Fostering tasks and responsibilities

The main duty of fostering is to be responsible for the care of a child or children placed by Hounslow Council in your own home. 

You work in partnership with the fostering team and other professionals involved in helping looked after children fulfil their potential.

Your responsibilities split into three main areas:

• caring for children
• providing security and a safe environment
• working as part of a team

Caring for children:

• provide day-to-day care for the children we're responsible for and paying attention to the particular needs of children separated from their families
• take part in implementing the child's care plan, which may include specific tasks such as promoting contact with parents and others who are important to the child
• promote the healthy growth and development of the child or children, with particular emphasis on promoting their health and educational achievement
• ensure that the children being looked after are encouraged to develop a positive understanding of their origins, religion and culture
• where appropriate, to assist and support parents and other people who are significant in a child’s life to sustain and develop positive relations with him or her
• to enable children and young people who are moving on to do so in a positive and meaningful manner

Providing security and a safe environment:

• ensure that children are kept safe from harm and abuse and that they are taught how to seek help if they are worried about anything
• promote the secure attachment of children to adults capable of providing safe and effective care for them
• act as an advocate for the child

Working as part of a team:

• be part of the fostering team and to work with other staff and professionals within service guidelines, policies and procedures
• attend and actively participate in reviews, family meetings, case conferences and court hearings as required
• keep written records of placements and contribute to reports
• take up appropriate training opportunities and recognise the benefit of continued training
• deal with confidential information in a responsible manner