Foster carer handbook

• Introduction
• Forward from the Director for Children’s Services
• Plymouth’s philosophy and values for children
• Plymouth Fostercare
• Diversity

Introduction

This Handbook is designed as a reference guide for both new and experienced foster carers. You don’t have to read it cover to cover, but can refer to it as you wish. Please discuss any issues that are unclear with your supervising social worker.

The aim of the Handbook is to provide information and practical help for foster carers, identify the standards of care that are expected of you and what you may expect from Plymouth Fostercare in return.

On 1 April 2002 the Fostering Services Regulations and National Minimum Standards for Fostering Services came into effect. These govern the provision of all fostering services and apply to all types of foster care for looked after children. The production of this Handbook complies with the requirement of Standard 22.5.

This is the second version of this Handbook and it will continue to be revised on a regular basis. If you feel anything should be included or changed then please tell your supervising social worker.

Forward from the Director for Children’s Services

"I am very pleased to provide you with this new Handbook for foster carers. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Plymouth's foster carers for the amazing work that you do.

Foster carers have one of the most important roles in the community and each one makes a massive difference to the lives of local children and families.

We therefore see foster carers as one of our most valuable assets.

As the Director of Children's Services, I am committed to ensuring that services are in place to support our foster carers in the work that you do. This includes the comprehensive information in this Handbook plus dedicated support from Plymouth Fostercare, your supervising social worker and other social care staff, round the clock support from out of hours, access to training and a wide range of specialist services.

I look forward to meeting many of you during your career as a foster carer, and wish you all the best."

Director of Children's Services. [Back to top]

Plymouth’s philosophy and values for children

The overall purpose and duty of the Department of Children’s Services is to safeguard and promote the welfare of children in Plymouth who are in need and to promote the upbringing of such children wherever possible by their families through the provision of an appropriate range of services.

All such services are subject to a number of statutory requirements and responsibilities for the safeguarding and protection of vulnerable children. These are reflected in our core purposes and objectives. In all circumstances the paramount consideration is the safety and welfare of the children concerned. [Back to top]

Plymouth Fostercare

Plymouth Fostercare consists of two teams providing fostering services for children and young people aged 0 to 18 years. These services are sometimes supplemented by placements that we purchase from the voluntary and independent sectors.

The responsibilities of Plymouth Fostercare are:

• to ensure through regulatory powers and duties that children in regulated services are protected from harm and poor care standards.
• to ensure adherence to National Minimum Standards for fostering so that the care provided is of good quality and meets the child’s needs.
• to provide good quality foster care for a child or young person who is unable to remain at home and ensure that the foster carer is visited, supported, monitored and reviewed in accordance with the requirements of the Fostering Services Regulations.
• to improve the quality and range of fostering services to more effectively meet the needs of looked after children.
• to implement the Choice Protects programme so that we improve outcomes for looked after children through providing better placement stability, matching and choice. [Back to top]
  

Diversity

Plymouth City Council’s equal opportunities statement says: “Plymouth City Council is committed to valuing, promoting and celebrating equality, diversity and community cohesion in order to ensure that our residents, employees and visitors enjoy an outstanding quality of life. We are committed to ensuring that people in our multi-cultural city have equal access to high quality services and the right to live, learn and work, free from unlawful discrimination. Our commitment to equalities applies to everything we do in the council and with our citizens. It is at the core of our work with partners to make Plymouth a vibrant waterfront city of the world.”

Plymouth City Council has an equal opportunities policy, which is available from your supervising social worker.

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