How We Work

Supporting Foster Carers

Carers in this situation are overwhelmed by the speed of the investigation and the very many accompanying questions. We aim to be as supportive as possible by;

Explaining the process
This will usually involve one or more face-to-face meetings in the carers home to talk things through, including the procedure used by the Police and Fostering Service and a plan of how to engage fully and influence what happens next.

Remaining Objective
Our role is not to take sides, the child's welfare is paramount in all that we do, rather we work pro-actively to support and enable carers to present their view of the complaint or allegation and compile the evidence where possible to support that view.

Flexible Service
This is not an 'office hours' situation. Although we would ask you to respect our privacy, we will always try to be available when you need to talk, including evenings and weekends.

Sharing Responsibility
Experience tells us that carers value the opportunity to share their responsibility for participation in the investigation. We will also help advise your solicitor if applicable and support any appeal procedure that you undertake.

Representation
Throughout the Local Authority Section 47 investigation and subsequent reporting we ensure that the foster carers account of events is well presented. We will also attend Household Reviews, Panel Meetings and Appeals so that decisions made by the Fostering Service, the Secretary of State or the Protection of Children Act Tribunal uphold your right to be heard and judge accordingly.

Supporting Fostering Services

Just as Foster Carers can be overwhelmed by the investigation, Fostering Services can find Fostering Regulations, National Standards and their specific role within policy extremely daunting.

The difficulties in managing relationships, immeasurably altered by an allegation are enormous.

We aim to be supportive by confirming the Fostering Service's duty to safeguard and protect and we hold safe these relationships until they can be restored.

We will act on behalf of the Fostering Service without compromising your position as corporate parent. We work to mediate, explaining the reason for procedures, legal implications and Fostering Regulations so as not to lose positive relationships unnecessarily. More than 90% of Fostering Support Ltd carers subject to unsubstantiated claims return to foster caring.