Allegations

Complaints & Allegations about carers

You might think that this will never happen. But the Fostering Network booklet ‘Safe Caring’ states that one in six carers will have a complaint or allegation made against them during their fostering career. All Allegations are treated seriously because some will have some foundation.   The child, their family or social workers may make complaints about aspects of your care. The decision of Children and Young People’s Services in all cases is made in the best interest of the child. As carers, your home and family is more open to criticism because it is exposed to regular scrutiny and we acknowledge the stressful nature of this.

Carers must minimise the risk of unfounded allegations being made. You should try to build your own safety net in the following ways;

Use your Family Policy. Refer to it and update it regularly.

Make sure you are aware of the Fostering Network ‘Safe Caring’ guidance.

Ensure you attend traing sessions.

Build up a support network.

Make use of your Fostering Network membership.

Keep a daily diary of events.

Keep social workers informed of events in the child’s life and your feelings.

When dealing with young people who are sexually aware avoid situations where you are left alone and vulnerable.

Discuss safe caring with your supervising social worker on a regular basis.

A child might make an allegation against a carer because -

Something that has happened recently reminds the child of an event that took place before child was with the carer.

It is a way of trying to regain control over their life.

The child sees it as a way of getting away from the placement making a false accusation.

The child can misinterpret an innocent action, such as putting an arm round them to offer comfort.

The child may be angry about something a carer has done that is not harmful but has annoyed them _ eg. challenge them about an aspect of their behaviour.

The child may had experienced abuse in the placement.

Key messages for safer caring

Fostering has an impact on everyone in the foster home

No-one can take a back – seat role, even if they may prefer to do so

Fostering will test all your relationships, particularly those between partners

Any carer (or any member or visitor to your household) can experience an allegation of abuse

Carers need to consider how to make their home safer for everyone

There are practical things that can and should be done to reduce risks to a minimum

‘Safer Caring’ should not prevent children and young people receiving the care they need

Carers need to find ways of showing care that are not open to misinterpretation or misunderstanding

Get to know as much about the child’s background as you can as this will help

Experienced carers say that you have to change the way you do things at home and that after a while this just becomes normal and does not stop youleading ‘ordinary’ lives!

Allegations against carers

Most carers think they will never be accused of abuse. But an allegation of abuse can happen to anyone. Allegations of any form of abuse need to be taken seriously.

An investigation of an allegation will follow the Child Protection Procedures. The Police may be involved. If the allegation is very serious the child (and sometimes other children in the household) may be removed.

A child may misinterpret an action and make an allegation of sexual abuse. But research on sexual abuse shows that deliberate false accusations of sexual abuse are rare.

Social work staff are in a difficult position when it comes to supporting carers when an allegation of abuse is made. Their prime responsibility is to the child.

Often an allegation is unsubstantiated. Carers may continue to feel under suspicion and that they cannot clear their name.

Carers may need outside support which Leicester Foster Care Association can provide. Your membership of the Fostering Network also provides access to free legal advise.

All foster carers need to understand the allegations procedure and ask for trainging about allegations.

Carers can ask for a specialist solicitor to be present at an initial police interview.

We have enclosed a flow chart to show you the stages of an investigation.

Please talk to your supervising social worker about training and remember, Leicester Foster Care Association are here to help you at any time.

A carer will be de-registered if it is felt that their home is nolonger a safe place.

Investigation Procedures

The first priority for social workers and the police will be to protect and safeguard any child/young person whocould be at risk of harm

An initial strategy discussion will be held immediately and a decision will be taken about the risk to any children you are currently looking after

A Strategy meeting will then be held as soon as possible to co-ordinate the investigation but the foster carer is not invited to this meeting

However you should check whether all the professionals who you feel have relevant information have been invited to atend

If appropriate you can ask for a second medical opinion to be considered at this meeting

Your supervising social worker will be present at these meetings and can represent your views

If you have prepared and report they can present this to the meeting but you should seek legal advise on this

Once the police and social workers have completed their initial investigations and taken any child protection actions they consider necessary, attention will be given toyour situation as a foster carer

You have the right to know the substance of any allegations made against you, and a right to be heard before a decision is made about your future as a foster carer

You are therefore invited to attend the meetings where the future of your fostering approval is being discussed

Police Questioning

It is important that you know what your rights are before you face a police interview

The police have a responsibility to try to discover the truth and have the right to question you

If you are subject to a police investigation you do not have to answer questions

However if you choose not to answer questions, and the case later comesto court, the jury may be informed of this and may form an adverse inference

An appropriate response to police questioning isto tell them that yo donot wish to say anything untilyou have consulted a solicitor ( a duty solicitor is available at every police station if you have been unable to contact one previously)

If you have not been arrested, you have the right to have anyone you wish present at any interview

A police officer must caution you before questioning you.

The police officer or socialworker will want to question the fostered child without the alleged abuser being present