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Contents

1. Frequency and Purpose
2. Agenda
3. Recording

1. Frequency and Purpose

The supervising Social Worker must maintain regular contact with foster carers from the time of approval, during, between and after placements.

Supervising Social Workers must make a formal visit to foster carers at least once every 6 weeks while children are placed with them. Supervision sessions should normally be announced/planned, but can be unannounced. Unannounced visits are required at least annually.

If deemed appropriate, the supervising social worker will maintain telephone contact between visits; this should be negotiated between the supervising social worker and the foster carer. There may also be E-mail communication.

The supervising social worker will aim to ensure, through supervision, that foster carers are aware of, understand, accept and operate the standards, policies, procedures and guidance required of them. There will be a focus on the plans for children placed with them and the expectations and outcomes set at the child's Looked After Review.

The supervising Social Worker will ensure that enough time is given to meeting the children of foster carers and listening to and recording their views.

The supervising Social Worker will also arrange to see the partners and support carers on a regular basis and at least every 2 or 3 visits.

2. Agenda

Supervision is a positive, enabling and supportive opportunity for foster carers and should help them to have:

1. Their strengths and weaknesses recognised and developed;
2. Their skills and potential enhanced;
3. Their relationship with the Fostering Service authority enhanced;
4. Their performance positively challenged and managed.

The supervision agenda will be agreed at each meeting and will likely include:

1. An assessment of the understanding of the foster carer of the standards, policies, procedures and guidance of Children’s Specialist Services in relation to looked after children, including health and safety issues and risk assessments;
2. An assessment of the training needs of the foster carer and the identification of suitable ways of meeting those needs including the completion of CWDC induction standards within 12 months of approval and foster carer's responsibility for their own development;
3. A discussion about the foster carer’s attendance at support group meetings;
4. The need for any additional support or training including additional support to the child/ren in placement from the Placement Support Team;
5. A review of the foster carer’s record keeping to ensure that the Daily Records are being completed appropriately and in sufficient detail and that records of the child’s health (including medication and treatment, any incidents, education attendance / progress absences and measures of control, restraint or discipline are being kept in accordance with procedures (Schedule 7, Regulation 42 (1);
6. The monitoring of how the records kept by the foster carer are stored confidentially;
7. A discussion about how a child or young person’s education, development (emotional self care skills) and health care are being promoted and the carer's attendance at school events;
8. Issues relating to contact between the child/ren in placement and their relatives or friends;
9. The involvement of other professionals including the Youth Offending Service, Youth Service and pre-school activities, Placement Support Team, CLAESS.

3. Recording

The Supervision sessions or any phone/email contact will be recorded by the Supervising Social Worker on the “Supervision visit Report” , signed by the carer, the supervising Social Worker and the Team Manager, and placed on the carer’s file. A copy will be given/sent to the carer(s).

End