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Supervision and Support of Foster Carers

Supervision and Support of Foster Carers

1. Introduction

All approved foster carers will have an allocated, suitably qualified supervising social worker. The allocated supervising social worker is responsible for supervising and supporting carers, ensuring that they have the necessary guidance, support and direction to maintain a quality service, including safe caring practices. This will include an understanding that they must work within the National Minimum Standards for Fostering and the agency's policies, procedures and guidance.

The supervising social worker must also ensure that the foster carers' training and development needs are identified, and that newly approved carers work towards completing the Training, Support and Development Standards for Foster Carers Workbook. They also have the responsibility to ensure foster carers are familiar and made aware of new policies and guidance.

The foster carer(s) should be fully aware of the Notification of Significant Events and the need to immediately report to their supervising social worker or Fostering Agency the following:

  • The Death of a Child;
  • A Serious illness or serious accident of a child placed with them;
  • The outbreak at the foster home of any infectious disease (which in the opinion of a general practitioner attending the home is sufficiently serious to be notified);
  • An allegation that a child placed with foster parents has committed a serious offence;
  • A child placed with them who they have concerns about  being sexually exploited;
  • The Police calling to the foster carer's home as a result of a serious incident relating to a child placed there;
  • A child placed with the foster carer(s) who has gone missing;
  • Any serious concerns about the emotional or mental health of a child, such that a mental health assessment would be requested under the Mental Health Act 1983.

See also: Notifications of Significant Events Procedure.

The child's allocated social worker should be contacted for specific advice or support in relation to the child and their Care Plan and Placement Plan.

The supervising social worker must also ensure that the foster carers' training and development needs are identified, and that newly approved carers work towards completing the Training, Support and Development Standards for Foster Carers Workbook. They also have the responsibility to ensure foster carers are familiar and made aware of new policies and guidance.

2. Planned Supervision Visits

A programme of supervision visits should be set up and agreed between the foster carer and the supervising social worker from the time of the foster carer's approval, and endorsed by the supervising social worker's line manager.

Supervision is essentially a supportive and enabling two way process to:

  • Ensure the foster carers understand how they contribute to the local authority's services for children;
  • Enable foster carers to contribute effectively to the plans for the children for whom they are caring.
  • Provide appropriate monitoring and feedback on the foster carers' work to ensure the training, support and development standards for Foster Carers are fully met;
  • Complete personal development plans for each carer, which are linked to their training and their annual review;
  • Support foster carers by providing advice or making this available from elsewhere as appropriate;
  • Give foster carers an opportunity to raise any problems and make sure they are addressed appropriately;
  • Acknowledge the challenges and demands that the fostering tasks make on foster families and ensure appropriate support is available;
  • Recognise and address any difficulties the foster carers' own children may be experiencing arising from fostering; and
  • Assist foster carers to work in an anti-discriminatory way that respects and promotes individual differences

The agenda for each meeting should cover:

  1. Matters arising from the last supervision;
  2. Personal issues, e.g. effect of a placement on the foster carer's own family, changes in the carer's situation and circumstances etc.
  3. Child/ren in placement:
    1. Their health, cultural, educational, leisure and contact needs - and any support needs;
    2. Progress and work with respect towards each child's Care Plan;
    3. Any accidents, injuries and illnesses experienced by each child;
    4. Any complaints in relation to children placed with them and their outcomes;
    5. Any concerns around behaviour management in relation to children they are caring for;
    6. Any other significant events (see Section 1, Introduction);
    7. Any medication, medical treatment or first aid administered.
  4. Training/development issues for the foster carers and their family;
  5. Safe caring and health and safety issues;
  6. Foster carer's recording which is to be reviewed by the supervising social worker who should sign the foster carers' diary.

The supervision visits should be recorded on a pro forma Foster Carer Supervision Record, signed by the foster carer and the supervising social worker, and should include:

  • Any concerns expressed;
  • Any support needs expressed by the foster carers and how they will be met;
  • Any financial issues.

A record of all meetings should be kept on the foster carers' file and one copy given to the foster carers.

The supervision records will inform the foster carer's review – see Review and Termination of Approval of Foster Carers Procedure.

