Delegated authority is all about giving children in care as normal lives as possible, with foster carers being able to make everyday decisions without having to ask a social worker for their consent. Every local authority is required to have a published policy setting out its approach to delegation of authority in respect of children in foster care.
The Children Act 1989 statutory guidance confirms that (except where there are factors that dictate the contrary) foster carers should be given delegated authority to make day-to-day decisions about health, education, leisure, etc and the matters to be delegated to them recorded in the child’s Placement Plan.
In making decisions whether to allow a looked after child to stay overnight with a friend, go on holiday with a friend’s family, or go on a school trip, foster carers and responsible authorities should consider the following:
Children should always be told why a decision has been made, and why, including the criteria used to make the decision.
As for any child staying away from home, details for where they are staying and information about all activities to be undertaken should be provided to the foster carers.
However, there is no statutory duty to obtain DBS checks in relation to a private household where a child may stay overnight or visit, or who the child may accompany on holiday or a school trip. There is no requirement for the adults in the household that the child visits or accompanies on holiday to be approved as a foster carer, as the child remains formally placed with their usual foster carers.
