Welcome

Welcome to your web-enabled Foster Carers Handbook. It has been designed for new and existing foster carers and deals with the day to day practicalities you may face.

About Us:

• Introduction
• Getting Started with this Handbook
• Useful Contacts and Suggestions
• Statement of Purpose
• Children’s Guide
• Foster Carers Charter

Being a Foster Carer:

• What happens now I am approved?
• Foster Care Agreement
• Risk Assessment and Planning
• Developing a Safer Caring Plan
  • Appendix 1: Developing a Safer Caring Policy Template
• Support and Supervision
• Money Matters
• Support to your own children
• Reviewing my Approval and Appeals
• Training and Development
  • Training, Support and Development Standards for Foster Care - Evidence Workbook
  • Training, Support and Development Standards for Foster Care - Guidance
  • Training, Support and Development Standards for Foster Care - Evidencing Factsheet
• Recording and Information Sharing
• Significant Events and Notifications – When I need to tell other people about things
• Working with Families and other Professionals

Safeguarding Everyone in our Household:

• Safeguarding Children and Young People and Referring Safeguarding Concerns
• Surveillance and Monitoring
• What happens if an allegation is made against me or my family?
• Complaints by and for Children
• How can I make a Complaint against the Fostering Service
• Sutton’s Children and Family Services - Comments, Complaints and Compliments Form
• Whistleblowing (blowing the whistle)
• Missing Children
• Internet, Photographs and Mobile Phones
• Bullying
• The Foster Home and Health and Safety
• Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE)
• Child Criminal Exploitation and County Lines
• Female Genital Mutilation
• Restrictive Physical Intervention and Restraint

The Placement:

• Types of Placement (including changes e.g. Adoption)
• Understanding Placement Plans and Looked After Reviews
• Helping a Child to Settle Into Your Home
• My Placement may be Breaking Down
• Ending a Placement

Caring for Children:

• Involving Children in Decision Making
• Health
• School and Education
• Contact Between the Child, their Family and Others
• Disabled Children and Children who may need Special Medical Help
• Positive Relationships and Behaviour Management
• Self-harm and Suicidal Behaviour
• Relationships and Sex
• Alcohol, Drugs and Smoking
• Identity
• Keeping Memories
• Transport
• Baby Sitters and Overnight Stays
• First Aid and Medication
• Moving Towards Independence

Other Resources:

• Useful Resources
• Training
• Glossary and National Directory