(Last updated 06/02/2025 – Trauma-Informed Revision)
A child and family generic Safer Caring Policy will have been written during the assessment for every Foster Carer household. This document seeks to minimise risk while promoting safety, trust and wellbeing for everyone in the fostering family. It reflects the shared responsibility between the Foster Carer, the Supervising Social Worker (SSW), and the agency to create an emotionally and physically safe environment for children and young people.
- The SSW must update this generic Safer Caring Policy whenever there are changes to the household composition or dynamics that could influence the child’s sense of safety or wellbeing.
- The SSW should review and, if necessary, update the generic policy at each Foster Carer Annual Review, ensuring that it continues to reflect current practice, understanding of trauma, and the individual needs of the household.
- This document must be read, discussed and signed collaboratively by the Foster Carers and then saved on the Foster Carer’s file.
Interim and Individual Safer Caring Policies
When a child or young person is initially placed, an Interim Safer Caring Policy (SCP) will be created by the Referral and Response Team, based on information shared in the referral form.
This interim version provides immediate guidance for carers while ensuring the child’s needs and background are considered from the outset.
The Interim SCP will then be replaced by the relevant SSW following the Placement Planning Meeting.
Supervising Social Workers must write a child-specific Safer Caring Policy for every child that is placed. This process should be collaborative, ensuring the Foster Carer’s voice and understanding are included.
- The policy should identify the individual needs, strengths, and any known risks for the child, while setting out supportive and proportionate strategies to promote safety and minimise potential harm.
- The document must be signed by the Foster Carers and saved on the Foster Carer’s file once discussed and agreed upon.
- The policy should be completed within two weeks of the placement start.
Where siblings are placed together, each child must have their own Child and Family Safer Caring Policy to reflect their unique personality, experiences, needs, and vulnerabilities, even when some information overlaps.
Responding to Identified Risks
When any of the following risks are identified, the relevant Risk Assessment Matrix must be used to inform the completion of the Safer Caring Policy. This ensures that responses are consistent, proportionate, and trauma-informed, avoiding unnecessary restriction while prioritising safety and empowerment.
- Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE)
- Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE)
- Radicalisation / Extremism
- Gang Affiliation
- Parent and Child Placement
- Self-Harm
- Missing from Care
- Child Trafficking
The Risk Matrix must be uploaded to Base.
All completed Safer Caring Policies must be signed by the Foster Carers, the SSW, and the Local Authority Social Worker (LASW) to ensure shared understanding and accountability.
- Copies of the Safer Caring Policy must also be emailed securely to the Local Authority Social Workers.
- The Safer Caring Policy is a living document, meaning it should evolve as the child grows, circumstances change, or new information emerges.
The SSW must review and, where necessary, update the policy at least every six months, or sooner following any significant change, incident, or concern.
Monitoring and Review
- Each month at the RAG (Risk Assessment Group) meeting, the Registered Manager (RM) will review the recorded risk level for each placement and amend this on Base if required.
- If any change is made, Base will automatically notify the relevant SSW by email, prompting a review and update of the Safer Caring Policy where necessary.
- The SSW must then action this update promptly and share the revised document with all relevant parties.
This process ensures that children, carers, and professionals work together in a transparent, responsive, and supportive way, which helps maintain stability and safety.
