsandisable).Thechildshouldbeseenon theirownunlesstheyspecificallyrequesttohavesomeonewiththem The childshouldbeofferedtheoptionofspeakingtoanindependent representativeoradvocate.TheIROshouldbeinformed.

Theresponsiblelocalauthorityshouldensurethereturnreviewinterviewtakes place Itshouldbeofferedandprovidedwithin72hoursofthechildbeing locatedorreturningfromabsence,itshouldpreferablytakeplaceinaneutral placewheretheyfeelsafe.

Theinterviewandactionsthatfollowfromitshould:

1Identifyanddealwithanyharmthechildhassuffered–includingharm thatmightnothavealreadybeendisclosedaspartofthe'SafeandWell check'–eitherbeforetheyranawayorwhilstmissing;

2.Understandandtrytoaddressthereasonswhythechildranaway.

3.Helpthechildfeel'safe'/understandthattheyhaveoptions,toprevent repeatinstancesofthemrunningaway

4.Understandwhatthechildwouldliketoseehappennextwhethershort termand/orlongterm.

5.Gatheryourviewsofthecircumstances,ifappropriate.

6.Providethechildwithinformationonhowtostaysafeiftheychoosetorun awayagain,includinghelplinenumbers

23.11 FOLLOW UP

Thelocalauthoritychildren'ssocialcareservices,police,FosteringServiceand otheragenciesinvolvedwiththechildshouldworktogethertoassessthechild and:

1.Tobuildupacomprehensivepictureofwhythechildwentmissing.

2Whathappenedwhiletheyweremissing

3.Whotheyweremissingwithandwheretheywerefound.

4.Whatsupporttheyrequireuponreturninghome.

5.WhetherastatutoryreviewoftheCareandTreatmentPlanisrequired.

6.Wherechildrenrefusetoengagewiththeinterviewer,youshouldbeoffered theopportunitytoprovideanyrelevantinformationandintelligencethey maybeawareof.Thisshouldhelptopreventfurtherinstancesofthechild runningawayandidentifyearlythesupportneededforthem

23.12 REPEAT RUNNING AWAY

Ifachildcontinuallyrunsawayactionsfollowingearlierincidentsneed reviewingandalternativestrategiesshouldbeconsidered Toreducerepeat runningawayandimprovethelonger-termsafetyofchildrenandyoung people,theagenciesinvolvedmaywanttoprovide: Betteraccessandtimelyindependentreturninterviews,particularlyforthe mostvulnerable.

Safetyplanningwiththechildfortheirmissing Betteraccesstosupportwhilstayoungpersonisaway,whichmaycome fromthevoluntarysector.

Theremaybelocalorganisationsintheareathatcanproviderepeat runawayswithanopportunitytotalkabouttheirreasonsforrunningaway andcanlinkrunawayswithlonger-termhelpifappropriate

SafeguardingWales

https://www.myguideapps.com/admin/projects/wales safeguarding proced ures/default/downloads/child information formpdf

https://safeguardingwales/en/chi-i/chi-i-c6/c6-p9/

https://www.safeguarding.wales/en/chi-i/chi-i-c6/

24. Managing risks at home

24.1 SAFETY OF YOUR HOME ( INCLUDING YOUR GARDEN, HOLIDAY CARAVAN/HOME)

Childrenhaveneedsthatrequireahighlevelofsupervision,joininganew householdmayincreasethepossibilityofaccidentswithinthehome.To minimisesuchrisksaHealthandSafetyCheckiscompletedandonce approvedthisisreviewedonatleastanannualbasis,orwhenchangesoccur Weallneedtoensurethatyourhomeenvironmentmeetstheneedsofthe childrenyoucarefor.YouwillneedtofullyengagewiththeHealthandSafety Checksandrectifyanyissuesarising,whereunresolvedproblemspersist,we wouldhavetoreferconcernstothefosteringpanelasastandardofcare issue However,itishopedthatyouandyoursupervisingsocialworkerwill worktogethertoresolveissuesthatmayemerge,whichcouldadverselyaffect thechildrenyoucarefor.

Ifthecostofcarryingoutchecksinyourhousehold,suchaselectricalwiringor rectifyingidentifiedproblems,arelikelytocauseyoufinancialdifficulty,you shoulddiscussthisfurtherwithyoursupervisingsocialworker.

WeuseastandardisedformatforyourHealthandSafetyCheckandroutinely checkyourinsurances,firesafetyplanning,pets,peopleyouidentifyasregular visitorstoyourhome,includingadultchildren,babysitters,firearmsand vehicleuse,withinthisprocess.

24.2 POISONOUS PLANTS

Mostoftheplantsgrowningardensdonotpresentanyhazardtohumansor animals,andincidentsofseriousplantpoisoningintheUnitedKingdomare rare Nevertheless,itisyourresponsibilitytoensurethatnoavoidablerisksare presented,andknowledgeofpotentiallyharmfulplantsshouldbegained.The HorticulturalTradesAssociationhasworkedwiththeRoyalHorticulturalSociety andotherorganisationstocompileasummaryoftoxicplants.(seebelow). Lookforsafetyinformationonlabelswhenpurchasingplantsandlearnwhat todointheunlikelyeventofpoisoningthrougheatingorhandlingplants Potentiallyharmfulgardenplants/RHSGardening

24.3 WATER SAFETY

Inadditiontoprovidingasafeandprotected environmentwithinthehome,youmustens anywaterareas,includingswimmingpools ponds,aresecuredsoachildcannotacces withoutadultsupervision

AccordingtoTheRoyalSocietyforthePreve Accidents(ROSPA)gardenpondsareinvolv morethanhalfofalltoddlerdrowningsand averagefivechildrenundersixyearsolddro gardenpondseachyearintheUK

Pondandgardenwatersafety-RoSPA

Ifyoudohaveapondinyourgarden,thisw specificallyassessedaspartofthehealtha safetychecktoensureallrisksforthechildre careforareminimised ROSPArecommend filling,grilling,orfencingyourgardenpondt ensurechildrenandyoungpeoplearesafe.

Youmayhaveaswimmingpoolinyourgard thiswillalsoneedtobespeciallyriskassess partofyourhealthandsafetycheck.Atallti isessentialyousupervisechildrenandyoun peoplearoundanywatersettingstheyenco whilstinyourcare.

24.4 HOT TUBS

Hottubscanpresentsafetyhazardsforallchildrenandyoungpeople.Thehot watercaneasilycauseinfantsandchildrentooverheat,andthecleaning chemicalsusedcanbeparticularlyharshontheirskin.Ifyoudoownandusea hottubinyourhome,thiswillbeincludedwithinyourhealthandsafetycheck andriskassessment,completedindiscussionwithyoursupervisingsocial worker.Toprotectthechildrenfromharmhowever,youmust:

1.Ensurethehottubhasasolidcoverthatcanbelocked,andonlyopenedby anadult

2.Alwayssupervisechildrenandyoungpeoplewhenaroundanopenhottub 3.Ensurethehottubiscoveredandsecurewhennotinuse

4.Storecleaningchemicalssafety-ensuretheyarestoredoutofreach

5 Neverletachildunderfiveyearsoldenterahottub

6.Makesurethesuctiondrainsunderthewaterareproperlycovered,withthe correctcover

7.Neverallowachildoryoungpersontosubmersetheirheadsunderthewater andmakesurethosewithlonghairhaveittiedbackwhenusingthehottub

8.Youmustalsoensurethechildoryoungpersonisnotatriskofoverheating ordehydration,andnotallowthemtousethehottubformorethan20minutes atatime

24.5 VEHICLES

AllvehiclesusedbychildrenmusthaveacurrentMOTcertificateandfully comprehensiveinsurance,whichwillbeviewedbyyoursupervisingsocial workeraspartofyourhealthandsafetycheckandreview.Youmustnotifyyour insurancecompanyyouareafosterparent.

Childrenandyoungpeoplemustwearseatbelts whentravellinginacar,andcarseatsmustmeet BritishStandardsandbeageappropriateforthe child.AsstatedbyROSPA‘achildcarseatisalegal requirement Thelawstatesthatallchildren travellinginthefrontorrearseatofanycar,vanor goodsvehiclemustusethecorrectchildcarseat untiltheyareeither135cmtallor12yearsold(which evertheyreachfirst).Afterthis,theymustusean adultseatbelt Itisimportanttonotethatitisthe responsibilityofthedrivertoensurechildrenare restrainedcorrectly,inaccordancewiththelaw. Youcanbefinedifyoudonotwearaseatbelt,orif achildunder14isnotinthecorrectcarseator usingaseatbeltwhenyouaredriving

Seatbelts:thelaw:Overview-GOV.UK

Youmustbeawarethatnotallcarseatswillfitall vehicles Youmustthereforecheckthe compatibilityofanycarseatusedwithyour vehicle,andifyouareusingacarseatinadifferent vehicle,beconfidentthatthecarseatisstill compatible.Youareadvisedtouseaqualifiedcar seatfittersoyoucantryarangeofseatsinyour car.Furtherinformationaboutcarseatsthatare compatiblewithyourvehicle,aswellashowyou shouldinstallit,canbefoundonthebelowwebsite:

Seats

Itisalsoessentialthatanycarseatistheappropriateoneforthechildyou carefor,dependingupontheirweight,andthatchildrestraintsconformtoa BritishStandard Guidanceisprovidedwithinthebelowlink:

BuyingChildCarSeatsChecklist|ChildCarSeats

Considerationalsoneedstobegiventowhereyouplaceacarseatinyourcar. Itisillegaltoplacearearwardfacingbabyseatinthefrontofthecarifthereis anactivepassengerairbag.Furtherguidanceisavailablehere:

PositioningChildCarSeatsinCars|ChildCarSeats

Youmustnotuseacarseatifyoucannotbecertainofitshistoryandcarseats mustbereplacediftheyareinvolvedinacollision.Ifyouareunsureabout whetheryouareusingthecorrectcarseat,seekadviceandguidancefroma lifi d f i l visingsocialworker.

