(Last reviewed 08/05/2025)
Relevant Legislation and Guidance
- Fostering Services (England) Regulations 2011
- Fostering National Minimum Standards (NMS), 2011 – particularly Standards 6 (Promoting good health and wellbeing) and 10 (Providing a suitable physical environment for foster children)
- Fostering Services: National Minimum Standards – Statutory Guidance, 2011
1. Policy Statement
Positive Aspirations is committed to ensuring that all foster homes provide a safe, nurturing, and healthy environment for looked after children. In accordance with Standard 10 of the National Minimum Standards and Regulation 27 of the Fostering Services (England) Regulations 2011, we ensure that foster carers’ homes are inspected, risk-assessed, and maintained to a high standard.
The agency recognises that children in foster care may be more vulnerable to harm due to developmental delays, past trauma, or unfamiliarity with safety norms. It is therefore vital that all reasonable steps are taken to protect them from avoidable hazards in the home and community.
2. Aims
- To ensure every foster home meets the requirements of the National Minimum Standards and the Fostering Services (England) Regulations 2011 regarding safety, comfort, and suitability.
- To ensure foster carers are fully informed and responsible under law for the health and safety of children in their care.
- To ensure regular and unannounced health and safety inspections are conducted and that any issues are addressed promptly.
- To maintain a clear, up-to-date health and safety policy in line with statutory guidance (Para 3.82 of the Fostering Services Guidance 2011).
3. Key Standards (NMS 10)
- 10.1: Accommodation must comfortably house all residents, including the provision of any required adaptations for disabled children.
- 10.2: Homes must be clean, well-maintained, adequately furnished, and provide a safe and secure outdoor area.
- 10.3: Carers are trained in health and safety, with avoidable hazards removed in line with normal family life.
- 10.4: Carers must be aware of and follow the agency’s health and safety policies, including vehicle safety.
- 10.5: Annual unannounced visits must be conducted to assess compliance.
- 10.6: Each child over age three should have their own bedroom unless shared space is formally agreed upon and justified in writing.
4. Risk Factors for Children in Foster Care
Children in care may be at increased risk due to:
- Curiosity in unfamiliar surroundings
- Developmental delays or additional needs
- Lack of prior guidance on safety
- Emotional distress or tendencies toward self-harm
All carers must take extra care to minimise these risks through appropriate supervision, communication, and the removal of hazards.
The foster home must comfortably accommodate all who live there including where appropriate any suitable aids and adaptations provided and fitted by suitably trained staff when caring for a disabled child.
The foster home must be adequately furnished and decorated, and maintained to a good standard of cleanliness and hygiene and is in good order throughout. Outdoor spaces which are part of the premises are safe, secure and well maintained.
Foster carers are trained in health and safety issues and have guidelines on their health and safety responsibilities. Avoidable hazards are removed as is consistent with a family home.
Foster carers understand the service’s policy concerning safety for children in the foster home and in vehicles used to transport foster children.
5. Procedure: Health and Safety During Assessment
- A full health and safety inspection is carried out using the agency’s checklist during initial form F assessment.
- Social workers must inspect all parts of the home and garden, discussing any concerns with applicants and agreeing solutions.
- All identified risks must be addressed prior to approval.
- A fire risk assessment is required, including working smoke alarms on each floor.
- The agency’s smoking policy must be discussed.
- A pet checklist/dog assessment form must be completed for all pets and updated annually in accordance with the agency’s Dog and Pet Policy.
- A family Safe Care Policy must be completed, covering computer, internet, and social media use.
6. Procedure: Post-Approval and Ongoing Monitoring
- The first health and safety review occurs 11 months post-approval and annually thereafter.
- Supervising Social Workers (SSWs) may conduct full health and safety checks during regular visits.
- All actions must be recorded with timelines, signed by carers, and followed up in subsequent visits.
- Carers must notify SSWs of any major home alterations; building and fire regulation compliance must be evidenced.
- A minimum of two unannounced visits per year is required, each including basic health and safety checks.
- Concerns identified must be acted on promptly with documented follow-up.
7. Practical Guidance for Foster Carers
- Smoke alarms should be tested at least quarterly.
- Where home does not have gas supply, Carbon Monoxide alarm must be fitted.
- Gas appliances must be serviced annually by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
- First aid kits must be checked regularly for completeness.
- Children must always wear seatbelts when in vehicles.
- Hazards such as trailing wires, unlocked cleaning products, or unsafe outdoor spaces must be addressed immediately.
8. Medication Management
- Carers must store away all medication in a secure place where children and young people cannot access it.
- Carers must have clear written information on any medications a child is prescribed at the point of placement.
- Only administer medication as advised by a medical professional.
- Verbal instructions must be recorded by the carer immediately.
- All medications (prescription and over-the-counter) must be stored securely and documented when administered.
- Shared care responsibility must be agreed upon with the child’s social worker before encouraging self-management by young people.
- Any leftover or expired medication must be disposed of appropriately.
9. Record-Keeping
- All health and safety inspections must be documented, signed, and shared with foster carers.
- Medication records must include the name of the medication, dosage, time administered, and who gave it.
- All agreements regarding bedroom sharing, pet risks, or delegated medication responsibilities must be recorded in writing.
11. First Aid and Emergency Equipment
In line with NMS 6 (Promoting good health and wellbeing) and to ensure a safe and responsive environment, all foster homes must be equipped with up-to-date emergency health and safety resources.
- Each foster home must have a fully stocked First Aid Kit within expiry date, stored safely but easily accessible in case of emergency.
- Fire safety equipment, including Fire Blankets and Fire Extinguishers, must be in place and regularly checked.
- Consideration must be given to children with latex or adhesive allergies.
12. Bedroom Arrangements and Living Space #
- Each foster child over age three should have their own bedroom, unless sharing with siblings is assessed at time of placement and agreed by the local authority.
- Bedroom sharing decisions must consider the needs, wishes, and safety of all children involved, especially where there is a history of abuse or vulnerability.
- Bedrooms must provide adequate personal space, a suitable bed, and storage for clothing and belongings.
- The home must support children’s privacy, study, and play, both indoors and outdoors.
- While it is Positive Aspirations policy for a foster carer to share a bedroom with a baby under two, such carers are approved case by case.
- Any change in household composition (e.g., adult child moving back) must be reported, and statutory checks will be completed.
