BACK TO BLOGIn January 2024, FosterTalk are launching a survey which aims to highlight issues with the support systems surrounding allegations within the fostering community. Our primary goal is to use these insights to draw attention to these issues to government bodies and drive forward much-needed reforms.
Despite previous reports, such as the Rees report conducted in 2016, governments have not taken effective action.
Thanks to our Advisory committee (which is composed of foster carers and sector specialists) and their rigorous consultative work, the survey was born; it’s their voice which is behind the survey and we’re all very excited to see it go live.
We’re delighted to have consulted with Nick Midgley, Professor of Psychological Therapies for Children and Young People, University College London. Nick has been invaluable in building the survey, and we cannot thank him enough!
In this blog, we will highlight the importance of our January survey and the actions FosterTalk hope to initiate through our collected results.
Why the January 2024 allegation survey is important
Allegations within the foster care system refer to accusations of harm or behaviour that indicate carers are unsuitable for working with children. These can be made by anyone, including the child or young person or individuals acting on the child’s behalf.
The subject of these allegations can range widely, including abuse, neglect, and the standard of care provided.
There are many complex reasons why allegations are made against foster carers, not least because they may be true, and whenever an allegation has been made, it has to be investigated thoroughly, following a careful process to protect the child involved.
However, it is also important that if caregivers are subject to unproven allegations, they are given consistent support and guidance on how to navigate the investigation process.
The survey taking place in 2024 is an opportunity to highlight issues or concerns with the way allegations and investigations are handled, especially in regards to caregivers.
Who can take part in the allegation survey?
We invite both members, non-members and previous foster carers to participate in the survey as a way for individuals to share their experiences. This way we can gain a comprehensive understanding of the various challenges surrounding allegations in fostering.
When is the allegation survey being carried out?
The survey is scheduled to launch in the second week of January and is set to remain open for 3 to 4 weeks, allowing ample time to ensure inclusive participation and a thorough gathering of insights and experiences.
We want to emphasise the importance of every participant’s input. Your contribution helps us to gather a real idea of what changes need to be made to have an impact on the fostering community.
What are FosterTalk’s aims with the allegation survey?
The purpose of the survey is to identify crucial areas for improvement within the fostering community. From these insights, we hope to:
- Enhance the consistency and quality of support for foster carers during allegations, including identifying gaps in support when allegations arise.
- Improve understanding among carers about the investigation process so they are adequately informed about the various roles of parties involved and the steps of the investigation.
- Prompt further debate about the definition of ‘allegation’ to prevent misunderstandings and confusion among fostering staff and caregivers.
- Address discrepancies in how different local authorities handle allegations. Variations in how allegations are managed can lead to inconsistent support and outcomes for foster carers.
- Streamline the role of various professionals involved in allegations, by assessing the collaboration between, for example, social workers and authorities during investigations.
- Ensure consistent and robust support for foster carers from their fostering agency. FosterTalk aims to assess the agencies’ responsiveness, communication and proactive measures that are taken to assist and guide foster carers through the allegation process.
Take the survey by clicking here
Join FosterTalk as we strive for change in January 2024
At FosterTalk, we understand the challenges and uncertainties foster carers can experience when they are involved in allegations and the investigation process.
To help us drive change towards the way allegations are managed, we hope you will participate in the January survey, sharing your valuable insights, experiences and suggestions.
Together we can advocate for meaningful reforms that will benefit foster carers and the children in their care.
If you have any questions about the upcoming survey, don’t hesitate to get in touch with a member of our team today.