24.6 CYCLING SAFETY

Ridingabikeisawonderfulexperiencefor childrenandyoungpeople.Aswellasallowing themtodevelopsomeindependenceand boostingtheirconfidence,theywillbenefitfrom exerciseandenjoyafunactivity.Itisimportant thatyouencouragechildrenandyoungpeopleto learnhowtocyclesafelyandensuretheirbikes arewellmaintained Thefollowingmustbenoted: Childrenandyoungpeoplemustalwayswearahelmetwhenridingabike.You willneedtoensurethehelmetiscorrectlyfittedforthemandwearahelmet whencyclingwithchildrenwecarefor

Youmustcheckbrakesandbrakeblocksordiscstoensuresafestoppingin wetanddryweather

Makesurethelightsareworkingproperlyandthereflectorsareclean.Batteries thatdonotgiveabrightlightmustbereplaced Allbikesusedbychildrenwe careformusthaveappropriatelightsandreflectors Childrenandyoungpeopleshouldwearbright,reflectiveclothingwhencycling Childrenandyoungpeoplearenotabletocycleontheroaduntiltheyare competenttodoso.Cyclelanescanbeusedinstead.Cyclingproficiency classesshouldbearranged;manyschoolsofferthisservice

24.7 BEDROOM SHARING

Childrenoverthreeyearsofage shouldhavetheirownbedroom. However,thisisnotaregulatory requirement Anydecisionmadefor childrenandyoungpeopletoshare bedroomswillberecordedinwriting. Yoursupervisingsocialworkerwill undertakeariskassessmentinsuch aninstanceinconjunctionwiththe socialworkerforthechild.

24.8 FIRE SAFETY

Asanapprovedfosterparent,youmusthaveasafetyplaninplacethatis knowntoallmembersofyourhousehold.Thisplanshoulddetailhowthefamily willexityourhomeintheeventofafireandbedisplayedwhereeveryoneinthe householdcanseeit.Yourplanshouldbereviewedandreinforcedonaregular basis,particularlywhenachildjoinsyourhousehold ThelocalFireServicecan visityoutoofferadviceifnecessary.

Toensureanearlywarningoffireinyourhome,youmusthaveatleastone smokealarmoneachfloorofyourhome.Thesealarmsshouldbetested regularly,ideallyonceaweek

24.9 FIREARMS AND KNIVES

Applicantsandexistingfosterparentslivinginbothurbanandruralareasmay owngunsandotherweaponsforseveralreasons,includingforsportingand leisureactivitiesorforfarmingpracticessuchaspestcontrol.However,itis importanttoensurethatrequirementsaremetfortheprotectionandsafetyof allthoseinthehousehold,includinganyfosteredchildren Whereaprospective fosterparenthasafirearmorotherweapon,theassessmentwillconsider:

thereasonsforthisandwhethertheweaponiskeptforalegitimatereason. thattheownerhasalicenceifrequiredor,inthecaseofswords,relevant authorisation

thatanyweaponisstoredsecurelyinlinewithgovernmentguidanceand, therefore,cannotbeaccessedbychildrenintheircare Theserequirements willbemonitoredduringtheannualFosteringReview.

24.9.1 KEEPING KNIVES AT HOME

Everyhomewillhaveknivesinsideandthepolicewillneverexpecttoentera propertyandnotfindaknifeofsomesort.However,therearelawsthatarein placetoensurethatknifeownershipisassafeandresponsibleaspossible.For thepurposeofassessingriskinfosteringhouseholds,itisimportantto understandthatsomeknivesarebannedintheUK.Thelistbelowisnot exhaustivebutgivesexamples

Swords

Zombieknives

Butterflyknives

Stealthknife

Disguisedknives

Flickknivesorgravityknives

Allkitchenknivesshouldbekeptsotheycannotbeaccessedbychildreninthe home.Dependingontheageofthechildrenbeingplacedandidentifiedrisks, thismightbeinalockabledraweroronewithachildsafetylatch.

24.9.2 AM I LEGALLY ALLOWED TO OWN A SWORD IF IT IS ALWAYS KEPT IN MY HOME?

Somepeopleliketoownswordsasdecorationsandinthepast,criminalshave claimedtheyhavesuchweaponsintheirhomesfordecorativereasonsonly. Becauseofthis,UK’slawsonswordownershiphavebecomeincreasinglystrict inrecentyears Itisnowillegaltosellanytypeofcurvedswordthathasa bladelongerthan50cmunless:

Theswordwashandforgedinatraditionalway.

Theswordisanantiqueofatleast100yearsofage.

Theswordisasamuraiswordthatwasmadebefore1954.

Ifapersonwantstoownaswordthatdoesnotfallintooneofthecategories, theymustobtainauthorisationtodoso.Therearefurtherspecificationsthat applysuchastheownermustbeamartialartsorhistoricre-enactmentclub memberthatholdsthirdpartyandpublicliabilityinsurance.Advicefromthe relevantclubonregistrationoftheswordshouldbesought

Ifyouareinpossessionofweapons,wewillneedtoconsidertheneedsand anypotentialrisktothechildrenyoucarefor.Weneedtobeconfidentthatyou arefullyawareoftherisksandusetheminaresponsiblemanner.Tokeep firearms,youmustholdavalidFirearmsCertificate,whichneedstobeseen andacopyplacedonyourfile.Youmustalsocomplywiththerelevant.

legislationretherequirementthatfirearmsaresecurelystoredtoprevent accessbyanyunauthorisedperson,includingachild.Allgunsandammunition mustbeseparatelysecuredawayfromthefamilyhomeorinanapprovedgun storagecabinet.

Yourassessingorsupervisingsocialworkerwillcompleteariskassessment withyou,whichwillbereviewedonayearlybasis.Atsuchareview,thesecurity ofthestorageofweapons,firearmsandammunitionmustbeverified,andthe currentcertificateswillbeviewed.Anyconcernsaboutthestorageoruseof suchitemswillbeimmediatelyreportedtoaseniormanagerandthepolice willbenotifiedwherefosterparentsarefoundtopossessfirearmsorweapons withnocertificate.Innocircumstanceshouldachildwecareforhaveaccess tooruseanyfirearms

https://www.localsolicitors.com/criminal-guides/is-it-illegal-to-own-andkeep-a-weapon-in-your-own-home

25. Navigating the Digital World, Mobile Phones and Internet Safety

Mobilephonesandotheron-linecommunicationdevicesofferopportunities tostayintouchwithfamilyandfriends,throughtexting,photoexchangeand videos Smartphonesallowchildrenandyoungpeopletoaccesstheinternet andcommunicatewithothersviasocialmedia,games,andlivechat‘rooms’. Thesefactorsmustbediscussedpriortothechildoryoungpersonmovingin withyou.

Itisimportantthatthechildrenwecareforunderstandourperspectiveoftheir phoneandcommunicationusage.Wewanttokeepthemsafeandthatoften meanshavingtosetappropriateboundaries,thismustalsoberealisticand balancedintermsofourexpectations.Theirneedswillbeindividualand shouldbeclearlyidentifiedandreviewedintheirreviews.Atthepointof matching,orearlyonintimelivingwithyou,itmaybehelpfultosetupan agreementtogetherwiththechildandwillneedtotakeaccountoftheir capacitytounderstandonlinesafety

25.1 EXPECTATIONS FOR FOSTER PARENTS RE ONLINE SAFETY

Theinternetandsocialmediasitescanbeapositiveandhugelybeneficial resourceforchildrenandyoungpeople;enablingthemtolearn,connect, communicate,gainsupportandexploretheircreativity.Technologyhas becomecentraltousallinourdaytodaylivescomputers,laptops,tablets, gamesconsoles,televisionsandmobilephonesareeverywhere.Childrencan thereforewidelyaccessthemathome,school,librariesandthroughfriends.

Duetothefastpacedandever-changingnatureoftheon-lineworlditis essentialthatyoukeepup-to-dateknowledgeoftheinevitablerisksand associatedsafeguardingconcerns.Theconsiderationsforchildrenandyoung peoplewecareforareevengreaterbecauseoftheadditionalvulnerabilities theyface,whichextendtheserisksandintroduceothers.Youhavea significantroleinkeepingchildrenandyoungpeoplewecareforsafeby minimisingtheiropportunitiestoenterintosituationsthatmayplacethemin thewayofharm.

Internetsafetyisakeyareaofsafercareforfosterparents. https://hwb.gov.wales/keeping-safe-online/

25.2 GUIDELINES FOR FOSTER PARENTS RE ONLINE SAFETY

Whenusingsocialmediasites,suchas Facebook,Instagram,orPinterestitis importantthatyouunderstandthe potentialramificationsforyourselforany childrenandyoungpeoplethatyouare lookingafter.Bemindfulthatfamily memberslinkedtothechildoryoung personmaybeabletoidentifyyourselfor afamilymemberandlearninformation aboutyoufromwhatyoupost.Social networkingsiteswillhaveprivacy settingswhichenableyoutoprotectyour identityandinformation.Itisan expectationthatyoukeepanyaccounts verysecure.

Basicprivacysettingsandtools| FacebookHelpCentre Privacysettingsandinformation| InstagramHelpCentre

Itisalsoimportanttoconsiderwhatyoupostonyoursocialmediaplatforms. Havethesediscussionswithyourhouseholdfamilymembers,aswellaswider familyandfriendswhomaybetemptedtotagyouinapost.Partofprotecting youridentityasafosterparentisnotsharingthisinformationpubliclyonsocial mediasites.

Youmustneverpostonlineinformationorphotographsofthechildrenand youngpeopleyoucarefor.Usingsocialmediasitesasfosterparentscarries theriskthatinformationaboutachildoryoungperson,theirhome,ortheir locationmightinadvertentlyberevealedand,therein,breachthemandatory requirementofmaintainingconfidentiality;orcreatingserioussafeguarding risks

Youneedtoadheretostrongboundariesandassuchdonotmakelinkswitha childoryoungperson’sbirthparents,orotherfamilymembersofthechildor youngperson.Talktoyourownchildrenabouttheconceptof‘friending’other peopleandtherespectiveimplications.Thisisparticularlyrelevantinrelation tobecomingfriendswithchildrenwecareforonsocialmediasites(in placementoriftheyhavemovedon),becauseofthefar-reachingnatureof socialmediacommunitiestheinformationthatissharedsuchasphotographs and‘tagged’posts.Itisessentialthatfosteringhouseholdshaveagreementsin place,andclearexpectationswithallfamilymembersaboutmanagingthese risks.

Photographsofbirthparentsorsignificantothers:Ifachildoryoungpersonin yourcaredoesnothavethephotographsyoufeeltheyneedpleasespeakto theirsocialworkerandyoursupervisingsocialworkerastohowtotakethis forward.Thisisalsosomethingthatyoucouldraiseattheplacement agreementmeetingandchildlookedafterreviews.

Ifyouoryourchildrenhaveanyconcernsregardingtheinformationcontained above,adiscussionwithyousupervisingsocialworkerwouldalwaysbethe startingpointforgettingadvice.

