3.10.3 Limit on the Number of Children in Foster Homes

AMENDMENT

This chapter was significantly amended in October 2011 and should be read in its entirety.

1. Foster Carer Usual Limit

A foster carer is not allowed to foster more than three children unless the children are all siblings to each other or the foster carer is exempted from the ‘usual fostering limit’ of three by the local authority in whose area they live.

For Lewisham Borough, authorisation must be the Service Manager, Fostering.

2. Applications for Exemptions/Extensions

Applications will usually be made because of the following circumstances:

The foster Carer has special skills which are not available elsewhere
The placement of the child over the limit is the most appropriate way of meeting the child’s needs arising from disability, race, religion, language and/or culture
The placement is required to keep siblings together
The child concerned was previously placed with the foster carer and his or her placement elsewhere has disrupted.

The factors to be taken into account in considering whether to grant an exemption are as follows:

The number, ages and circumstances of the children concerned
The arrangements proposed for the care and accommodation of the children concerned
The relationship between the foster Carer and the children concerned
The period of time over which the placement is likely to last
The likely effect on the children concerned and any other children living in the household
The foster Carer’s capacity to provide sufficient care for all the children in the placement, e.g. if the foster Carer is also a child minder

3. Planned Exemptions/Variations

An ‘Application for Exemption’ form should be completed by the Supervising Social Worker for the foster carers.

Decisions whether or not to grant an exemption in relation to foster Carers will be made by either the Service Manager and in their absence a Team Manager from the Fostering Service. Any exemption/extension will be specific to a child or children and can be subject to conditions.

Upon the granting of an exemption or extension, a time limit will be specified and an exemption can only extend beyond that date if the Fostering Service Manager or Team Manager authorises it.

When a foster family are exempted, they should be informed of this in writing by the Local Authority, including the names of the children they may foster and any condition to which the exception is subject.

The Local Authority may at any time by notice in writing impose, vary or cancel a condition to which the exemption is subject, and in considering whether to do so, they shall have regard in particular to the considerations mentioned.

For Lewisham Foster Carers the fact that an exemption has been granted should be communicated to the Supervising Social Worker for the carer. The Supervising Social Worker is then responsible for ensuring a request is made for an exemption to be renewed if need be. If the Supervising Social Worker is not available for a period this function should be fulfilled by another member of the Fostering Team, exceptionally by the Team Manager.

Confirmation of the exemptions granted should be recorded in the foster carer’s ICS case file and relevant paperwork scanned into Meridio.

Requests for exemptions from other Local Authorities will be dealt with by the Placement and Procurement Service or a Fostering Team Manager.

4. Emergency Placements

Where it appears necessary to place a child in a foster Home above the usual limit in an emergency, it will still be necessary to seek the approval, verbally if necessary, from the Service Manager, Fostering Service. Any emergency decisions to grant an exemption must be confirmed in writing and copies of the decision, together with the reasons, must be placed on the child’s file and the foster Carer’s case record. A copy must also be sent to the foster Carer.

Where a foster family is exceeding, or wished to exceed, the usual fostering limit and the Local Authority conclude that exemption should not be given, the foster family will be treated as running a children’s home, and the Children’s Homes Regulations 2011 will then apply. This must be notified to Ofsted immediately, by either the Service Manager or exceptionally Team Manager.

Appendix A: Template Foster Carer Exemption Request Form

Click here to view Appendix A: Template Foster Carer Exemption Request Form.

Appendix B: Template Exemption Letter to Foster Carer

Click here to view Appendix B: Template Exemption Letter to Foster Carer.

Appendix C: Template Exemption Letter to Local Authority

Click here to view Appendix C: Template Exemption Letter to Local Authority.

End