Foundational training for foster carers on understanding and navigating the allegation system in policy and practice.
“Our goal in this unique course is to alleviate the fears foster carers face by addressing the realities of allegations from their perspective and discussing practical applications.
We provide clear information underpinned by National Minimum Standards and statutory regulations, combined with practical strategies and actions based on everyday frontline experiences.”
FosterWiki and NFCQ
Understanding Roles, Acronyms, and Terminology
Understanding the roles, acronyms, and terminology used in fostering and in allegations is crucial for navigating processes effectively and for promoting your professionalism and confidence. Here’s a comprehensive guide to key terms and concepts:
LADO - Local Authority Designated Officer: This individual oversees safeguarding procedures and holds significant authority in child protection matters.
Strategy Meeting - A meeting convened following an initial assessment indicating potential significant harm to a child, to determine the necessity of a Section 46 enquiry.
Section 46 Enquiry - Conducted when there are reasonable grounds to suspect a child has suffered significant harm.
Section 47 (S47) - Child protection investigation under Section 47 of the Children Act 1989, enabling immediate child removal without explanation.
Ofsted - Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills: Inspects and regulates services providing education and care for children and young people.
NMS - National Minimum Standards: Minimum standards set for fostering services under the Children's Act, governing service delivery and care standards.
REGS - Fostering Services Regulations (2011): Regulations that complement NMS, providing a framework for fostering service operations.
DBS - The Disclosure and Barring Service is a way for employers to check criminal records and decide whether a person is suitable to work for them. This includes whether it is suitable for you to work with children and vulnerable adults. Foster carers are required to have an 'enhanced' DB
Whistleblowing - Reporting concerns regarding standards of practice, misconduct, safety risks, or policy violations within fostering services.
IUC - Interview Under Caution: Police interview where caution is given, potentially leading to further investigation or action.
QD (Qualifying Determination)- Final decision made by the fostering service’s Agency Decision Maker (ADM) following panel recommendations.
ADM (Agency Decision Maker) - Managerial role independent of the allegation process, responsible for making final decisions on fostering suitability.
Standard of Care Concerns (SOC) - Concerns regarding childcare standards that do not involve significant harm are handled separately from the allegations process.
Significant Harm - Assessment criterion indicating risk or potential risk of harm to a child's welfare, health, or development.
IRM (Independent Reviewing Mechanism) - Independent appeals process for foster carers dissatisfied with panel or ADM decisions, providing objective review and determination.
Allegations Policy - Fostering service policy outlining procedures and protocols during allegation investigations.
SAR (Subject Access Request) - Written request to your fostering services for access to personal data under the Data Protection Act 1998, facilitating transparency and legal compliance.
Understanding these terms and their implications equips foster carers with essential knowledge for engaging effectively in the fostering system, ensuring professionalism and informed participation in allegation processes.
A full Jargon Buster can be found on FosterWiki.com
About Instructor
Course Includes
- 6 Lessons
- 44 Topics
- 5 Quizzes
- Course Certificate