Domestic 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
- Warm, dry, well-furnished rooms; no overcrowding.
- Hazards minimised (stair-gates, socket covers, safe storage of cleaning fluids and medicines appropriate to each child’s age and ability).
- Annual Health-and-Safety visit plus spot-checks during unannounced visits.
2 | People in the household – tell us first
We must always know who lives or stays overnight in your home.
That information shapes safeguarding plans, safer-caring rules and insurance cover.
| What counts as a change? | What you must do |
| A new partner, relative or friend moves in—even temporarily | Contact your Supervising Social Worker before they arrive. The SSW will arrange DBS and Local Authority checks and update the Safer Caring Policy. |
| Long-term guest (over 14 consecutive nights or three nights a week) | Notify your SSW at least two weeks in advance; checks may be needed. |
| Regular babysitter, cleaner, tutor, builder working in the home | Tell your SSW; some roles require vetting or written risk assessments. |
Failing to declare a new household member can trigger a Standards-of-Care investigation and may jeopardise placements. Please err on the side of “tell us early.”
3 | Bedrooms
- Foster children normally have their own room; sharing requires the placing authority’s written agreement and your SSW’s approval.
- Do not switch a child’s bedroom without the child’s social worker and SSW agreeing first.
4 | Moving belongings
When a child leaves, pack their belongings in proper suitcases, hold-alls or rigid boxes—never bin-bags or supermarket carriers. Minimum: one medium suitcase per child. The use of bin bags WILL lead to a standards of care investigation and possible deregistration as a foster carer.
5 | CCTV and recording devices
- Outdoor security cameras / video doorbells – fine, but make sure everyone in the home (including children) knows they are there.
- Indoor cameras (e.g., baby monitors) –
- Must never be covert.
- Must be approved by your SSW and each child’s social worker.
- Limit to hallways or entry points; never use to supervise or monitor children in bedrooms or living areas.
6 | Keeping us in the loop
- Plan changes early – new building work, extra lodger, adopting a pet? Tell your SSW first.
- Update risk assessments – your SSW will adjust the Safer Caring Policy and Health-and-Safety checklist.
- Document – note dates and agreements in your recordings.
Key message: No surprise is a good surprise in fostering. If the people in your home—or the layout of your home—are about to change, involve your Supervising Social Worker well in advance. Early notice keeps children safe and protects your approval to foster.
