Caring for Children and Young People Essay Example

for the child's care, contact, health, and education. Establishing clear boundaries early on in the foster carer-child relationship is crucial to manage expectations and prevent disappointment if changes or decisions cannot be made by foster carers. This also helps avoid anger towards foster carers for decisions made by clarifying that any issues should be discussed with their social worker or parent instead.

The limited financial resources of foster carers can significantly restrict their role as they often do not have enough funds to meet all of the child's needs or wants. These funds are meant to cover expenses such as clothing, food, bills, holidays, outings, and presents. Unfortunately, these funds may not always be sufficient, leading to potential resentment from the child towards their foster carers. It is important to explain at the beginning of the relationship that they cannot have everything they want and it is not the fault of the foster carers. If there is something they desire but cannot be provided by the foster carer, they should be encouraged to save up themselves or approach social services for assistance.

Additionally, fear of allegations poses significant limitations for foster carers.The fear of potential allegations prevents foster carers from engaging in certain activities with children in care. Due to the emotional trauma and difficult start in life that many of these children have experienced, caution is necessary in interactions to protect both parties. Activities such as bathing, playtime, sleeping arrangements, and outings require careful consideration to prevent any allegations within the placement. It is recommended that two adults be present during these interactions to avoid any adult being alone with a child. This can impact relationship

dynamics and create a constant fear of false accusations, making tasks feel unnatural. Therefore, it is important to establish these precautions at the beginning of the relationship and placement process so they become routine for both foster carers and the child, ultimately avoiding potential problems.

When it comes to children in care, their rights are crucial as their well-being takes priority and their desires matter. Having rights ensures equal treatment for all children and outlines how foster carers and local authorities should interact with them to ensure proper treatment. There are numerous rights in place to guarantee safety and enjoyment for children in care. It is vital for all children to have equal rights regardless of factors like race, sex, or religion.In a foster care setting, it is important for foster carers to recognize and respect the significance of a child's race or religion. This includes allowing them to practice their beliefs even if they differ from those of the carer. In such settings, there may be multiple children with different sexes, religions, and races. Therefore, ensuring equal treatment and meeting the individual needs of all children is crucial. It must be taken into consideration that these children may have experienced mistreatment in their lives, so it is vital for the foster care system to avoid causing further emotional damage.

To promote open communication and give children a sense of agency in their own lives, it is important to provide them with opportunities to express their opinions and voice any concerns they may have. Both local authorities and foster carers have an obligation to prioritize listening attentively to what the child is saying as it significantly impacts

their happiness.

From the very beginning of their relationship with a foster carer, children should be informed that having an opinion is acceptable and that they should communicate any grievances with either the carer or social worker. Moreover, respecting personal boundaries is crucial for fostering a safe environment. Children have a right to privacy which includes having their own room as a sanctuary for their belongings and solitude when desired. Local authorities are responsible for finding suitable placements that fulfill this need for privacy. Foster carers also play an essential role in explaining why it is important to respect personal boundaries by seeking permission before entering another person's room.Confidentiality is crucial when a child confides in a foster carer or social worker, as it helps build trust between the child and authorized individuals. It is the responsibility of both foster carers and local authorities to ensure the child's healthcare and education needs are met. The decision-making process for selecting a school should involve the child to facilitate a smooth transition into their new environment. The child should also be aware that they have the option to seek medical assistance from doctors or dentists if they feel unwell. Regularly reviewing the placement is essential to address any concerns and promote confidence and security for the child. Social Services must understand foster carers in order to match each child with a suitable carer based on individual requirements. They should develop a placement plan by consulting with parents and foster carers, considering tasks, responsibilities, short-term and long-term future plans to prevent drift within the family unit. Establishing early contact arrangements and frequency is vital for providing security and aiding

in readjustment to a normal environment, taking into account factors such as the parent-child relationship, convenience, and most importantly, the wishes of the child.Social Services are responsible for organizing the time and location of contact between parents and foster carers. To form a positive relationship with foster carers, parents should contact social services for their contact details. Foster carers have the responsibility of preparing the child for contact, so it is crucial to plan the placement and contact to ensure everyone understands their responsibilities and that the best interests of the child are met. This helps minimize potential trauma and confusion, as all parties involved should know the details of contact arrangements.

It is important for children to express their views and feelings during reviews or by communicating with a Social Worker, promoting their sense of value as required by the Children's Act.

Regarding information management, the agency follows policies aligned with the Data Protection Act requirements. Foster carers receive detailed personal information about the children they care for, which must be kept confidential and secure in accordance with this act. Any alterations to this information can only be made with proper authorization from either the individual or a person responsible for the child's welfare, such as Social Services. All data must be securely stored, including backup copies.The primary concern should always be the well-being of the child, even if a placement does not go as planned and does not align with the desires of the foster carers. In these cases, foster carers need to communicate with social workers in order to resolve issues and prevent further harm. This may involve addressing communication problems or conflicts between

individuals involved. While there may be instances where a child needs to be placed in a new foster home due to breakdowns in current placements, it is important that they do not feel rejected by their current foster carers. Foster carers must comply with court decisions even if they disagree with them. Throughout the duration of the placement period, agency policies must be followed to prioritize the best outcome for the child.

