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Contact with Birth Family when Fostering in England 2

How Do Birth Families Visit Their Child in Fostering Homes in the UK

Fostering in England plays a crucial role in providing safe and nurturing environments for children who cannot live with their birth families. Maintaining connections between these children and their birth families is often an essential part of the fostering process. This article explores how birth families can visit their children in foster homes in England, the legal frameworks that support this contact, and the benefits it brings to everyone involved.

Understanding the Importance of Birth Family Contact when Fostering in England

Contact between a child in foster care and their birth family is encouraged whenever appropriate, as it supports a child’s emotional and psychological well-being. Regular visits help maintain a child’s sense of identity and belonging, providing emotional stability during a potentially turbulent time. Such contact can also increase the chances of a successful reunification and ease the transition both to and from a foster family.

Fostering in England and the Legal Framework Governing Contact.

When fostering in England, the Children Act 1989 is the primary legislation that governs the welfare of children. It emphasises the importance of maintaining family ties, stating that local authorities must promote contact between a child and their birth family unless it is not in in a child’s best interests to do so. The Act requires social services to help facilitate reasonable contact, considering a child’s wishes and feelings, age, and understanding.

Arranging Visits Between Birth Families and the Children in Your Care 

Visits between birth families and children in foster care are carefully planned and managed. Local Authorities, ourselves at Family Fostering Partners, foster carers, and sometimes court-appointed guardians collaborate to arrange contact that is safe and beneficial for a child. The frequency and type of contact—be it face-to-face visits, phone calls, or letters—depend on various factors, including court orders, the child’s needs, and the circumstances of the birth family.

Role of the Local Authority

When fostering in England, local authorities play a central role in facilitating contact between fostered children and their birth families. They are largely responsible for assessing each child’s needs, safety, and unique circumstances to determine the appropriate level and type of contact. Once this assessment is completed, regular evaluations are conducted to ensure the contact plan remains effective and appropriate.

Who facilitates this contact can vary across different local authorities. Depending on where you are fostering in England, social workers from the local authority may organise and supervise visits, or other arrangements might be made. This variability highlights the importance of understanding local policies and procedures when fostering in England, however, rest assured that when you become a foster parent with us at Family Fostering Partners we will be there to support and guide you through these differences. 

Fostering in England and the Types of Contact available.

Within the context of fostering in England, maintaining contact between children who are looked after, and their birth families can take various forms. The structure of this contact depends on thorough assessments conducted by social workers, aiming to determine what is most appropriate for each child’s unique situation.

Face-to-Face Visits

Face-to-face visits are direct meetings that play a crucial role in preserving the child’s relationship with their birth family. When fostering in England, these visits can vary significantly based on the contact plan. The three main forms include:

  • Public Locations: Meetings may occur in neutral settings such as shopping centres, community centres, or parks. These venues provide a comfortable environment for both the child and the birth family.
  • At the Foster Home: If both foster carers and social workers agree it’s suitable, visits can take place at a fostering home. This setting can help a child feel more at ease in familiar surroundings.
  • Supervised Settings: Sometimes, visits happen in supervised environments, often overseen by a social worker or another authorised individual. This ensures a child’s safety and well-being during the interaction.

Indirect Contact

When direct face-to-face contact is not possible or appropriate, indirect methods are utilised to maintain the connection. When you are fostering in England, indirect contact may include:

  • Scheduled Phone Calls: Regularly planned calls allow real-time communication without physical presence.
  • Letters and Emails: Written correspondence enables sharing updates, thoughts, and feelings at a comfortable pace.
  • Virtual Meetings: Video calls offer a face-to-face experience remotely, bridging the gap when in-person visits aren’t feasible.

These alternative methods ensure that the child continues to have meaningful interactions with their birth family even when face-to-face interactions are not appropriate or not possible.

How a Birth Family can arrange and prepare for contact

  • Communication with the Social Worker: Birth families looking to establish contact with their child should reach out to the children’s services team within their local authority. When it comes to fostering in England, each council has its own team of social workers assigned to support a child. These professionals are responsible for helping develop a contact plan and establishing contact if it’s deemed appropriate. Consequently, a birth families’ open communication with the social worker is the crucial first step in arranging visits.
  • Understanding the Contact Agreement: A contact agreement outlines the terms of visitation, detailing the frequency, duration, location, and supervision requirements of each visit. As mentioned earlier, when fostering in England, there are various forms of direct and indirect contact arrangements. The agreement is designed with a child’s best interests in mind, ensuring that the most appropriate form of contact is established.
  • Preparing for Visits: To maximise the benefits of contact, it’s vital that birth families remain consistent and adhere to the agreed schedule, providing reliability for a child. Prioritising the child’s needs by cantering the visit around their comfort and well-being is essential.

Challenges and Considerations of Contact When Fostering in England

Facilitating contact between fostered children and their birth families presents inevitable challenges when fostering in England. One significant issue is the emotional impact that contact can have on everyone involved. It’s essential to manage expectations and seek support when needed to navigate these emotional complexities effectively.

Safety concerns are another critical consideration. These concerns often lead to contact being supervised or limited to ensure a child’s welfare, which is always paramount when fostering in England, especially during contact time.

Despite these challenges, careful and considerate planning can help lessen difficulties. Foster carers play a significant role in facilitating contact. A collaborative approach between foster carers, birth families, and social workers can enhance the experience for the children in your care, making the process smoother and more beneficial.

Support Services Available when you are fostering in England

At Family Fostering Partners, we provide unwavering support when you become a foster parent with us. We’re here for you 24/7, including throughout the contact process. Whether it’s offering advice through our link workers, access to our 24-hour support line, or complimentary membership with FosterTalk, we ensure you have all the information and assistance needed to make contact time a success.

Furthermore, our comprehensive training program is designed to equip you with the skills to manage contact arrangements effectively. Additionally, our foster carer support services offer emotional, wellbeing, and practical assistance, such as helping to resolve conflicts or disagreements.

Conclusion

Maintaining contact between birth families and children in foster care is a complex but vital aspect of fostering in England. When deemed appropriate, such contact can preserve and enhance a child’s sense of identity and build emotional security, which in turn leads to improved outcomes.

By understanding the legal framework, communicating effectively with social workers, and utilising available support services, the benefits of contact when fostering in England can be maximised. As with all aspects of fostering, the ultimate goal is to always act in the best interests of a child, ensuring their safety, well-being, and happiness.

Start Fostering in England today.

If you’re considering becoming a foster parent, we’d love to speak with you. Visit our contact page for details on how to book a call. Alternatively, you can use our live chat feature to connect instantly with a member of our team. We’re here to answer any questions you may have about fostering in England and guide you through the process of becoming a foster carer! If you’re ready to take a big step today, complete our fostering application form. 

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