Foster Carer Handbook
– The Foster Carer Handbook –
Last Updated: November 17, 2025Welcome to the Positive Aspirations Group fostering community.By choosing to foster with us you have joined a team that places children’s safety, healing and lifelong potential at the centre of everything we do. This handbook is designed to give you quick, accurate and trauma‑informed guidance for day‑to‑day fostering and to sign‑post you to our full...
— Positive Aspirations —
Last Updated: November 17, 2025The Positive Aspirations Group – Our Trauma-Informed CommitmentAt Positive Aspirations Group we know that many children and young people who come intocare have lived through experiences that can feel unsafe, unpredictable or overwhelming.Our core value therefore extends beyond “best care”; we are committed to building healingenvironments where every child can rediscover safety, trust and hope...
Absence and Absconding
Last Updated: October 21, 20251. Purpose and ethos Children and young people sometimes leave or stay away from their foster home when they feel frightened, overwhelmed, unsafe or drawn to people/places connected with earlier experiences. Our collective objective is to understand the need beneath the behaviour, keep them safe, and strengthen their sense of security and belonging. Your actions...
Accidents and Injuries
Last Updated: August 13, 20251. Core Principle Every accident or injury is treated as a safeguarding and well-being event, not just a medical issue. Our response should restore the child’s sense of safety, regulate emotions, and preserve trusting relationships. 2. Immediate Response (the first moments) 3. Notifications Who Time-scale Reference Supervising social worker (SSW) Immediately by phone Notifiable Incidents...
Allowances
Last Updated: July 13, 20251. Why money matters to children Children who have experienced trauma may worry about “being a burden” or feel shame about clothing, birthdays or hobbies. Consistent, transparent use of the accountable allowance helps them feel valued and equal to their peers. Talk openly (age-appropriately) about how their pocket money, savings and clothing budgets work so...
Behaviour Management
Last Updated: October 28, 20251 | Purpose & ethos Positive, predictable relationships are the most effective safeguard and the best behaviour-management tool. Our approach therefore: 2 | Individualised planning 3 | Every-day positive practice Principle Practical examples Catch the good Daily descriptive praise; reward charts agreed with the child. Clear, kind expectations “Use walking feet indoors”; house rules displayed...
Bullying
Last Updated: October 21, 20251 | Why this matters Many children in care have already experienced power-imbalance and shame. Bullying—whether face-to-face or online—can re-traumatise, reinforce negative self-beliefs and derail placement stability. Our goal is therefore prevention first, rapid safeguarding second, restorative learning always. The agency operates a zero-tolerance, “telling organisation” approach, as set out in the Anti-Bullying & Discriminatory...
Car Seats
Last Updated: February 4, 2026Car Seats & Child-Passenger Safety Car Seats for Children are Compulsory Why this matters A properly fitted child seat cuts serious-injury risk by around 70 per cent. For children who have lived through trauma, clear explanations, predictable routines and the right restraint can also feel like a concrete promise of safety. What the law requires...
Child Protection
Last Updated: July 13, 2025(often referred to as Safeguarding) Protecting children is the thread that runs through every task in fostering. Positive Aspirations Group works to the statutory framework in our Safeguarding Policy and follows Lord Laming’s principle that keeping children safe is everyone’s responsibility. Noticing and reporting a concern Most safeguarding starts with a small observation: a bruise...
Children and Young Persons Guide
Last Updated: July 13, 2025We provide a colourful printed guide to a child or young person, when they are first placed with Foster Carers. This guide tells the child or young person how Foster Carers and other people, are here to help and keep them safe. It explains a little about fostering and also seeks some basic information about...
Complaints against Positive Aspirations Group
Last Updated: July 13, 2025Complaints about the Agency Positive Aspirations Group welcomes feedback—praise, suggestions and complaints alike—because it helps us learn and improve. Our Compliance Policy requires every concern to be logged, tracked and analysed so themes feed directly into service-improvement plans. Guiding principles What a complaint is not Allegations of abuse follow the Safeguarding pathway (LADO, police, Ofsted)...
Confidentiality
Last Updated: November 17, 2025Any information you receive about a foster child and their family and friends must be treatedas private and not shared with anyone without the permission of agency or the child’s socialworker. You should discuss with your supervising social worker in supervision what you intend to telldifferent people in your network about each child placed with...
