Foster carers need and deserve supportive guidance and supervision so they can provide safe, high-quality care for the children and young people who join their family.
Information-sharing begins at the pre-approval stage, when Foster Carers attend training. During the assessment they also complete activities that help them prepare for their role, such as developing their Safer Caring Policy.
It is vital that this support, guidance and information-sharing continues after approval and throughout each Foster Carer’s fostering journey. This document sets out the induction process for newly approved Foster Carers, as agreed by the agency’s fostering panel.
The National Minimum Standards for fostering state:
- All newly approved Foster Carers will receive an Induction Checklist and attend the “Foundations for Fostering” workshop.
- All Foster Carers are supported to achieve the Training, Support and Development Standards for Foster Care. On approval, Foster Carers receive information—either as a handbook or electronically—that covers policies, procedures (including guidance on allegations), finances, legal matters and insurance. This information is reviewed and updated regularly.
The induction must be completed using the agency’s Induction Checklist. The checklist has three parts, completed by different teams, which can run at the same time.
- The first part is completed by a Referral Response Officer within 48 hours to 14 days of the Agency Decision Maker’s decision. This contact also allows the officer to learn about the Foster Carers’ expectations around referrals and placements.
- An Education Consultant and a Children’s Advocate cover specific topics within 48 hours to 14 days of the Agency Decision Maker’s decision.
- The allocated Supervising Social Worker (SSW) completes the final part within 48 hours to three weeks of the Agency Decision Maker’s decision.
- The SSW coordinates the steps above. When the induction is finished, the SSW emails the completed checklist to their Team Manager, who signs it off and informs the Referral Response Team and Support Services.
We recognise that newly approved Foster Carers receive a large amount of information and that this may take more than one visit to cover. Remember that the assessment process itself also introduces applicants to the agency’s structure, processes and procedures.
If the allocated SSW was not the assessor, they must read the Form F assessment and the Foster Carer Panel minutes in full before the first visit.
The following items are requested or given to Foster Carers after their approval:
- Signed Foster Carer Agreement received (Central Support Services)
- Agency Foster Carer Handbook and P&P website link (RRT)
- Agency training programme (TSDS) with dates (Training Manager)
- Photograph taken or received for photo profile (RRT)
- Photo profile produced (RRT)
- Photograph and signature for ID received and processed (Central Support Services)
Discuss the following with the Foster Carer(s) during the first and subsequent visits:
- Foster Carer Agreement – The Placement Officer reviews the agreement in full with the Foster Carer(s).
- Statement of Purpose – The Placement Officer explains the agency’s Statement of Purpose which is shared by the officer prior to the Induction.
- Personal Development Plan – Discuss the Foster Carers’ PDP, created from the Form F assessment.
- Foundations for Fostering Workshop – This two-part workshop is mandatory for the primary Foster Carer. The SSW explains its value and benefits. Sessions are held monthly, one week apart, and led by the PA Group therapeutic lead. Foster carers may attend after a child or young person is placed. The second Foster Carer is welcome to attend. Carers should complete both parts in the same month (one week apart).
4a. If a Foster Carer attends part 1 but not part 2, they will be invited to part 2 the following month.
4b. If a Foster Carer misses part 1, they will be invited to the next month’s parts 1 and 2.
4c. Persistent non-attendance over several months will prompt a discussion between the Foster Carer, SSW and Team Manager. - Training Programme – The Placement Officer discusses training and the SSW explains that Foster Carers must complete all mandatory training, renewing every three years, and any additional training identified in their PDP (even if no child is placed). The SSW makes sure the Foster Carer is registered on the agency’s training website.
- Training, Support and Development Standards (TSDS) – The SSW highlights the value of ongoing learning and checks that the Foster Carer has registered for TSDS, informing the relevant person.
- Training Feedback – The SSW explains that a reflection feedback form will be given after each training and discussed during supervision.
- Birth Children – Confirm that birth children received clear information about fostering during the assessment and that those aged 8+ were invited to the Skills to Foster course for birth children.
- FosterTalk – All Foster Carers are automatically enrolled in FosterTalk, which provides independent support, financial and legal advice, and a 24/7 counselling and medical helpline (https://fostertalk.org/).
