---
title: Conflicts of Interest
description: "**Conflicts 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…"
url: "https://handbook.co.uk/docs/conflicts-of-interest/"
updated: "2025-07-13"
category: Foster Carer Handbook
tags:
  - Conflict Of Interest
---

# Conflicts of Interest

**Conflicts 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 carers and staff. (Ask your Supervising Social Worker if you would like the full policy.)

---

**Why conflicts matter in fostering**

Children need to know that decisions about their lives are made solely in their best interests. If a carer’s other commitments—or even their wish to protect their own family—are allowed to influence those decisions, the child’s rights can be compromised and professional trust eroded.

---

**Common examples for foster carers**

- **Balancing children’s needs:** your birth child wants a late-night party; your foster child’s care plan sets a strict bedtime routine.
- **Information sharing:** a friend asks *“Why is the new lad in care?”*—telling them breaches the foster child’s privacy but refusing may strain the friendship.
- **Professional overlap:** you work for the local authority that is now asking Positive Aspirations to place a child with you.
- **Family connections:** a child referred for placement turns out to be a distant relative.

---

**What you must do**

1. **Declare early** – tell your Supervising Social Worker (SSW) or line-manager as soon as you spot a potential conflict; don’t try to “fix” it privately.
2. **Record** – the SSW logs the declaration in the conflict-of-interest register (Compliance Policy requirement).
3. **Agree a plan** – options may include:
   • clear boundaries (e.g., another adult handles contact transport to avoid workplace crossover);
   • additional supervision visits;
   • deciding *not* to accept a placement if impartiality cannot be guaranteed.
4. **Review** – revisit the plan at each supervision or sooner if circumstances change.
5. **Escalate unresolved issues** – if a conflict cannot be managed locally, the SSW refers it to the Registered Manager, who may take the matter to Panel or, in rare cases, another agency.

Failure to declare a known conflict can lead to formal investigation under the **Standards of Care Foster-Carer Investigation Policy**.

---

**Quick reference – need-to-declare checklist**

- Does this situation pull my loyalties in two directions?
- Could my personal interest (family, job, friendship, financial gain) influence a decision about a child?
- Might a reasonable outsider question my impartiality if they knew the full facts?

If the answer is *yes* or *maybe*, declare it.

---

**Bottom line:** Conflicts of interest are not a sign you have done something wrong—they are inevitable in complex lives. What matters is that we notice them, talk about them openly, and put clear safeguards in place.