Foreword
by David Johnstone, Director of Social Services

Welcome to our revised Foster Care Handbook. It was first published in 1996, and since then we have made every effort to produce new editions in a more user-friendly way. This essentially means it's now a shorter, snappier document than the original - which should help you get to the information and advice you need as quickly as possible.

Please let us know what you think of this Handbook - and feel free to make any suggestions about improving it.

We value the work you undertake for us and hope this document will help you to continue to provide us with the quality service on which we and the children depend.

Thank you for all of your work and commitment.

• The purpose of this Foster Care Handbook is to provide information and guidance to foster carers and staff on fostering issues.
• This handbook will 'signpost' carers and staff to additional sources of information.
• Devon is working towards a service which meets all the national standards for Foster Care. If you want to know more about the National Standards please contact your local fostering team - or Andrea Morris, Fostering Group Manager - see Contact details for Fostering Staff.

Contents

• Fostering Services - The Legal Context
• The Local Authority Fostering Service
• Working with Social Services
• Good Practice In Fostering
• Finance
• The Law Relating to Children
• Child Protection
• Concerns, Complaints and Allegations
• Children Missing from Foster Homes
• Conclusion

See also:

• Useful contacts
• Your local fostering team