Ifyouhaveanyworriesorconcernsrelatingtoachildoryoungperson’suseof theinternetyoushouldspeaktoyoursupervisingsocialworkerandthechildor youngperson’ssocialworkerattheearliestpossibleopportunity

Ifworries,orconcernsarise,theon-linesafetyaspectofachildoryoung person’ssafercaringplanwillneedtobereviewed.Again,thisshouldbedone attheearliestpossibleopportunitytoensurethatthesearrangementsare revisedin‘real-time’andthattheyeffectivelysafeguardthechildoryoung person.

Therearepracticalstepsyoucantaketoensurethatdevicesand/orinternet accessbychildrenandyoungpeopleisassafeaspossible: Ifachildhasaccesstoacomputerorlaptopathome,ensurethatthisis positionedinacentralplaceinthehomeandthatitisfacingoutwardssothat itcanbeeasilyviewedormonitored

Ensurethatparentalorsafetycontrolshavebeensetuponalldevices Parentalcontrolsandprivacysettingsguides|InternetMatters

Childrenandyoungpeopleinfostercarewhohaveexperiencedpasttrauma orlowself-esteemarelikelytobemorevulnerabletothedangersassociated withtheinternet.

Takenoticeaboutwhatachildoryoungpersonisdoingonlinethrough becominginvolvedintheirsessionsandhaveconversationswiththemabout theiruseoftheinternetandsocialmedia.Donotbeafraidtoconnectwitha childoryoungpersonbyaskingthemforhelpinunderstandingnew applicationsandthelanguageused

Regularlycheckthedeviceshistoryandsitesvisited

Developafamilyagreementwhichisspecifictothefamilyorindividualchildor youngperson.Thiscanbeincorporatedintothesafercaringplanthatyou haveforthechildoryoungpersonyouarelookingafter.

Whererequiredobtainparental/socialworkerconsentforallowingchildrenor youngpeopletousesocialmediasites

Closelymonitortheappsbeingdownloadedandusedbyachildoryoung persontodeterminetheirsuitability.Itisnotappropriateforfosterparentsto allowchildrenwecareforbelowtheminimumagelimittohaveaccessto thesesitesinanycircumstance

Donotencouragetheuseofwebcams.

Ifyoubecomeawareofanyarrangementforthechildtomeetsomeonethey haveconnectedwithon-line,contactthechildoryoungperson’ssocialworker immediately.Thismayalsorequireadiscussionwiththepolice.

Remembertorecordanyworries,identifiedpatternsofinternetuse;oranynew informationaboutachildoryoungperson’sengagementon-linethatfalls outsideofprioragreementsinyourfosterparentdiaryrecordingsheets Remindchildrenandyoungpeoplenevertogiveoutpersonalinformation online.

Remindthemtokeeptheirpasswordssafeandnevergivetheirname,email address,address,ormobilephonenumbertoanyoneoutsidetheirimmediate circleoffriends.

Remindchildrenandyoungpeopletobecarefulwhattheyuploadtothe Internetaswellaswhattheydownload.

25.3 PROTECTING YOUR DATA, PERSONAL INFORMATION AND IDENTITY

Itisimperativethatyouapproachyourown‘cybersecurity’andthatofyour familyinarobustmanner Therearemanythingstonavigateintheon-line spaceandifyoutaketheleadindevelopingyourownunderstanding,youwill beinastrongerpositiontokeepachildoryoungpersonsafeandprovide goodrole-modelling.

Withouttherightprotectioninplace,yourelectronicdevicesarevulnerableto cyber-crimeoron-linesafetyrisks.Insomecases,yourcomputer/devicescan berenderedunusableiftheybecome‘infected’withavirusormalware,this canresultinpermanentlylosingimportantdataanddocuments.Inadditional othersmaygainaccesstoyourpersonalinformationwhichcouldleaveyou opentofraudorinternetscams.Insomecases,thisincludesbeingtargetedby cyberstalkerswhouseobsceneoroffensivecontent,whichcouldmanifest throughpop-upsorunsuspectinglinks,defamation,threats,harassmentand identitytheftincriminallyorganisedactivities.

Withouttherightsafeguardswithinthehomeenvironmentchildrenandyoung peoplemay....

-Accessconfidentialinformation

-Downloadinappropriatematerials

-Giveinformationoutaboutwhereyouortheywillbeataparticulartimei.e., throughlocationsettings,updatingsocialmediapostsorthroughinstant messaging

Whilstthesearenotillegalactivitiestheycanhavesignificantimplications.Itis thereforeimportantthatyouandothermembersofyourhouseholdapply cautionandareawareofwhatindividualorhouseholddevicesarebeingused for.

25.4 MINIMISING RISKS

Alwaysusestrongandsecurepasswords.

Keepingpasswordsprivateandsafe.

Installandregularlyupdateanti-virussoftware.

Allhouseholdmembersneedtobemindfulaboutwhattheyaccessonline.

Whereshareddevicesareused,ensurethateachuserlogsoutofwebsitesor appsafterusingthem

26. Contact with the media

Theremaybeoccasionswhereyouareapproachedbythemediafor interviewsorcomment.Priortospeakingwithanyjournalistspleasecontact yoursupervisingsocialworkerwhowillbeabletoliaisewithustoprovideyou withappropriatesupportandguidance Thisexpectationisincludedinyour FosterCareAgreement.

https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/advice-information/looking-afterfostered-child/fostering-in-digital-world

Internet-Matters-Guide-CYP-in-Care-Browsing-Online-2.pdf

REACH-online-safety-for-children-in-care-exec-guide.pdf

HelpingChildrenDealwithBullying&Cyberbullying|NSPCC

27. Child Health and Development and PACE

Children'sdevelopmentandmentalhealthareaffectedbyfactorssuchasthe environmentstheyareraisedin,therelationshipstheybuildandthe experiencestheyhave.

Childdevelopmentreferstothephysical,cognitive,emotionalandsocial growththatoccursthroughoutachild'slife.Children'smentalhealth–their cognitive,behaviouralandsocialwellbeing–isaffectedbythisdevelopment, aswellasotherfactorsliketraumaandabuse.

Allaspectsofchildren'shealthanddevelopmentworktogethertoformtheir overallwellbeing.

Somechildrenmayhavemovedfrequentlybetweendifferentfosterand residentialplacements,ortheymaybeplacedfarfromtheirhome neighbourhoods,friends,andfamily.Thiscanmeandetailsoftheirmedical historyaredifficulttofind,whilealsocompoundingtheirsocialisolationand lossofsupportnetworks.

Inadditiontothis,whenachildisinpubliccarethehealth-related responsibilitiesoftheirparentsaredelegatedtoawidenumberof professionals–notonlytotheirfosterparentsbutalsotosocialworkers, specialistnurses,paediatricians,youthservicesandteachers,alongwith manyothers.

Co-ordinatingthisactivitybetweenapublicauthorityandtheNHScanbea complextaskforanyone However,fosterparentswillneedtomeetthese challengestoassess,addressandpromotethehealthandwellbeingof childrenandyoungpeopleintheircare. Childhealthanddevelopment|NSPCCLearning

StDavid’sFosteringServicesupporttheprincipleofPACE,thisstandsfor Playfulness,Acceptance,CuriosityandEmpathy.Itisaframeworkdeveloped byclinicalpsychologistDr.DanHughesover20yearsago,aimedatdeveloping caregivers'abilitytobuildsafeandtrustingrelationshipswithchildrenand youngpeople,particularlyincaseswheretheyhaveahistoryoftrauma.PACE principleshavebeenincreasinglyadoptedovertheyearsandarenow regardedasahighlybeneficialsystemofthinkingwhenapproachingchildcare inavarietyofsettings.

Learningtoeffectivelycombinetheseelementsininteractionswithchildrenor youngpeopleisparamountineffectivelyapplyingPACEprinciplesinacare environment.

Playfulness

ThePlayfulnesscomponento aboutengenderingalight-h playfulatmospherewhenco engagingwiththechild.Crea carer-childinteractionscan emotionstheymaybeencou feelingsofdefensivenessorw fosterageneralsenseofpos activities.

Childrenwithahistoryoftrau difficultyinregulatingtheiro maybemoresusceptibleto anger,fearandsadness.Hel feelingsthroughplayfulinter particularbenefitsasaresul notalwaysbeappropriatein misbehaviourordiscipline,th judgewhenaplayfulatmosp animportantpartofPACEtra

Curiosity

Acceptance

TheAcceptancecomponentofPACETraining involvesacceptingachild'sfeelings,motives,and perceptionsisacrucialpartofcreatingasenseof safetyandsecuritywithachild.Thisdoesnot simplymeanacceptingbehaviourinallcasesbut ratherlearningtodispeljudgementabouta child'sintentionsandcommunicatingthisina waywhichpotentiallytheycanunderstandand appreciate.Thismayinvolveverbalandnonverbalcommunicationandcanhaveprofound benefitsindevelopingtrustingrelationshipswith childrenandyoungpeople

TheCuriositycomponentofPACEtrainingreferstoacarer'scuriosityaboutthe meaningbehindachild'sbehaviour.Throughcuriosity,acarercanconvey theirdesiretounderstandwhatdrivesachild'sdecisions,whichinturncan encourageachildtostayopenandengagedintheirinteractions. Understandingcertainnuancesinthisapproachisimportantforittobe effective Reservingjudgementincuriosity,removinganticipationorneedofa response,andusingtherighttoneincommunicatingcuriosityareexamplesof thesmalldetailsthatshouldbeconsideredinthiscontext.

Empathy

TheEmpathycomponentofPACEtraininginvolvesunderstandingandsharing thefeelingsandperspectiveofachild.Byacareractivelyshowingachildthat theirfeelingsareimportanttothem,theydemonstrateacommitmentto supportingandsharingpotentiallydifficultexperiencesortoughtimes. Throughthisprocess,strongandtrustingcarer-childconnectionscandevelop. Thispillarmaybeespeciallyimportantifthechildoryoungpersonhas experiencedabandonmentinthepast;bycommunicatingcommitmentand

28. Supporting healthy relationships and promoting a secure base

Childrenneedrelationshipswithaffirming,reliable,trustingadultswhocarefor themandcareaboutthem.Somechildrenhavethiskindofrelationshipwith oneormoreadultsbeforetheycomeintocare.Inthiscase,itisimportantto nurturethatconfidenceinbuildingappropriaterelationships.However,many fosteredchildrendidnotexperiencethesekindsofrelationshipsbefore comingintocare Evenifyouareashort-termcarer,youcanmakeaprofound differencetothechild’slifebyactingasasecurebase. Fosterparentsprovideasecurebasewhentheyare:

availabletothechildoryoungperson sensitive,andabletohelpthechildmanagetheirfeelings accepting,andbuildingthechild’sself-esteem co-operative,sothechildfeelstheyarevalued,ratherthanpassiveand dependent includingthechildaspartofthefamily,sothechildfeelstheybelong.