3. Frequency of Supervision

Frequency of supervision meetings will be agreed between the foster carer and the supervising social worker and should take place as appears necessary in the interest of the children placed with them.

The frequency of meetings for short break foster carers should be proportionate to the amount of care provided.

4. Unannounced Visits

There should also be unannounced visits at least once a year. The main purpose of the unannounced visit will be to look at the home environment that a child is living in.

The unannounced visits will be undertaken by the foster carer's supervising social worker who will need to check:

  1. Who is in the home;
  2. Who is looking after the child;
  3. If the carer is not at home, what arrangements have been made for the care of the child.

If the foster carers are not at home, the supervising social worker should leave a note for the foster carers to say that they have visited.

If the foster carers are not at home but the child is present and being looked after by someone else, the social worker should check the identity of that person but should not continue with the visit.

Unannounced visits should be recorded.

There should not ordinarily be a regular programme of unannounced visits without particular reason – for example if a foster carer is being closely monitored. In such an event the reason will be explained to the foster carer.

5. Support Provided by the Supervising Social Worker

Supervising social workers should ensure the following tasks are completed in collaboration with the foster carer, the child’s social worker and the wider professional network:

5.1 After Approval

  1. Ensure that the foster carer has been given the ‘Fostering Southampton-  Welcome Pack’ including information about fostering support groups and groups and activities for children in care;
  2. Ensure that the foster carer is introduced to Southampton Foster Carer’s Association and the support they offer;
  3. Provide the foster carers with all key fostering policies and procedures and guidance (in written format or via an on-line means);
  4. Ensure that the Foster Carer Agreement is signed by all foster carers in the home; two copies to be signed – one to be retained by the foster carer and one to be held on the foster carer’s file;
  5. Ensure that the Household Safer Caring Plan is up to date and maintained throughout the foster carer’s approval;
  6. Ensure the foster carers’ ‘welcome book’ is up to date and ready to be shared with the Placements Service – this ‘welcome book’ enables social workers to share information about the foster carers, their family and home with children and young people before they join the family;
  7. Provide the foster carer with access to the Fostering Training Calendar and encourage their professional development;
  8. Assist all new foster carers to begin completion of the Foster Carer Training, Support and Development Standards (to be completed by their first annual foster carer review);
  9. Support carers with any specialist issues for disabled children for e.g., support in completing applications for Carer's Allowance, Disability Living Allowance etc.
  10.  

5.2 Matching and before a child is placed

  1. Support and enable the foster carer to take part in matching discussions with the Placements Service and children’s social workers, and consider the needs of their own family, any children or young people already in their care alongside those of the child being considered;
  2. Ensure that the Placement Service and the child's social worker give the foster carer full information about children about to be placed, including any abuse or neglect and the reason for the placement, the child's educational, medical, religious, racial, linguistic and cultural needs;
  3. Discuss issues relevant to contact with birth parents and other family members;
  4. Discuss how child's health needs are promoted and how children should be encouraged to adopt a healthy lifestyle;
  5. Discuss any additional training that may be required to meet the needs of the child/ren being considered as a match; for example, additional safer caring training to assist in caring for a child who has experienced sexual abuse or specialist health training for a child with complex health needs or disabilities;
  6. Support the foster carer in making good decisions about providing placements that might be outside their usual skills set or terms of approval;
  7. Let the social worker for a child already in placement know when another child is being considered and seek agreement for the child or young person to be placed alongside;
  8. Ensure that once matched, the Child’s Safer Caring Plan is completed (including any additional risk assessments around bedroom sharing, holidays etc.) prior to placement if possible;
  9. Ensure that the foster carer has any equipment needed for the child or young person i.e., cot, stairgate, sterilizer or more specialist equipment for a child with complex health needs or disabilities;
  10. Support the foster carer to participate in any planning meetings in preparation for the placement, including the formal Placement Agreement Meeting;
  11. Discuss financial issues with the carer: allowances, pocket money, leisure activities, toiletries and travelling etc., and the importance of complying with the terms of the Council's insurance policy for carers;
  12. Enquire about holiday plans the foster carers may have made, and if the child is able to join them? If not, the foster carer must inform the child’s social worker so that alternative arrangements can be made;
  13. Exchange contact numbers with all relevant members of the professional network, including birth family if appropriate, and out of hours support;
  14. Set the date and time of the first visit after the child or young person has been placed;

