Contact (family time)

The term 'contact' is used within fostering legislation when discussing arrangements for foster children to spend time with their family or friends, and so is often used by social workers or fostering agencies.

However, recent research that spoke to care experienced children and young people found that many would prefer that the term 'family time' or 'time spent with family and friends' was used instead.

All children are individuals and may have their own preferences and so, if appropriate, speak with the children in your home about how they would like to describe these visits.

Local authorities have a duty within The Children Act 1989 to promote contact with those significant to the child, where it is safe and consistent with the child’s welfare. Sometimes contact is ordered by the court and may include details of frequency, etc.

Around 40% of children in the care system return home to live with their families within 6 months. When children are unable to live with their family, temporarily opportunities to spend time with those significant in their lives can support them and help pave the way for a successful reunification.

All children need an understanding of their identity and a positive self-esteem to help them develop into healthy adults. When children are unable to live with their families for longer periods or on a permanent basis, contact/family time can be vital in helping them understand their identity and culture. It can help them maintain positive lifelong relationships that will endure into adulthood.

Feedback from care experienced young people and adults (as discussed in this report), from those in the care sector, along with other independent research, point to the importance of positive contact/ family time for children.

However, the risks and benefits of contact/ family time need to be carefully managed and regularly reviewed as some children may otherwise experience rejection, negative relationships and or be exposed to further abuse.

For more advice around key things to consider when planning for contact/ family time, read on to our webpage below:

Planning for contact (family time)

Contact in the National Minimum Standards

Foster carers play an important role in contact and the expectations are stated in the National Minimum Standards 2011 Standard 9 as follows:

"Outcome: Children have, where appropriate, constructive contact with their parents, grandparents, siblings, half-siblings, wider family, friends and other people who play a significant role in their lives.
9.1) Children are supported and encouraged to maintain and develop family contacts and friendships, subject to any limitations or provisions set out in their care plan and any court order.
9.2) Foster carers are given practical help to support appropriate contact, including financial help where needed, alongside support to manage any difficult emotional or other issues that the child and foster carer may have as a result of contact.
9.3) Emergency restrictions on contact are only made to protect the child from significant risk to their safety or welfare and are communicated to the responsible authority within 24 hours of being imposed.
9.4) Ongoing restriction on communication by the child is agreed by the child’s responsible authority, takes the child’s wishes and feelings into account and is regularly reviewed in collaboration with the responsible authority.
9.5) The fostering service feeds back to the responsible authority any significant reactions a child has to contact arrangements or visits with any person.
9.6) When deciding whether to offer a placement, the fostering service works with the responsible authority in giving consideration to how the child’s contact with family and significant others will be supported, particularly where a child is placed at a distance from home.
9.7) Foster carers understand what decisions about contact are delegated to them, in line with the child’s care plan, and make those decisions in the child’s best interests."

N.B. The above is not required for short breaks - the foster carer must know how to contact the parent/carer and maintain such contact agreed in the short break care plan.

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Contact (family time)

Contact in the National Minimum Standards

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