FOSTERCARERS’DELEGATEDAUTHORITY–DECISIONSUPPORTTOOL

FosteringService(October 2015)

ThisDecisionSupportToolisintendedtobeusedtoassistsocialworkers,parents,fostercarersandyoungpeopletotalktoeachotheraboutdelegatedauthorityanddecisionmakingtothefostercarerwhilstthechildisplacedinfostercare.ItcanhelptopreparefortheinitialPlacementPlanningmeetingandeachsubsequentreviewwhenthePlacementPlanisconsidered.Itcanbeusedinexistingplacementswhenfurtherclarificationmayhelpthefoster carerunderstand theirdelegatedresponsibilitiesmore clearly.

ThedelegatedauthoritytooldoesnotreplaceorreplicatethePlacementPlanwhichisthelegalrequirementforthispurpose.TherequiredcontentofthePlacementPlanissetoutinSchedule2oftheCarePlanning,PlacementandCaseReviewRegulations2010andrelevantstatutoryguidance.

Clarifyingwhoisbestplacedtotakeeverydaydecisionsdependsonmanyfactors:theyoungperson’sage,theirviews,legalstatusandcareplan,theparents’viewsandtheexperienceandtheviewsofthefostercarers’.Collaborationandconsultationareessentialforsuccessfulpartnershipworkinganditisimportantthatthechildoryoungpersonisinvolvedindrawingupthedocument,subject totheirageandunderstanding.

This document should be read in conjunction with the Foster Carers’ Charter.

Acknowledgement

This tool is based on the model devised by Leeds Council, whose permission has been sought.

Thisformhasbeenpartiallycompletedforeaseofuse.ItshouldmeetmostsituationsforachildincareoftheLocalAuthority.Therearesomegapswhichwillneedfurtherconsiderationandcompletionattheplacementplanningmeetingandinanyevent,allpartsoftheformmustbecheckedtoensuretheyreflectthearrangementsneededforthechild.Wherethechildisaccommodated,thebirthparent’sroleinthedaytodayparentingmaybesignificantandthereforesomeof thecompleted boxesmayneed amending.

Child/Young personplaced:…………………………………………………………………………………………Dateformcompleted:……………………………………………………………………………………………………

1.MedicalandHealth

Consent/agreement/task / Whohasauthorityto giveconsent/agreementorundertake thetask1 / Notes (inc.notifications,priorconsultation/recordingrequirement/conditions) / Date
1.1Signedconsent toemergencymedicaltreatmentinc.anaesthesia / Local Authority / Fostercarermust,whereverpossibleseekthepermissionfrom thelocalAuthoritybycontactingthesocialworker/manager/servicemanager/headofservice.InoutofhourssituationstheEmergencyDutyServiceManageroncallwillneedtogivepermission.ThiswillbeundertakeninconsultationwithparentswhereverpossibleInexceptionalcaseswherenoonecanbecontactedandthesituationrequiresimmediateandurgentactionafostercarerwouldneedtobeguidedbythemedicalPractitionerandthesocialworkserviceinformedattheearliestopportunity.Thesocialworkservicewillwork withthefostercarertoconsultwithandliaisewithparents.
1.2Consent – routineimmunisations / Foster Carer / Theplacementplanningmeetingshouldaddressmattersofimmunisations/healthmattersandwhereverpossibletheviews/consentoftheparentsmustbeobtained.Whereconsenthasbeendeniedbytheparent,Healthshouldbeinformedbythesocialworker.

1Morethanonethanonepersoncouldhaveauthoritytogiveaparticularconsent/agreementorundertakeaparticulartask, e.g.boththeparentand foster carermaybeattendingparents’evenings.Ifthisisthecase,theindividuals’respectiverolesshouldbeclarifiedinthe“Notes”column.