Conflicts of Interest
Last Updated: July 13, 2025Conflicts of Interest A conflict of interest happens whenever our different roles or loyalties pull us in opposite directions and make it hard to act impartially for every party involved. The agency’s Conflict of Interest Policy explains the legal duties behind this principle and sets out a simple “declare → record → manage” pathway for...
Contact With Birth Family
Last Updated: July 13, 2025Contact / Family Time with Birth Families and Friends Maintaining safe, positive links with a child’s family is usually central to their sense of identity and long-term wellbeing. Positive Aspirations Group follows the detailed guidance in our Contact with Birth Families Policy to make sure every contact arrangement supports the aims of the child’s Care...
Delegated Authority
Last Updated: October 1, 2025When a foster child arrives in placement Foster Carers have no automatic right to make decisions on that child’s behalf: for instance, can they have a tooth removed, can they stay overnight with a friend etc. These rights remain with whoever has parental responsibility for the child – usually the local authority and/or the child’s...
Deregistration
Last Updated: July 13, 2025Deregistration & Independent Review Mechanism (IRM) Deregistration is a serious step: it removes your approval to foster and legally ends your role as a Positive Aspirations Group foster carer. Our policy—mirroring the Fostering Services (England) Regulations 2011—is always to work with you to avoid deregistration where possible, but certain circumstances make it unavoidable. When deregistration...
Dogs & Pets
Last Updated: July 13, 2025Dogs (and other family pets) A well-chosen, well-managed dog can comfort and ground a child in care. But the safety of children must always come first, and some breeds—or poorly managed animals—carry unacceptable risk. Our practice follows the agency’s Dog & Pet Policy in full. 1 | Legal and agency breed restrictions 2 | Assessment...
Domestic Arrangements
Last Updated: October 21, 2025Domestic Arrangements The foster home is the child’s place of safety. Positive Aspirations Group therefore expects every household to meet high standards of comfort, cleanliness and security—and to keep us fully informed of any change that might affect a child’s welfare. 1 | Home environment 2 | People in the household – tell us first...
Education
Last Updated: July 13, 2025School isn’t just a place to learn facts; it is where children build self-esteem, friendships and hopes for the future. Positive Aspirations Group expects every foster carer to treat education as an essential part of daily care, not an optional extra. Our Education & Employment Policy sets out these duties in detail. 1 | Your...
Extremism and Radicalisation
Last Updated: October 21, 20251 | Our pledge and legal duty Positive Aspirations Group is committed to offering every child a secure home where difficult ideas can be explored safely. Under the Counter-Terrorism & Security Act 2015 (“Prevent Duty”) we must show due regard to stopping anyone—especially vulnerable children—being drawn into extremist ideology, hatred or terrorism. Freedom of speech...
Financial Information
Last Updated: July 13, 2025Money is never the primary motivation for fostering, yet stable finances enable you to focus on what matters—meeting a child’s needs. Positive Aspirations tries to keep the system transparent: one weekly payment, a clear split between what belongs to you and what must be spent on the child, and practical guidance on tax, National Insurance...
Foster Care Agreement
Last Updated: July 13, 2025Foster Carers are required to review and sign a foster care agreement at least annually. This is in accordance with schedule 5 of the Fostering Regulations 2011. The agreement is made between the Foster Carers and the agency. For further information ask to see: Foster Care Agreement Template or ask for your latest agreement.
Foster Talk
Last Updated: July 13, 2025Foster Talk Positive Aspirations Group pays for all foster carers to be members of Foster Talk, an independent organisation who can give impartial advice, updates on changes/discussions in the wider fostering arena and provide money saving offers and deals specially tailored for foster carers and their families. Foster Carers are entitled to free advice from...
Health
Last Updated: October 21, 2025Health A foster home is more than a roof over a child’s head; it is the day-to-day engine room of that child’s physical, emotional and developmental health. Positive Aspirations Group therefore places equal weight on prompt medical care, meticulous record-keeping, healthy lifestyles and carers’ own wellbeing. Early information and ongoing vigilance At or before the...
Health and Safety
Last Updated: July 13, 2025Health & Safety – keeping every child safe, every day Positive Aspirations Group places the legal duty for day-to-day health-and-safety squarely on the foster carer: you are the adult in the home who must anticipate hazards, minimise risks and act fast when something changes. The agency’s Health & Safety Policy spells out the minimum standards,...
