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 child placed, you and your family as safe as possible.
The following should help you to be prepared for receiving a child into your care and reduce the risk of allegations being made.
A plan should be set up from the start of the young person’s placement. This will begin with examining the background of the child who will be in your care. It will answer questions such as:
What was the reason the child came into care?
Have they experienced or witnessed physical or sexual abuse in the past?
Do they have a history of making allegations about foster parents or their families?
Do they 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?
Do they have attachment disorder or any behavioural issues which are likely to impact on the placement and relationships?
Are there any health or education issues that impact on the care of the child?
What delegated responsibility does the foster carer have for decisions relating the care of the child?
Ensure all relevant information is recorded in the placement plan, including information which answers further questions such as:
Does the parent or extended family or friends support the placement being made with the foster carer?
Is there any on-going action in the courts?
Is everyone happy with the contact arrangement?
Where will the contact take place? Is there a need for a contact agreement to clarify roles and responsibilities in arranging/transporting and supervising the contact?
A copy of the placement plan and care plan should be provided to foster carers.
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.
Every foster home should have a safer caring plan in place whereby the foster carer will be required to:
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.
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.
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?
Include any boundaries in place with regards to visitors to the home to help keep everyone safe.
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.
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
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.
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.
Ensure that you have a delegated authority agreement for each child/young person in your care
These are reviewed regularly especially when a permanent plan of long-term foster care is agreed
This document will highlight day-to-day decisions foster carers can make
It can highlight any behavour 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.
