Step-Across Policy

Step-Across Policy

(Last review 12/01/2025)

Aim:
The agencies are committed to creating thoughtful matches that enable children and young people to move from residential to family-based fostering placements (“step-across”) or to transition (“step-down”) from secure to specialist fostering arrangements to suitably experienced fostering families whose Foster Carers are trained, skilled and equipped to meet each child or young person’s complex needs.

To achieve stability and positive outcomes, the agencies recognise that careful matching, thorough planning, comprehensive risk and safety assessments, and consistent intensive support are required. Accordingly, the agencies have produced the following guidance.

Foster Carers Considered for the Step-Across Scheme:
Foster Carers will receive clear information about the Step-Across scheme so they can make an informed decision about whether they wish to take part.

No Foster Carer approved for fewer than one year will be considered for Step-Across placements unless they possess significant transferable skills, such as previous substantial employment in relevant fields (for example, social work, police, prison services, youth offending, or probation services). The agencies also expect Foster Carers offering Step-Across placements to have a strong and reliable support network that promotes their wellbeing and the child or young person’s safety.

Finance:
All Step-Across placements will attract an enhanced (specialist and targeted) fee that reflects the complexity being supported by the Foster Carers. This fee is fixed and not open to negotiation with local authorities.

Referrals for the Step-Across Scheme:
Local authorities referring children and young people through the Step-Across scheme will be considered on a case-by-case basis, which may also include a “step-down” from a secure unit. The agency expects full referral information, including:

1. A full and comprehensive referral.
2. A detailed risk assessment that explains how each identified risk will be managed or reduced.
3. Contributions from the local authority’s own Step-Across team (where one exists).
4. Contributions from the professionals around the child or young person, including the Local Authority Social Worker (LASW) and Team Manager.
5. Joint consideration of every Step-Across referral by the RRT Manager/Senior Practitioner, Supervising Social Worker (SSW) and Team Manager.
6. Progression of the referral only when all parties agree that a potential match exists, subject to further exploration with the local authority.
7. Identification of any specific training needed for the Foster Carer or SSW.

Matching:
For all Step-Across referrals, the agencies will complete their own matching form/questionnaire, and satisfactory information must be obtained before introductory meetings take place. Information can be gathered by the RRT Officer working on the case, with any gaps clarified at meetings between the Supervising Social Worker, Team Manager and local authority team.

The RRT Officer is responsible for completing the template, which will be quality-assured by the RRT Manager/Senior Practitioner.

The questionnaire will cover the following:

1. Child or young person’s basic details.
2. Rationale for suitability for a Step-Across placement.
3. Examples of progress made in the residential or secure setting.
4. Reason the young person was in residential or secure accommodation.
5. Placement history, including any breakdowns and the reasons for them.
6. Any history of allegations.
7. Details of any behaviours and how they are currently managed.
8. Whether there is any history of fire-setting or attempts to do so.
9. Location requirements and any risks linked to specific areas.
10. Support that the local authority will provide.
11. Services that will transfer (for example, CAMHS).
12. Plans for education and relevant timescales.
13. How any gaps in education will be supported.
14. Information about family and friends and any associated risks.
15. Plans for family time/contact and how this will be managed.
16. Any drug or alcohol use.
17. Details of risks relating to:
    17a. Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE)
    17b. Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE)
    17c. Radicalisation/Extremism
    17d. Gang affiliation
    17e. Parent and child placement
    17f. Self-harm
    17g. Missing from care
    17h. Child trafficking
    and how each of these risks will be managed.

Transition Planning:
All Step-Across placements will be supported by a robust transition plan that will include, but is not limited to:

1. Provision of the carer’s child-friendly profile and welcome book.
2. Discussion with the young person about their preferred style of introductions.
3. A virtual meeting involving the young person and their social worker.
4. A meeting with the social worker and key staff at the residential or secure provision.
5. Planned introductions, including, where possible, at least one overnight stay.
6. Direct work by the LASW, residential staff and Foster Carer to explore the differences between residential care and foster care.
7. Discussion about the accountable allowance, its intended use and how it will be managed.
8. Clarity regarding responsibilities for developing independent living skills.
9. Agreement on basic household rules within the fostering family.
10. Clarification of the household chores expected of the young person in foster care.
11. A written transition plan with clear timescales.
12. An Initial Placement Meeting, to be held before the move to foster care, which will include discussion and completion of the Safer Care Policy.
13. Completion of all relevant risk matrices, shared and agreed across the team around the child or young person.

Support to be Offered to Foster Carers Providing Step-Across Placements:

1. Detailed referral information and opportunities to ask questions.
2. A clear introductory process and professionals’ meetings as detailed above.
3. As a minimum, weekly telephone support (increased as needed).
4. Weekly visits for the first four weeks of the Step-Across placement.
5. Fortnightly visits during the second month.
6. A review of visit frequency after eight weeks.
7. A review meeting after four weeks to assess impact and identify any additional support required from the agency or local authority.
8. Input from the agency’s Education Consultant.
9. Input from the agency’s Advocate for the child or young person.
10. Targeted and specialist training specifically linked to meeting the needs of the child or young person.
11. Targeted specialist support groups offering guidance and peer support.
12. Regular network meetings to review progress and identify any need for extra support.
13. Enhanced managerial oversight, including regular review of recordings to ensure timely input if challenges arise.
14. A joint visit by the Team Manager and SSW within the first month of placement, and then at least every three months (or more frequently if needed).

Other Actions for the Agencies:

1. Targeted training for SSWs and Foster Carers offering Step-Across placements as identified (the local authority may provide training through the commissioning/tender agreement).
2. Finalised guidance to be shared with all Foster Carers so interest in Step-Across placements can be identified.
3. Assurance that all Foster Carers offering Step-Across placements understand the incident-reporting procedures.