Foster Carer Support Practice Pack

It is a requirement that all Foster Carers and the Fostering Agency record and report on important information on Children and Young People in a foster placement. This is a requirement under the Fostering Agencys the National Minimum Standards and Regulations.

The Fostering Agency supports Foster Carers in this role by providing advice, guidance and information to ensure that the responsibilities and practice of Foster Carers in this area is clear. In addition Foster Carers are provided with a Foster Carer Support Practice Pack.

Following approval, new Foster Carers will receive the Foster Carer Support Practice Pack during the 'set up visit' conducted by the Supervising Social Worker along with other relevant key documents and information. There will be a number of copies provided to Foster Carers of each of the 6 documents it contains and the use of these will be fully explained by the Supervising Social Worker to ensure compliance with the requirements set out in Fostering Services Standards and Regulations which includes the role of Fostering Agencies in monitoring, recording and reporting specific information in line with their duties and functions.

The pack comprises of the following:

1. Safer Caring Plan
   All Children and Young People in a foster home require a safer caring plan. The most important elements are bullet pointed. Foster Carers should add further information to this specific to the Child or Young Person and their home;

2. Child's Diary Sheet
   This is a daily record of a Child or Young Person's time with you and your family. This includes the sort of information you need to be recording. This is passed on to the Child or Young Person's Social Worker when a Child or Young Person leaves your care;

3. Schedule 6 - Checklist
   This is a record of specific events that we must monitor and report to OFSTED. This is a short checklist that is completed between you and your Supervising Social Worker;

4. Schedule 7 - Events and notifications
   This is a record of specific events that we must report on to OFSTED. This is a short log of your recording, if one of these events happens in your home. This is then recorded by your Supervising Social Worker;

5. Medication Record
   This is a daily record that all Foster Carers should complete and retain when Children and Young People in their care receive medication (prescribed or over the counter) and first aid is administered by you;

6. Supervision Agreement
   This is an agreement between you and the Supervising Social Worker/Fostering Agency in relation to the purpose of supervision and the two-way engagement in the process.

If you have any questions around this Support Practice Pack, please speak to your Supervising Social Worker. Please also advise, giving due notice in advance, when you require further copies of any of the above documents.