Lifestoryworkanddrawingupsocialnetworkmapscanalsohelpachild developasenseofidentityandwheretheyfeeltheybelong.

Havingavoiceandknowingyouareheardmakesahugedifferencetohow youexperienceadversity Aswellaslisteningtothechildyourself,youcan exertyouradvocacyroleinsupportingthemtobeheardbyother professionalsinvolvedintheirlives,suchastheirCLARevieworwiththeir teachersandsocialworkers.Focusingonachild’sstrengthshelpsbuild confidenceandself-esteem.Itmakesthemfeelvaluedandcompetent,which inturnboostsresilience Knowinghowtomakedecisionsaboutyourlifeand beingallowedtomakeyourowndecisionsareimportantskillsforresilience. Youcansupportachildtolearntomakedecisionsbymakingsuretheyhave relevantinformation,understandtheinformation,thinkthroughconsequences ofdecisionsandthenknowhowtocommunicateclearlywiththosearound them Ifyousupportthemtopracticetheseskillsondecisionsthatdonothave amajorimpactontheirlife(e.g.,whattowearoreat),theywillbebetter equippedtomakebiggerdecisionsinthefuture.

Workingdefinitionoftrauma-informedpractice-GOV.UK

28.1 STRENGTHENING RESILIENCE IN CHILDREN

Providingahealthycontextfordevelopment, particularlyhealthyfamilyenvironments, supportsthechild’sabilitytodevelopskillsto adaptandcopewithchangeinlaterlife,and gaintheresourcesneededtofunctionwell, actingasanaturalprotectivesystemacrossa child’sdevelopment.Beingapositiverole modelisanessentialelementofyourrole

cavuhb.nhs.wales/files/resilienceproject/resilience-project-logoadjustments/pace-pdf/

29. Identity, Gender, Culture, Race

and Religion

29.1 IDENTITY AND GENDER

Wherechildrenandyoungpeopleexpressapreference,weusethegender pronouns(they,he,orsheetc)thattheyprefer TheNSPCCwebsitehas informationthatyoumayfindusefulaboutgenderidentity.Forexample,they usethefollowingdefinition:

’Genderidentityisthetermthatisusedtodescribehowsomeonefeelsabout theirgender Forexample,somepeoplemayidentifyasaboyoragirl,while othersmayfindneitherofthesetermsfeelrightforthemandidentifyas neitherorsomewhereinthemiddle Althoughpeopleoftenconfusethem, genderidentityisdifferentfromsomeone’sbiologicalsexorassignedgender atbirthandfromsexualityorwhosomeone’sattractedto.’

Languagechangesallthetimeandasafosterparentyoumaynotalways knowtherighttermtousewithachildwhohasquestionedorchangedthe genderidentitytheywerebornwith.However,itisparticularlyimportantthat you‘putyourselvesintheshoes’ofthechildoryoungpersonwhentalkingto themandhaveabasicunderstandingofwhatisconsideredappropriate languageandwhatmightcauseseriousoffence.Askingthechildoryoung personhowtheywouldliketobereferredtoisoftenagoodstartingpointand showsthatyouarebeingsensitiveandwanttogetitright.

ForfurtherinformationpleaselookattheNSPCCguidanceonthissubject: Genderidentity|NSPCC

29.2 CULTURE

Identitycanmeandifferentthingstodifferentpeople.Forchildrenandyoung people,itmightbeaboutwhotheirfriendsare,whatmusictheylistento, wheretheyliveorwhatethnicitytheyare.Simplyput–youridentityis‘who youare.’

IAperson'sculturalidentitydevelopsfrombirthinresponsetotheirinteraction withtheirfamilyandenvironment.Eachchildoryoungpersonhastheirown individualidentity,whichisinfluencedbyfactorssuchasrace,religion, language,physicalability,learningneeds,education,personality,personal andfamilyhistory,class,age,gender,genderidentityandsexualorientation.

Cultureisnotstatic,changesovertimeandisinfluencedbysocietal developments Wearestrivingtofullyembracediversityandtobemindful aboutunconsciousbias.Thisissomethingweallneedtocontinuetoworkon andisanimportantpartofyourroleasafosterparent.Ongoingsupport, traininganddevelopmentopportunitieswillbemadeavailabletoyoutoassist youinyourpracticeofensuringthatyousupportculturaldiversity.

29.3 RACE, RELIGION AND CARING FOR A CHILD OF DIFFERENT HERITAGE

Forallchildrenitwillbeimportantforyoutohaveagoodunderstandingof theirbackgroundandculture,butthisisparticularlytrueifyouarecaringfora childoryoungpersonofadifferentethnicityorreligion.Thiswillassistyouto helpthemunderstandthemselvesandtodevelopapositiveself-identity.Itis importantforchildrentohaveopportunitiestopracticetheirreligion,bothin formalplacesofworshipandinthehomeiftheysowish Itisalsoimportant forchildrenandyoungpeopletomeetothersfromsimilarbackgrounds.

Youmayalsoneedtogetadviceondifferenttypesofskinandhaircare,and dietaryneeds.Yoursupervisingsocialworkerwouldbeagoodplacetostart.

Youcanplayaparticularlysignificantroleinsupportingachildoryoung personwhoissubjecttoracismandotherformsofdiscrimination.Asafoster parentyouwillbeexpectedtobeverymindfulofdiversity,andtosensitively considertheneedsof,andadvocateonbehalfof,anychildinyourcarewho experiencesracism

Itisimportanttokeepthechild'sheritagealiveintheireverydaylife,for examplethroughdiscussion,food,toys,clothing,books,internet,television channels,contactwithfamilyandfriendsandlifestorywork.Thinking sensitivelyaboutthelanguageyouusewithchildrenfromdifferentethnic backgroundsisimportant,asisavoidinginappropriateterms.Attendingantiracismtrainingwillhelpyoutobemindfulofdiversitypractice.

30. Health

30.1 REGISTERING WITH GP

Yourchild’ssocialworkerwillprovideyouwithdetailsofthechild’scurrentGP. IfitisnotpossibleforthechildtoremainregisteredwiththeircurrentGP,you shouldregisterthemwiththeirownGPassoonaspossible.TheGPshould knowthatthechildisalookedafterchild.

30.2 REGISTERING WITH OPTICIAN AND DENTIST

Asabove

30.3

HEALTH PLANS

Ahealthassessmentforachildoryoungpersonincareisaholistic assessmentoftheirphysical,emotionalandbehaviouralneeds The assessmentalsoincludesaspectsofhealtheducationandhealthpromotion. Itisnotanisolatedevent,butpartofaprocessofcontinuouscareincluding monitoringandpromotingthechild’shealth.TheLookedAfterChildrenHealth Assessmentsystemprovidesastatutoryhealthassessmentprocesswhich meansallchildrenandyoungpeopleaged0-18yrswhoareincareareoffered regularhealthassessments.AllLookedAfterChildrenmustalsohaveaLead HealthProfessionalwhoensuresthehealthassessmentstakeplace,health careiscoordinated,andactionsaredelegatedandfollowedup.Theyarea keypointofcontactforbothcarersandotherprofessionals.TheLeadHealth ProfessionalforeachLookedAfterChildistheHealthVisitor,SchoolNurse, SpecialistLACNurse,orPaediatrician.HealthPlansarereviewedregularlyand informationissharedformallyatStatutoryReviews.

ThekeyprinciplesforaLookedAfterChildhealthassessmentare:The individualchildshouldbeatthecentreoftheprocessofhealthassessment, planning,interventionandreview.Eachchildoryoungpersonshouldbegiven theopportunityatallstagestoexpresstheirviewsorconcernsandthey shouldbelistenedto.Healthprofessionalsshouldconducthealth assessmentsinawaythatenablesandempowerschildrenandyoungpeople

totakeappropriateresponsibilityfortheirownhealth Healthassessmentsand servicesforchildrenandyoungpeoplewhoarelookedaftershouldbe sensitivetoage,gender,disability,race,cultureandlanguage Childrenwhose firstlanguageisnotEnglishshouldhavetheopportunitytohavetheirhealth assessmentcarriedoutinthelanguageoftheirchoice.

phw.nhs.wales/services-and-teams/national-safeguardingservice/safeguarding-latest-guidance/specific-group-guidance/nhs-waleslac-health-assessment-framework-pdf/

30.4 SPECIFIC MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT

Mentalhealthissuesforchildrenandyoungpeoplecantakemanydifferent forms.Increasinglythereisrecognitionoftheimpactthatanxiety,depression, obsessionsandcompulsions,post-traumaticstressandothermentalhealth issuescanhaveonourchildrenandyoungpeople.Someofthemost commonproblemsassociatedwithpsychologicalwellbeing,experiencedby childreninthecaresystem,arehighlightedbelow Shouldyouhaveany worriesorconcernsaboutayoungpersonitisimportantthatyouflagthem upinatimelymannertoensurethattheycanaccessthesupportservices theymayneed.Specialistnursesareavailableforeverylookedafterchildand canbecontactedbythechild’ssocialworker.

30.4.1 IMPACT OF TRAUMA

Manylookedafterchildrenhave experiencedearlychildhoodtrauma, suchasabuse,neglect,orfamily breakdown Thistraumacanleadto long-termmentalhealthissueslike anxiety,depression,andposttraumaticstressdisorder(PTSD).

Theinstabilityandinconsistency oftenassociatedwithbeingincare candisrupthealthyattachment formation.Thiscanaffectachild’s abilitytoformtrustingrelationships laterinlifeandmayleadto difficultieswithintimacyand emotionalregulation

30.4.2 ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER (ADHD) AND ATTENTION DEFICIT DISORDER (ADD)

ThenationalmentalhealthcharityYoungMindsstates ‘ADHDisaconditionwhereyouhavelotsofenergyandhavedifficulty concentrating.Youmightalsofindithardtocontrolwhatyousayanddo.For example,youmightspeakwithoutthinkingfirstorfindthatyoudothingson impulse

Symptomsusuallystartearlyinlife,beforetheageofsix.ThecausesofADHD arenotstraightforwardbutexpertsthinkitmightruninfamilies,oritcouldbe todowiththewaythechemicalsinthebrainwork.ADHD-likesymptomsare alsoattributedtoearlylifeexperienceandtrauma Anotherconditioncalled attentiondeficitdisorder(ADD)hassimilarsymptomstoADHD,butyoudonot feelashyperactive.ForpeoplewithADD,themainproblemtheyhaveis difficultyconcentrating.’

