Embarking on the journey to become a foster carer is both rewarding and transformative. However, as you start your fostering journey, you may encounter a range of terms and acronyms that are new or unfamiliar.
In this guide, we’ll define some of the most common terms used in fostering. Whether you’re just beginning to explore fostering or are already in the application process, this glossary will help you better understand the language used in fostering.
Care Order
If a court sees that a child is in an unsafe living situation or not being cared for properly, they will make a care order. This places the child in the care of a public authority.
Care Plan
A key working document setting out the needs of a looked after child and how those needs can be met. This is put together by the child’s social worker with input from all adults involved in caring for the child, including, where possible, the child’s biological family and the child themselves.
Delegated Authority
As a foster carer some decisions about a child’s day to day life will be delegated to you, such as whether they can sleep over at a friend’s house, etc. Bigger decisions may need to be made by a social worker or the child’s biological parent.
Form F
This is the fostering assessment which goes into every aspect of your life and circumstances to make sure you’re suitable for fostering and that it’s the right choice for you. A social worker will gather the information needed by asking questions during a number of visits to your home.
Foster Carer Agreement
Once you’ve been approved, the foster carer agreement sets out the terms of your approval. Including the number, age or gender of the children you can care for and the support and training you will need.
Fostering Panel
It is required by law for every fostering service to use a fostering panel. The panel make the final recommendation as to whether you should be approved as a foster carer.
IFA
Stands for Independent Fostering Agency. These are agencies, like Step by Step Fostering, who are privately operated and often offer more personalised support.
LA
Stands for Local Authority. These are government-run agencies who tend to have a higher volume of placements.
Looked After
All children who are cared for by a public authority are referred to as looked after.
Parental Responsibility
This refers to the rights, responsibilities, authority, powers and duties the parent of a child has by law.
Placement
Where a looked after child goes to live, e.g. your house.
Placement Plan
This refers to the plan that will be put in place to determine how a child will be cared for, the delegated authority you will have and the health, education and contact arrangements that exist for the child.
Supervising Social Worker
This is the social worker who will be responsible for supervising, assessing and supporting you through your fostering journey.
We hope that this guide will make it easier to navigate your fostering experience. If you have any other questions, get in contact with us here and our team will be happy to answer them for you.