A Living Nightmare

It’s one of the pitfalls of the job that foster carers think about every day: the possibility they may face an allegation of neglect or abuse.

It is not a rare event: one in three carers can expect an allegation to be made against them during their fostering career, many of which are never proven, according to the Fostering Network.

The distressing experience of an abuse allegation is being made worse by foster care providers who do not offer enough support to carers, according to some experts.

Allegations range from sexual abuse to not giving enough pocket money.

Kevin Dowling is a director of Kondine, a company that offers independent support to carers while they are being investigated.

He says many providers are not following government guidelines which say they must provide independent support to the carer while they are being investigated, and that can have big consequences.

Listen to his thoughts in the audio box.

Debra Gibbs is director of Fostering Support Ltd, a similar company in Hampshire. She says it is often private foster care companies who are failing to provide support:

“Some of the independent providers are very much focused on the business end of fostering.

"I often get the impression they feel it is unnecessary to provide the support when they have decided the carer is no longer going to be approved by them.

"Local authorities are much more alert to the fact that there is a justice that needs to be satisfied.”

Independent providers are keen to make sure all businesses are not tarred with the same brush.

Saxon Independent Fostering in Dorchester always offer independent support. Director Grace Wyatt said:

"We have very carefully laid down policies about this. The minute we have any kind of allegation we sit down, unpack it and see how serious it is."

After an allegation is made local authorities decide whether the children should be taken away from the carer.

Often the carer is not accused of a criminal offence and an investigation is carried out by the council ahead of a panel which decides the carer's fate.

Concerned Carers

Foster carers are all too aware of the problems that could come their way.

Dawn Phillips was a foster carer in Wiltshire until recently, she says the possibility of an allegation was always on her mind, especially when out of the home:

"One of our own children or a friend always came with us so that we were never actually on our own with the child.

"It sounds like very desperate lengths to go to, but given the ramifications if an allegation is made against you it’s not worth putting yourself in that position.”

Mrs Gibbs from Fostering Support Ltd says that while allegations are distressing, thorough investigations are important:

“It is very positive that we have such a high instances of enquiries into the quality of care for our
vulnerable and looked after children.

"If they are raising their concerns we must listen to them. I do not feel the number is too high,” she said.

Are abuse investigations taking too long? Find out more