Theme

The safety of children in care is paramount. Therefore it is essential we investigate and respond to allegations, complaints and concerns about foster carers in a timely way and ensure children’s voices are heard and their needs met. This course will provide an opportunity to consider how we can manage allegations and concerns, with the rigour and challenge needed, whilst also considering the need for foster carers to receive sensitive support, that enables them to manage risks and keep everyone in the fostering household safe.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the session participants will have:

  • Considered the legislative framework for responding to concerns, complaints and allegations in foster care 
  • Considered the importance of panel, supervision and foster carer reviews to ensure children’s voices are heard and their needs met
  • Explored thresholds for concerns, complaints and allegations 
  • Looked at learning from serious case reviews – child safeguarding practice reviews 
  • Explored how to have courageous conversations with foster carers
  • Understood the tension between supervision, support and challenge
  • Explored impact of personal and professional identities on decision-making

Who should attend?

  • Social workers who assess prospective foster carers
  • Supervising social workers who support and supervise foster carers
  • Managers with decision-making responsibility for outcomes of allegations, complaints and concerns
  • Managers or panel advisors with responsibility for quality assuring assessments/reports/reviews about allegations, complaints and concerns
  • Panel members with an interest in how allegations, complaints and concerns are managed

“I found the case study discussion useful as well as the opportunity to discuss different scenarios and consider whether they constitute a complaint, allegation or standard of care concern. The discussions involved critical thinking which I will continue to implement in my role. The training has helped make clear the difference between the three.”

See future dates for this course or commission the course for your organisation and we can come to you.