Foster Care Agreement

This is the written agreement made between you and the Fostering Service when you are approved.

It sets out the Fostering Service's expectations of you, what you are able to offer and the support and training you can expect.

You need to:

• Read and sign the Foster Care Agreement, keep one copy for yourself and return one signed copy to the Fostering Service;
• Following any change to your terms of approval, you will receive an amended copy of the Foster Care Agreement which you will need to sign as above.

The agreement will contain:

• Terms of approval;
• Support and training;
• The review process;
• The process for placing children with you;
• The process for making a complaint.

It will also cover your responsibilities:

• To care for the child with the same care and concern as you would if they were your birth children, keep them safe and promote their welfare; and ensure that the child’s welfare is at the centre of your practice;
• The Fostering Service and you are required to contribute to providing personalised care to meet the needs of individual children which are detailed in various documents provided to you and should be followed such as the child’s Care Plan, Risk Assessment, Placement Plan. See also: Understanding Placement Plans and Looked After Reviews;
• The child’s day-to-day needs are met and the care they receive from you promotes the child’s identity and is appropriate and responsive to their family history. See also: Identity;
• To keep the Fostering Service updated on the child’s progress and any significant events that affect the child, including significant illness;
• Not to carry out any  inappropriate punishment or physical chastisement. See also: Restrictive Physical Intervention and Restraint;
• To keep all information about any child placed with you confidential unless the Fostering Service says you can share it;
• To attend relevant meetings including Child Protection Conferences and Looked after Children Reviews concerning the child/young person and provide written reports if requested, and help prepare the child/young person where appropriate for meetings. See also: Understanding Placement Plans and Looked After Reviews;
• To carry out your duties from any plan relating to the child, including the child's Placement Plan, Care Plan,Health Plan, EHCP, PEP and Pathway Plan;
• To work within the Children's Service's Policies, Procedures and Guidance;
• To contribute to and attend any review of your approval;
• To meet the requirements of the Fostering Service as laid out in this handbook for example Health and Safety;
• To allow inspectors of the Fostering Service to visit your home, see you or the child/young person by prior arrangement;
• To actively work with your supervising social worker on your learning and development, to attend the mandatory training courses as required and complete the Training, Support and Development Standards Workbook.

You should inform the Fostering Service of:

• Any change of address or people living in the household;
• Any changes in your personal situation or events which affect your capacity or ability to care for the child placed with you or the suitability of your household;
• Any criminal convictions or cautions or criminal charges pending at any time following your approval as a foster carer, involving you or someone in your household;
• Any request by you or any member of your household, to foster or adopt children or to care for a child or vulnerable adult under another legal order, or a Shared Lives Placement;
• Any request to be a registered childminder or day care provider by you or someone living in your household.