FO 6.7.1
OPTIONS FOSTERING
FOSTER CARE AGREEMENT
This agreement is between Options Fostering and the Foster Carer/s. It is based on the requirements of Schedule 5 of the Fostering Services Regulations 2011. That Schedule sets out the matters and obligations to be included in Foster Care Agreements.
The philosophy of Options Fostering is that Foster Carer/s are our professional colleagues, and information is shared with them. Accordingly, this agreement constitutes a statement of responsibilities, requirements and expectations of each side as jointly agreed in relation to all placements.
Foster Care Agreements run alongside the Foster Carer’s Charter and are aimed to compliment one another.
Status
Please remember that the services that you will provide as a foster carer/s are on a self-employed basis. You are not a member of staff of the company and you will need to establish your personal liability for tax purposes with HM Customs and Revenue. Options Fostering will help where possible with advice on who to contact, but responsibility lies with the individual to take the necessary action.
DATE OF AGREEMENT:CARER INFORMATION
CARER(S) NAME(S):
ADDRESS:
CURRENT APPROVAL:
APPROVAL DATE:
REVIEW DATES: / Last: / Next:
* Foster Carer Agreements will be completed annually at Carer’s Review to ensure this document remains a live and working tool for foster carers and Options Fostering.
Options Fostering responsibilities to all approved Foster Carer/s:
1. To provide each foster carer/s an allocated Supervising Social Worker to provide support, advice, information and access to resources where required.
2. Access to Options Fostering support services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
3. A genuine commitment to foster carers being respected and valued as professional colleagues in line with the Foster Carer Charter.
4. Options Fostering will provide monthly recorded supervision, providing a copy to foster carer/s. Where the foster carer/s may not have a child/young person in placement for an agreed reason, this supervision may be 6 weekly. This will be in addition to informal visits, unannounced visits and telephone/electronic contact.
5. Membership of the Fostering Network offering arrangements for meeting any legal liabilities arising by reason of placement.
6. An on-line fostering handbook, updated regularly by Options Fostering, which contains all relevant policies and procedures, including the procedure for making comments and representations.
7. A comprehensive post-approval training programme to include access to CWDC and QCF.
8. At least annual carer reviews which take into account foster carer/s competence to foster. Collate feedback from a variety of professionals/services/family/young people and placing authorities. Dependant on the reason/outcome of the review this may entail presentation to the Fostering Panel. The first foster carer Review is completed within 6 months of approval and is always presented to the Fostering Panel.
9. Regular Support Group meetings and social events to include foster families and children/young people in placement.
10. Respite Care by prior agreement and planning on meeting the needs of children/young people in placement and foster carers and their families.
11. Access to the Wider Options Group professional and clinical staff, including education and professional clinical multi-disciplinary team.
12. Foster carer/s records and information will remain confidential at all times only being shared on ‘a need to know basis’.
13. Options Fostering Allegations Against Foster Carers Policy and Procedure (see Foster Care Handbook). Carers are expected to comply with the relevant Child Protection procedures. Options Fostering work to a policy where the investigations process is led by the Local Authority in the area where you live (the Area Authority). Options Fostering is also required to inform Ofsted of any such allegations.
14. Ensure where possible, meetings are planned which take into account foster carer/s work/family commitments.
15. To consult with carers through various means regarding any significant changes taking place at Options Fostering which may impact on them.
16. To provide foster carers with documents necessary to meet the responsibilities of recording information regarding children/young people in placement.
17. Comprehensive planning and matching of placements. Options Fostering will complete a comprehensive matching report, informed by and shared with the foster carer/s.
18. Children and young people will be placed by Local Authorities subject to Fostering Services Regulations (2011) and The Children Act 1989 Volume 2, Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (2010).
19. Options Fostering will make every attempt to obtain all relevant documentation regarding a child/young person being placed prior to placement.
20. The reimbursement of mileage/travelling expenses incurred in the direct care of a young person (over and above 10 miles per day). See Expenses Guidelines in Induction to Fostering. Travel outside of the usual day to day routine is agreed by the Agency in advance eg booking train travel for contact visits.
21. Regular and prompt payment of the fostering allowance and notification of any variation in these payments via BACS.
22. A level of financial support that takes into account the experience, understanding and developing skills of foster carers and is based on the Options Fostering Skills Level Table. The skills level table does not follow an automatic assumption that carers will move up levels dependant on duration of approval. Carers must demonstrate development and experience to increase payments. Whilst Options Fostering will always work to support carers access to training and development which meets their work/family commitments, there is an expectation on carers to demonstrate ongoing training and development, any concerns will be raised through supervision/carer review process.
23. To ensure foster carers receive an annual statement of payments.
24. Options Fostering will ensure a Placement Plan is completed, which includes delegated authority in promoting the fostering role and is informed significantly by foster carer/s.
25. Options Fostering undertake to provide foster carers with the indemnity of:
Accepting responsibility to support foster carers with damages and expenses incurred as a direct consequence of fostering. Each situation will be considered individually, taking into consideration fostering processes such as Safe Care. If cost for damage is less than insurance excess or insurance excess where cost to repair/replace exceeds insurance excess the maximum insurance excess covered will be £250. The agency will support foster carers where the nature of the child in placement makes an impact on insurance ie; arson conviction.
The Foster Carer/s, in signing this Agreement agree to:
1. Promote the welfare of children/young people placed with me/us and to treat them as a valued member of the family.
2. To be committed to promoting the best interests and welfare of children/young people; at all times advocating on behalf of the child/young person, challenging societal views of children in care.
3. As a member of the care team, to attend reviews, case conferences and planning meetings concerning the child(ren) in my care, and give my views clearly. If unable to attend, I/we will provide a report for the meeting. Where required, I/we will give evidence in court and meet with other professionals if the needs of the child/young person require this.
