Foster Care Agreement

This is the written agreement made between you and the Fostering Agency when you are approved.

It sets out the Fostering Agency's expectations of you, what you are able to offer, and the support and training you can expect.

The Foster Care Agreement details the roles, responsibilities, and expectations of Foster Carers and the responsibilities of the Fostering Agency. The Foster Carer will retain a copy of their Foster Care Agreement and a copy will be placed on the Foster Carers file.

The Foster Care Agreement is signed following initial approval as a Foster Carer, and at any other intervals that might be considered appropriate. There may be other situations where a new agreement is required, including a change in terms of Approval.

Along with detailing the legal responsibilities and obligations of Foster Carers, the Foster Care Agreement will also detail the support and training the Foster Carers will receive and the independent support available (for full details please refer to the Foster Care Agreement).

Foster Carer must comply with the Foster Care Agreement as failure to do so will risk continued registration as an approved Foster Carer.

You need to:

• Read and sign the Foster Care Agreement, keep one copy for yourself and return one signed copy to the Fostering Agency;
• Following any change to your terms of approval, you will receive an amended copy of the Foster Care Agreement which you will need to sign the agreement again as above.

The agreement will contain:

• Terms of approval;
• Support and training;
• The review process;
• The process for making a complaint.

It will also cover your responsibilities:

• To care for the child with at least the same care and concern as you would if they were your own, keep them safe and promote their welfare; and that the child's welfare is at the centre of your practice;
• The Fostering Agency and you are required to provide personalised care to meet the needs of individual children which are detailed in various documents provided to you and should be followed such as child's Care Plan, Risk Assessment, Placement Plan. See also: Understanding Placement Plans and Child in Care Reviews;
• The child's day to day needs are met and the care they receive from you is sensitive and responsive to a child's identity and family history. See also: Identity;
• To keep the Fostering Agency updated on the child's progress and any significant events that affect the child;
• Not to carry out any physical/corporal punishment. See also: Restrictive Physical Intervention and Restraint;
• To keep all information about any child placed with you confidential unless the Fostering Agency says you can share it;
• To attend relevant meetings including Child Protection Conferences and LAC Reviews concerning the child/young person and provide written reports if requested, and help prepare the child/young person where appropriate for meetings. See also: Understanding Placement Plans and Child in Care Reviews;
• To carry out their duties from the child's Placement Plan;
• To work within the Fostering Agency's policies and procedures and guidance;
• To co-operate and attend the Fostering Agency's reviews and meet the requirements of the Fostering Agency for example Health and Safety;
• To allow inspectors of the Fostering Agency to visit your home, see you or the child/young person by prior arrangement;
• To attend the mandatory training courses as required;
• To ensure your DBS is in date and or you have joined the subscription service for DBS and provided the service with permission to check your records.

The Foster Carer will also be bound by their Foster Care Agreement to notify the Fostering Agency of any circumstances which might make their household unsuitable to foster, and this might include criminal offences committed by the Young Person as the same would apply to Foster Carers and any other household member. Known issues which may impact on the continued approval of the Foster Carer should be included in early discussions about staying put, as these will be crucial to the ability of the Foster Carer and the Fostering Agency to make an informed decision.

You should inform the Fostering Agency of:

• Any change of address or people living in the household;
• Any changes in your personal situation or events which affect their ability to care for the child placed with them;
• Any criminal convictions or cautions or criminal charges pending at any time following your approval as a foster carer, involving you or someone in your household;
• Any request by you or any member of your household, to foster or adopt children or offer a Shared Lives Placement;
• Any request to be a registered childminder or day care provider by someone living in your household.