5.3 Throughout a Placement

  1. Support and enable foster carers to be active within the professional network and participate in all meetings and appointments in relation to the child or young person. This may include supporting the foster carer in advocating for the child with other relevant services, such as health and education;
  2. Where necessary, check and follow up on all issues raised during the placement. Discuss any areas of concern with the foster carers and ensure appropriate support/advice is addressed and in place at the time, rather than waiting for reviews or meetings;
  3. Support foster carers with breaks from caring as appropriate, which must meet the needs of placed children;
  4. Take part in any Strategy Meetings and Section 47 Enquiries relating to the foster family. Be involved in interviews/support as agreed;
  5. Ensure the foster carer is maintaining accurate daily recordings in respect of the child or young person.  These should be checked at each supervision meeting;
  6. Ensure that the foster carer is using the fostering allowance appropriately and as per policy;
  7. Ensure the foster carer receives invitations to the child’s Looked After Reviews and Child Protection Conferences and attend when appropriate;
  8. Prepare for, and attend, Foster Carer Review Meetings (see Review and Termination of Approval of Foster Carers Procedure);
  9. Visit regularly in accordance with the foster carer’s needs, the child’s Care Plan and as required (see also Section 3, Frequency of Supervision and Section 4, Unannounced Visits;
  10. Undertake unannounced visits as required;
  11. Continually review the Household Safer Caring Plan and the Child’s Safer Caring Plan and address any changes in household circumstances;
  12. Continually review and assess any health and safety issues within the fostering household, including the addition of any new pets and the environment in which they are kept;
  13. Ensure the foster carers are encouraged to access on-going training and take responsibility for their own professional development.  Access relevant training for any other members of the fostering household as required and requested;
  14. Update Disclosure and Barring Service checks on members of the family every 3 years, including those reaching 18 years of age, and other persons who are over 18 years of age who come to live at the home;
  15. Whilst there is no statutory time interval, as good practice medical information should also be updated at least every 3 years by writing to the foster carer's GP. In the event of any serious concerns about the foster carer’s health, a review of the foster carer’s approval should be carried out immediately;
  16. Maintain an accurate and up to date foster carer’s file, including recording all contact with foster carers;
  17. Provide reports for Fostering Panel and/or Court where appropriate and as agreed with child’s social worker and as required under the relevant procedures.

5.4 As a placement comes to an end

  1. Support the foster carers and their family as much as possible when a placement comes to an end. Whether or not an ending is planned or unplanned, this can be a difficult and emotional time for fostering families, especially for the children of foster carers;
  2. Support foster carers to participate in Placement Stability Meetings to either stabilise a placement via additional support, training or guidance, or plan for a placement to come to an end;
  3. Discuss fully with the foster carer and their family (if appropriate) all the issues that have led to any unplanned end of a placement and identify any learning/training opportunities;
  4. Support the foster carers to move children on in a positive and planned way. This might be a planned move to birth family, adopters or to new foster carers, as well as an unplanned or emergency move at the request of the child or foster care;
  5. Support the foster carers to help prepare a young person for adulthood and independence and support with discussions and decisions around Staying Put where appropriate;
  6. Assist the foster carer to complete their end of placement report if required;
  7. Attend Disruption Meetings as required.

6. Tasks of Social Worker if Allegations are made Against the Carer

For the detailed procedure, see Allegations Against Foster Carers Procedure.

Where allegations regarding childcare or child protection are made, the supervising social worker should:

  1. Support the family;
  2. Discuss fully, with the carer and their family, all the issues that have led to the allegation, as agreed at the Strategy Meeting;
  3. Make the carers aware of the process and of their rights during any investigation;
  4. Make the carers aware of their own possible conflict of interests and inform them of where they can seek alternative support and advice from the Fostering Network or other independent sources.

Last Updated: November 11, 2025

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