Every fostering service has a duty to investigate all ‘allegations of harm’ and ‘allegations of poor standards of care’. These are sometimes referred to as a concern or a complaint.
A complaint about a foster carer would not generally be treated as an allegation unless it related to significant harm or likelihood of significant harm.
“Suffering or being likely to suffer significant harm is the threshold for child protection enquiries and can take different forms, including sexual, physical or emotional abuse, neglect or domestic abuse (including controlling or coercive behaviour), exploitation by criminal gangs or organised crime groups, trafficking, online abuse, sexual exploitation, and the influences of extremism which could lead to radicalisation” (Working Together to Safeguard Children, 2023).
Complaints do not meet this threshold and are investigated under the fostering service’s complaints procedure. Similarly, concerns about standards of care which do not reach the threshold of an allegation should be followed up separately.
An allegation can be reported by a child, or by an adult on their behalf. For example, an allegation may be reported directly by a child to their social worker. It could also be reported by an adult who has concerns regarding a child, such as a teacher, parent, or member of the public. Allegations can be made regarding any member of or visitor to the fostering household, including the foster carer or their family members.
“An allegation may relate to a person who works with children who has:
