Foster Care Agreement

This is the written agreement made between you and the Three Borough Shared Services (Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, Westminster and Hammersmith and Fulham) when you are approved.

It sets out the Fostering Service's expectations of you, what you are able to offer and the support and training you can expect.

You need to:

• Read and sign the Foster Care Agreement, keep one copy for yourself and return one signed copy to the Fostering Service;
• Following any change to your terms of approval, you will receive an amended copy of the Foster Care Agreement which you will need to sign the agreement again as above.

The agreement will contain:

• Terms of approval;
• Support and training;
• The review process;
• The process for making a complaint.

It will also cover your responsibilities:

• To care for the child as outlined in the placement plan and keep them safe, promote their health and wellbeing so the child’s welfare is at the centre of your practice;
• The Three Borough Shared Services and you are required to provide personalised care to meet the needs of individual children, which are detailed in various documents provided to you and should be followed such as child’s Care Plan, Risk Assessment, Placement Plan and Delegated Authority. See also: Understanding Placement Plans and Looked After Reviews;
• The child's day to day needs are met and the care they receive from you is sensitive and responsive to a child's identity and family history. See also: Identity;
• To keep the Three Borough Shared Services updated on the child’s progress and any significant events that affect the child;
• Not to carry out any physical/corporal punishment. See also: Restrictive Physical Intervention and Restraint;
• To keep all information about any child placed with you confidential unless the Fostering Service says you can share it;
• To attend relevant meetings including Child Protection Conferences and Child in Care Reviews and provide written reports if requested, and help prepare the child/young person where appropriate for meetings. See also: Understanding Placement Plans and Looked After Reviews;
• To carry out their duties from the child's Placement Plan;
• To work within the fostering service's policies and procedures and guidance;
• To co-operate and attend any relevant meetings concerning your approval of children you care for;
• To allow inspectors, social workers, managers, health professionals, guardians and other appointed professionals to visit your home, see you or the child/young person by prior arrangement;
• To allow social workers to carry out unannounced visits;
• To attend the mandatory training courses as required.

You should inform the Three Borough Shared Services of:

• Any change of address or people living in the household;
• Any changes in your personal situation or events which affect your ability to care for the child placed;
• Any criminal convictions or cautions or criminal charges pending at any time following your approval as a foster carer, involving you or someone in your household;
• Any request by you or any member of your household, to foster or adopt children or offer a Shared Lives Placement;
• Any request to be a registered childminder or day care provider by someone living in your household.

Please see: The Foster Care Agreement.