Foster Carer's Handbook

It is in everyone’s interests that all our carers remain as healthy as possible. Very rarely, a child may be placed where we have no knowledge of a pre-existing infection that the child carries. This advice on considering immunisation for carers has been sent to all carers, but is repeated here for easy access.

This report by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation examines the influence that family can have on how children in their pre-teen years learn about alcohol, and identifies the need for and approaches to providing parental guidance on the subject.

This study by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation examines how parents ‘teach’ young children between the age of 5 to 12 about alcohol. It explores parents’ attitudes and family drinking practices using a national survey and in-depth case study research.

Information for foster carers provided by ru-ok? Young Person’s Substance Misuse Service.

Use of alcohol and/or experimentation with drugs is part of normal growing up for many young people. Looked after young people may be particularly vulnerable to problematic drug and alcohol use. In order that you may help minimise the risks to young people’s welfare, foster carers need to feel informed about the facts and supported by other people working with the child in their care.

Guidance is based on the Children and Families' Sexual Health Policy, with some basic principles and Do's and Dont's.

There may be occasions, hopefully rare, when a young woman placed with you becomes pregnant. This section on promoting the sexual health of looked after young people is also relevant to carers caring for young men.

Sexual Health Services in Brighton & Hove: Telephone numbers and website addresses.

Advice on not using baby walkers.

Car safety requirements for foster carers.

Cot death is a term commonly used to describe a sudden and unexpected infant death that is initially unexplained. The equivalent medical term is 'sudden unexpected death in infancy' (SUDI).

Powdered infant formulas are not sterile it is therefore essential that good hygiene practices are carried out when preparing and storing feeds.

The Brighton & Hove Children and Families has a general, comprehensive health, safety and welfare policy covering all its employees. This meets its statutory responsibilities to staff, service users and other members of the public concerned with services, this includes foster carers.

Immunisation Fact Sheet

While your foster children are with you, no matter for how long, you are the custodian of their memories. Children need anecdotes to be remembered as well as visual reminders of what they have done.

In recent years Britain has become a nation where overweight and obesity in both adults and children is increasingly the norm. This good practice guidance was produced at the request of many of our colleague medical advisers who are increasingly being asked for guidance on obesity by adoption and fostering agencies.

This chapter provides some facts about self-harm and suicide, reasons why young people harm themselves, helpful responses and information on where to go for more detailed advice.