Standards of care concerns

Sometimes foster carers are told that there is a standard of care or practice concern that has been raised that their fostering service will need to investigate. Foster carers can often find this situation stressful, and may be unclear if an allegation has been made. 

What is the difference between a complaint, an allegation, and a standards of care concern? 

Complaints

A complaint is an expression of dissatisfaction given verbally or in writing. It may be a situation is felt to be unfair or a service has not met the required standard expected. Complaints are opportunities to learn and improve services. A complaint may be investigated and resolved or could identify the need to move to a standard of concern or allegation process. 

Standards of care concerns

The National Minimum Standards 22.10 require fostering services to ensure a clear distinction between investigations into allegations and discussions over standards of care.  Investigation of an allegation that find no evidence of harm should not become procedures looking into poor standards of care - these should be treated separately.

A standard of care concern or practice concern can be raised by anyone and may allege the foster carer has behaved in a way that is unacceptable but that has not put the child at risk of significant harm. They may be related to the quality of care provided to a child/children or in connection with a foster carers ability to meet the regulatory requirements expected of approved foster carers.

Examples may include failing to co-operate with agreed family time/contact or other care arrangements, issues raised about the home environment provided, unwillingness to attend training, poor communication with the fostering service, etc. 

Children may remain with the foster carer whilst the matter is ongoing and any move, if assessed to be in the child’s best interest, will usually be via the child’s care review process. However, if there is an immediate risk of significant harm to the child or to protect others from serious injury, a child may be moved immediately (Care Planning, Placement & Case Review (England) Regulations 2010 (reg.14)).

The review process should include gathering the wishes and feelings of the child and it may be appropriate for an independent advocate to be appointed to assist the child in expressing their views. The fostering service may - in discussion with the foster carer, local authority and the child - put protective measures in place to prevent a child being moved whenever possible. This would minimise disruption for a child whilst an investigation into a standard of care is undertaken.