Foster care agreement

This is an agreement that foster carers will be asked to sign when a child is placed in their care.

The foster care agreement will set out expectations in terms of the care to be provided to the child. This includes a requirement that the child is treated as though they are a member of the foster carer’s family.

The foster care agreement will also set out:

• What support and training children’s services or the independent fostering agency will provide.
• The procedure for reviewing the foster carer’s approval. Every foster carer must have their approval reviewed at least once a year. This review does not mean going through the full assessment process again.
• How the foster carer can make a complaint.

The foster care agreement will also specify some obligations on the foster carer, including:

• The foster carer will notify children’s services or the independent fostering agency of any important changes in their circumstances. This includes a change of address or any change to who lives in the family home.
• The foster carer will not physically punish the child.
• The foster carer will keep children’s services or the independent fostering agency informed of the child’s progress and of any significant events affecting the child.