Hobbies, Interests and Talents
Last Updated: August 13, 2025Hobbies, Interests & Talents – finding each child’s spark Children thrive when someone notices what makes their eyes light up and then makes space for them to practise, play and improve. Positive Aspirations Group calls that first glimmer of enthusiasm a “spark.” Our job—yours as foster carer and ours as agency—is to fan that spark...
Holidays
Last Updated: July 13, 2025Holidays & Overnight Stays – planning memories safely A holiday—whether a weekend in Cornwall, a camping trip with Scouts, or two weeks on the Costa del Sol—gives looked-after children the same chat-worthy experiences their classmates enjoy, broadens horizons and often uncovers a new spark of interest (kayaking, photography, mythology, new foods). Positive Aspirations Group therefore...
Incident Reports
Last Updated: October 21, 2025Incident Reports – when and how to use them An Incident Report is the agency’s formal record of anything significant, unexpected or potentially risky that happens in or around the foster home. Completing the form quickly protects children, safeguards you, and enables the agency to meet its legal duty to notify placing authorities, Ofsted and—when...
Independence Training
Last Updated: July 13, 2025Independence Training – lighting the spark of self-reliance A spark is that first moment a child realises “I can do this for myself.” Whether it is tying shoelaces, tapping in a bus fare, or cooking a meal they chose, each new skill feeds the larger flame of confidence that carries young people into adult life....
Induction Policies
Last Updated: July 13, 2025The following policies, procedures and templates must be discussed and provided by email to the foster carers during Induction The following policies, procedures and templates will be discussed and provided by email to the foster carers during Induction:
Initial Placement Agreement
Last Updated: July 13, 2025Initial Placement Agreement (IPA) – setting the foundation in the first week The Initial Placement Agreement (IPA) is the blueprint for a child’s first weeks in your home. Completing it quickly—and well—helps everyone pull in the same direction, prevents misunderstandings and reassures the child that the adults around them are organised and talking to each...
Insurance for Foster Carers
Last Updated: July 13, 2025Fostering turns your home into a workplace and places a legal duty of care on you. Good insurance is therefore not a luxury but a core safeguarding tool. Three layers apply: 1 | Contents insurance – non-negotiable Imagine a house-fire: the child’s clothes, phone and laptop are gone, along with your TV and sofa. Parents,...
Learning and Development Programme – Training
Last Updated: July 13, 2025Learning & Development Programme – keeping the spark of professional growth alive Great fostering is equal parts heart and skill. The heart brings empathy; skill comes from planned, continuous learning. National Minimum Standard 20 requires every foster carer to “undertake the training and development they need to carry out their role effectively.” Positive Aspirations translates...
Legal Status of Foster Children
Last Updated: July 13, 2025Legal Status of Foster Children – knowing who holds the keys to decision-making Before you can make everyday or emergency decisions for a child, you must be clear about their legal status and who currently holds parental responsibility (PR). That single fact dictates everything from who may consent to medical treatment to who can remove...
Life Story Work
Last Updated: July 13, 2025Life-Story & Placement Story Work – giving every child a personal history they can hold A coherent story of “who I am” is a powerful protective factor. When children understand the milestones, people and places that shaped their early years, they are better able to make sense of the present and imagine a future. Because...
Medication
Last Updated: July 13, 2025Medication – safe practice from first dose to safe disposal When a child arrives, one of your first questions must be: “What medication, if any, is this child taking?” Clear information, accurate recording and secure storage protect the child’s health, your approval to foster and the agency’s reputation. 1 | Getting accurate information at placement...
OFSTED
Last Updated: August 13, 2025OFSTED – who they are, why they visit, and what you must report The Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills (Ofsted) is an independent public body that inspects schools, colleges and social-care providers—including fostering agencies like Positive Aspirations Group. Their core questions are simple: 1 | Inspection cycle and your role 2...
Physical Restraint of Children and Young People
Last Updated: July 13, 2025Physical Restraint – last-resort safety, never a behaviour-management tool (aligned with the agency Restraint Policy, March 2025 edition) Positive Aspirations Group’s stance is clear: physical restraint is avoided whenever humanly possible. It is not a method for enforcing rules or winning arguments; it exists only for split-second situations where immediate, serious harm is otherwise unavoidable....
Quick Reference Cards
Last Updated: July 13, 2025Quick Reference Cards – your grab-and-go safety guide As soon as you are approved you will receive a small pack of Quick Reference Cards. Each card is a pocket-sized flow-chart of who to call and what to do first when time is tight and stress is high. They do not replace the detailed explanations in...
