Work With Us

JOB SUMMARY

The post entails completion of a full CoramBAAF Fostering Form F competency assessment on prospective carers and the presentation of the completed Form F to the Acorn House Independent Fostering Panel.

FORM F ASSESSMENT

It is Acorn House Fostering Services policy that a minimum of 8 visits are undertaken as part of the recruitment of a Foster Carer (A minimum 8 assessment visits by Form F assessor, min 2 hours long).

The Form F Assessor will be responsible for the following:

1. To meet with the Registered Manager, Deputy Manager or Principal Social Worker and draw up an agreed work plan detailing timescales etc.

2. To respect confidentiality and to comply with your duty of confidentiality to Acorn House.  Keep all information in relation to applicants in a secure place throughout the assessment.  Return all relevant information to Acorn House after the Panel and ensure all work has been signed off.

3. To provide your manager with an evidence log of your visits, the recording of each area covered, together with a log of all other contacts (telephone calls, letters, etc) made in connection with the assessment.

4. Interview of ex-partners and adult children (any concerns in relation to this should be discussed with the Registered Manager / Principal Social Worker)

5. Support applicants in beginning to complete their TSD portfolio.

6. Monitoring of content and progress of checks required, raising any concerns with the Agency and referrals of any pet assessments.

7. Investigating and monitoring of any further checks required.

8. The assessment will be completed and presented to Panel within 4 months. If applicants are unable to meet this timescale, agreement must be sought from the Registered Manager /Deputy Manager/Principal Social Worker.

9. Joint applicants seen separately on at least one occasion.

10. Applicants own children seen individually, dependent on age. It is important to evaluate their understanding of the need for self protection.

11. Visit referees – evaluate references in terms of guidance under Fostering Form F Assessment.  It is important to get as full a picture as possible from the applicant’s referees, as they form an important part of the assessment.

12. Visit other significant adults or family members, dependent on their involvements in the future plans of applicants to look after children, to evaluate their input and understanding of the task.

13. If the applicant/s have completed a full or partial assessment or were/are approved by another agency, relevant references must be obtained from this agency and protocols introduced in relation to de registration.

14. Ensure full details of previous fostering experience are discussed and evaluated in depth, and includes case studies of children placed.

15. If medical issues are raised, either historical or present discuss completing early medicals and further discussions if necessary.

16. If any offences are shown by the DBS (formerly Criminal Records Bureau Disclosure) check the applicant’s attitude to the offence and include an explanation in the Form F. Note checks to be completed as a priority. Discuss with Manager if checks are required abroad.

17. Include an assessment of Health and Safety (see Acorn House Health and Safety checklist.)  Ensure relevant documents are completed.

18. If applicants have not had previous fostering experience, their previous experience of children’s needs to be discussed and evaluated alongside their understanding of the fostering task.

19. A critical evaluation of strengths and weaknesses in terms of parenting capacity and ability to form attachments is essential; evaluating what behaviours they have/can potentially handle, their understanding of sexual abuse and their ability/capacity for safe caring/self protection.  Evidence this with specific examples where possible.

20. Completion of competence assessment with gaps identified and ensure that competencies and assessment are cross referenced.

21. Recommendation in terms of children to be placed should be specific in terms of age and number.  The assessment should include reasons for this recommendation, which should be assessed in relation to their previous fostering or related experience.  It is also important to evaluate applicant’s understanding/attitude to contact with birth family.

22. Complete a family tree with details of applicant’s parents, siblings, children and other significant people in their lives who may impact on a placement (e.g. ex-partners, step children etc.) Include ages at time of writing (or at time of death if relevant).

23. Complete an Ecomap to illustrate applicants support network.

24. Assist the applicants completing a generic Safer Caring Policy, this should be signed and dated by the applicants.
25. Nominated Backup Support assessment using Acorn House template.
26. Health & Safety Checks on pools and ponds, smallholdings, caravans and firearms.

27. All information given should be critically analysed.  The social work assessment is an important summary of your assessment, it should therefore be in depth, with reasons given for the recommendation you are making.

28. Complete the CoramBAAF Fostering Form F in draft.  Proof read and only when you are happy with this, have it read by the Registered Manager/Deputy Manager/Principal Social Worker.  Ensure you have completed all sections

29. Take completed CoramBAAF Form F to applicants for agreement and signatures. (Do not e mail a copy or leave a copy with them. Stay with the assessment at all times whilst they read and sign it)

30. Completion of Form F and Summary of Skills & Knowledge.

31. Meet deadline for submitting reports to Acorn House fostering panel.  This date is agreed with the Manager/Deputy Manager/Principal Social Worker as part of your work plan when the assessment is allocated.

32. Revisit the Panel process with applicants and ensure their attendance.

33. Attend with applicants and present the Form F at Acorn House panel (usually at Oldham office).

34. Liaise with Office administrators throughout for updates on references and any checks from Stage One

• £1800 + agreed mileage / travel expenses