4. Monitor and support
4.1 Negotiate support arrangements
The purpose of providing support to an approved carer is to assist the carer to provide care consistent with the statement of standards for each child placed in their care and to achieve the stated goal and outcomes of a child's case plan.
Direct support to approved carers will be provided by staff of Child Safety Services, and where applicable, the staff of foster and kinship care services.
Following the issuing of a certificate of approval:
- hold discussions with the approved carer to negotiate support arrangements
- provide the approved carer with information about:
- the foster and kinship carer support line, available on telephone 1300 729 309, Monday to Friday 5.00pm - 11.30pm and Saturday and Sunday 7.00am - 11.30pm
- and the role and contact details for the Child Safety After Hours Service Centre.
For information to consider when negotiating support arrangements, refer to the practice resource Negotiating support arrangements for approved carers and the practice paper Carer support and supervision.
The general support needs for foster carers will be negotiated as part of developing the carer support plan within the Foster Carer Agreement (refer to 4.2 Complete a Foster Carer Agreement).
The support required for any approved carer, specific to the goals of the placement for a particular child, is negotiated with the carer and documented in the placement agreement for the child.
For further information about developing a placement agreement, refer to Chapter 5, 1.9 Complete a placement agreement.
4.2 Complete a Foster Carer Agreement
Child Safety Services is responsible for the provision of support and effective management processes to enable approved carers to meet their legislative responsibilities under the Child Protection Act 1999, including enabling them to provide a level of care consistent with the legislated statement of standards.
Child Safety Services , foster and kinship care services and foster carers share the responsibility to actively identify, promote and address their support and training needs.
A 'Foster Carer Agreement' is to be completed with the foster carer as soon as possible following the issuing of the certificate of approval. It is a written agreement, negotiated between each foster carer and Child Safety Services or a foster and kinship care service, that:
- sets out the terms, conditions and responsibilities of the relationship between the foster carer and the CSSC or the foster and kinship care service
- includes plans for the carer's ongoing support and learning needs.
A 'Foster Carer Agreement' is not completed for a kinship carer, as their support is specific to the child placed in their care and recorded in the placement agreement.
The CSSC is responsible for developing the 'Foster Carer Agreement' with a foster carer who is affiliated with the CSSC. The foster and kinship care service is responsible for developing a 'Foster Carer Agreement' with a foster carer who is affiliated with a foster and kinship care service. The CSSC may be involved in this process when a carer has a significant history of matters of concern.
For further information about matters of concern, refer to Chapter 9.1 Decide whether information constitutes a matter of concern.
Prior to completing the 'Foster Carer Agreement', discuss and agree on:
- the type of care to be provided
- the characteristics of the children to be referred for placement
- the needs of the foster carer family.
Following the discussion:
- complete the 'Foster Carer Agreement' and include:
- the carer support plan
- the carer's learning plan
- review dates for Part A, B and C
- request that the foster carer signs the 'Foster Carer Agreement', to signify their agreement that the recorded information is a true and correct record of discussions held
- provide the foster carer with a copy of the completed, signed agreement and any attachments
- file the original 'Foster Carer Agreement' on the foster carer's file, and provide a copy to the foster and kinship care service, where applicable.
4.3 Monitor and review the ongoing quality of care
Following approval as a foster or kinship carer, the ongoing quality of care provided by the carer is to be monitored and reviewed for the duration of a child's placement with the carer. This will occur:
- during home visits with the child and the carer
- when reviewing the 'Foster Carer Agreement', if applicable
- when reviewing the placement agreement for a child
- through the implementation of the carer's support and training needs
- through the implementation of an action plan for addressing a matter of concern, if applicable
- during the carer's application for renewal of approval.
Any identified concerns regarding the ongoing quality of care provided by an approved carer are to be addressed at the earliest possible time, in discussion with the carer and where applicable, the foster or kinship care service. Where concerns remain or escalate, consider:
- recording a matter of concern - refer to 9.1 Decide whether information constitutes a matter of concern
- the amendment, suspension or cancellation of a certificate of approval.
4.4 Standard and advanced training
Other than in exceptional circumstances, an approved foster carer must complete the following training:
- Standard training - three modules, each of three hours duration - within the first 12 months and, as a prerequisite for their first renewal of approval as a foster carer.
- Advanced training - minimum of 8 hours - within two years and as a prerequisite for their second renewal of approval as a foster carer.
The content of the standard training modules may be delivered in a range of flexible ways, including one-to-one in the applicant's home, if necessary.
The completion of associated learning journals is at the discretion of the foster carer.
Following the completion of standard and advanced training, further participation in advanced training modules occurs at the foster carer's discretion.
Kinship carers are not required to complete standard and advanced training, however, they may choose to participate in standard or advanced training, to assist them in meeting their support and learning needs.
Note: Where the partner of a foster carer is genuinely unable to participate in standard training due to the nature and location of their employment, for example, those employed by the defence forces or mining industry and working interstate or overseas, both foster carers may be granted renewal of approval, with the condition (recorded on the certificate of approval) that the applicable partner completes standard training when their circumstances change. In exceptional circumstances, the CSSC manager may approve an extension of up to six months for the completion of standard training, or if necessary, waive the requirement entirely.
For more information, refer to the Procedures and guidelines for Quality Care: Foster Care Training.
- Last updated
- 7 April 2009
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