TheYoungMindswebsitebelowalsogivesfurtherdetailedinformationand usefulguidanceaboutsymptoms:

https://www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person/mental-healthconditions/adhd-and-mental-health?

gclid=EAIaIQobChMIsvvSp8jv8wIVAZ7tCh1KKwY1EAAYASAAEgKGbPD BwE#Wha tisADHD

30.4.3 SELF HARM AND SUICIDAL IDEATION

Childrenincareandcareleaversareatincreasedriskofhurtingthemselves becauseofadverseexperiencesandcontinuingstress Self-harmhelpsmanagedistresswhereassuicideattemptstostopdistressby endinglife.Youngpeopleself-harmorcontemplatesuicideformanyreasons andeveryindividual'smotivationwillbedifferent.

Youngpeoplehurtthemselvesinmanyways Thesemaybecompletely invisibletothosearoundthem.

Respondingtounderlyingdistressismoreimportantthanfocusingon stoppingself-harm.Excessivecontrolandtheremovalofimplementsmay makethingsworse

https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-healthproblems/self-harm/about-self-harm/

30.4.4 EATING ISSUES AND

DISORDERS

Manyofthechildrenwecareforexperienceeatingissuesinsomeformor another.Poorparentingandtraumacanimpactondevelopmentinrelationto foodandfeeding,whichcanbefurthercomplicatedifthechildhasa disability Somechildrenandyoungpeoplemayhavebeenusedtoadietthat includedalotoffastfoodandunhealthysnacks,othersmayhave experiencedfooddeprivationorveryirregularmeals.Difficultyinregulating howmuchtheyeat;eithereatingtoomuch,toolittle,veryslowlyorvery quickly,canbecommonproblemsthatcantakealongtimetoresolve.

Foodandeatingproblemscanbeparticularlychallengingforthechildand thefosterparent,leadingtoconflictandstress.Itisimportantthereforethat yougetadviceifyouhaveanyconcerns.Apartfromspeakingtoyour supervisingsocialworker/thechild’ssocialworkerandtheLookedAfter ChildrenNurseorHealthVisitor,andreadingonthesubject,thefollowing organisationsandhyperlinkswillprovideusefulinformation:

Beat(formerlyEatingDisordersAssociation)-TheUK’sleadingeatingdisorder charitywithonlinesupportgroupsandahelplineforanyoneunder18.

FamilyEatingDisordersService(FEDS)-Supportforchildren,youngpeople andfamiliesaffectedbyaneatingdisorder.

Therearesomespecificeatingdisorders,thatcanaffectbothchildrenand adults,characterisedbyabnormaleatingpatterns,involvingeitherinsufficient orexcessivefoodintake,forexample:

AnorexiaNervosa-wherepeopleareoflowweightduetolimitinghowmuch theyeatanddrink

BingeEatingDisorder-wherepeopleeatlargequantitiesoffoodwithout feelingliketheyareincontrolofwhattheyaredoing

MentalHealthSupportForYoungPeople|YoungMinds https://wwwgovwales/sites/default/files/publications/2019-08/respondingto-issues-of-self-harm-and-thoughts-of-suicide-in-young-peopleguidancepdf

https://www.papyrus-uk.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Supporting-YourChild-A5-Booklet-English-2024pdf

MicrosoftWord-mentalhealthUPDATEDJanuary2018.docx

30.4.5 SUBSTANCE AND ALCOHOL MISUSE

Substancemisuseisoneofthemostcommonriskstoayoungperson’shealth anddevelopment.Alldrugshavethepotentialtocauseharm,somecanbe addictive,andusingdrugsincombinationcanincreasetherisks.Legaldrugs suchasalcoholandtobaccocanbeveryaddictive Illegaldrugsinclude cannabis,cocaine,ecstasy,andheroin.

Therearethingsyoucandoasafosterparenttohelpyourchilddevelopa healthyandinformedrelationshipwithalcoholanddrugs.TheNSPCChasa websitewithusefulinformation

www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/talking-drugs-alcohol/ Ifyouthinktheymaybeusingalcoholordrugstohelpthemcopewithdifficult feelingsormentalhealthissues,speaktoyourGPorspecialistnursefor professionalhealthadviceandtoyoursupervisingsocialworker/child’ssocial worker.

30.4.6 BEREAVEMENT

Inadditiontothelosseschildrenandyoungpeopleinevitablyexperience whentheycomeintocare,somemayalsoexperiencesignificant bereavements.Ensuringthattheygetappropriatesupportisespecially important.Winston’sWish(websitelinkbelow)isaspecialistcharitythat providesemotionalandpracticalbereavementsupporttochildren,young peopleandthosewhocareforthem.Theirsupportcoversthemanydifferent circumstancesthatmaybelinkedtobereavementforchildren.

Winston'sWish-BereavementSupportforChildren

31. Confidentiality and Health

Youareentrustedwithpersonalandconfidentialinformationaboutthechild’s healthinordertohelpyoutocareforthem

Youwillreceivecareplansandhealthinformationaboutthechildandthese shouldbekeptsecurelyandconfidentially.Youwillbeworkingwithother professionalsalsoinvolvedwiththechild,e.g.,teachers,healthprofessionals. Careneedstobetakeninhowandwheninformationisshared

Asfosterparent/syouneedsomeinformationaboutachild’sfamily backgroundandcurrentneeds,initiallytomakeadecisionaboutwhetheryou canmeettheirneedsandaccepttheplacement,andlatertohelpmeetthe child’songoingneeds

Childreninyourcareandtheirfamilieshavetherighttoexpectthat informationaboutthemiskeptsecureandconfidential.Informationshould notbesharedotherthanona‘needtoknow’basis.Allinformationaboutthe childshouldbekeptinasecure,lockedplacewithinthehome,and/orsecurely onyourcomputer(usingpasswordprotection).Allhealthinformationmustbe returnedtothechild’ssocialworkerifthechildmoveshome Ifindoubtfoster parent/sshouldseekadvicefromthechild’ssocialworkerbeforesharingany information.Fosterparent/sneedtoensurethatwhentheyarediscussinga child’shealthwiththosewhoneedtoknow,thatthisisdoneinasafe,secure environmentwheretheconversationcannotbeoverheard.

Sometimesachildoryoungpersonmaydisclosesomethingtoyouandask youtokeepitconfidential.Youwillneedtobehonestthattheremaybetimes whenyoumayneedtopasstheinformationoninordertokeepthemorother childrensafe.However,youcangivethechildreassurancethattheyhave beenlistenedtoandunderstoodandthatyouwillonlypassitontopeoplein theprofessionalnetworkwhoneedtobeaware,andthattheinformationwill bedealtwithsensitively.

32. First Aid

FirstAidtrainingisacoretrainingrequirementforallfosterparent/s,you shouldnotattempttogiveFirstAidforwhichyouhavenotbeentrained.We expectyoutoprioritiseattendinghealthandsafetytrainingopportunities whentheyarise.Youalwaysneedtobeclearaboutwhatdecisionsyoucan makeaboutgivingconsentformedicaltreatment,whichwillberecordedin thePlacementPlan.Ifachildwhoisplacedwithyouhasparticularhealth needs,thechild’ssocialworkershouldprovideinformationandadviceon specialistmanagementofconditions,advisoryorsupportgroups

YourSupervisingSocialWorkerwillcheckthatyouaremaintainingafully stockedfirstaidboxwhentheydotheHealthandSafetycheck.Firstaidboxes shouldbekeptinasafeaccessibleplace,notwithinreachofsmallchildren. YoumustkeepaFirstAidkit,bothathomeandifapplicableinyourvehicle Thefirstaidboxmaybecheckedduringanunannouncedvisit,byyour SupervisingSocialWorker

Alwayshavethechild’sGP’Ssurgerytelephonenumberavailable,ifyouever suspectabrokenboneorspinalinjurydonottrytomovethechildunlessyou believethattheyareinimminentdanger.

Ifachildisatriskorrequiresfirstaid,youshouldapplyfirstaidifitissafetodo soandcontactyourSupervisingSocialWorkerassoonaspossibleifthefirst aidrequiredwasaboveabasiclevel.Youshouldnotdelaytheprocessof gettingmedicalhelp.

Youshouldalwaysassessthesituationandinamedicalemergency,sendfor medicalhelpandanambulanceorthePoliceifthisisneeded.

Beforehelparrives:

Donotmovethepersonotherthantoremovethemfromimmediate dangerorplacethemintotherecoveryposition

Trytofindoutwhathashappened

Collectanydrugsorspillages(e.g.,vomit)foranalysis

Donottryandmakethemsick

Observethechild/youngperson;keepthemcalm,warmandquiet

Ifthepersonisunconscious:

Ensuretheycanbreatheandplacethemintherecoveryposition

Donotmovethemiftheyarelikelytohavespinalorothersignificantinjury whichmaynotbeobvious

Donotgiveanythingbymouth

Donotattempttomakethemsitorstand

Donotleavethemontheirown

Whenmedicalhelparrives,passonanyinformationavailable,including samplesofvomitandanydrugs

Youarerequiredtocompleterecordsofwhenyouadministeranyprescribed medicinesorwhentherehasbeenamedicalincident,i.e.,hospitaladmission, consultant/GPappointments.

33. Use of Home Remedies

HomeRemediesaremedicinesthatcanbeboughtoverthecounterwithout prescription,includingParacetamol,homeopathic,herbal,aromatherapy, vitaminsupplementsoralternativetherapies

Theymayonlybegiventoachildwiththeconsentoftheparent(where applicable)andafterconsultingwiththechild'sGP.Agreeduseofhome remediesmustalsoberecordedinthePlacementPlan.

AlthoughAspirinmaybepurchased'overthecounter',withoutprescription;it maynotbegiventochildrenunlessprescribedbyamedicalpractitioner HomeRemediesmustbekeptinalockedcabinetthatisonlyaccessibleto you,unlessachildispermittedtokeeptheirownHomeRemedies,inwhich casethearrangementsforthismustbesetoutinthePlacementPlan

HomeRemedies,otherthanParacetamol,shouldonlybegivenforamaximum of48hours.IfthesymptomscontinuethechildshouldseeaGPbeforefurther dosagesaregiven.

34. Allergies

Aspecialistnurseforchildrenlookedshouldbeallocatedtothechild,theirrole involvescoordinatingcare,theywillthereforeensurethatspecialistallergy informationandmanagementadviceisincludedintheHealthCareplan whichshouldbesharedwithyouandwithallagenciesworkingwiththe child/youngperson.

