This procedure must be followed in line with the Positive Aspirations Group ‘Holidays and Overnight Stays’ policy.
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, both in the UK and abroad.
Foster carers must inform their Supervising Social Worker at least 8 weeks in advance of the holiday to allow time for them to obtain consent from the placing Local Authority of the child and carry out the risk assessment.
When deciding on whether a looked after child can stay overnight or go on holiday with relatives or travel abroad with the Foster 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 initial placement agreement/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.
Once the above has been explored, a risk assessment must be completed using the correct template.
The following should be addressed clearly within the risk assessment:
- Refer to the child’s existing safer caring policy to ensure the risks and associated risks are also taken into consideration.
- Provide exact dates and address of the accommodation and how they will be travelling to and from the holiday destination.
- State who else will be staying in the holiday home and how this will be managed particularly bedroom sharing.
- 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 Social Worker and or, birth parents where appropriate.
- Has a letter of consent been obtained from the 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 Risk Assessment must be completed and sign by all relevant parties and shared with the Local Authority and the Foster Carers. The Risk Assessment must be saved on Base.
