Legislative Summary:
- The Children Act 1989, section 22 (3a) dictates that it is the responsibility of the Local Authority to safeguard and promote the wellbeing of all children looked after by them.
- Standard 10.2 of the Fostering Service National Minimum Standards (2011) requires that the foster home is adequately furnished.
- Regulation 26 (3) (a) of The Fostering Service Regulations (2011) places a duty on fostering service providers to establish the suitability of the fostering household.
Please note: This is a one-off essential allowance for use setting up equipment, for newly approved foster carers who undertake Parent and Child or Baby placements.
Purpose:
Babies and pre-school children will require cots, baby monitors, highchairs, buggies, car seats, and other related equipment. The focus of this one-off allowance is for the essential equipment required to support Parent and Child, and Baby foster carers.
It is expected that foster carers already have the essential furniture in place such as a wardrobe, chest of drawers, and similar items. The only exception to this is the provision of a cot and mattress.
The allowance is set at £500.00 per newly approved foster carer household, and are required to keep within this. If a current foster carer’s terms of approval change, to accommodate a Parent and Child or Baby placement, then this can also be applied to them.
The equipment, listed below are those that newly approved foster carers may purchase using this one-off allowance. It is the expectation that foster carers will replace any equipment as and when required (with the exception of purchasing the mattress, please see below). Please see Lifespan/Damage of Equipment.
Payment:
For newly approved foster carers who will be undertaking Parent and Child or Baby placements, they will be provided the allowance after approval and they need to be set up with the equipment when the induction has been completed. The foster carer could be given the allowance in full or copy of receipts of items purchased can be sent to the Supervising Social Worker who will then forward to the Finance Manager for them to be reimbursed.
Please note: It is the Supervising Social Worker responsibility to ensure items are purchased and in place prior to a Baby being placed.
Equipment:
- Cot
- Mattress *
- Bedding
- Buggy/weather shield
- Car seat
- Steriliser and bottle set
- Baby monitor
- High Chair
* Replacement of Mattress:
Positive Aspirations Group will reimburse foster carers for the cost of replacing the mattress at the end of each placement. Foster carers are required to purchase a mattress costing up to £30.00 and submit a copy of the receipt to the Supervising Social Worker. The Supervising Social Worker will forward the receipt to the Finance Manager for processing and the foster carer to be reimbursed. The reasons for changing the cot mattress when the placement ends for each Baby, are as follows:
SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome): Some research has found a higher risk of SIDS when using used mattresses. However, it is noted the link has not been proven. Nevertheless, Positive Aspirations Group wish to ensure we limit any possibility of risk regarding this and require for each Baby newly placed, to have a new mattress. The Supervising Social Worker will be monitoring this.
Hygiene and Health: Used mattresses can harbour bacteria, viruses, fungi, and allergens, posing risks to a new-born’s health. A new mattress ensures a clean, sterile sleeping environment.
Support and Comfort: New mattresses provide the right level of firmness and support necessary for an infant’s developing spine, promoting healthy growth and development.
Compliance with Safety Standards: UKSafety standards for baby products, including mattresses, evolve over time. New mattresses are manufactured according to the latest safety guidelines and regulations, ensuring they meet current standards for flammability, chemical content, and structural integrity. Reusing an older mattress means it might not comply with the latest safety requirements, potentially exposing baby to harmful chemicals or increased fire risk.
Cot Bumpers:
Please note that cot bumpers can pose a risk of accidents once Baby starts to roll and move about in the cot. Babies can get tangled in the ties and fabric, or fall after pulling themselves up on the bumpers. Positive Aspirations Group do not advise these being purchased. A simple mattress with no loose bedding or bumpers is the safest choice.
Lifespan/Damage of Equipment:
On some occasions there may be a need to revisit the lifespan or possible damage of some equipment, and it needing to be replaced. This will need to be raised on a case by case basis with foster carer and their Supervising Social Worker, if this should be replaced by the agency or by the foster carer. If the agency needs to replace the equipment, this is then to go to the Team Manager/Registered Manager for approval. The Finance Manager will also need to be copied in to any approval, stating the cost and reasons why the cost needs to be covered by the agency. The foster carer could be given the monies or copy of receipts of items purchased can be sent to the Supervising Social Worker who will then forward to the Finance Manager for the foster carer to be reimbursed.