TheCareandTreatmentPlan,PlacementPlanandHealthCarePlanshould highlight:

1Anyknownallergiesandassociatedrisksincludingrecognisingthesigns andsymptomsofanallergicreactionandanaphylaxisforthechild/young person.

2Preventativemeasures-eg,takingantihistaminesforhayfever,making surecleaningproductsandglovesarehypoallergenic,andwashing powderissuitableforskinconditions

3.Actiontotakewhenayoungpersonhasanallergicreaction.Theplan shouldoutlineexactlywhattodoandwhoneedstobecontactedinthe eventofanemergency

4.YouneedtobeawareofthePlanandshouldhavebeentrainedto administeranEpiPenbyasuitablyqualifiedhealthprofessional

5.Thechildoryoungpersonshouldbeeducatedaroundtheirallergiesand whattodoinanemergency-ayoungpersonmaybeabletoselfadministertheirownEpiPenortakeantihistamines.Ifthisisthecasethis shouldberecorded.

6Medicationshouldbeeasilyaccessiblesoyouand/orthechild/young personcanaccesstheirmedicationinanemergency.

7.Youmustalwayskeeparecordofanyepisode,aswellasanymedication givenandensurethatthechild’ssocialworkerandSupervisingSocial Workerareinformed.

35. Administration of Medication

Anyhealth-relatedissuesshouldalwaysbediscussedinsupervisionmeetings andrecorded.

Youmusthaveguidanceongivingprescribeddrugsforchildrenandadvice onifyoucangivedrugsnotonprescription.Youwillreceivetraininginrelation tothemanagementandadministrationofmedication.Thiselementof practiceisregulatedandthereforeyouarelegallyresponsibleforensuring youadheretothelegislation

Generalguidelinesforadministeringmedicationtochildreninfostercare followthe‘FiveR’sofMedication’.ThefiveR’sarereminderstoadminister medicationthoughtfullyandwithattentionandthatdoingsoisalegal responsibility

Rightperson

Rightmedication

Rightamount/dosage

Rightrouteofadministration

Righttime

35.1 FOSTER PARENTS’ ROLE IN GIVING A CHILD MEDICATION

1.Checkthemedicinetomakesureitisprescribedforthechildanditis withintheexpirydate.

2.Makesurethechild’sname,thenameofthemedication,andthedosage arecorrect.

3Givethemedicineinaccordancewiththeinstructions

4.Recordwhenyougivethemedicineincludingthedate,time,howmuch, yournameandsignature.

5.Recordifthechildrefusesthemedicineorthereasonitwasnotgiven.

6.Youshouldnotattempttoadministeranotherdoseofmedicationifthe doseofmedicationhasbeenpartiallyswallowedorspatout

Arecordisrequiredtoidentifywhathappenstounusedprescribed medicationinthehome.Thisrecordshouldshow1Dateyoufinishedthemedicineordisposedofit/returnedittothe pharmacy

2.Nameandstrengthofmedicine

3.Quantitytaken

4.Nameofthechildforwhomthemedicinewasprescribed 5Yoursignatureifyouarrangeddisposalofthemedicine

Firstaidandrecordsofallprescribedmedicinesthathavebeengivenwillbe recordedinthedailyrecord;ifadviceissoughtfromaGP,NHS101or pharmacist,youshouldrecorddetailsofthediscussions.Ifanaccidentoccurs, whichresultsinavisittoGP/hospital,itshouldberecorded

Inadditiontotheabove,allprescribedmedicinesfromwhateversource, includingmedicationfromhospitalshouldberecorded,therecordshould show:

1Dateyougotthemedicine

2.Name,strengthanddosageofmedicine

3.Quantityreceived

4.Expirydate

5.Nameofthechildforwhommedicationisprescribed/purchased 6Yoursignatureforreceivingthemedicine

35.2 WHAT YOU SHOULD DO IF A CHILD REFUSES TO TAKE MEDICATION

1.Medicationmustneverbecrushedor disguisedinfoods/drinkswithouttheprior agreementoftheprescriber

2.Sideeffectsthatchangethechild’senergy levelorappearancecanalsomakeachild reluctanttocomplywiththeirmedication regime.Youneedtotaketheseconcerns seriouslyandaddressthembeforethey reachthestageofrefusingtotakethe medication.

3.Sometimeschildrenexpressconcernabout takingmedicationbecausetheydonotsee thebenefit,ortheyaretiredoftakingit,or theyfeel‘different’fromtheirfriendsby havingtobeonmedication.

Itwillbehelpfulforthefosterparent/stoTrytotalkthechildthroughit.

Findoutwhytheyarerefusingthemedication Stressthepurposeandimportanceoftakingthemedication

Explainthattheycantalktoahealthcareprofessional Talktoahealthprofessionalasaptodeterminetheappropriatecourseof actionifthechildhasaconditionthatrequiresmedication(e.g.,seizures, asthma)

35.3 ADMINISTERING/TAKING MEDICATION OUTSIDE THE FOSTER HOME

1 Wheneverpossible,dosingschedulesshouldbeplannedtominimisethe administrationofmedicationoutsideyourhome.However,therewillstillbe timeswhenchildreninfostercareneedtotakemedicationwhileinschool,on trips,oronhomevisits.

2 Youmustcommunicatewiththeschoolifchildrenareroutinelyexpectedto takemedications,schoolswillhavetheirownproceduresregarding medications.

3.Youmustaskthepharmacisttodispenseinto2containers.Schoolandhome shouldhavetheirownappropriatelylabelledcontainer

4 Whenchildrenareoutofthehome,onshorttrips,thescheduleofmedication shouldnotbechanged,withoutdiscussionwiththechild’sG.P.

5 Ifchildrenhavetotakemedicationduringcontact,thebirthparentsshould beadvisedabout:

-Themedicationused,itspurpose,andpossiblesideeffects

-Importanceofgivingmedicationatitsprescribedtimeandamount

-Importanceofsafestorageofthemedication

-Returnofmedicationstothefosterhome

35.4 CONTROLLED DRUGS

Somechildrenandyoungpeopleareprescribedcontrolleddrugs Examplesof controlleddrugsaremorphineandpethidineforpain,methadonefor withdrawalandRitalinforhyperactivity.

ALLCONTROLLEDDRUGSMUSTBETREATEDWITHEXTRACAREANDATTENTION ANDBESTOREDINALOCKEDCABINET.NOMORETHAN28DAYS'SUPPLYSHOULD BEKEPTATATIME.

Ifyouacceptresponsibilitytogivemedicineseitherbyinjections,administering rectalmedicationortubefeedingetc.thefollowingcriteriashouldbemet:

1.Thechild’sparent,ifappropriate,hasgivenwrittenconsent

2.Youareinstructedinthetechniquebyaqualifiednurseordoctorwhois satisfiedthatyouarecompetenttodoit.Youshouldalsobeawareofany possiblereactionstothemedicationandthenecessarystepstocorrectsuch anoccurrence.

35.5 STORAGE OF MEDICATION

Safestorageisessential,ideallyinalockedcabinet,outofsightandreachof children,asdetailedinyourHealthandSafetyAssessment.Underno circumstancesshouldmedicationordrugsbeleftinaplacewherechildren canaccessthem Fosterparent/sshouldhaveguidancefromtheGPonthe administrationofprescribeddrugsforchildren.Youshouldalsobeawareof anypossibleadverse/allergicreactionstothemedicationandthenecessary stepstocorrectsuchanoccurrence.

StDavid'sFosteringMedicationPolicyandProceduredocx

36. Education

Asfosterparent/syouwillattendmeetingsinschools.Forschool-agechildren thesewillincludeparents’eveningsandinvolvementinPersonalEducation Plans(PEP) Ifthechildhasadditionalneedsthiscanalsoincludereview meetingsanddiscussionsrelatedtoIndividualEducationPlans(IEP), regardlessofwhetherthechildhasastatementornot.And,iftheyareatrisk ofexclusiontherearePastoralSupportProgrammes,too.

Togetthemostfromthesemeetings:

Beanadvocateforthechild,apositivevoice,beclearaboutwhatthe purposeofthemeetingisandwhatoutcomeyouwant.

Takesomeonewithyoutohelpmakesurethateverythinggetscovered–andremembered.

Beprepared.Makeanoteofwhatyouwanttosay,andtoask,andhowyou mightdealwithanyareasofdisagreement

Lookforcommonground.Thepeoplepresentwillwantthechildoryoung persontosucceed.Findthethingsyoucanagreeonandbuildfromthere. Askforspecificexamplesofbothgoodandbadevents.Generalisations couldarisefromstereotypingorprejudice.

Makesurethereisawrittenrecord Ifno-oneistakingminutessendan emailyourselfafterwards,thankingpeopleforthemeetingandtheactions theyhaveagreedtotake.

Agreedeadlines,monitoringandfeedback.Howwillyouknowthingshave changed,whowillkeeptrack,andwhenwillyoumeetagaintoreviewthe situationandtheagreedplans?

Lookforthepositives.Evenacrisiscanbeanopportunitytomakea change.

Somechildren/youngpeoplewillattenddifferenteducationsettingstoa mainstreamschoolsettingbutyourrolewillalwaysbeinpromotingthebest interestofthechildandtheirdevelopment.

TheFosteringNetworkhasproducedausefulguidetohelpconsideryourrole andinvolvementinthesystem.

tfn _educationguide_web_0.pdf

EducationresourcesforFosterparent/s|TheFosteringNetwork https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/powerful-ways-all-foster-carerscan-support-childrens-learning

37. Contact

Contactarrangementsarealsoreferredtoas‘FamilyTime’andusuallyinvolve thefosteredchildandtheirbirth/extendedfamilymembers.

Contactcancontributeto: preparingafosterchildforareturnhome maintainingrelationshipsandconnectionswithinfamilies assistingachildingrievingforlossesentailedinseparation supportingthedevelopmentofidentity providingprofessionalhelptoafosteredchild’sparentsregardinghowto respondtotheirchild’s behaviour

Contactenableschildrentokeepuptodatewithinformationabouttheir familyanditcanhelpyoungpeopletodecidehowtheymanagethat relationshipinthefuture.Regulationsandguidancedefinetherolecontact playsinthehealthandwellbeingofchildrenandspecifyrequirementsfor fosteringservicesandfosterparent/stoactivelypromotefamilytimeunless thisisnotintheirbestinterests.Thejudgementfordeterminingcontact arrangementslieswiththeplacingauthorityandtheCourts Yourroleisto enablearrangementstotakeplaceandmayinvolvefacilitatingcontacttoo. TheFosteringNetworkhasproducedausefulguide,calledPositiveContact (seebelow)thatwillhelpyoutoconsiderhowbesttoapproachthisareaof care,itcanbeacomplexandoverwhelmingaspectoflifeforchildreninyour caresowillalwaysneedagentleunderstandingapproach Yoursupervising socialworkerwillalwayssupportyouandhelpwithanypractical arrangementstoo.

