Delegated Authority & Record Keeping For Foster Carers
Facilitator: Alex Clapson
Half-Day Workshop Outline
The principle of Delegated Authority is to enable the children we care for as far as possible to be allowed the same opportunities to take part in normal everyday activities as would reasonably be granted by parents to their own birth children.
When used effectively it should minimise delay in decision making & maximise the child’s opportunity to enjoy childhood & family life. Foster Carers need to have the appropriate flexibility in taking decisions relating to the children in their care, within the framework of the agreed Care Plan, & Placement Plan, whilst respecting the views & wishes of the birth parents.
Effective Record Keeping provides a child / young person with a balanced, & accurate overview of their lived experience in Foster Care. It is a key requirement to ensure the safety, & welfare of the children we care for, as well as a tool to be used to evidence actions taken, & accountability.
The key issues that need to be addressed in a recording will be identified, as well as how to include the appropriate level of detail.
A focus on alignment with the policies & procedures of the organisation.
Maintaining the use of departmental guidance & templates.
Record Keeping done well develops Carer confidence, provides quality assurance, & promotes best practice.
Target Audience
This course is suitable for all those who are working directly with children – Foster Carers (Generic, & Kinship), Supervising / Fostering Social Workers, Children’s Social Workers & those managing Children Looked After services. Delegates will be given practical tips to keep themselves, & the children & vulnerable adults whom they work with safer.
- What is Delegated Authority
- Delegated Authority Quiz
- To achieve clarity – how is Delegated Authority implemented?
- Record Keeping – why bother?
- Top Tips
- To understand the appropriate use of email, Direct Messaging & other forms of communication
- An overview of the organisation’s Policies & Procedures
- Organisational Policies & Procedures
- Two-pages of links to videos & other useful resources
- Additional course resources, writing guides, & guidance will be provided to each delegate to support their learning
- A better understanding of the current thinking on Delegated Authority in Social Care
- An awareness of the challenges, & benefits of collaborative decision-making for the children we care for
- Clarity around Record Keeping – what is in, or out of scope – how much is too much / too little?
- Workplace policies, boundaries, conduct & consequences
- Understand the importance of recordings, referrals, & procedures
- Keeping ourselves & others safe