Introducing ‘Stayovers’ Care
Changing ‘Respite’ to ‘Stayovers’
‘Respite’ has traditionally been the term used to describe the arrangement whereby a child living with a Foster Carer goes to stay with another carer, usually for a weekend. Following review and consultation with our young people and carers, it is clear that the term ‘respite’ can have negative connotations and might suggest that this change in care arrangements is for the benefit of the carer as a result of stress caused by caring for the child, and the need for the carers to have a break from them. However, whilst the benefits to carers are acknowledged, the use of such an arrangement should be child-centred and primarily for the benefit of the child – giving the child more trusted adults in their network, and providing new experiences. Therefore, West Sussex is replacing ‘respite’ with the term ‘stayovers’.
‘Respite carers’ will be known as ‘Linked Foster Carers’
‘Respite carers’ will be known as Linked Foster Carers to indicate their valuable role as part of the child’s network and our commitment to encouraging stable and enduring relationships with consistent carers for the benefit of our children.
Why are stayovers needed for the children we care for?
The West Sussex Fostering Service’s aspirations for the children we care for is that they live in a family setting where they are welcomed and included as a member of the household and family, experiencing acceptance and belonging. For this to be achieved, it is anticipated that children are integrated into a carer’s usual family activities, including taking part in family celebrations, important family events and going away on family holidays with their Foster Carers and other members of the household. However, sometimes there are reasons why a child we care for is unable to participate in planned events. This may include, but is not limited to, if the event was booked before the child joined the family, if the event does not include children, or if a passport is not available for the child. There may also be times when it is not appropriate for a child to attend a certain event or appointment, such as medical appointments for someone in the household, or funerals.
As they grow up, the majority of children have the opportunity to stay with adults other than their primary carers. This might be with grandparents, other relatives, or parents of their friends. These stays provide children with different experiences to those they have at home and can form an important part of their socialisation, growth and learning.
The reasons a child may need stayovers
There are a wide range of reasons why a child we care for may need to stay overnight with adults other than the Foster Carers with whom they usually live.
These reasons may result in the child having a period of daycare, a one-off stayover or a pattern of regular planned stayovers.
A one-off stayover or a period of daycare may be needed to ensure that the child has a safe and reliable adult to look after them whilst their Foster Carer is unable to care for them; such as dealing with a family emergency, illness, going into hospital, a bereavement, supporting their birth children with a significant event or attendance at a meeting or event which the child cannot attend.
A pattern of regular planned stayovers may be built into the Care Plan for a child who is living with a fostering family if there is a specific reason why this would be beneficial to the child. In some cases, having regular stayovers makes a significant difference to stability, sustainability and longevity of a care arrangement. For example, a child living in a home with several other children may benefit from stayovers offering one-to-one time where they are the only child, giving them time to focus on their interests and choice of activities. Or a child living with female-only carers may benefit from time with a male carer, who can provide a positive male role model.
The benefits of stayovers
A child may benefit from having a regular pattern of stayovers with alternative carers in circumstances such as the following:
- to have different family and social experiences
- when their usual carers are experiencing blocked care and this is being explored to try to resolve the situation
- when the child or the carer would benefit from time without each other
- when there is instability in the care arrangement
Regular stayovers will not be used as a means of prolonging a substantive care arrangement which is no longer in the child’s best interests.
Stayovers with Linked Foster Carers are a necessary and useful resource, but are not intended as standard for all children we care for. Stayovers are not a resource/provision that is needed for all children we care for or for all Foster Carers.
If a regular planned stayover is identified as beneficial for the child or the household this will be discussed with the Supervising Social Worker and the Child’s Social Worker so it can be explored as part of the child’s Care Planning.
Who can provide Day Care or Stayovers?
The carer’s own network
Where possible Foster Carers are encouraged to look to their own network for support with day care and stayovers. As part of the assessment process, prospective Foster Carers are required to identify their social network and sources of support. This is often achieved using an ecomap to show who, in their community, the carers are connected to, and the important relationships that they have in their lives. Foster Carers should primarily call upon other adults in their own personal network to provide care for children they care for when needed. Some Foster Carers identify a specific back-up carer who is DBS certified and is ready to provide care and stayovers for the child when needed.