4. I/we will work in partnership with Local Authorities, Options Fostering, parents and significant others, along with partner services and agencies such as health and education to meet the needs of children in placement. A Placement Plan will be drawn up for each placement; signed by the foster carer/s, Options Fostering and the Placing Authority.
5. That I/we will not offer my/our services as a carer/s to another independent fostering agency or local authority without discussion with Options Fostering. If I/we do decide to transfer agency I/we will adhere to the Transfer Protocol available on request from Options Fostering and/or Fostering Network.
6. That I/we will maintain open communication with the Supervising Social Worker nominated by Options Fostering to work with me/us. I/we will inform them of any changes in household composition and any significant incidents, which may occur within the family. These include:
· Any intended change of address.
· Any change in the composition of my/our household/relationships.
· Any other change in my/our personal circumstances and any other events affecting either my/our capacity to care for any child placed or the suitability of my/our household, and
· Any further request or application of a kind made by me/us or any other member of my/our household to foster or adopt children or to register for Child Minding or Day Care.
· Offences committed.
7. That I/we will take responsibility for my/our training and development as a foster carer through accessing training and development opportunities provided by Options Fostering. Where I/we undertake training and development associated to fostering outside of Options Fostering (ie through work/voluntary work) I/we will provide evidence of this to support Professional Development Plan.
8. I/we will ensure my/our home contents and motor insurance company are appropriately advised of being an approved foster carer/s and that I/we am/are sufficiently covered for accidental damage.
NB: Options Fostering will take each situation individually but in general will only cover compulsory and voluntary policy excess of up to £250.
9. That I/we will arrange for any child/children to receive medical attention whenever he/she is ill and allow him/her to be examined at such times and places as Options Fostering/placing authority requires, to include supporting annual health reviews as arranged by the Local Authority e.g.; dentists, opticians, medical checks etc.
10. That I/we will enable any child placed with me/us to practice their religion, if they and their parents wish, and will advise Options Fostering of any difficulties or expenses incurred in achieving this.
11. That I/we will encourage/enable a child/young person to understand their cultural background and family history. I/we will use training and advice offered by Options Fostering to enable this to be done and will advise Options Fostering of any difficulties or expenses incurred.
12. That I/we will promote contact between a child/young person and his/her family, unless stipulated otherwise by the Placement Plan and Agreement and will advise Options Fostering of any expenses and difficulties incurred.
13. That I/we will be responsible on a day to day basis for encouraging the child/young person to attend school/work and will maintain contact regarding progress, with school and attend parent evenings where appropriate. I/we will attend all parents/support events via education provisions.
14. That I/we will allow social workers to have access to the child(ren) in my/our care at all reasonable times, and for the child to be seen alone when requested.
15. Not to provide the child/young person with access to dangerous, illegal or inappropriate items, such as weapons, adult films, drugs etc.
16. Ensure the chid/young person has access to a balanced diet and opportunities for exercise appropriate to their age/ability.
17. To maintain a written record of any illness, injury or accident of a child/young person and the action taken ie; medical appointment, medication provided/prescribed.
18. I/we will notify Options Fostering immediately of any serious accident or illness, along with any serious occurrence affecting the child/young person.
19. That I/we must allow the relevant care authority/area authority or voluntary organisation to remove the child if they decide to do so, so long as evidence of identity is provided.
20. That I/we must co-operate as reasonably required with Ofsted, and allow a person, authorised by Ofsted to interview me/us and visit me/us home at any reasonable time, subject to the production of appropriate identification.
21. I/we will inform Options Fostering if a child/young person is absent without authorisation or missing from the placement, subject to individual placement plan.
22. That I/we will inform Options Fostering immediately if the police are involved with a child in my care.
23. That I/we will not contact the police (unless in emergency) without informing Options Fostering, where this may lead to criminalising a child/young person.
24. To promote the life experiences and identity of children/young people in my/our care. I/We will support the child/young person to prepare/continue life story work.
25. Whilst understanding the value of memories through photographs, not to take photographs/video without the chid/young person’s consent. Where age or ability prevents consent this should be agreed as part of the Placement Plan.
26. No imagery or details of children/young people in my/our care will be used by my/ourselves/family members on social networking sites such as facebook.
27. That I/we will keep all information given to me/us about a child and their family confidential and will not share such information unless agreed with my Supervising Family Placement Worker.
28. That I/we will endeavour to attend Foster Carer Support Groups and suggest ideas where relevant.
29. I/we will work with children and young people in line with a positive managing behaviour ethos.
30. I/we will never use physical or corporal punishment to any child/young person in placement.
31. That I/we will not terminate a placement without prior discussion or reasonable notice of 28 days being given. If I/we do not give reasonable notice of termination, my/our approval registration will be reviewed.
32. To ensure in general, 21 days notice is provided to Options Fostering for respite requests, to enable the appropriate respite to be sought, introductions and matching to meet the child/young person’s needs.
33. To inform the Placing Authority and Options Fostering immediately if it is thought the child/young person is involved in prostitution.
34. To allow my/our Supervising Social Worker/representative of Options Fostering to visit unannounced at least annually, as per Fostering Regulations (2011).
35. Not to allow anyone, who has not been agreed by Options Fostering to act on behalf or supervise/transport/support a child/young person in placement with me/us.
36. To ensure documentation is completed on time, stored confidentially and accessible to Options Fostering at all times.
37. Where appropriate, to accompany a child/young person to Court with prior arrangement, support and if necessary training.
38. To promote and support child/young person in placement to prepare for independence, life skills, budgeting, applying for further education or employment.
39. To be involved in completing Child Review forms from a placement perspective.