Personally, I experience sadness when a placement ends because it can negatively impact a child's self-esteem and make them feel undervalued. The ultimate goal when a placement does not work out is to address any issues and minimize further harm to the child who has already faced enough challenges. It is crucial for both foster carers and social workers to ensure that during a placement breakdown, the child does not feel rejected. Both parties involved must terminate the placement without negative emotions so that the child can hopefully find happiness in another placement or with their parent. This helps promote feelings of value and increases their confidence.The review process is an important part of identifying and resolving issues in the placement before it breaks down. It is essential to make plans during reviews for potential breakdowns, ensuring everyone knows what steps to take and organizing everything to prevent harm to the child. These preparations provide necessary support for both foster carers and children during smooth breakdowns, helping them cope with the situation and move forward. Several support/resource systems are available for children in care, including Education Welfare which works with the child and their school to fulfill their full potential. P.E.P meetings address emerging

issues and provide necessary help. Additionally, Education Welfare offers options for education and career prospects while highlighting local authorities' support. Mental Health support is another valuable resource for children in public care, providing counseling and assistance to cope with past traumatic experiences, emotional baggage, and current challenges. Personalized approaches help children address these issues at a suitable pace, enabling positive progress in their lives.This system guarantees ongoing support for individuals under public care during overwhelming situations. Its main objective is to aid them in leading as normal a life as possible, taking into consideration the emotional damage they have experienced. Additionally, the Aftercare and Youth Support Team concentrates on preparing individuals aged 16 and above for their future by equipping them with essential skills and practical knowledge necessary for independent living, all while prioritizing safety. These programs provide guidance in mapping out educational and career paths, as well as teaching financial self-sufficiency and adult responsibilities that lie ahead. Through reviews and P.E.P meetings, children are given the opportunity to voice their perspectives on their lives, enabling them to actively participate in decisions that directly impact them and preventing feelings of powerlessness. These discussions empower children to assess the quality of their life under local authorities' care and express desires for changes that would enhance their happiness. Each child is assigned a social worker who offers assistance and guidance in their daily lives, ensuring positive progress and collaboration with foster carers to help them reach their full potential. Ideally, this fosters a strong bond between the child and social worker where the child feels comfortable confiding any concerns they may have.If children have limited or no

contact with their relatives, an independent visitor can be assigned to prevent them from feeling completely rejected. The independent visitor's objective is to spend time with the child and build trust. Other available resources include F.C.S.C., Marigold Centre, Girls Brigade, youth club, after school clubs, grandmother (nan), or aunt.

Fostering agencies have implemented a system that allows children to easily and least traumatically make complaints about their care if needed. To do so, the child must verbally express their unhappiness to someone they trust who will listen attentively. Children often face personal challenges that contribute to their unhappiness; therefore it is crucial for them to receive support and reassurance - especially when they are anxious about potential blame, humiliation or threats from adults in positions of authority. This support should be based on establishing secure and ongoing relationships with adults.

It is also important to recognize that children may struggle to verbally express their unhappiness and may instead show it through actions or behaviors such as angry outbursts or withdrawal. Individuals who regularly interact with children should understand that the child's dissatisfaction may be a result of decisions made on their behalf.Acknowledging the needs of children with communication difficulties is crucial, and it is important to provide them with suitable communication systems. Agencies and caregivers should utilize modern means of communication, such as e-mail or web services, to enable these children to effectively voice their complaints. It is also essential to consider the needs of non-native English-speaking children and refugee children, whether they are accompanied or unaccompanied.

To address and support complaints from both children and adults, as well as providing guidance to adults in supporting unhappy children,

the role of the children's complaints officer is vital. Children should have the opportunity to express their grievances through a necessary complaints system, especially when local authorities may not prioritize their best interests.

Foster carers play a role in implementing decisions made by local authorities but do not possess full decision-making authority according to foster children's misconceptions (as stated in Question 14). If favorable decisions are made, this arrangement can work effectively. However, if a decision is made that the child disagrees with, they often blame the foster carer even though the carer has no control over such decisions. As a result, anger towards the foster carer escalates and hampers the establishment of a stable relationship.

Most children are aware that foster carers are prohibited from using physical punishment.Despite this, children who have only experienced punishment from their parents may incorrectly assume that they can misbehave without facing consequences when placed with foster carers. This presents challenges as the foster carer must prioritize managing the child's behavior in a suitable manner, which hinders relationship development. To prevent any breakdown in placement, it is crucial for the child to comprehend that physical punishment is not always the answer and that the foster carer possesses authority and influence. Unfortunately, this behavior often originates from negative influences from the child's parent who may harbor resentment towards the foster carers. As a result, it instills in the child a belief that they do not need to listen or respect them or their home. When a child enters foster care, their hope and expectation revolve around discovering a safe and secure home where they will be nurtured, cherished, and loved. Ensuring that

foster carers provide these fundamental elements is essential for the child to feel a sense of belonging in their placement and establish a stronger bond with their carer. It is important for social workers or foster carers to effectively communicate the responsibilities of foster carers and establish appropriate expectations for the child.