What ongoing requirements follow kinship foster care approval?
After kinship foster care approval, carers must meet ongoing fostering standards through regular supervision, training and reviews, while keeping accurate records and following the child’s care plan. They must also cooperate with required checks and assessments and inform their fostering service about significant changes affecting the household or the child’s care.
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After kinship foster care approval, the carer must continue to meet fostering regulations and the standards set by their fostering service. Approval is not a one-off decision: the carer must provide safe, consistent care, work within the child’s agreed plan and demonstrate that the placement continues to meet the child’s needs.
Day-to-day care must remain child-centred. This includes making sure the child has appropriate food, clothing, personal care, supervision and a safe place to live. Carers are expected to support the child’s health, education, emotional development, cultural identity, religion and important relationships. Practical arrangements should follow the child’s placement plan, including contact with parents, relatives and other significant people.
Carers must understand their delegated authority. The child’s social worker, local authority and fostering service should make clear which everyday decisions the carer can make and which require permission. Routine decisions may include school activities, haircuts or ordinary healthcare, while major decisions may need agreement from the local authority or someone with parental responsibility. If the child’s circumstances change, the carer should check who has authority before making a significant decision.
Safeguarding remains a continuing responsibility. Kinship carers must follow safer-caring guidance and the fostering service’s procedures for responding to concerns. They should recognise possible signs of neglect, abuse, exploitation, self-harm or other risks and report concerns through the correct route rather than attempting to investigate them themselves. Any allegation or complaint involving the carer or another household member must be handled under the relevant safeguarding and allegations procedure.
The placement must be managed professionally. Carers are expected to work constructively with the child’s social worker, school, health professionals, independent reviewing officer and the child’s family where this is safe and appropriate. They should share relevant information accurately, respect confidentiality and avoid discussing the child’s personal circumstances with people who do not need to know. Information about the child should be stored securely, particularly where written notes, school documents or electronic records are kept.
Everyday records should be clear and factual. A carer may need to record appointments, accidents, significant incidents, contact arrangements, changes in presentation and important conversations. Records should distinguish between what was observed, what the child said and what action was taken. These notes help professionals understand the child’s progress and provide an accurate account if decisions about the placement are later reviewed.
Kinship approval can be reconsidered if circumstances alter. A fostering service may need to reassess the carer’s approval terms, household capacity or suitability if the child’s needs become more complex, another child joins the household or the family’s ability to provide care changes. This does not automatically mean that the placement will end, but the fostering service must consider whether additional support, a change in approval or another arrangement is needed.
Carers should raise difficulties early. This may include problems with contact, school attendance, behaviour, sleep, health, family relationships or the child’s emotional wellbeing. Asking for help is part of responsible fostering. The fostering service can consider practical support, specialist input, changes to arrangements or additional guidance, depending on the circumstances and the child’s plan.
Requirements can vary according to the local authority, the child’s care plan and the terms of the individual approval. Kinship foster carers should therefore keep a copy of their fostering agreement, placement plan, safer-caring guidance and delegated-authority arrangements, and ask their supervising professional whenever they are unsure what action is permitted.
Kinship foster carers must keep their knowledge and skills up to date after approval. The fostering service will identify any required refresher training and may agree a personal development plan based on the child’s needs, the carer’s experience and issues arising in the placement.
Training may cover areas such as safeguarding, first aid, trauma, attachment, managing behaviour, safer caring and supporting contact. Carers should attend the sessions requested by their fostering service, complete any agreed learning activities and keep evidence of their participation. This information may be considered during supervision and the carer’s review.
Development needs can change as the child grows or their circumstances alter. A carer should tell their supervising professional when they need further guidance, rather than waiting for a formal review. Additional advice or specialist learning may then be considered as part of the support plan.
Ask about ongoing requirements after kinship foster care approval
If you are considering kinship foster care, contact our fostering team to discuss the ongoing responsibilities and clarify what support may be available for your circumstances.