(Last reviewed 08/11/2023)
Legislation
2011 National Minimum Standards, Fostering Regulations and the Statutory Guidance for Fostering Services.
Standard 7.3
Standard 7.7.
Holidays are part of family life, and the agency’s foster carers are encouraged and supported to do so. Experiencing a ‘typical’ family holiday benefits child in a number of ways – it introduces children to new cultures and experiences, helps them to socialise, builds confidence in different circumstances. It also gives them the opportunity to compare notes with school friends about how they have spent their school holidays!
When a child is placed with foster carers, the foster carers and the Supervising Social Worker will usually be informed of any reason why the child/ren may not be able to go away and whether extra permissions will need to be sought from the local authority or birth parents for such trips. This means that as long as the child’s individual circumstances are considered and their welfare and safety considered paramount, in most cases foster children are able to go on holiday.
For some Foster Carers and their family, a holiday here in the UK is an ideal choice. For foster children who are going on holiday for the first time, a trip to the British seaside or countryside is a treat without being as much of a shock to the system as a trip abroad may perhaps be.
When deciding on whether a child looked after can stay overnight or go on holidays with relatives or travel abroad with the carers abroad, the following factors must be considered:
- Whether there are any relevant restrictions contained for exceptional reasons in the child’s care plan, including the placement plan.
- Whether there are any court orders which restrict the child from making a particular overnight stay, visit or holiday.
- Whether there are any factors in the child’s past experiences or behaviour which would preclude the overnight stay, visit or holiday.
- Whether there are any grounds for concern that the child may be at significant risk in the household concerned or from the activities proposed.
- The age and level of understanding of the child concerned.
- What is known about the reasons for the overnight stay, visit or holiday.
- The length of the stay.
Accommodation
The suitability of accommodation is a concern for many foster carers planning family trips.
We always ask that Foster Carers are able to provide foster children with a bedroom of their own at home. On holiday, not all children will be able to stay in shared family apartments and bedrooms. Before foster carers book, they must speak to their Supervising Social Worker who will be able to advise on how best to approach choosing places to stay.
Keeping Foster Child Safe
Children looked after personal safety parameters will also have an impact on the type of activities carers choose to include in their holiday.
There will be lots of fun things they can do together but along with careful planning and consideration of suitable undertakings, little ones and even older children may need extra reassurance over the course of the holiday. For example, if travelling abroad children may need carers and Social Workers to explain cultural norms they are not familiar with so that they feel more at ease.
The agency promotes and supports foster carers in taking children in their care on holidays with them, whether it be abroad or within the UK, whether it be staying in a hotel or in a relative’s home, children should feel and be included in family events. If an opportunity arises, agreement from the child’s social worker must be obtained at the earliest opportunity. All relevant and vital information including the completion of the ‘Holidays and Overnight Stays Risk Assessment’ must be completed and shared with the child social worker.
If a holiday involves travel abroad, written consent of the Local Authority Child Social Worker or of a person with Parental Responsibility is needed beforehand.
Quick checklist before completing a Holidays and Overnight Stays Risk Assessment:
- Is there an agreement in place between the Local Authority Child Social Worker and the agency to allow the holiday?
- Has the Local Authority Child Social Worker been notified of exactly when and where the child/ren will be going?
- Has the Local Authority Child Social Worker been notified who else will be staying in the holiday home if relevant?
- Are room-sharing arrangements clear and acceptable, considering the foster child’s background and history and who else is going or going to be there?
- Are any vaccinations required and if so permission obtained from the relevant professionals? Local Authority Child Social Worker and or, birth parents where appropriate.
- Has a letter of consent been obtained from the Local Authority Child Social Worker for passport control as this will be expected when taking a foster child abroad.
- For holidays abroad bear in mind travel insurance should cover the whole family including foster children.
- Are there any issues to consider when planning/ preparing for the holiday for example an autistic child may be more impacted by the change of scenery, sleeping arrangements and daily routine than other children.
- Ensure foster carers take any medication, creams, comfort toys, and contact numbers for social workers and the Emergency Duty Team in case of out of hour’s issues.
Once all the above is completed, a Holidays and Overnight Stays Risk Assessment must be completed and sign by all relevant parties and shared with the Local Authority and the Foster Carers. The Holidays and Overnight Stays Risk Assessment must be saved onto PA Group Foster Carer records.
