What Safeguarding Responsibilities Do Foster Parents Have?

Safeguarding responsibilities for foster parents involve following the child’s agreed protection arrangements, reducing avoidable risks in the household and taking the correct action when a child may be unsafe. Foster parents are part of a wider safeguarding network, so they must work openly with the child’s social worker, their supervising social worker, the fostering service, education professionals and other agencies involved in the child’s care.

Follow safer caring arrangements

Each fostering household should have clear safer caring guidance. This sets out how everyday activities should be managed to protect the child and everyone caring for them. It may cover sleeping arrangements, personal care, bathing, changing clothes, physical contact, use of bedrooms, transporting children, photographs and contact with family members. Foster parents should follow these arrangements consistently and discuss any situation that does not fit the agreed guidance rather than making an informal decision that could create risk or misunderstanding.

Safer caring is not about treating a child as though they are a problem. It provides predictable boundaries and helps foster parents make decisions that are appropriate to the child’s age, experiences, behaviour and care plan. Arrangements may need to be reviewed when the child’s circumstances change, when new information becomes available or when a risk is identified.

Respond appropriately to a child’s disclosure

If a child says that they have been hurt, abused, threatened or made to feel unsafe, the foster parent should remain calm, listen carefully and take what the child says seriously. They should:

• allow the child to speak in their own words;
• avoid asking leading or investigative questions;
• not promise to keep the information secret;
• explain that the information must be passed to people who can help; and
• make a clear record of what was said, using the child’s own words where possible.

The foster parent should then follow the safeguarding reporting route set out by the fostering service and the child’s local authority. Their role is to pass on information accurately, not to test the child’s account, confront an alleged abuser or carry out an investigation themselves.

Know what to do if an allegation involves the household

A safeguarding concern may relate to a visitor, a member of the fostering household, another child or the foster parent themselves. Foster parents must report allegations or complaints about their conduct through the required procedure, even where they believe the allegation is inaccurate or has been misunderstood. They should avoid discussing the matter with the child beyond what is necessary, should not attempt to influence witnesses and should preserve any relevant messages, notes or other information.

These procedures protect children and ensure that concerns are assessed by the appropriate professionals. A foster parent should cooperate with enquiries, attend meetings when asked and follow any temporary safety arrangements or restrictions that are put in place while the concern is considered.

Manage visitors, contact and household changes

Foster parents are responsible for thinking about safeguarding before allowing visitors into the home or agreeing to a child spending time with someone who is not part of the usual household. They should follow any requirements relating to household members, regular visitors, babysitters, overnight guests and people providing transport or activities. A new partner, lodger, frequent visitor or significant change in the household should be discussed with the fostering service so that its possible impact on the child can be assessed.

Family time and other contact arrangements must also be managed in line with the agreed plan. Foster parents should not make unapproved changes, pass on private information or arrange additional contact independently where this could affect the child’s safety or welfare. Any difficulty, missed contact or concerning interaction should be shared through the agreed channels.

Consider digital and online safety

Safeguarding includes a child’s use of phones, gaming devices, social media, messaging services and the internet. Foster parents should agree sensible rules that reflect the child’s age, understanding and known risks. This can include privacy settings, location sharing, online contact with adults or unknown people, sharing images, purchasing items, gaming chats and what to do if a threatening or sexual message is received.

Children should know how to seek help without fearing an automatic loss of access to their device. Foster parents should preserve concerning messages or images where it is safe and lawful to do so, avoid forwarding harmful material and report concerns using the appropriate safeguarding route. Online risks should be considered alongside the child’s relationships, emotional wellbeing and any risks connected with going missing.

Take action when a child goes missing or is at risk of exploitation

Foster parents must understand the child’s individual missing-from-care procedure, including who to contact and what information to provide. If a child does not return as expected, they should act according to that procedure rather than waiting for the situation to resolve without advice. On the child’s return, they should provide a calm welcome, check for immediate health or safety concerns and pass on relevant information. They should not use punishment or an informal interrogation.

Changes in friendships, unexplained possessions, secrecy, pressure from older people, unsafe online contact or repeated missing episodes may indicate risks such as exploitation. Foster parents should share patterns and specific observations with the professionals responsible for the child’s care. A single concern can be important, even where it does not appear to provide a complete picture.

Maintain professional communication

Safeguarding depends on information being shared responsibly. Foster parents should attend required meetings, contribute relevant observations and tell the appropriate professional when circumstances change. They should distinguish between what they directly saw or heard and what someone else has told them. Records should be factual, dated and clear, without assumptions, labels or personal conclusions that could confuse later decision-making.

Information about a child should only be shared with people who have a legitimate role in their care or protection. Foster parents should use secure communication methods and seek advice before sharing information with relatives, friends, schools, online groups or other third parties. Confidentiality does not prevent necessary safeguarding information being passed to the right professional.

Use support and professional advice

Foster parents are not expected to manage safeguarding decisions in isolation. When they are unsure whether something is significant, they should seek advice through their fostering service or the child’s social care contacts and follow the relevant emergency arrangements if there is an immediate danger. Raising a concern early allows professionals to assess the information and decide what action is required.

Safeguarding practice is reviewed throughout a fostering placement. Foster parents should reflect on incidents, learn from supervision and training, and take part in reviews of household safety arrangements. The central responsibility is to act carefully, honestly and promptly whenever information suggests that a child may be at risk.