Recording
Last Updated: July 13, 2025Recording – building an accurate, confidential narrative of the child’s journey *(aligned with the Recording Policy and Recording Procedure) * Good records are like a second pair of eyes: they help professionals understand a child’s daily life, plan support, safeguard everyone when memories differ and celebrate progress over time. 1 | Daily log + weekly...
Resignation
Last Updated: August 13, 2025Resignation – ending your approval thoughtfully and safely *(full guidance in the Resignation & Transferring Policy / Procedure) Deciding to step away from fostering is significant for you, the agency and—most importantly—the children in placement. The law gives carers the right to resign with 28 days’ written notice, but best practice is to talk first,...
Respite
Last Updated: October 21, 2025Respite – planned breaths that safeguard carers and children Caring for children whose early experiences were disrupted can be emotionally intense. A short, well-planned break allows carers to rest and return refreshed, while giving children a safe opportunity to practise flexibility and trust. Positive Aspirations therefore supports respite when it is child-centred, predictable and relationship-based....
Reviews – Foster Carers
Last Updated: July 13, 2025(requirements set by Fostering Services Regulations 2011, Regulation 28) Every foster-carer approval must be reviewed at least once every 12 months. Positive Aspirations schedules the meeting about 11 months after your previous review so unforeseen delays (illness, urgent placement issues) do not push you outside the legal window. A first-year review is held just six...
Reviews – Foster Children
Last Updated: July 13, 2025Foster-Child Reviews – keeping the Care Plan on course Local Authorities must review every looked-after child’s Care Plan on a fixed timetable, or sooner if their circumstances change. Reviews ensure the plan still meets the child’s needs, checks progress and agrees new actions or delegated-authority changes. Review timetable (minimum) Review Timing from start of placement...
Special Guardianship
Last Updated: November 17, 2025Special Guardianship – when long-term stability grows into family permanenceA Special Guardianship Order (SGO) gives a child secure, court-granted permanencewithout the complete legal severance from birth parents that adoption involves. It is oftenthe best route when: Legal status:What changes: You become the child’s legal carer to age 18 (and beyond informally). Care proceedings end.What stays...
Staying Put Policy
Last Updated: July 13, 2025Staying Put – turning a foster placement into a young adult’s first home Under the “Staying Put” framework (Children and Families Act 2014, Care Leavers Regulations 2010), a young person who is looked-after immediately before their 18th birthday can remain living with their former foster carers as a lodger or tenant—usually until their 21st birthday—so...
Supervising Social Worker – Responsibilities
Last Updated: July 13, 2025The SSW is the professional anchor for each foster family, ensuring that children’s needs stay at the centre while carers feel skilled, supported and safeguarded. Although case management belongs to the child’s own social worker, the SSW shares responsibility for the quality of daily care and is required—by regulation and by Positive Aspirations policy—to act...
Support Group
Last Updated: July 13, 2025Foster Carer Support Groups – a community that understands and uplifts Fostering can be wonderfully rewarding and, at times, intensely isolating. Family and friends often care but don’t fully grasp the emotional weight of allegations, midnight anxiety, or celebrating a tiny breakthrough only you see. That is why Positive Aspirations runs regular, trauma-informed Support Groups:...
Support Network and Enhanced Support
Last Updated: July 13, 2025No foster family can (or should) do everything alone. Positive Aspirations asks every carer to build two concentric circles of help: Both circles exist to normalise children’s lives—so they experience the same variety of safe adults that many birth children enjoy—while allowing you to rest, learn and meet your own family’s needs. 1 | Building...
Unannounced Visits
Last Updated: August 13, 2025Fostering Services Regulations require at least two unannounced visits every year. These drop-ins are not about “catching you out”; they give the Supervising Social Worker (SSW) a real-life snapshot of daily routines, children’s wellbeing and the overall safety of the home. What to expect on the day The SSW will… Because… Arrive without prior appointment—usually...
Whistle-blowing
Last Updated: July 13, 2025Positive Aspirations Group aims to be an organisation where concerns about poor practice, wrongdoing or risks to children can be raised early, safely and without fear of reprisals. The Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 (PIDA) protects you—staff, foster carers, volunteers, panel members—when you disclose, in good faith, information that tends to show: These are called...