3.11.8 Case Recording in Fostering |
Contents
1. Introduction
Social Services have a duty to protect and support vulnerable people in the community, which include children and their families and/or Carers.
To carry out these duties, Social Services should collect information from individuals and third parties such as, Heath professionals and other Local Authority Departments.
Social Services should not disclose information about Foster Carers outside Social Services unless the law permits them to do so.
Social Services will seek your consent for information to be shared with third parties.
Social Services hold information on computer and paper files.
How Social Services collects, process, shares and allows access to and destroys information is directed by the Data Protection Act 1998.
2. Foster Carer's Files
2.1 Computer Files
Each Foster Carer's personal details such as address and date of birth are recorded on the Computer File. The Computer File also has the capacity to store Case Notes including Supervision Visits and records of Foster Carer Reviews, Placement Plan Meetings/Foster Placement Agreement and Training Portfolio.
2.2 Paper Files (General)
These files have the following sections for each foster family;
Before Dividers
- Foster Family Basic Information Form
Pink Section
- Report for Panel (F1 Form)
- Fostering Panel minutes relating to approval (most recent at top)
- Foster Carer's Personal Profiles
Blue Section
- Foster Care Agreements (most recent at top)
Red Section
- Foster Care Review Pack (including, carer and child feedback form, Social Worker feedback form, health and safety checklist form, letter confirming status of foster carer after review or panel) (most recent at top)
Front Green Section
- General correspondence, memos and emails relating to Foster carers (most recent at top)
Back Green Section
- Financial information (most recent at top)
Front Yellow Section
- All third party correspondence (most recent at top)
Back Yellow Section
- CRB Clearance Recording
- G.P. Reference
- Education Check
- Department of Health Check
- Probation Check
- Health Authority Check
- Personal References
- Application for assessments including permission to undertake Statutory
2.3 Paper Files (Complaints/Incidents)
These files are kept in a red sleeve separately from the general file and are used for collating all the information relating to allegations or incidents, which are referred to the Fostering Team and require to be investigated by the Fostering Team and in all cases where LSCB Safeguarding Procedures are followed.
3. Children's Files
3.1 Paper Files
Each child has a paper file for storing third party information.
3.2 Computer Files
Each child has a computer file, which has the capacity to store the following:
- Personal Details
- Case Notes
- Placement Information Records
- Childcare Reviews
- Care Plans
- Child Protection Plans
- Pathway Plans
4. Recording Information Stored by Foster Carers in Relation to Children
Foster Carers are required to keep a diary or notebook on each child they care for, which records significant events and details including contact. Information must be made available to the child's Social Worker and the Foster Carers Support Worker.
Foster Carers also have a Specific Incidents log book. Copies of recordings on these records are given to child's Social Worker and Support Worker and a copy kept by Foster Carer.
When a child moves from a Foster Carers home, all the written information relating to that child must be given to the child's Social Worker.
All Case Recordings must be stored securely.
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