North Tyneside Council Children, Young People & Learning Directorate Fostering Service An Agreement to Terms and Conditions For North Tyneside Foster Carers Terms and Conditions for Foster Carers, as set out in The Fostering Services (England) Regulations (2011) These Terms and Conditions comply with the matters and obligations in Foster care agreements as laid out in Schedule 5 (Regulation 27 (5) (b) of the Fostering Service Regulations 2011. Having reviewed your Foster Carer status, North Tyneside Council continues to approve you as a Foster Carer. Your current approval is:-

Type of Resource: Short Term

[ ] Assessment/Remand

[ ]

Long Term Fostering

[ ]

Shared Care

[ ] Respite

[ ]

Contract Carer Scheme

[ ]

Family & Friends

[ ] Chrysalis

[ ]

Specialist

[ ]

Mother and Baby

[ ]

Matching Considerations: Number of children the applicant approved to Foster.

………………..

Gender.

………………..

Age Range

…………………..

(Include both full and preferred age range where applicable)

(and any specific matching considerations referred to as part of our assessment and approval process).

NMS 31 CWDC Standard 2 Fostering Services Regulations 2011, 27 (5) (b) Fostering Service Policies & Procedures: Section 3: Foster Carer Agreement –Subsequent Reviewed and Amended November 2015 Page 1 of 7

Foster Care Agreement •

Please read the full Foster Carer Agreement which you signed after your original approval as a Foster Carer, which detailed the terms and conditions of the partnership between you and North Tyneside Council. By signing this subsequent Foster Carer Agreement you are agreeing to continue to abide by the information detailed in the earlier document. If at any time the full Foster Carer Agreement is substantially altered or the expectations of North Tyneside Council change you will be re-issued with this Agreement and we will request that it is signed to enable your continued approval as a Foster Carer for North Tyneside Council.

Expectations/Responsibilities of Foster Carers 1. I/we understand that by offering care for a child/young person I/we must make myself/ourselves available for supervision and consultation with my/our Supervising Social Worker. 2. I/we understand the Directorate's expectation upon attendance at training sessions and support groups and I/we will endeavor to attend all of the training courses agreed appropriate with my/our Supervising Social Worker. 3. Where I/we have a vacancy and are in receipt of a weekly fee, I/we will participate in a training course or attend a support group at least once a month. If I/we do not comply with this requirement I/we are aware that the weekly fee will be reviewed and could be stopped until I/we participate in training or a support group or have a child/young person placed. 4. I/we will only take the placements I/we are authorised by the Fostering Panel to take, as set out in my/our current approval, unless alternative arrangements are made by mutual consent. 5. I/we understand the system of payments and I/we are clear about my/our position with regards to tax and national insurance. 6. I/we understand that from the allowance payable I/we are expected to supply pocket money and clothing for the child/young person and to ensure that their personal possessions are kept in such a way that will enhance their self esteem. I/we will keep records of monies spent on clothing. 7. I/we understand that if I/we receive any monies for the child from another source ie from the child’s relative or DLA, I/we will open a bank account in the child’s name and keep records of monies received and expenditure. NMS 31 CWDC Standard 2 Fostering Services Regulations 2011, 27 (5) (b) Fostering Service Policies & Procedures: Section 3: Foster Carer Agreement –Subsequent Reviewed and Amended November 2015 Page 2 of 7

8. I/we understand the position with regard to insurance. I/we understand that it is my/our responsibility to ensure that my/our household and car insurance policies provide appropriate coverage given my/our role as Foster Carer and that it is my/our responsibility to check the position with my/our insurers. 9. I/we are in receipt of a notice of approval as Foster Carer/s for North Tyneside Council, which specifies the limits to my/our Fostering. 11. I/we understand that I/we cannot continue to be registered as a North Tyneside Foster Carer whilst at the same time becoming registered for another Foster Care agency. If I/we intend to take up a position with another Fostering agency, I/we will notify my Supervising Social Worker in writing prior to making an application. See Guidance in Appendix A. 12. I/we at the point of placement shall expect that as a basic minimum an emergency agreement is made and written down. If this does not happen I/we will notify my Supervising Social Worker as soon as possible. 13. I/we will undertake not to use any form of physical or corporal punishment or any other form of physical or emotional sanction considered inappropriate by North Tyneside Council. 14. I/we will at all times provide adequate supervision for a child/young person. Where this involves leaving the child in the care of someone else, e.g. babysitter, I/we will discuss this fully with the child's Social Worker. I/we understand that children/young people should not be left alone under 16, unless individual arrangements have been agreed at placement agreement/looked after review. Over 16 the use of a substitute Carer should be discussed with the young person's Social Worker and the child/young person themselves consulted. In all cases the supervision details should be agreed with those with parental responsibility and included in the Placement Plan. 15. I/we will care for a child/young person placed with me/us as I/we would a member of my/our own family, whilst accepting the difference between my/our own children and those in my care. This will include attending formal and where necessary informal health, education and other appointments with the child/ young person e.g. Medicals examinations, Parent Teacher evenings etc and taking an interest in and encouraging their leisure interests. 16. I/We acknowledge that in the great majority of cases, placement with a family of similar ethnic origin, religion and language is most likely to meet a child's/young person's needs as fully as possible. However, where a child/young person placed within my/our Family has a different ethnic, linguistic or religious background to ourselves, I/we undertake to help him/her to understand and take a pride in all elements of their cultural heritage and to feel positive and comfortable about their origins. NMS 31 CWDC Standard 2 Fostering Services Regulations 2011, 27 (5) (b) Fostering Service Policies & Procedures: Section 3: Foster Carer Agreement –Subsequent Reviewed and Amended November 2015 Page 3 of 7

