Introduction

Dear Foster Carer,

We are very proud of the work that takes place across the Fostering Service and we want to continue to support you to improve outcomes for these children and young people.

This Foster Carers Handbook has been written for all foster carers approved by Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council.

The handbook contains policies, procedure and guidance which cover many common situations you may face on a day to day basis.

You will play an important role in the lives of Looked After Children and their families so it is important that you have the necessary tools to support you with this task. The handbook is one of these tools alongside the many professionals you will work with including your Supervising Social Worker and other foster carers.

It has links to the Minimum Standards for Fostering Services and references to the relevant Training, Support and Development Standards for Foster Care. You should also use the handbook to support your learning and development, particularly in relation to meeting the induction Standards.

This handbook sits alongside the Fostering Service's procedures which you might need to refer to when you require more detailed information.

This is the start of a great journey for you and the children and young people you may work with. Fostering is fun, fulfilling, and hugely rewarding.

Our Priorities

We refer to the children we place in foster care as being 'Looked After' and our priority is always to ensure the very best outcome for every young person we need to place with our registered carers.

We do this through our Fostering Service which is a specialist department that values the commitment, dedication and high standards of care provided by people just like you.

The Fostering Service's main goals are to deliver:

• Safe, high quality foster care;
• Comprehensive support for carers, your children and children in placement;
• A commitment to a child-centered approach and to improving Looked After children's life chances;
• Close working with all sections of the Council's Children and Young People's Service to ensure that the best interests of the children at all times;
• Partnership working with other agencies, including health, to ensure that support packages can be provided;
• Advice, encouragement and support of all foster carers;
• A commitment to the ongoing development of foster carers.

Thanks to the 24 hour support of our dedicated team, our current foster carers feel empowered and motivated to make a real difference to children's lives.

Foster carers say:

"It's life changing", "You can make a difference", "It gives kids a second chance", "When a child accepts you - you feel special".

Above all, we all work together to keep Rotherham children in Rotherham!

This is the start of a great journey for you and the children and young people you may work with.