Where the Local Authority is caring for a child, either voluntarily by agreement of their parents, or under a Care Order, then the child may be cared for by foster carers. If you are a family member or friend who is acting as a foster carer, then you will need to be approved as a foster carer by the Local Authority.
You will need to be approved whether you want to care for the child short-term (for example, just while the proceedings are ongoing) or long-term (potentially until the child is an adult).
Assessment:
You will need to be assessed in order to be presented to the Local Authority’s Fostering Panel for approval.
Usually this will be a two stage process – firstly you will have an initial viability assessment (“IVA”), ideally before you start caring for the child. If this is positive, then you will have a full assessment under Regulation 24 of The Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010. This must be completed within 16 weeks of the child being placed with you, but may be extended for a further 8 weeks in certain circumstances.
This assessment process may take place whilst the child is with you – you do not have to wait to be approved to start caring for the child.
It can be an intensive assessment – the Social Worker will need to know lots of information about you, and this information will have to be shared with the Fostering Panel and with the parties (including the parents) and Judge in Family Court. The information required includes medical history, Police checks and references from people who know you well.
If you disagree with the outcome of either of your assessments, you may discuss this with the Social Worker, and you may still ask the Court to consider you caring for the child.
For more information, please visit Kinship care - childlawadvice.org.uk
Effect:
When you are a foster carer, you do not have Parental Responsibility for the child. The Local Authority and parents still make all major care decisions about the child, even though you will be looking after them day-to-day. It would be usual for a child in foster care to continue spending some time with their parents – whether occasionally or regularly.
If you are caring for a child as an approved foster carer, or whilst you are in the assessment and approval process, you will be entitled to financial and practical support.
Whilst the child remains in foster care, they will continue to have a Social Worker and there will continue to be regular involvement of Children’s Services, for example through ‘Child Looked After Reviews’ and annual medical assessments of the child.
For more information about Kinship fostering, including how to become one, visit Kinship foster care - Kinship
Kinship foster carers in Hertfordshire receive a wide range of support to help them in their caring role. Information is available here Foster Carer Support Offer
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Staying Put – Staying Put enables young people to remain in their foster placements after their 18th birthday so that they can continue to be supported with the transition to adulthood. Foster carers continue to receive a reduced allowance with the young person offering contributions through education, employment or benefits. Eligibility is established by Hertfordshire’s Practice and Resource Panel.
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Peer support – You’ll have access to support groups, a buddy system, and Kinship Care family fun days. Children can also be matched with sleepover carers to offer planned and regular respite, or you could join a Mockingbird Hub which is an extended family model that provides emotional and practical support to families, sleepovers, support groups and social activities for children and carers. More information about the Mockingbird Hubs can be found here: Planting seeds of support: Building foster care communities with Mockingbird
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Memberships – You will receive membership to The Fostering Networking, offering additional advice, resources and support. Once you become an approved foster carer, you will be sent an email confirming your membership and how to access resources on offer.