17. I/we are aware of the areas about which I/we need to notify the Authority immediately or in writing. 18. I/we shall ensure that my/our home is a safe and healthy environment for a child/young person and I/we shall take advice and training where possible as required on all issues of health and safety. 19. I/we will be available and accessible unless otherwise planned in order to provide a good standard and consistency of service to young people in my/our care. 20. I/we will undertake tasks as outlined in the Placement Plan. 21. I/we will assist a child/young person to move on to independence. 22. I/we understand the importance of confidentiality and will at all times treat as confidential information about children/young people and their families. 23. I/we will keep information safe and return it to the agency when a placement ends. 24. I/we understand the duty of North Tyneside Council, Children and Families Services to safeguard and promote the welfare of children/young people looked after by them and their obligations under the Children Act. I/we also understand that I/we am/are working in partnership with the Council. 25. I/we understand the complaints procedure and agree to follow these procedures. I/We accept that any complaint made against me/us will be investigated. It is also accepted that any complaint which I/we make will be investigated. 26. I/we undertake to allow North Tyneside Council, Children and Families Services to remove a child/young person from my home where the Directorate considers it is not in the child/young person's best interests to remain there. 27. I/we will undertake to transport the children in my/our care and where practicable to use public transport in favour of other means of transportation and in particular taxis to and from school, hospital etc. 28. I/we undertake to accept the principles and practice of partnership with the Local Authority and the child/young person's family. 29. I/we agree to North Tyneside Council undertaking any necessary Health and Safety Assessment (including the completion of a pet questionnaire, where applicable) of my/ our home. I/ we further understand that any non-compliance with the Council’s Health and Safety standards will render my Foster Care status with North Tyneside Council as void until such time as the non-compliance is remedied, reassessed and approved.

NMS 31 CWDC Standard 2 Fostering Services Regulations 2011, 27 (5) (b) Fostering Service Policies & Procedures: Section 3: Foster Carer Agreement –Subsequent Reviewed and Amended November 2015 Page 4 of 7

30. I/we will comply with the terms of the Foster Carer Agreement as it applies to me/us as well as to any changes subsequently made in that agreement. 31. I/we will notify the finance section when a placement commences / ends. 32. I/we undertake to report damage to any equipment provided by North Tyneside Council and accept that any equipment provided remains the property of North Tyneside Council and can be moved whilst not in use and removed once we cease to foster or take a break from fostering.

Expectations/Responsibilities of Fostering Service 1. The Fostering Service Supervising Social Worker will supervise and support the Carer/s and manage their workload. 2. Fostering Service Supervising Social Workers, where necessary will be involved in the care planning arrangements through dialogue with Fieldwork Service Social Workers and other members of the care team. 3. Where Carers indicate the possibility of placement breakdown the Fostering Service Supervising Social Worker will assess and co-ordinate support to the Carer/s. This may include respite and outreach support. 4. Fostering Service Supervising Social Workers will provide additional support through Carers groups, which Carers are recommended to attend. Support Groups will be organised and structured in a flexible manner to optimise the opportunity for Carers to attend. 5. Fostering Service Supervising Social Workers will ensure that Carers attend all forms of training and notify the Service Manager of specific training needs. 6. The Fostering Service will ensure compliance with the matters to be monitored by the registered person as determined by Schedule 6 Fostering Service Regulations 2011 35 (1). See Appendix B. 7. North Tyneside Fostering Service is regularly inspected by The Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills (Ofsted). In becoming a Foster Carer for North Tyneside, Foster Carers are reminded that they may be interviewed or visited as part of Ofsted’s Inspection process.

NMS 31 CWDC Standard 2 Fostering Services Regulations 2011, 27 (5) (b) Fostering Service Policies & Procedures: Section 3: Foster Carer Agreement –Subsequent Reviewed and Amended November 2015 Page 5 of 7

I/we confirm that the above agreement is accepted by: Foster Carer Name………………………………… Foster Carer Signature………………………..……

Date…..……………

Foster Carer Name……………………………..…… Foster Carer Signature……………………….……… Date ………..…… Fostering Service Supervising Social Worker..………………..……….. Date …………….. Service Manager Fostering and Adoption Services...………………… Date …………….. Senior Manager Preventative & Safeguarding Services……….……………….

Date ……………..

Copy of this signed Agreement provided to Foster Carer on………..…..

NMS 31 CWDC Standard 2 Fostering Services Regulations 2011, 27 (5) (b) Fostering Service Policies & Procedures: Section 3: Foster Carer Agreement –Subsequent Reviewed and Amended November 2015 Page 6 of 7