(Last reviewed 25/04/2025)
This Compliance Policy sets out Positive Aspirations Group’s commitment to follow the legal and regulatory framework that guides fostering services in the UK. The policy aligns with the Fostering Regulations (2011), National Minimum Standards (NMS), the Children Act 1989 and 2004, and all other relevant statutory guidance. Our goal is to offer high-quality fostering services that protect and promote the well-being of children and young people in care.
• All agency Foster Carers receive an enhanced DBS check when they are approved, and this check is updated every three years. Sometimes a Foster Carer’s DBS renewal may take longer than expected and may not be completed within the required timeframe. If this occurs, the Foster Carer is temporarily out of compliance, and no looked-after children will be placed with them until a satisfactory enhanced disclosure is received.
• If a child is already in placement while the DBS is still outstanding, the allocated SSW must complete a risk assessment using the agency’s risk assessment template. The assessment should outline who it is for, the reasons it is needed, and a summary of the child or young person’s history and the placement. The completed assessment must be shared with the child’s placing local authority social worker.
• If a non-satisfactory enhanced DBS disclosure is received, the supervising social worker must complete a risk assessment using the agency’s template as soon as possible, and the team manager must sign it off with any concerns and/or recommendations.
• The risk assessment will describe the offence or conviction, its outcome or consequence, severity, and context, noting whether the individual declared it and how long ago it happened.
• The SSW and team manager must decide whether the risk is acceptable, taking into account the individual’s attitude, the potential impact on children, the time elapsed, and any reflection and learning. If a Foster Carer is linked to a new offence that is considered serious, an early review should be held.
• The SSW must discuss DBS disclosure content only with the person named on the DBS. This rule also applies to DBS disclosures for members of the fostering family and the enhanced/support network.
An enhanced DBS check is also required for everyone in the fostering household aged 18 or over, all members of the Foster Carer’s Enhanced Support Network, and regular visitors to the Foster Carer’s household. For the definition of regular visitors, please see the Household Safer Caring Policy.
If any of the above DBS renewals take longer than expected and are not completed within the required timeframe, a risk assessment must be put in place.
• All Foster Carers have a full health check when they are approved, and this is updated every three years. However, a Foster Carer’s medical may occasionally not be completed within the required timescales. If this happens, the Foster Carer is temporarily out of compliance, and no looked-after children will be placed with them until the medical report is received.
• If a Foster Carer shares new health conditions or the agency is concerned about a Foster Carer’s health, an early medical can be requested.
• If a child is in placement and the medical report is still outstanding, the SSW must complete a risk assessment using the agency’s risk assessment template. The assessment should detail who it is for, why it is needed, and a summary of the child or young person’s history and the placement. The assessment must be shared with the child’s placing local authority social worker.
• If a medical report is received and there are concerns about the Foster Carer’s health, further information can be requested from the Foster Carer’s GP, a specialist (with the RM’s agreement), or the agency medical advisor.
• The SSW should make every effort to ensure that Foster Carers complete the necessary forms and return them on time to keep processes moving.
• The child or young person’s Safer Caring Policy should also be updated to reflect any potential risk. Both the risk assessment and the updated Child Safer Caring Policy should be sent to the local authority social worker.
• All Foster Carers have a Local Authority check when they are approved, and this is updated every three years. However, there may be times when a Foster Carer’s Local Authority check is not obtained within the required timescales. If this occurs, the Foster Carer is temporarily out of compliance, and no looked-after children will be placed with them until the Local Authority check is received.
• If a child is in placement and the Local Authority check is still outstanding, the SSW must complete a risk assessment using the agency’s risk assessment template. The assessment should detail who it is for, why it is needed, and a summary of the child or young person’s history and the placement. The completed assessment must be shared with the child’s placing local authority social worker.
• The same process applies to all adults in the fostering household and within the Foster Carer’s Enhanced/Support network if there is an outstanding DBS, medical, or Local Authority check.
• If a new adult moves into the family home, the SSW must inform support services immediately to begin the checks. The family will remain out of compliance until the check is received, and the process above must be followed.
