H & S: Pet Ownership Policy

Doc. Creation: (01/02/2008) | Doc. Revision: (N/A) Version: [ 1 ]

B

Policy
It is the Policy of Fostering Solutions to ensure the safety of Looked After Children and young people placed in foster care.

Contents

  1. Purpose
  2. Frequency
  3. Process

1. Purpose

Pets can be a great source of comfort and companionship to children but precautions should be taken where necessary to ensure children’s safety. Some pets, particularly dogs, can pose dangers, therefore we will not approve applicants who possess a pet under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, amended 1997.

2.Frequency

As and when required.

3.Process

Dogs currently prohibited under this legislation are the types not just breeds known as:

  • Pit Bull Terrier
  • Japanese Tosa
  • Dogo Argentino
  • Filo Braziliero

Other types of dogs may be added to this list and other dogs of a similar type may be equally dangerous.

For all prospective carers/carers who intend to acquire or possess a pet of any kind, the assessment process will highlight the need to protect children and to raise safety awareness with the applicants. The type of pet kept may restrict the numbers, age or gender of the children placed.

No-one can absolutely guarantee the nature and temperament of their pet. In different or threatening circumstances, animals may well demonstrate previously unseen behaviours. It will be important for prospective carers/carers to accept this basic principle if they are to be vigilant and protect children. We will ask prospective carers/carers what precautions they intend to take especially when introducing children to pets and require that these precautions are included in their Safe Care Policy. Children should never be left unsupervised with a dog and prospective carers/carers should be vigilant in their supervision.

A Pet or Dog Ownership Risk Assessment Form will form part of the overall assessment. Once completed, this will determine what further action may be necessary. The completed form will be kept on file. Where appropriate, the form will be sent to the prospective carers/carers vet for comment on temperament and verification of breed. If the Risk Assessment concludes that there is a high risk to a child, a Pet Behaviourist’s assessment may be required. The Pet Behaviourist will be able to advise, for example, how the dog responds in certain situations and can give pet management advice to applicants/carers in relation to the dog living alongside children and young people. Prospective carers/carers will be given the opportunity to make their home circumstances safer for children by, for example, restricting where the pet is allowed in the home. The Pet Behaviourist can assist in making an objective judgement as to the suitability and compatibility of a particular pet with a foster child. This can be helpful if the social worker has a particular personal dislike of certain kinds of animals which can affect their judgement. In some cases, it may not be appropriate to continue with the foster carer assessment.

The Vet reference is likely to be more limited in content but will provide useful information such as providing confirmation of the pet type and breed, reaction to being examined, whether up to date with inoculations, and whether the pet carries any infectious disease. This can be particularly helpful in the case of more exotic pets where there is little background knowledge. The Health & Safety Manager may be able to access this information from the Internet or the RSPCA.

It is important to distinguish between the nature and purpose of the Vet reference and commissioning a report from a Pet Behaviourist. Payment for these will be at the discretion of the Director of Operations.

Neither need to be routinely requested and some common sense should prevail. Any concerns about any pet can and should be raised with the Panel Manager/Health & Safety Manager but in most cases, family pets will live happily alongside foster children, providing them with comfort and companionship. The safety of children will be the overriding factor in any decisions made.

Anyone planning to acquire a pet should inform Fostering Solutions so that a risk assessment can be undertaken. If required, advice and assistance with this process can be given by the Health & Safety Manager.

Fostering Solutions[Green Book: Internal Policies & Procedures ]Page 1 of 3