Great discussion in relation to what takes place on an UV - and the level of difference in agencies - but also within an agency - some workers check more areas than others depending on the acceptance of foster carers - eg going in bedrooms, fridges etc

Idea - for agencies to have a checklist of what to check in each room also, to prepare for an UV be clear on "why" you are undertaking this - is it a routine visit or as a result of a worry or change - so where you look might be to satisfy yourselves that there is no evidence of alcohol for example

Some agencies see all bedrooms including carers and carers own children - this is to satisfy selves that the standard does not differ and that children in foster care have the same standard of room

Also, to ensure there are no known risks, few incidents in the past .....

● cameras in the carers' bedroom / monitors - led to imprisonment

● machetes on the wall as an ornament

● carers who said no longer smoke and room clearly smells of smoke or weed

Not the same doc as a supervisory visit - clearly there to see children and carers in an informal setting - without appointment - fine to be chaotic and busy - family life

Good to go at meal time - worker saw children and carers washing up together

Seeing in fridge - when children have said don't get fed or where there is difference in diet that children are catered for (eg if a household where no meat - the child might have meat available through choice etc)

Seeing outside areas - to ensure ponds, hot-tubs and walls are still covered and safe, cigarette butts, dog faeces, sheds - locked - but do you ask to see in this?

Locked rooms - why ? - is this acceptable - disclaimers if there is a room locked about appropriate use of locks - health and safety and fire risk - not to lock selves in or children out - children being able to access carers in the night if need to - not locked out of carer bedroom

Modesty locks - bathroom - able to lock self in but able to unlock from outside

Reason for locks? - Is this family life? - talk re child who used to take from carers rooms and foster carers children's rooms - so locks approved when people not in the room - but agreed there should be permission to access to ensure that this was not for any other reason etc

Safer caring plans discussed and how should reflect the arrangements for everyone in the family home

Health and safety - live and ongoing doc and not just for review

Carers bedroom - discussion re what do when go in there - nobody opens drawers etc - but just visual to ensure safe and standards similar for children rooms

A member talked about inspection and inspector felt and UV should cover all the spaces children access - did not comment on other peoples bedrooms

what if a carer refuses to allow access to rooms etc - all agreed should be recorded as a refusal - all agreed that carers should know why it was important to view a space and if still refused - ask to sign and then would be discussed in the foster carer review - comments from IRO and management oversight - why has carer refused ? Do you have any other concerns ?

Difficult if the agency do not go in certain areas eg fridge, wheelie bins, bedrooms and then wish to do so - discussion re the value of doing and UV during the initial assessment and providing applicants with the purpose of an UV and the types of things in the checklist - so familiar and accepting of this

Seeing children and seeing children alone - some agencies do not expect to see children alone in and UV as they prefer to see them as a family together - natural setting and see children alone every 3 mths outside of this process

Timing of UV - varying days and eves and weekends better - likely to see 2nd partner - good to see them also and how they interact

Also - if a fc has entered into a relationship and says their partner does not visit - might be good to do UV early morning or weekend - to see if this is the case carers should see the UV report and sign reports should be descriptive - say what you see, smell - what was going on, who was there, cleanliness, hazards, summary

CL advised that any tasks or actions - should be at the end with timescales - this should be copied and pasted into the next supervisory visit to start the planned visit to see progress

UV undertaken by a different worker - most agencies carry out 2 a year and also reserve the right to do more if required - no apology - prep for visit

● read last UV

● read last supervision

● read safer caring

● read health and safety

● discussion with SSW

● what should I look for etc

● closure to meeting - debrief and informing named SSW of findings etc