Foster Carers Social Work Support Line

Our Social Work Support Line is a confidential, impartial advisory service for FosterTalk members, provided by qualified Social Workers with a background in adoption and fostering.

How can the Social Work Support Line help you?

The Social Work Support Line provides emotional support to Foster Carers in distress. Qualified Social Workers can help you to clarify policy and procedure, talk you through the next steps to take in concerning situations and provide you with the information needed to make an informed decision.

Our aim is to minimise disruption of placements, retain Foster Carers and provide professional and knowledgeable support at a time when fostering services are under pressure and facing cuts.

The Social Work Support Line receives calls about a range of issues including:

• S47/Safeguarding issues,
• Allegations and complaints against Foster Carers or family members,
• Children being moved from placement,
• Historical allegations,
• “Standards of care” concerns,
• Reviews of approval,
• Terminations of Approval,
• Appeals to the IRM,
• Referral to the ISA,
• Concerns about young people leaving care,
• Children’s Rights,
• Payment of allowances.

The Social Work Support Line promotes good practice by:

• Providing information and clarification about regulations and standards and where possible each Fostering Service Provider’s own policies and procedures (where these have been provided to us).
• Encouraging dialogue between the Foster Carer and their fostering service in order to resolve issues.
• Ensuring Foster Carers can access legal advice and representation quickly where this is needed.
• Facilitating a referral for a FISS (Foster Carers Independent Support Service) Advisor where the Fostering Service Provider has contracted for this service.
• Maintaining an open and honest dialogue with Foster Carers which enables them to fully engage with the process.
• Maintains confidentiality at all times unless a child or a Foster Carer is at risk of harm.

Foster Carer members - Access to the Social Work Support Line

For Foster Carer members looking to access our Social Work Support Line, please login via the box below. The page will refresh to display all of the information you require.

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