AGE RANGE
- 0-18 - most agencies at the forum recommend approval terms for 0-18
- 5-18 - for carers who smoke - all treat vaping as the same as smoking
- Discussion re the above and evidencing carer suitability for “babies / toddlers” as well as “adolescents / teens” - conversation of criticism from the inspectorate if the vast terms is not discussed / highlighted in assessments and reviews and also within the PDP.
- More defined age range - a few agencies were more specific re age range and if carers were never likely to care for certain age ranges they would not be approved, the agencies were happy to recommend a change of approval - if required and not a blanket term
- Matching considerations - this is not the “terms” - more the preference - so after the terms the matching eg 7-13 etc would be also named below the terms
- ADM process - for ALL agreement of terms - assessment and review process - and all clear that all FIRST reviews must go to the fostering panel and then ADM (within the first year of fostering)
- Change to terms - some agencies take all COA to their fostering panel and then ADM - some undertake the review and then complete the ADM process (and not panel - just for info in panel) - do not breach the process if the review is the first review
- Assessments - must evidence the capability of the applicants, to care for children they are being recommended for - and if the age range includes all - then evidence all stages of children’s development - same for reviews
- PDP - carer paths to learning and development - to reflect the terms carers are approved for - for example - weaning, child development, and also working with teens, prep for independence etc (as well as if specifically caring for children with additional needs - don't wait for the next training course to be available - ensure carers are equipped asap - remember informal training can be recorded etc)
- 0-18 - for people who have never parented - mixed response - re limiting terms to start with
FOSTERING TYPES
- Some agencies include many terms - emergency, short, bridging, respite, long, permanence, parent and child, UAM
- Discussion re long term and permanence - most agreed that - carers are approved for long term fostering and the arrangement for children is permanence (as identified in their care plan)
- Long term - some agencies do not approve carers for long term from the start - only on first or other reviews
- Rehab - discussion re some LA’s at every CLA discussed the possibility of rehab home - this is disruptive for children, carers and the stability of the “long term” “permanence” arrangement
- Commissioning contracts - definition of long term - and discounts at 12 months - yet reluctance to go through the process of ratifying the long term arrangement at the LA panel
- Also the opposite - keen to agree long term very soon / (sometimes too soon eg on referral) - can't possibly be considered as long term until evidence to suggest a child is settling and carers can meet their needs - however, that carers are approved for long term to show they are willing to consider
- Celebration of permanence - some agencies celebrate with children (only if they want this)
- Matching paperwork - for this arrangement - completed by some agencies - an extension of what was the original matching process - great idea
- Respite - agencies are considering alternative words to this
- Short and long term - some agencies are now adopting this as they include emergency, bridging, respite into short term (Question - however, if a carer ONLY wants to be considered as a respite carer - is this a separate and stand alone term - so clear that only takes children for set periods and it cannot progress in to something else?
- Emergency - discussion re this is not a term but a preference to take children in emergency situations
- Bridging - a type of work and not a term was discussed
- Respite - is not the same as “short breaks” - definition used for caring for children with disabilities
- Respite - if thinking of alternative words - need to consider if the “respite” is to aid and benefit carers (give them a break or help them out) - different from “sleepovers” that is about choice for children
- ADVICE- Catherine suggests that agencies unpick the meaning of their terms - do all staff understand the differing terms - e.g. what is long term to staff ? and do carers fully understand the terms - what is long term to them? - how is this considered in policies and process - so a common and collective understanding - a glossary of terms would be helpful that everyone understands - so no misunderstandings from either staff or carers. If agencies are adopting short and long term as the only options - break down whatthis includes?
Other discussion regarding terms generally:
- Foster carers agreements - discussed and to be updated to reflect any change to terms
- Placing children outside of terms - 6 days (then COA must have taken place or children moved) - “variation of approval” - see above re the process - review (whatever you use to evidence the suitability and capacity to manage the change) and always ADM (or if first review or your own process to go through panel)
- Challenge to convene a panel - however, flexibility of being hybrid and virtual
- Exemptions - for over limits (see alternative discussions / guidance)
- Other considerations - ages of own children, other children placed
- Recruiting carers - if do not fit with what looking for - would not proceed - do not want carers who can't place with due to their terms being too inflexible or not having referrals for their specific requirements
- Research into children that require families in your area - recruitment drive to match this
- Peripatetic foster carers - who are approved to foster in the main foster carer home - often linked with families or children - good discussion and great idea (especially if some peripatetic carers do not have the home space etc but would clearly be great carers)
- Wales - not necessary to specify terms - foster carer or not
- Parent and child - agencies complete the assessment and evidence training - and a separate approval for this specialist work (any agencies interested in this work can join the Google email group - specifically for parent and child discussions - email Harvey)
- Transferring carers - and their existing terms and new terms - and reasons for leaving one agency and joining others - discussion re “over promising” from LA and pressure on agencies in relation to carers who have room, but clearly not appropriate to place other children (despite terms allowing - but about matching alongside)
- Siblings - approving for xx siblings (can exceed the usual limits)
- Naming children - who have been agreed long term - so specific for the child - some agencies do this and others not
Regulatory guidance - England
Reviews and terminations of approval
28.—(1) The fostering service provider must review the approval of each foster parent in accordance with this regulation.
(2) A review must take place not more than a year after approval, and thereafter whenever the fostering service provider considers it necessary, but at intervals of not more than a year.
(3) When undertaking a review, the fostering service provider must—(a)make such enquiries and obtain such information as they consider necessary in order to review whether the foster parent continues to be suitable to be a foster parent and the foster parent’s household continues to be suitable, and
(b)seek and take into account the views of—
(i)the foster parent,
(ii)any child placed with the foster parent (subject to the child’s age and understanding), and
(iii)any placing authority which has, within the preceding year, placed a child with the foster parent. (4) At the conclusion of the review, the fostering service provider must prepare a written report, setting out whether—
(a)the foster parent continues to be suitable to be a foster parent and the foster parent’s household continues to be suitable, and (b)the terms of the foster parent’s approval continue to be appropriate.
(5) The fostering service provider must on the occasion of the first review under this regulation, and may on any subsequent review, refer their report to the fostering panel for consideration.
And from Assessment and approval of foster carers: Amendments to the Children Act 1989
Guidance and Regulations Volume 4: Fostering Services July 2013
A written report of the review must be prepared, and in the case of the first review this must be presented to the fostering panel for a recommendation. If it is decided, taking account of any recommendation from the fostering panel if applicable, that the foster carer and their household continue to be suitable, then the foster carer must be notified in writing.
Once a foster carer is approved, they must be notified in writing of this fact and of any terms of the approval. Terms may specify, for instance, that they may foster only a specific named child or children, or may identify a maximum number of placements which may be made at any one time or an age range for children fostered. Terms may also include factors such as short term or long term placements, short break care, or inclusion in a particular fostering scheme. Foster carers must also enter into a foster care agreement, covering the matters set out in Schedule 5 to the Regulations (regulation 2 and standard 14).
