The purpose of an unannounced visit is to gain an authentic understanding of family life, observing the home environment, the natural interactions between Foster Carers and the children in their care, and to ensure that the home continues to meet the expected standards of health, safety, and emotional wellbeing.
Unannounced visits help Supervising Social Workers (SSWs) to see children and carers in their everyday routines, offering reassurance that the fostering environment remains safe, nurturing, and responsive to the children’s needs. They are also an opportunity for SSWs to offer guidance, reassurance, and emotional support to carers and children following the principles of trauma-informed practice.
Unannounced visits should take place when the children are likely to be at home so that they can be seen and spoken with as part of general safeguarding and welfare checks. Unless there are immediate safeguarding concerns, SSWs should seek to avoid times that are likely to cause stress or disruption for the family, such as early mornings, school preparation, bath time, or bedtime.
When carrying out an unannounced visit, the carer(s), children, young people, and any other household members present should be spoken with in a respectful and sensitive way, ensuring privacy and choice wherever possible. The purpose of the visit should be clearly explained on arrival to reduce anxiety or confusion.
Procedure (Support Services and SSW Responsibilities):
- Scheduling and Frequency
• Unannounced visits are diarised for 11 months in advance so that they are completed within the year.
• Each SSW must complete at least two unannounced visits per year. These dates are scheduled by Support Services and appear on the SSW’s task list.
• Both visits must incorporate a general health and safety observation. This does not require a full check but involves the SSW’s observations and a review of the home for any obvious hazards or concerns. Observations are recorded using the Health and Safety App.
• A full health and safety checklist is separate and should be completed during a planned visit in accordance with the Health and Safety Procedures. - Scope of the Visit
• All rooms within the fostering household must be seen during an unannounced visit to ensure the home is safe and appropriate for children.
• The SSW must see and speak to all looked after children individually or provide every opportunity for them to share their views, wishes, and feelings privately.
• The discussion should be recorded on the child’s file, including any concerns or wishes raised, which must then be shared sensitively with the local authority social worker. - Health and Safety Recommendations
• If the health and safety observation identifies any actions or recommendations, it is the SSW’s responsibility to ensure these are communicated clearly to the Foster Carer and followed up promptly.
• Any concerns about the standard of the home must be logged, tracked, and reviewed, with evidence of action taken and outcomes recorded. - Unannounced Visit for New Placements
• When a new Foster Carer receives their first placement, an unannounced visit must take place within eight weeks. This visit helps to assess how the family and child are adjusting to their new circumstances and identify any additional support needs.
• This visit is in addition to the two standard annual unannounced visits that appear on the SSW task list.
Observations and Recording Guidance
During the visit and when completing the written record, SSWs should reflect on the following areas using a trauma-informed, strengths-based lens:
• Welcoming and Communication: How was the visit received? Explain clearly that the visit is unannounced, acknowledge any inconvenience, and emphasise that such visits are a normal and supportive part of the fostering process required by regulation.
• Presence in the Home: Who was home, and what was everyone doing? Were children in communal areas or private spaces such as their bedrooms?
• Environment and Belonging: Did the children appear to have comfortable and safe spaces to relax or do homework? Were there signs of their interests, such as toys, books, or personal belongings?
• Visitors: If anyone unfamiliar is present, enquire sensitively about who they are and how frequently they visit.
• Atmosphere: What was the overall feeling in the home—warm, calm, homely, active, or tense? Note signs of positive daily life such as conversation, music, shared spaces, or meal preparation.
• Food and Nourishment: If appropriate, observe whether there appears to be adequate food. Where concern arises, approach any enquiries with sensitivity and respect for privacy.
• Children’s Presentation: How did children and young people respond to the visit? How did they appear in terms of presentation, engagement, and comfort?
• Relationships: Observe how the carer(s) and household members interact with the children—tone of voice, warmth, encouragement, and mutual respect.
• Pets and Environment: Note pets’ presence and behaviour as part of assessing the overall home environment and emotional atmosphere.
• Physical Environment: With consent, check all rooms for safety, cleanliness, and general upkeep. If a room cannot be viewed, record this and the carer’s reason respectfully.
• Health and Safety Observation: During the walkthrough, explain that you are conducting a standard safety check. Remain observant for potential hazards such as smoking materials, alcohol, unsafe medication, odours, clutter, hygiene issues, or unsafe tools. Raise concerns respectfully, offering solutions where possible.
• Outdoor Areas: Check gardens, balconies, and outdoor spaces for safety and cleanliness, noting any hazards and considering the suitability of the area for a child’s use.
• Time and Sensitivity: Keep the visit proportionate. Be mindful of the unannounced nature and the family’s need to resume daily routines.
• Reflective Practice: After the visit, reflect on your own emotional response and how the household atmosphere might feel for a child or young person. If any unease arises, discuss it in supervision and follow up appropriately.
• Recording and Follow-Up: Record all observations factually and non-judgmentally. Clearly note any actions required, share them with the Foster Carer, and ensure timely follow-up.
