4.11.6 Unannounced Visits to Foster Placements |
SCOPE OF THIS CHAPTER
- This document provides guidance to workers carrying out Unannounced Visits to Foster Carers Homes.
- The relevant legislation and guidance is set out in
- National Minimum Standards For Fostering Services Published Under Care Standards Act 2000 Section 23 (1) (DH)
- Fostering Services Regulations 2002
Contents
1. Introduction
In line with the UK National Minimum Standards for Fostering Services 2000 and Fostering Services Regulations 2002 it is a requirement upon fostering agencies to ensure that each foster carer receives at least one unannounced visit per year.
This document sets out the purpose and process of the visit and the information it is necessary for the Supervising social worker/Support worker to observe and document.
2. Purpose
It is recognised that some foster carers may feel anxious about this new approach and the nature of the visits. We are continually striving to improve the fostering service to ensure that children are safe in foster care. Unannounced visits are intended to be amongst other mechanisms already in place to ensure foster care being provided for looked after children in Ealing is of a good standard.
The purpose of the meeting is NOT to check on how tidy the carers home is. The visits are to be conducted by a Supervising social worker/Support worker, who is aware of the general standard of the carers home.
3. Process
Examination of the home environment including the child's bedrooms, communal spaces available to the child such as bathroom, kitchen and living rooms. The Supervising social worker/Support worker will observe and record issue in respect of health and safety.
The Supervising social worker/Support worker will observe and record who is in the home, who is looking after the child, and if the foster carer is not at home what arrangements have been made for the care of the child.
All unannounced visits will take place between the hours of 8am and 8pm Monday to Saturday.
If the foster carer is not at home Supervising social workers/Support workers will leave a note to say they visited.
If a baby sitter or back up carer is looking after the child, the Supervising social worker/Support worker will seek to identify the person looking after the child/young person but will not continue the visit.
Foster carers are not able to refuse an unannounced visit. This would be appropriate in only exceptional circumstances.
Unannounced visits will be recorded using the standard pro-forma (Appendix 1: Unannounced Visit Form).
Appendix 1:
Unannounced Visit Form
End