Services

Reviews

Fostering households are subject to an annual review process, which includes quality assurance monitoring feedback; requested from Local Authority Social Workers, the National Teaching and Advisory Service (NT&AS) and the foster carer. This feedback enables the agency to reflect on the service offered and make any improvements deemed necessary. See the Quotes section for comments which have been received as a result of this feedback.

The Annual Review includes the completion or renewal of the below documentation;

1. Annual Review Form
2. Safer Caring Family Statement
3. Health and Safety Check
4. Smoking Questionnaire
5. Evaluation forms

Recruitment and Training

Once approved, foster carers are provided with an in-depth post approval training programme which is revised annually and includes the opportunity to undertake the NVQ Level 3 in Caring for Children and Young People.

Prospective foster carers are subject to a rigorous vetting process, prior to a home study report (Form F assessment) and attendance on the ‘Skills to Foster’ training course (formally Choosing to Foster). Pre approval training is also provided on ‘Promoting Education Awareness’. Once the report and training have been satisfactorily completed, the full assessment is presented to the Premier Foster Care Fostering Panel and all approvals are held by the agency. Once approved foster carers are provided with an in-depth post approval training programme which is revised annually and includes the opportunity to undertake the NVQ Level 3 in Caring for Children and Young People.

All of our Supervising Social Workers have attended the British Association for Adoption and Fostering (BAAF) training in ‘Gathering Evidence using Form F Assessments’ and have hands on, practical experience in completing Form F assessments.

Fostering Households

We currently have twenty approved fostering households, all of which are allocated a designated Supervising Social Worker. To ensure a high level of support to all placements we endeavor to maintain a Supervising Social Worker to fostering household ratio of, not more than, 1:7.

If you would to make a referral to the agency please complete the * referral form, which can be submitted to us online, alternatively, please click here for a printable referral form which can be faxed to us.

Fees

Premier Foster Care undertakes to continually review its running and operational costs. The agency fee includes an educational provision which is supplied by NT&AS, a nationally accredited educational organisation. For further information in relation to NT&AS and our educational commitment please see the section on Educational Support.

Please see our brochure for details of fees and terms and conditions.

* Premier Foster Care receives online referral forms on a 128 bit SSL protected channel, meaning that sensitive information is encrypted; ensuring utmost confidence.

Educational Support

We are very proud of the fact that during our recent inspection by Ofsted (our regulatory body), we scored the highest possible score in relation to meeting the educational needs of each child in our care. The Ofsted Inspector commended Premier Foster Care on the fact that our foster carers are actively encouraged to be involved in the educational lives of children and receive support from the National Teaching and Advisory Service (NT&AS) in fulfilling this activity.

Checks and References

All foster carers are required to undergo regular checks in relation to health (2 yearly), Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) (3 yearly), National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) (3 yearly) and Social Services (3 yearly). Members of the household over 16 years of age, overnight visitors to the home and designated babysitters are also required to undergo CRB checks.

As part of the Form F assessment references are undertaken with at least 2 personal referees, employers, children’s school (if necessary) and health visitors (if necessary). All references are renewed on a 5 yearly basis along with an update of the Form F assessment.