How is contact with an infant’s parents arranged during temporary foster care?

The foster carer’s role is to follow the agreed contact plan and help the infant move into and out of contact safely; they should not make private arrangements or change contact times with the parents. The child’s social worker remains the main point of contact for questions, amendments and concerns.

Before contact begins, the foster carer should be given practical instructions, including:

• where the visit will take place and who will supervise it;
• who is authorised to attend;
• how the infant should be transported and handed over;
• what the parent may bring or take away;
• the arrangements for feeding, sleeping, nappies and medication; and
• what to do if a parent is late, does not attend or asks for an arrangement that is outside the plan.

Contact may take place in a family home, a contact centre or another setting considered suitable for the infant. Some visits are supervised by a social worker or trained contact worker. In other circumstances, contact may be supported rather than directly supervised, depending on the assessed risks and the care plan. Telephone or video contact is not always appropriate for a very young baby, because infants generally need responsive, in-person care and may not understand remote communication.

Parents can often provide useful information about their baby’s normal routine, preferred ways of settling, feeding cues, medical history and comfort items. Foster carers should listen respectfully and pass relevant information to the social worker or supervising professional. This can help contact feel consistent for the infant without placing the foster carer in the position of discussing the wider case or making decisions about the child’s future.

During a visit, the supervising adult will usually focus on the infant’s safety and wellbeing while allowing the parent to interact with their child. This may include feeding, cuddling, changing or settling the baby where the arrangements allow it. The foster carer should follow the agreed instructions about feeding, expressed milk, formula, medication and sleep, and should raise any uncertainty before the visit rather than improvising.

Handovers should be calm, punctual and limited to information that is relevant to the infant. Foster carers should avoid discussing allegations, court matters or disagreements with parents. If a parent asks for an unscheduled visit, private contact details, a change to the placement arrangements or information that the foster carer is not authorised to share, the request should be referred to the child’s social worker.

If a parent does not attend, becomes distressed, behaves in a way that causes concern or tries to remove the infant without authorisation, the foster carer should follow the agreed safeguarding procedure and contact the supervising professional or social worker. They should not argue, threaten or attempt to resolve a dispute alone. Any immediate danger should be reported through the appropriate emergency route.

Contact records should be factual and completed promptly. A record might include whether the visit took place, who attended, the times of arrival and departure, how the infant appeared before and after contact, what care was provided, and any significant concerns or information shared. It should avoid assumptions about a parent’s motives or emotional state. Records may be used by the social worker, reviewing professionals or the court, so accuracy and neutral language matter.

The arrangements can be reconsidered if the infant’s needs, the parents’ circumstances or the assessed risks change. A baby’s feeding, sleep, health and developmental needs can change quickly, and contact may need practical adjustments as a result. Foster carers should share observations through the agreed professional channels, but any formal alteration must be authorised by the relevant social worker or court where applicable.

Good contact planning protects the infant while supporting an appropriate relationship with their parents. Foster carers are expected to be reliable, respectful and child-focused, with guidance from their supervising social worker whenever they are unsure how to manage a particular situation.