Standards and legislation

Foster care is governed by a framework of legislation, regulations, standards and guidance. These vary across the UK.

The legislation can be confusing but it is important that everyone involved in foster care is aware of the standards and legislation that are relevant to them. You can find out more about the legislative framework for fostering in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

We provide a range of resources and publications to help foster carers with the standards and legislation affecting foster care. Members of the Fostering Network log in here for more information and resources on standards and legislation, and access to peer to peer support in our online community.

View our resources on Standards and legislation

Consultation responses

Ofsted consultation on inspections: response from the Fostering Network (2011)

The Fostering Network's response to an Ofsted consultation on inspections. The response is based on consultation with members of the Fostering Network.

Download Ofsted Consultation on Inspections: response from the Fostering Network
Tackling child poverty and improving life chances: consulting on a new approach (2011)
This government consultation tests support for two independent reports:
- 'The Foundation Years: preventing poor children becoming poor adults' led by Frank Field MP (December 2010)
- 'Early Intervention: the next steps' led by Graham Allen MP (January 2011)
Both reports support early intervention.
Download Tackling child poverty and improving life chances: consulting on a new approach

Good practice guidance

Foster carer charter: sample charter (2011)

To help fostering services in England implement the Foster Carer Charter, we have produced a sample charter that can be adapted to your needs.

Download the sample charter
Foster carers' charter: putting it into practice (2011)

The Fostering Network's guide to putting the Government's charter into practice for foster carers and fostering services in England.

Download Foster Carers' Charter: Putting it into Practice
Ofsted's guidance on foster carers who also provide childcare (2010)

This document provides insight into Ofsted's guidance for inspectors who inspect local authority and independent fostering services in England on the issue of foster carers who also provide childcare.

Download Ofsted's guidance on foster carers who also provide childcare
The Foster Carers' Charter: making it real (2011)

Linking the foster carers' charter to the national minimum standards for fostering services 2011.

Download The Foster Carers' Charter: making it real

Newsletters

Focus: regs and standards special (2011)

Helping you get to grips with all the changes to fostering standards, regulations and guidance in England, this special supplement of our England newsletter, Focus, highlights the key things you need to know and explains how they will impact on foster carers and the children and young people in their care.

Download Focus: regs and standards special

Publications

All You Need to Know: Fostering Regulations, Guidance and NMS 2011 (England) (2011)

This guide explains the new standards and regulations that come into force on 1 April in England in a clear, jargon-free way. Ideal for foster carers, fostering social workers, care planning social workers, panel members and managers who need to find the relevant information quickly.

Order All You Need to Know: Fostering Regulations, Guidance and NMS 2011 (England) online
Foster care placement (2009)

This Signpost booklet offers approved foster carers (including those who are relatives or friends of the child) in England and Wales an overview of the standards, regulations and legislative guidance that effect them.

Order Foster care placement online
The Children Act 1989 (2007)

This Signpost booklet provides a guide for foster carers on the most relevant aspects of the legislation. It also directs readers to further resources.

Order The Children Act 1989 online
UK national standards for foster care (1999)

The 25 Standards were launched in June 1999 to provide a blueprint on how to deliver the highest standards of foster care.

Order UK national standards for foster care online

Reports

National Minimum Standards 2002 to 2011: what has changed? (2011)

This document looks at the previous National Minimum Standards published in 2002 and compares them with the updated National Minimum Standards 2011. It covers the thematic changes and as well as number of other changes by subject.

Download National Minimum Standards 2002 to 2011: what has changed?

The Fostering Network's position

Position statement: Children and Young Persons Bill briefing (2008)

The Children and Young Persons Bill received its second reading debate in the House of Commons on Monday 16th June 2008. This is a briefing from the Fostering Network on the good points of the bill and what should be improved.

Download Position statement: Children and Young Persons Bill briefing

Useful links

Scottish Commission for the regulation of care

The Scottish Commission for the regulation of care, also known as the Care Commission, is the regulatory body for fostering services in Scotland.

www.carecommission.com

Share this:

Standards and legislation

View our resources on Standards and legislation

Consultation responses

Further reading

Good practice guidance

Newsletters

Publications

Reports

The Fostering Network's position

Useful links

Resources for foster carers

About us

Media