Independent support can be vital for foster carers when they are facing allegations or other disputes.
The Fostering Network can provide independent support to foster carers via their fostering service through a variety of offers across the UK:
- Advice and mediation service in England - find out more here.
- Independent support in England and Wales - see below.
- Fosterline Scotland offers ongoing support with various concerns and ongoing investigations. Additional support, such as written responses, attending panels, or mediation between foster carer and fostering service can be negotiated. Independent support (for foster carers facing an allegations investigation) can be commissioned through our spot purchase service.
- Fosterline Northern Ireland offers ongoing support for the duration of an investigation. We can also assist foster carers with written responses to fostering panel reports and can attend fostering panels with them.
Independent support services in England and Wales
There are a range of ways in which The Fostering Network can support foster carers in England and Wales when they faced with an allegation or a dispute.
These services are set out below and are offered via individual agreements with fostering services. As a foster carer, you cannot access independent support from us directly, it must be via your service. However, we can advise you on this via our advice lines. Please contact your fostering service to check if they have an advice and mediation arrangement with us to provide this support.
If your service does not have an arrangement with The Fostering Network, you can ask them to spot purchase independent support on your behalf.
Contact us
Fostering services can email us for more information about a tailored service for your foster carers.
Fostering services who are members of The Fostering Network receive a generous discount on the price of support packages.