The simple answer is that it is impossible for anyone working with children to prevent this occurring - but you can be proactive to minimise this risk. Your fostering service can help you implement useful strategies and provide training which will ensure that you keep the foster child and the whole fostering family as safe as possible.
The following should help you to be prepared for welcoming a child into your home, and reduce the risk of allegations being made.
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How can I protect myself from an allegation?
Placement Plans
A Placement Plan is completed prior to a child moving to a new foster carer or, if that’s not reasonably practicable, within 5 working days. This will begin with examining the background of the child who will be in your care. It may help answer questions such as:
- What was the reason the child came into care?
- How will the child be cared for on a day-to-day basis and their welfare promoted?
- Have they experienced or witnessed physical or sexual abuse in the past and what support has been put in place?
- Is there any history of allegations about foster parents or their families or others?
- Is there any known history of self-harm? What risk assessment will be carried out to support the foster carer and child to manage this?
- Is there any history of absconding and/or concerns about sexual exploitation? If so what additional measures and support are in place?
- What are the health and education arrangements to support the care of the child?
- Does the child have attachment disorder or present any behaviour which may impact on relationships in the fostering household?
- What delegated responsibility does the foster carer have for decisions relating to the care of the child?
Ensure all relevant information is recorded in the placement plan, including information which answers further questions such as:
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What are the views of the parent or other who has parental responsibility for the child? Are the respective responsibilities of the responsible authority, the parent or other with parental responsibility and the foster carer, clear?
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Are there any on-going proceedings in the courts?
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What are the arrangements for contact /family time? Is there a need for a Contact /Family Time Agreement to clarify roles and responsibilities in arranging/transporting and any supervision if required?
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Have the wishes and feelings of the child been ascertained and given due consideration, and any matters that the child may make a decision on been identified? For example, decisions around:
- Medical and dental treatment
- Education
- Leisure and home life
- Faith and religious observance
- Use of social media
- Any other matters they consider appropriate
A copy of the signed Placement Plan should be provided to foster carers (along with a copy of the Care Plan that should be provided within 10 working days).
Ensure you are clear how to report any issues that may arise and that you follow the Placement and Care Plans, and communicate with professionals and record in accordance with your fostering service policies.
Safer caring plan
Every foster home should have a safer caring plan in place whereby the foster carer will be required to:
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Attend all safer caring training offered by the fostering service. When jointly approved, it is vital for both partners to attend this so that you are both fully informed and can work together to minimise risks.
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Have a written agreement about sleeping arrangements, living arrangements, and clothing etc., such as how affection will be shown, closing the bathroom door, wearing appropriate night clothes, and respecting personal space. Make sure everyone in the household is aware of the expectations in an age-appropriate manner.
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Address any specific concerns, such as: how will any personal care help (washing, dressing, etc.) be carried out if needed, and who will be involved in providing this? How will the child be transported safely?
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Include any boundaries in place with regards to visitors to the home to help keep everyone safe.
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Consider what methods of behaviour management will be used in the home and how this meets the foster care agreement and behaviour management policies within the fostering service.
Discuss your safe care plan with your supervising social worker and update it regularly depending on the needs of the child. Other things to consider include:
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Be aware of the issues and worries that the child or young person in your care might have and encourage them to take time to talk to you about anything that is bothering them. Know how to access independent advocacy services for children in your care, and ensure the child is also aware of their right to an independent advocate.
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Monitor use of the internet, particularly social networking sites to prevent cyber bullying or grooming. Think about keeping any computers downstairs where time online can be supervised. Seek training and support from your supervising social worker on internet safety.
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Keep a record of any concerns you have and speak to your supervising social worker.
Taking these simple precautions and letting your fostering service know that you are taking safer care seriously will help you if an allegation is made against you.
Delegated authority agreement (may be incorporated into placement plan)
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Ensure that you have a delegated authority agreement for each child/young person in your care.
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These are reviewed regularly especially when a permanent plan of long-term foster care is agreed.
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This document will highlight day-to-day decisions foster carers can make.
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It can highlight any behavior issues and outline any agreed actions the carer can take e.g any curfews or actions to take when a child absconds or refuses to attend school.