- Visits and Recordings – The SSW outlines expectations for supervision, supervisory visits and record-keeping. The SSW visits at least every four weeks, alternating between formal supervision and a supervisory home visit. Supervision follows a set agenda. In two-parent households, both carers should attend, and the meeting should, where possible, be held without children present.
- Supervisory Home Visits – These informal visits allow the SSW to meet and speak with each looked-after child at least once every eight weeks, building positive relationships.
- Foster Carers’ Own Children – Foster carers’ own children are also seen and spoken with every eight weeks during supervisory home visits.
- Out-of-Hours Service – Explain how the mainline becomes the agency’s out-of-hours with one duty office, for LA’s to call. That in the event of an emergency and the Foster carer has not been able to contact their SSW, they can ring the OOH.
- Safer Caring Policy – The SSW reviews the Household Safer Caring Policy ensures it is signed by both Foster Carers (where applicable) and the SSW at the first visit if edited.
- Health & Safety – Review the Health & Safety Policy and Fire Evacuation Plan and action any outstanding tasks before a placement is made.
- Foster Carer Feedback – The SSW explains the importance of timely feedback from Foster Carers and expectations for prompt responses.
- Fostering Allowances – The Placement Officer discusses allowances, holidays, school trips and transport, refers to our Fees and Allowance Policy for further guidance and that our Finance Manager will be in contact to explain payment breakdown and request bank details for payments.
- Respite – The SSW discusses respite arrangements, support networks, enhanced support and financial responsibilities, and refers to the Respite Foster Carer Policy and Recording Weekly Financial Template for use.
- Support Groups – Both the Placement Officer and SSW explains the purpose of the Foster Carer and children’s support group meetings, which include trainings. Attendance is expected at trainings, even when no child is in placement, unless there is a reasonable reason for absence.
- Foster Carer Buddy – The SSW identifies an experienced Foster Carer, ideally nearby, to act as a buddy for at least the first six months, offering peer support.
- National Minimum Standards – The Placement Officer provides a copy of the NMS.
- Health Passport and Child or YP Guides – The Placement Officer discusses the Health Passport and Guides. Central Support Services provide Health Passport and Child or Young Person Guides via welcome boxes sent to Foster Carers for child or young people placed.
- Welcome Box – The Placement Officer explain the Welcome Box process which is sent out by Support Services at the time of a newly placed child or young person. All Welcome Boxes currently contain: Bath Towel, Flannel, Toothbrush & Toothpaste, Shower Gel, Drawstring Gym Bag, Health Passport (sent to Foster Carer). Other age specific items are also included.
- Quick Reference Cards – The Placement Officer discusses the cards with the Foster Carer.
- Emergency Cards – The Placement Officer to discuss the emergency cards with Foster Carer.
- Policies, Procedures and Templates –
The Placement Officer to discuss the following specific topics and share the links to: www.handbook.co.uk for P&Ps, agency website (SOP) and NMS with Foster Carers. Show example templates (Guide/Health Passport/FCA) to Foster Carers:
- Foster Carer Handbook
- Statement of Purpose
- Children’s Guide & Young Person’s Guide
- Health Passport
- Foster Care Agreement Template
- National Minimum Standards
The Education Consultant to discuss the Education and Employment Policy and share the link to: www.handbook.co.uk for P&Ps:
- Education and Employment Policy
The SSW to discuss the following specific topics and share the link to www.handbook.co.uk for P&Ps and show an example template of the IPA:
- Administration of Medications
- Allegations and Complaints Policy
- Behaviour Management Policy and Guidance
- Data Protection and Information Management Policy
- Fees and Allowances
- Foster Carer Charter
- Foster Carer Training and Development Policy
- Health & Safety Policy
- Induction of Foster Carers Policy and Guidance
- Missing from Care Policy
- Recording Policy
- Respite Foster Carer Policy
- Restraint Policy
- Safeguarding Policy
- Supervision and Support of Foster Carers Policy
- Whistle-blowing Policy
- Initial Placement Agreement Template
- Before the Induction Checklist can be signed off, all Foster Carers must complete the mandatory training.