PositiveContact.pdf

Directcontactmeansmeetingsbetweenthechildoryoungpersonandfamily membersorsignificantothers,likeauntiesorunclesandincludesphonecalls, textsandemails.Indirectcontactmeanslettersandcardsthroughmembers ofthebirthfamilyand/orsignificantothersusuallythroughathirdparty.Every lookedafterchildwillhavetheirownCareandSupportPlaninwhichacontact planwillbeagreed,outliningarrangements.

fyouarecaringforababy,youneedtobepreparedtosupportahighlevelof familytimebetweenthebabyandtheirbirthparents.Thefrequencyofthiswill beagreedintheCareandSupportplanandPlacementPlanandislikelytobe stipulatedbythecourt.Thearrangementswillrequiresubstantialcommitment andenergyfromyourself.Youwillbeexpectedtosupportthebaby'sprogress throughouttheircareplan;thiscouldincludethebabyreturningtothecareof theirbirthparents,tootherfamilymembersoradoptiveparents.Inall instances,itisvitalyoukeepaccurateanddetailedrecordsaboutthebaby’s development,particularlywhentheyareinvolvedincareproceedings.

Therearekeyprinciplesunderpinninggoodpracticeinsupportingcontact.

thelegislationemphasisesthewelfareofthechildisconsidered paramount.

thepurposeofcontactneedstobediscussedandunderstoodbyeveryone workingwithlookedafterchildrenandsharedwiththechildren’sfamilies. contactmustbeassessedforanyriskstothechildandthoseresponsible forthecareandsupportplanshouldputinplacewhatevermeasuresare considerednecessarytomanagerisks.

fosterparent/ssometimeshavetomanagetheemotionsandoftenthe confusionofchildrenwhohavecontactwiththeirfamilies. confusion,discomfortanddistressonthepartofthechildarecommon responsestocontactbutthesedonotnecessarilyindicatethatcontact shouldbereducedorterminated.

38. Life Story Work

Lifestoryworkcanhelpchildrentomakesenseoftheirpre-careandin-care life.LifeStoryworkistheprocessofhelpingchildrenincare,whohavebeen separatedfromtheirfamilyoforigin,toknowaboutandunderstandtheirpast Itisnota“oneoff”event–itiscontinuous,wherechildrenandyoungpeople areenabledtoaskquestionsabouttheirpastandbuildacoherentpicture duringtheirtimeincare.Italsoinvolvestalkingabouttheirpresentandfuture.

‘AllchildreninWales,whoareunabletobecaredforbytheirbirthfamilies, needtohaveanunderstandingoftheirfamilyhistoryandoftheirunique journey.LifeStoryWorkisdesignedtohelpachildmakesenseoftheirpast andunderstandtheircurrentsituationtohelpthemtomoveintothefuture. LifeJourneyWorkshouldsupportthechild’sidentity,promoteself-esteem, helpgivethechildasenseofbelonging,wellbeingandsupportgoodmental health.’

Childrenwhoarelookedaftershouldalsobehelpedtoexploretheirpastand thiscanbeundertakeninavarietyofways,sometimesthroughPlayTherapy orthroughaspecialistpieceoftherapeuticwork.

LifeJourneyWorkprovides:

Anopportunityandastructureforthechildtoexploretheiremotionsand talkaboutpainfulissues

Childrenwithimportantfactualinformation Itprovidesanarrative/explanationfortheChild Itpreservesmemories.

TakenfromtheNationalAdoptionService(NAS)LifeJourneyWorkGood PracticeGuide.

Thepurposeofthemodelusedisthatthechildhasanswerstothefollowing questions:

-WhoamI?

-HowdidIgethere?

-WhereamIgoing?

Asafosterparentyouwillhaveakeyroleinmaintainingachronological accountoftheirtimewithyou,thisincludescelebrations,holidaysand achievementsandday-to-daylife Therecordyoucreateshouldberecorded andprovidedtothechildwhentheyleaveyou.

MemoryBoxesarecommonlyusedfromdayone,tokeepappropriate memorabilia(includingphotographs)ofthechild’stimelivingwithyou, involvingthechildoryoungpersonasfaraspossible.Alsofosterparentsneed toensuretheyrecordandhelpchildren(subjecttoageandunderstanding) makearecordofsignificantlifeeventsduringtheirtimewiththem.

LifeStoryWorkisparticularlyimportanttoincreasechildren’ssenseofselfworthandself-esteem,butitisemotionallydemanding,andchildrenand youngpeoplecanreactindifferentways,sometimesregressingorreflecting troubledemotionsintheirbehaviour.

Forchildrenwithcommunicationdifficulties,childrenfromdiversecultural backgrounds,orunaccompaniedchildrenandyoungpeoplewhoareseeking asylumintheUK,theremaywellbeadditionalcomplicatingfactors,orlossand trauma,thatneedtobeconsidered.

Justaschildrenneedsupportthroughlifestoryworkyoumayalsoneed additionalsupportfromyoursupervisingsocialworkerwhendetailedworkis beingundertakenregardingthechild’spast.

Eachchildoryoungpersonisanindividualand anyworkundertakenshouldbeaccordingto thoseindividualneeds Readinesstoundertake detailedlifestoryworkmustbeakeyfactor.You canaskfora‘teamaroundthechild’liestory workplanningmeetingtotakeplacetoplanthis work.Lifestoryworkshouldalsoberegularly discussedaspartofthechild’slookedafter review.

a3-ljw-frameworke1.pdf

7-Draft-on-line-LJW-Guide-for-Foster-carers2020-04-HLpdf

3-Draft-on-line-LJW-Guide-Activities-2020-05HL1.pdf

6-Draft-on-line-LJW-Guide-for-adoptedchildren-and-young-people-2020-05-HL.pdf GoodPracticeGuides 148

39. Managing Challenging behaviour

Wewillendeavourtoensurethatyouareprovidedwithallrelevant informationaboutachildoryoungperson,includinginformationaboutany previouslychallengingbehaviourandhowthisshouldbemanagedinfuture ThisshouldbecoveredaspartofthematchingprocessandatthePlacement AgreementMeeting.

Whereverpossiblefosterparentsareexpectedtopromotepositivebehaviour inchildrenandyoungpeopleandtomanagechallengingbehaviourthrough buildingpositiverelationships.Wherenecessaryyoumayneedtoreinforce andencourageacceptableconductandbehaviourandusede-escalation approaches.

Iftherearespecificbehavioursthatyouarelikelytohavetomanagethought canbegiveninadvancewiththechildoryoungperson’sprofessionalnetwork astohelpfulmanagementtechniques.RiskAssessments,ThePlacement AgreementMeetingFormandtheCareandSupportPlanarealllikelytobe usefulforyoutounderstandtheneedsofthechildoryoungpersonandto considerwhatmaytriggerspecificbehavioursorpotentialfuturedifficulties

39.1 USE OF DISTRACTION

tisalwaysimportanttode-escalatesituationswherepossible.Youmayhave yourownapproaches Belowaresomegeneralprinciplesandideasthatmay behelpful:

Divertattention

Ignoreabehaviour(ifitissafetodoso)andaddressitatanappropriate timeusingapositiveapproach

Remaincalmandnon-confrontational(demonstratingthisinbothyour voiceandbodylanguage),reasonableandreassuring

Maintaingentleeyecontact

Maintainapositiverelationshipwiththechildoryoungpersonbasedon mutualrespect

Putyourself‘inthechild’sshoes’andtrytoimaginewhatisgoingonfor them

Continuetoshowempathyinyourapproachtothechildoryoungperson

Givethechildoryoungpersonpersonalspace

Maintainawarenessofinconsistenciesbetweenwhatthechildissaying, anddoing-thiswillhelpyoutounderstandwhatmaybegoingonforthem 149

Trytoinvolvethechildoryoungpersonin solvingthesituation/movingforward

Reframewhatishappening,being positiveaboutwhatthechildoryoung personhasachievedsofar

Giveachoiceoragreeacompromise (usingrealisticoptions)

Reflectandrecaponwhathas happenedwiththechild,inorderto moveforward

Usehumour-alwaysneedstobedonein acarefulway,fromknowledgeofthe childastowhatcouldhelp

Giveyourselfsomespace,andwalk awayifyoucansafelydoso,ifyoufear losingself-control

Useyoursupportnetwork(includingthe professionalnetwork)tohelp directly/supportyou/provideadvice

Workoutasystemwiththechildor youngpersonsothattheycansignalto youthattheyarereachingatriggerpoint (eg,holdinguparedcardoranagreed signal).Thiswillhelpthemtostartto regulatetheirbehaviour,andyouto realiseachangeofapproachmaybe needed.

Haveconsistentandclearhousehold rulesthatapplytoallchildrenandyoung peopleinyourhome

Sensitivelyacknowledgeandholdin mindthepastexperienceofthechildor youngperson

Workinginpartnershipwiththechildand theirnetwork,andseekhelpearlyon

StDavid'sFosteringServicePromoting RelationshipsandRestraintPolicyand Procedure.docx

40. Alcohol, drugs and smoking

Asafosterparent,youareexpectedtoraiseawarenessoftheeffectsof smokingandtobaccouseandtobeapositiverolemodelforthechildrenyou carefor,topromoteahealthylifestyle Ifyouarelookingafterachildoryoung personwhosmokes,youareexpectedtogainadviceandsupportfromtheir GPorhealthnurseforadviceandaccesscessationsupportservices.

Youmustneverbuycigarettesormaterialsusedforsmokingorvapingfor childrenandyoungpeopleinyourcare Ifanypersoninyourhousehold smokes,clearhouseholdrulesmustbeputinplaceandtheseneedtobe madecleartothechildoryoungpersonyoucarefor. Ifyousmoke,youarenotabletocarefor:

Childrenwithdisabilities

Childrenunderfiveyearsold

Childrenwithcertainhealthproblems,suchasasthmaorotherrespiratory conditions

Olderchildrenandyoungpeoplewhohaveaskednottobeplacedin smokinghouseholds

Youwillbeaskedtocompleteaspecificriskassessmentaboutsmoking;this willalsobereferencedwithinyoursafecareplan.Youmustprovideasmokefreehomeforchildrentoensurethattheycaneat,sleepandplayinasmokefreeenvironment,thisincludesanymeansoftransport.Visitorstoyourhome alsoneedtoadheretoyourrules

On1October2015,alawwasmadetoprotectchildrenandyoungpeoplefrom thedangersofsecond-handsmoke.Itisillegaltosmokeinanyvehiclewith anyoneunder18yearsold.Boththedriverandthesmokercouldbefined.

