We’re delighted to announce that on June 25 we will launch our new Protective Care publication alongside the updated Allegations Toolkit.
Designed to complement each other, they will support foster carers, children, young people, and services. Together they help to create positive experiences and outcomes for everyone involved in fostering.
Protective Care is a new approach that replaces our previous Safer Caring publication. It better reflects the realities of fostering today and recognises that every child, young person and fostering family is unique. It is designed to help foster carers adapt and respond to changing needs while continuing to provide children with the warmth, stability and sense of belonging they need to thrive.
At its heart, Protective Care is about giving foster carers the confidence to make thoughtful, balanced decisions. Rather than focusing on avoiding risk altogether, it encourages a risk-sensible approach that supports children and young people to grow, develop independence and experience family life, while remaining protected and supported.
The publication includes practical guidance, tools and templates that can be used every day in fostering. It is intended to help foster carers feel more supported in navigating challenges, planning effectively and maintaining the nurturing family environment that makes such a difference to children's lives.
Foster carers who have reviewed the publication have told us:
"Well written, informative and easily understandable. An excellent, thought-provoking guide for foster carers regardless of their experience."
“It caused me to reflect on how our current care plan could be improved… all these decisions and plans need to be looked at through the prism of the impact on the child. "