1.3Planned medicalprocedures / Local Authority / Plannedtreatmentshouldbediscussedandagreedwithbirthparent,socialworkerandfostercarer.Whereananaestheticisrequired,theHeadofService mustgivepermissionfortheoperation.Consultationwithparentswilltakeplaceasappropriate. See Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust Briefing Paper (March 2015).
1.4medical procedurecarried outinthe homewherethepersonadministeringtheprocedurerequirestraining(e.g.childwithdisability/illness) / TrainingmustbegivenbyaqualifiedHealthprofessionalandthenapprovalcanbegivenfortheproceduretobeundertakenbythefostercarer.Nooneotherthatthetrainedcarermaycarryoutamedicalprocedure.Parentswillbeaskedtogivepermissionfortheseprocedurestobeundertakenbyatrainedfostercarer.Onlyinexceptionalcircumstanceswillparentalpermissionbedispensedwith.
1.5Dental - signedconsenttodentalemergencytreatmentincanaesthetic / Local Authority / See1.1
1.6Dental-routinetreatmentincanaesthetic / Foster Carer / Painreliefinjectionsareusualinroutinedentalworkanddonotrequirepermissionunlessspecificallystatedintheplacementplan.Routinetreatmentdoesnotusuallyinvolveananaesthetic.WhereageneralanaestheticisrequiredpermissionmustbegivenmustbegivenbyHead of Early Intervention and Safeguarding or delegated to Service Manager.
1.7Optician–appointments,prescriptionglasses / Foster Carer / Thisisroutineandshouldbereportedinthechild’sreview
1.8Consent toexamination/treatmentbycommunitypaediatrician / Foster Carer / Forroutinenoninvasiveexaminationonlye.g.healthneedsassessmentorsecondaryreferralclinice.g.weightmanagement.Allotherexaminationsshouldbeagreedwiththesocialworkerbeforehand.
1.9Administrationofprescribed/overthecountermedications / Foster Carer / Thedosagewouldnormallybemanagedbythefostercarerandkeptinthefostercarerslockedmedicinecupboard.FosterCarermustrecordallprescribedandnon-prescribedmedicationgiventothechild,ensuringthisinformationisavailableforsocialworker/birthparent.Non-prescriptionmedicationshouldnotbegivenformorethan2daysunlessmedicaladviceissought.
1.10Permissionforschools/AfterSchoolclubs toadministerprescribed/overthecountermedications / Foster Carer / Schoolsareusuallyunwillingtoadministermedication,buttheywillmakethedecisiononcasebycasebasis
Forregularmedication,individualschoolswilldrawupaplantoadministermedicationandthefostercarershouldapproachtheschooltoarrange.Insomecasestheschoolmayrequirethewrittenpermissionofthesocialworker.Forafterschoolsclubs,acopyofthemedicationrecordshouldbeprovidedwhichexplicitlystatesthemedicationrequiredandwhenitshouldbeadministered.Thecarershoulddiscussthiswiththepersoninchargeoftheclubtoensureanydrugsareappropriatelyadministeredbyaresponsibleadult.
1.11Referral/consent forchildtoaccessanotherservicee,gCAMHS / SocialWorker / IndiscussionwithfostercarerandparentandthenreferralviatheTherapeuticpanel.

2.Education

Consent/agreement/task / Whohasauthorityto giveconsent/agreementorundertake / Notes (inc.notifications,priorconsultation/ recordingrequirement/conditions) / Date
thetask
2.1Signedconsent forschoolandoutofschooldaytrips,e.g.ScoutsandBrownies / FosterCarer / Unlessspecificallyexcludedinplacementplan.
2.2Signedconsentsforschool tripsin the UK / FosterCarerindiscussionwiththeSocialWorker / Forlongterm placementsthefostercarerwillusuallybegiventheauthoritytoagreethis.Wherefurtherpermissionsarerequired,thiswillbestatedintheplacementplanWhereadditionalLocalAuthoritypaymentisrequiredprioragreementmustbesoughtfromtheSocialWorker
2.3School tripsabroad / SocialWorker / ParentalpermissionwillbesoughtforachildonaS20 placementandfrom Service Manager/persons with PRforachildona careorder.
2.4Usingcomputersatschool / FosterCarer
2.5Schoolphotos / FosterCarer / Unlessspecificallyexcludedwithintheplacementplan.
2.6Attendanceatparents’ evenings / FosterCarer / Birthparentmayalsowishtoattendandthisshouldbeestablishedattheoutsetoftheplacementandarrangementsagreed.Thisisespeciallyimportantintemporaryplacements.
2.7AttendanceatPEPmeetings / Fostercarer / Asabove.
2.8Attendanceatunplannedmeetingsreincidentsor immediateissues / FosterCarer / FosterCarershouldusuallybethefirstpersonofcontact.SocialworkershouldbeinformedASAPpriortothemeetingifatallpossible.
2.9Registering at aschool / FosterCarer/SocialWorker / Itissometimeseasierandmoreeffectiveforthefostercarertoregisterthechildwithpermissionfromthesocialworker.Thereareotherissuestotakeintoconsiderationincludinganyotherchildreninschoolwithafamilyconnectiontotheplacedchild. Consult with Virtual School.
2.10Changing a school / FosterCarersshoulddiscussanyproposalswithsocialworker,IndependentReviewingOfficerandbirthparentbeforemakingarrangementsasthiswouldcountasasignificantchangeinthecareplan.Thechildren’sLACreviewinyear6wouldbeagoodplacetodiscusshighschoolchoicesandnochangesshouldbemadewithoutdiscussionwhichwoulddisruptthechild’seducationinkeyStage4. Consult with Virtual School.
2.11Referral/consent forYPtoaccessanotherservice(pleasespecifytheservice) / Asabove.
2.13Personal HealthandSocial Education / FosterCarer / Noteintemporaryplacementstherewillbeaneedtoactivelyseektheviewsofbirthparentsincaseofreligiousandculturalviews.FosterCarersmayfindithelpfultodiscusstheirapproachwiththechild’ssocialworker/fosteringofficer.

