Welcome

The handbook reflects policies, procedure and guidance for the fostering service which cover many common situations faced by foster carers on a day to day basis. It has been written in an accessible way to help you understand the sort of things that your fostering service requires of you. It has been designed for new and existing foster carers and deals with the day to day practicalities you may face. If you need to contact us see: How to contact us.

The Handbook sections are accessible via the links on the right-hand side of the page or to view the full contents list for the handbook, please click here.

There is a Resources area which contains additional guidance from Achieving for Children which will be relevant to your role. It is important that you also use the Resources section.

Safeguarding guidance for your area can be found in:

• London Safeguarding Children Procedures and Practice Guidance for foster carers in Kingston and Richmond;
• Pan Berks Child Protection Procedures for foster carers in Windsor and Maidenhead.

You can also find safeguarding guidance on the Kingston and Richmond Safeguarding Children Partnership Website and the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead Multi Agency Safeguarding Partnership Website.

The Handbook has links to the Minimum Standards for Fostering Services and references to the relevant Training, Support and Development Standards. You can also use the handbook to support your learning and development, particularly in relation to meeting the induction standards.

Foster carers play a very important role in the lives of Children in Care and their families so it is important that you have the necessary tools to support you with this task. The handbook is one of these tools alongside the many professionals you will work with including your Supervising Social Worker and other foster carers. We will continue to develop this handbook with you and keep it updated.

This is the start of a great journey for you and the children and young people you may work with.

AfC Independent Fostering Agency (IFA) delivers fostering services to children and carers in all three Achieving for Children areas - the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead. See also AfC Fostering.

We are committed to providing the best possible outcomes for the children in our care. For those children who cannot be with their birth families and for whom fostering is the plan, we strive to provide safe, secure, loving and stable foster families. so that children in our care can achieve the best possible outcomes, and live happy, healthy and successful lives.

To access the full version of Achieving for Children fostering service’s policies, procedure and guidance, click here. See also AfC Fostering.