The Allegations Toolkit is a guide for practitioners investigating allegations in foster care. It promotes a balanced, transparent and proportionate approach to managing allegations based on the 5Ps: Preparation, Planning, Prevention, Proportionality and Protection.
By embedding this good practice guidance, we hope to see improved outcomes for children and foster carers when they are subject to the allegations process, and a reduction in the number of allegations experienced by foster carers through proportionate, earlier risk assessment and decision making.
This toolkit will:
- Introduce the 5 Ps Model of allegations practice.
- Explore opportunities to reframe how we view allegations and improve preparation of prospective and approved foster carers.
- Provide advice and practice guidance to improve professional risk assessment and responses following an allegation.
- Improve clarity around what constitutes an allegation, concern or complaint.
- Improve clarity around terminology and outcomes.
- Offer guidance on how to improve placement stability as safely as possible and reduce the likelihood of children being removed from their home.
- Offer guidance to reduce the likelihood of foster carers resigning due to their experiences through developing improved understanding of the processes and outlining options for support