3Personal,leisureandhome life

Consent/agreement/task / Who has authority to give consent /agreement orundertakethetask / Notes (inc. notifications, prior consultation/recording requirements/conditions
3.1Passportapplication / SocialWorker / CanonlybeappliedforbysomeoneholdingPR.
3.2Overnightwithfriends(‘sleepover’) / Foster Carer / FosteringNationalMinimumstandard7.7makesitclearthisshouldbethefostercarerunlessthereisaspecificexclusionwrittenintotheplacementplan.Fostercarersmustsatisfythemselvesofthesafetyandappropriatenessofthearrangement.
3.3Overnight/weekendandshortstayswithfostercarers’ familyandfriends. / Foster Carer / FosterCarersshouldensuretheyhavecheckedoutanygeneralorspecificsafecareissuespertinenttothechild,e.g.checkingsleepingarrangements,childrenbeingleftwithoutanadultpresent. Foster Carer to discuss plans with the social worker to ensure they are aware of arrangements.
3.4Overnight/weekendandshortstayswithbirthfamilymembersandfriends(pleasecrossreferencewithsection6oncontact). / SocialWorker / Placementplanshouldspecifyanyarrangementsforcontactwithbirthfamilyandwhetheranydelegationcanbegiventofostercarertomakeadditionalinformalarrangements
3.5HolidayswithintheUK / Foster Carer / Note,camping/caravanholidaysmaynotbesuitableforsomelookedafterchildren.Sharingbedroomsonholidaysmaysometimesbenecessaryandcarefulconsiderationshouldbegivenreanysafeguardingimplicationsandneedtoamendthesafecareplanfortheholidayperiod.Ifindoubtdiscusswith yoursupervisingsocialworkerand/orsocialworker.
3.6HolidaysoutsidetheUK / SocialWorker / Letterfrom socialworkerrequiredtoobtainpermission from the Service Manager/persons with PRtotakethechildoutofthecountry.
3.7Sports/social clubs / Foster Carer / Recommenddiscussionwithsocialworker.
3.8Morehazardousactivities-e.g. horseriding,skiing,rockclimbing / Foster Carer / Followingdiscussionwithsocialworker:considerationmustbegiventoadditionalriskfactorse.g.disability,poorattentionspan,poorimpulsecontrol.
3.9 Haircuts/colouring / Foster Carer / FosterCarerundertakesthistaskindiscussionandagreementwithchildunlessspecificallyexcludedinplacementplan.Fostercarersshouldtakeintoconsiderationthewishesofthebirthparentsbeingsensitivetoanyreligiousorculturalviewsandalsochild’sviews.
3.10 Bodypiercing / InEnglishlaw,itisillegalforunder16stohavetheirgenitalspierced.Itis alsoillegalforfemalesunder16tohavetheirbreastspierced,althoughthisdoesnotapplytomalesunder16.
3.11 Tattoos / Itisillegalforanyoneundertheageof18tohaveatattoo.
3.12 Mobilephone / FosterCarer/Child/Socialworker / Initiallydiscussionwithsocialworkermaybeappropriateincaseofanysafeguardingissues.ThereafterFosterCarershouldagreeusagewithchild.Houserulesaboutmobilephonesshouldgenerallybeobserved.Safeguardingmattersmayrequirephonestobeleftdownstairsduringsleepinghours.Incaseofdisagreementbetweencarerandchild,advicemayneedtobetakenfromsocialworker/fosteringofficer/independentreviewingofficerinordertoseekaworkablecompromise.
3.13 Part time employment / FosterCarer/SocialWorker / Dependingonageandtypeofwork. Ensure actions are in line with Education Act 2002.
3.14Accessingsocialnetworkingsitese.g.Facebook,Twitter,MSN / Foster Carer / Regulatingthesiteshouldbetheresponsibilityofthepersonprovidingthecomputer.Initiallydiscussionwithsocialworkeradvisableinordertoconsiderspecificsafeguardingissuesforchild.Advicesheetforfostercarersisavailableforreferenceandguidance.Seealsoguidancein3.12
3.15Photosor othermediaactivity / Thisshouldbeagreedonacasebycasebasisbysocialworkerandfostercarer.

