The relationship between social workers and foster carers

When you become a foster carer, one important thing to know is that you will be working with social workers to ensure a harmonious healthy environment for your foster child or children.

Here’s what you need to know about working with social workers as a foster carer.

Supervising social worker

This is the social worker that your fostering agency or local authority assigns to you when you become a foster carer. They get to know you, your life and your home, and how this will affect the child’s needs. They keep reports and records of this, as well as other information, such as contact with their biological family and access to friends, education and recreation.

Your supervising social worker will usually make an unannounced visit once a year, where they will talk to the child, look at their bedroom and make observations of the environment and the relationships with other adults and children where applicable.

How they can help

Social workers are a valuable resource of information as well as help for both foster carers and their foster children – not just regarding the fostering journey, but also the child’s feeling and thoughts regarding their friends and families.

Some social workers are also trained counsellors or therapists, so are suited to talk to you and/or your foster child about their mental health and wellbeing. Additionally, they can guide you to other useful sources of help and support, such as guidance counsellors, support groups and other specialists that work with children and families.