40.1 YOUNG PEOPLE AND SMOKING AND VAPING?

IntheUK,thelegalagetoconsumenicotineproductssuchascigarettesand vapesis18yearsold.Thismeansthatitisillegalforyourfosterchildtobuy vapesorcigarettesorforotherstobuythemforthem.

Weunderstandthatitmightbeconcerningforyouasafosterparentifyou discoveryourfosterchildhasbeenvapingorsmokingwhiletheyare underage.However,weareheretosupportyouwithanyworriesorconcerns youmighthave. 151

Ifyoufindoutthatyourfosterchildissmokingorvaping,werecommendthe followingprocess;

Werecommendlettingyoursupervisingsocialworkerknowsothattheycan offertheappropriateadviceandsupport.

Talktoyourfosterchildaboutthedangersofsmokingorvaping,butmakesure tostaycalmasyourfosterchildmightbecomedefensiveabouttheir behaviouriftheysenseconfrontationorjudgement.

Oftenchildrenwhostartsmokingatayoungeragedosobecauseofpeer pressure.Itisimportanttodiscussthedangersofpeerpressureandgivethem thetoolstheyneedtoconfidentlysaynowhenencouragedtosmokeorvape bytheirpeers.

Setboundariesandrulesaroundsmokingandvaping.Whileremaining empathetictothesituation,yourfosterchildshouldunderstandthattheir actionswillhaveconsequences

Theuseofe-cigaretteshasbecomecommonplaceandcanprovidearoutine forsmokerstohelpthemreduceorgiveupsmoking.Itisgoodpracticenotto usee-cigarettesinfrontofanychildduetotheriskofmodellingbehaviour whichmayencouragesmoking Evidencecontinuestobegatheredaboutthe modellingeffectonchildrenandyoungpeopleobservingadultsusingecigarettesandtheirownsmokingandvapingbehaviour.

Vaping-PublicHealthWales

https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/sites/default/files/202206/Foster%20care%20adoption%20smoking%20and%20vaping Jun%202022.pd f

41. Babysitters/day care and overnight stays

Allparentsaswellasfosterparentsappreciateabreakandwillattimeshave toleavetheirchildwithrelatives,ababy-sitterordaycareprovision.A child/youngpersonmayalsowanttohaveanovernightstayatsomepointor timeswithfriends.

Itisimportantthatthechild’ssocialworkerandthechild’sparents(if appropriate)haveaunitedandrecordedapproachinlinewiththedelegated authoritysupportingovernightstaysand/orbabysitting Thisneedstobe recordedonthechild’splan.

Wesupportthechildoryoungpersonhavingthesameopportunitiestoenjoy leisuretimeactivities,likesleepovers,asanyotherchildoftheirageunless thereisagoodreasonforthisnottohappen

Itwillbehelpfultoidentifyanyonewhoyoumayconsidertobeababysitter anddiscussthiswithyoursupervisingsocialworker.Thisshouldbeincludedin yourPlacementPlanandwhereappropriaterecordedaspartofthedecision withregardstodelegatedauthority Ifbabysittingorovernightstaysarea regularoccurrenceyouwillbeexpectedtohighlightthiswithyoursupervising socialworker.Babysittersandextendedfamilymemberswhohave unsupervisedtimewithyourfosteredchildwillneedtobeknowntotheservice. Thechild’ssocialworkermayrequestthatvettingandcheckingproceduresbe undertaken

Ayoungpersonmayalsobeaskedtobabysit;youshouldtalktoyour supervisingsocialworkerforadvice.

Supportnetworksforfostercarers|TheFosteringNetwork

40.1 YOUNG PEOPLE AND SMOKING AND VAPING?

Youwillneedtoseekthepermissionofthechild'ssocialworkerbefore permittingachildtostayovernightwithfriends,tosafeguardthechild's welfare Anyagreedarrangementsshouldberecordedandexplainedtothe childinanappropriateway.LookedAfterChildrenhaveoftenledunsettled livesandusuallybenefitfrombeinggivengoodnoticeaboutstaying somewheredifferentovernight.

oushouldonlygiveagreementforovernightstaysifithasbeenagreedthat youhavedelegatedauthoritytomakesuchdecisions.Itisprimarilyyour responsibilitytofindoutallthatyoucanaboutthepeoplethechildwishesto visitorstaywith.

Youshouldmeettheadults,haveanaddressandtelephonenumberand makeallreasonablechecksthatagoodparentwouldmakeaboutthe arrangementsforthecareofthechild

Youshouldalsoknowhowthechildisgettingthere,whatthesleeping arrangementsandhowandwhenthechildwillreturn.

Overnightstaysshouldbeplannedtoensurearrangementsaremade appropriately.Permissionforovernightstaysshouldhavebeendiscussed whenthechildisplacedandrecordedinthePlacementPlanaspartofyour delegatedresponsibilities.

Youshouldbaseyourdecisiononthe following:

1.WhatdoesthePlacementPlansayabout babysitters,visitsandovernightstays?

2.Isthechildlikelytostrugglewithan overnightstayduetotheirhistory?

3.Areyouconcernedaboutthepeopleor theactivitiestheymaybetakingpartin?

4 Theageandunderstandingofthe child/youngperson.

5.Whoseideawastheovernightstayand whatisthepurpose?

6.Howwellisthefriendorfamilyknownto thechild?

Thechildandhostingadultsmusthaveyour contactdetails;knowtheplanfortheirreturn andwhattodoiftheydecidetocomehome earlyorifplanschangeunexpectedly

Youshouldonlygiveinformationona‘need toknow’basisandrecordwhatinformation youhavegiveninthechild’sdailyrecord. Thesediscussionscouldbeassimpleas discussingbedwettingtomorecomplex behaviours,ifyouareuncertainofwhether thisinformationcanbeshared,please discussitwithusfirst.Youshouldensurethey haveanynecessaryhealthinformation

Ifthechilddoesnotwantinformationtobeshared,thentheyneedtobetold thatthiscouldaffectwhethertheycanstayovernight.

Recordanydecisionsandthearrangementsinthechild’sdailyrecord. Evenifithasbeenagreedthatthechild’ssocialworkerdoesnothavetobe consulted,youshouldstillinformthemassoonaspossibleafterwards(within1 workingday)andthesocialworkershouldinformtheparentsasappropriate. If,aspartofcontact/familytimearrangements,thechild/youngpersonisdue tostayawayfromyourhomewithfamilymembers,thechild’ssocialworker willmakeallappropriatearrangements.

Providedyouplanahead,seekclarification astothestatusofthechildandwhocan makedecisionsaboutholidays,andgetall thosepermissionsandrelevantpaperwork inorder,youshouldreducethenumberof potentialissuessurroundingtakingyour fosterchildonholiday.

Holidaysandfostering|TheFostering Network

41.2 HOLIDAYS AND TRIPS

42. Preparing for Independent Living

Thetransitiontoadulthoodcanbechallengingforallyoungpeople.Children whoarecaredforbyalocalauthorityarelikelytomakethetransitionto independenceearlierthantheirpeersandwithoutthesupportthatmany receivefrombirthfamilies.Sadly,childrenwecareforarestilloverrepresentedinprisonsandinthehomelesspopulation.

Yoursupportasfosterparent/siscrucialatthiskeytime.Childrenwecarefor aremorelikelytohaveexperiencedloss,lackofstabilityandmayhaveless self-confidence,withfewereducationalqualifications Preparingfor independencecanbeevenmorechallengingforchildrenlookedafterwho havedisabilities.

Localauthoritieshaveadutytopreparechildrenlookedafterforwhenthey leavecareandtocontinuetosupportthemtowardsindependence;in particular,localauthoritiesshould:

1.Assistindividualyoungpeopletomoveonfromcarewhentheyareready toleave.

2.Ensuregoodqualityassessment,preparationandplanningforcare experiencedyoungpeopleprovidehighqualitypersonalsupportandclear financialarrangementsforyoungpeopleleavingcare

3.Allocateasocialworkerand/orapersonaladvisortogivethemsupportup totheageof21,or25iftheyremaininhigherorfurthereducation.

4.Whenthecareorderisdischargedontheyoungperson’s18thbirthday, manyyoungpeoplewillremainwiththeirfosterparent/sunderaWhenI’m Readyarrangement.Otheryoungpeople’splanscouldincludeamove into,orremainingin,oneofthefollowing: supportedlodgings

semi-independentaccommodationsuchasaYMCAhostelorpost18 provisions tenanciesleadingtofullindependence

https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/sites/default/files/content/wheniamr eadyfactsheet.pdf

https://coramvoice.org.uk/what-is-a-pathwayplan/#:~:text=A%20Pathway%20Plan%20is%20written%20to%20plan%20how,Ser vices%2C%20which%20you%20both%20have%20to%20agree%20on.

Preparationforindependencewillinclude:

Providingopportunitiesfortheyoungpersontolearnandpracticeskills

Promotingfinancialresponsibilityandincreasingindependence

Encouragingtheyoungpersontorecognisetheimportanceofachieving theirindependenceskills beforemovingon

Encouragingtheyoungpersonintheirchoseneducational,trainingor employmentoption

Beingopenandrealisticabouttheirfuturesupportoncetheyreach18

Tocareforthemselves,youngpeopleneedtohaveknowledgeand understandingabout:

Healthissues,includingpersonalcareandsexualhealth

Education,employmentandtraining

Budgetingskills,payingbillsandbenefitsadvice

Managingtheirownaccommodation

Independentlivingskills,suchascooking(andwhatconstitutesabalanced diet),washingclothes,ironing,sewingandcleaning

Howtomanageadultsocialandsexualrelationships(e.g.,Howtotell friendstheycannothavepartieseverynightattheirflatwhentheyare working!)

43. Links to Policies and Procedures and Forms and Records

Everythingyouneedtouseinyourday-to-dayactivitiesisstoredonthe CHARMSsystemandavailabletocompleteelectronicallyordownload,as necessary Storinginformationinoneplacehelpsusalltousethemostupto dateversionsandensuresthatwemaintainagoodstandardofrecord keeping.

UsefulResources/Contacts

FreeBooks-TimpsonGroup