4Faithandreligiousobservance

Consent/agreement/task / Whohasauthorityto giveconsent/agreementorundertakethetask / Notes (inc.notifications,priorconsultation/recordingrequirement/conditions) / Date
4.1Newor changesinfaith,churchor religiousobservance / All / Allinvolvedinthecareandspiritualdevelopmentofthechildshouldmakethedecisionsrequired.Birthparentandsocialworkermustagreeanychangesdependingonageofchild.
4.2Attendanceat aplaceofworship / FosterCarer / Specifyinplacementplanifpermissionisrequiredfrom birthparent.

5IdentityandNames

Consent/agreement/task / Whohasauthoritytogive consent/agreementorundertakethetask / Notes (inc.notifications,priorconsultation/recordingrequirement/conditions) / Date
5.1Lifestorywork / SocialWorker/FosterCarer / Indiscussionwithfostercarerandbirthparentandtherapeuticworker(whereactiveinvolvement).
5.2Newor changesin‘nicknames’,orderoffirstnames,or preferrednames. / Fostercarersorsocial workersdonothavetherighttochangethefirstnameororderofnames.Nicknamesaresomethingthatthechildhastobehappyaboutandaccepts.

6.Contact

Consent/agreement/task / Whohasauthorityto giveconsent/agreementorundertakethetask / Notes (inc.priorconsultation/notification/recordingrequirement/conditions) / Date
6.1Transport / FosterCarer / Expectationthatfostercarerwillassistandparticipateincontactforchildren.Thisisparticularlyimportantforbabiesandyoungchildren.Howeversocialworkersneedtobemindfulofthefostercarersotherchildreninthefamilyhomeandanyimplicationsforthemwhenmakingrequests.
6.2Arranging / SocialWorker / Socialworkermaymakeinitialarrangementsandthenshoulddiscussdelegatingtofostercarer.Thisshouldbedetailedinplacementplan.
6.3Facilitation / Asabove.
6.4Formalsupervision / Asabove.Fostercarersmayalsohaveanassessmentroletoplayinthesupervisedcontactarrangementandthiswillbeagreedwithintheplacementplan.

7.Otherareasorcategories

Consent/agreement/task / Whohasauthorityto giveconsent/agreementorundertakethetask / Notes (inc.priorconsultation/notification/recordingrequirement/conditions) / Date
Support care / Itisacknowledgedthatforsomechildren,thechallengestheypresentmaybegreatandfostercarersmayneedtohaveabreaktorechargetheirbatteries,particularlyinlongtermplacements.
Wheneversupport careisbeingconsideredtheremustbeafulldiscussionwiththesocial
workerandthesupervising social worker.Itneedstobeacknowledgedthatforyoungchildren,respiteandbeingcaredforbyotherpeoplecanbedetrimentaltotheiremotionaldevelopment,thisisparticularlysoforchildrenunder2years.
Babysitting / Fostercarersshouldensurebabysittersare18 yearsorolderunlessthereareexceptionalcircumstances.Insuchcases,thefostercarermustdiscussthedetailswiththechild’ssocialworker/supervisingsocialworker.ItisnotusuallynecessarytocompleteaPoliceCheck(Disclosurevettingandbarringform,DBS)unlessthebabysitteristobearegularpersonandapartoftheplacementplanarrangements.
Additionaldelegationsrequired / .

8.Additionalnotes

Everychildisuniqueandthekeytogoodcareiscommunicationand sensitivity asresponsibilitiesarenotalwaysasclearcutaswewouldlikethem to be. Other factorsmaycomeintoplaysuchasotherchildrenincareinthe sameplacementandfoster carers’ ownbirthchildren.

If thereareclear difference ofopinions,thenthebestwaytoresolvethesematterswouldbeto holdameetingwiththerespectivesocial worker andtheir managerand theSupervisingsocial worker andtheirmanager.If no agreement can bereachedtheServiceManagerwillmake thefinaldecision.

Signatures

Fostercarer/sDate

Child/YoungPersonDate

SocialWorkerDate

SupervisingSocialWorkerDate

ReviewDate