Since 1999 Debra Gibbs Director: Fostering Support Ltd has been helping foster carers in this, one of the most horrible situations imaginable.

To have a complaint made about the standard of your care, your behaviour or to have an allegation of neglect or physical, emotional, or sexual abuse made against you is terrifying and traumatic.

Fostering Support Ltd will help you;


1. Understand your rights and
   .... responsibilities.
2. Access information.
3. Feel less alone.
4. Obtain the help you need.

Debra Gibbs is happy to answer your questions to help Foster Carers and Fostering Services find the most appropriate support.

1. Understand your rights and responsibilities.
This situation requires support. Foster Carers confirm that Fostering Services' desire to believe and Statutory Duty to protect the child leaves them with the burden of 'proving' their innocence. Procedures must be obtained and legal jargon must be clearly understood. However, reinforced by Fostering Services Regulations National Minimum Standards (Department of Health 2002) and more recent guidance; Managing allegations and serious concerns about foster carers practice or standards of care (Department for Education and Skills 2006) this help is at hand.

2. Access information
Every Fostering Service, whether in the Public or Independent Sector is required to produce information on the procedure they will follow in this situation and the terms of de-registration. This procedure should now include the automatic provision of Independent Support in consultation with the carer, the timescales to be observed and details of how the investigation will proceed. Supervising Social Workers will be able to provide this or it may be included in the Foster Carers Handbook. The DfES (2006) booklet Protecting Children - Supporting Foster Carers provides a straightforward guide on what foster carers should expect.

3. Feel less alone.
Much of the information can be downloaded from this website and click on Frequently Asked Questions to share responses to Foster Carers already supported by Fostering Support Ltd. In addition you can see Foster Carers evaluations, released for disclosure as an appreciation of the service and to encourage more Fostering Services to sign up to support - this is just a small selection, more can be provided on request.

Click here for our brochure.

Fostering Support Ltd, is the only dedicated provider to support Foster Carers throughout Section 47 and single agency investigation, through to Review and (if necessary) Appeal and is now expanding to cover the rest of the UK.