PART 5 E+WRequirements on service providers as to the standard of care and support to be provided
Standards of care and support – overarching requirementsE+W
13. The service provider must ensure that foster parents give care and support to a child placed with them—
(a)in accordance with the child's care and support plan, and
(b)in a way which maintains, protects and promotes the safety and well-being of the child.
Continuing suitability of the placementE+W
14. If, as a result of a change in the child's assessed needs, the placement made by the service provider is no longer suitable to the meet the child's needs for care and support, even after any reasonable adjustments have been made, the service provider must immediately give written notice of this to the placing authority.
Information for childrenE+W
15.—(1) The service provider must put arrangements in place to ensure that children have the information they need to make and participate in day to day decisions about the way care and support is provided to them and how they are supported to achieve their personal outcomes.
(2) Information provided must be available in an appropriate language, style, presentation and format for children of all ages.
(3) The service provider must put arrangements in place to ensure that children receive such support as is necessary to enable them to understand the information provided.
Language and communicationE+W
16.—(1) The service provider must take reasonable steps to meet the language needs of children.
(2) The service provider must ensure that children are provided with access to such aids and equipment as may be necessary to facilitate their communication with others.
Respect and sensitivityE+W
17.—(1) The service provider must put arrangements in place to ensure that children placed by the provider are treated with respect and sensitivity.
(2) This includes, but is not limited to—
(a)respecting the child's privacy and dignity,
(b)respecting the child's right to confidentiality,
(c)promoting the child's autonomy and independence, and
(d)having regard to any relevant protected characteristics (as defined in section 4 of the Equality Act 2010) of the child.
Compliance with foster care agreementE+W
18. The service provider must monitor the foster parents' compliance with the requirements of the foster care agreement.
Duty to promote contactE+W
19. The service provider must ensure foster parents promote contact between a child placed with them and the child's parents, relatives and friends, in accordance with the child's care and support plan and any court order relating to contact.