It is recognised that over time a Foster Carers’ network can change and the people who they originally identified as support may no longer be available to offer care to a child. This should be explored with their Supervising Social Worker, to ensure they have suitable support around the household.
When Foster Carers appoint an alternative carer within their network the level of checks and assessment around this arrangement is dependent on the circumstances. These arrangements should be discussed with the carer’s Supervising Social Worker, so they can ensure plans are suitable and in keeping with the child’s Care Plan.
Ad hoc day care for short periods of time
This can be provided by the Foster Carers’ support network. Were possible this should be discussed and agreed with their Supervising Social Worker beforehand. If the day care is last minute e.g. in an emergency or unplanned, the carer should notify the Supervising Social Worker afterwards so it can be recorded.
Day care or stayovers that are ongoing, regular or overnight
This care can be provided by the Foster Carers’ support network, however they will need to have a DBS check. This information should be included in the Safer Care Plan, Foster Care Agreement and Delegated Authority.
It must be discussed and agreed by the Child’s Social Worker and Foster Carer’s Supervising Social Worker beforehand so it can be recorded, and it is clear how much and when daycare/stayover care is being provided.
NOTE: Being mindful of babies’ attachment needs, in all but exceptional circumstances, carers would not be expected to request overnight care for children under the age of one year.
Stayovers for over 3 nights
If care is to be provided by the Foster Carers’ network for 3 days or more, the above expectations around recording and DBS checks apply. In addition, a Viability Assessment of the alternative carers must be completed by the Supervising Social Worker, the DBS should be returned and sign off and agreed by the fostering and children’s Team Managers before any trips are booked.
In some circumstances it may be more appropriate for the child to remain in their own home, with the temporary carer coming to stay there with them. The rationale for this is to enable the child to have the continuity of a familiar environment where they feel comfortable and relaxed.
Sleepovers and play dates
If the child you are caring for wishes to spend time with a friend, either at a play date or a sleepover, this can be arranged between the carer and the other child’s parents or carers. No assessment or DBS is needed. The Foster Carer is able to use their Delegated Authority and make a common-sense decision over the suitability of this plan. The carer will want to consider if they know the family, if they have contact details, and their child’s readiness for sleepovers. If the carer is unsure, they can discuss with their Supervising Social Worker, however, permission is not required for a child to engage in age-appropriate, safe, social activities within their own friendship network.
The Child’s Family and Friends Network:
Family time should not be considered as day care or childcare, however, in some circumstances extended family time with a child’s family and friend network can be explored as part of a child’s Care Planning. This could be to support the stability of a care arrangement as well as to enhance a child’s wider connections and relationships. This will be unique for each child. The Child’s Social Worker and Foster Carer’s Supervising Social Worker must explore this in regards to risks, practicalities and the child’s views.
Linked Foster Carers
Linked Foster Carers are Foster Carers who are approved as West Sussex Foster Carers. Some will be caring for children on a full-time basis alongside offering stayovers, others will offer stayover care only. Linked Foster Carers may be linked to several children in different fostering households and therefore be working alongside several sets of main Foster Carers. Linked Foster Carers are recognised for the important contribution that they make as safe, secure and reliable adults for children. The aspiration is that these are enduring relationships that have a long-lasting positive impact on children as well as benefiting them during the stayovers. The professionals supporting the child should get to know the child’s Linked Foster Carers. Linked Foster Carers are encouraged to play an active role in the child’s life and occasionally may wish to see the child on other special occasions outside of the planned stayovers or day care.
Linked Foster Carers could be identified from a Foster Carer’s own fostering network. West Sussex Fostering Services provide opportunities for carers to build relationships and friendships with one another, such a peer mentoring, support groups, social events and training. This can then be useful as carers can help one another by offering and agreeing to day care or stayovers when needed. This is advantageous as the child would remain in their local area and may have met the carer previously.
When a child’s usual Foster Carer has identified a proposal regarding a stayover for a child in their care, it is important to note that this is only a proposed arrangement, which must then be agreed by both the child’s Social Worker and the Foster Carer’s Supervising Social Worker and will not be finalised until this agreement has been given.
Where it is not possible for a carer to identify anyone from within their own support or fostering network, the Supervising Social Worker will seek an alternative carer from within their own team by asking other Supervising Social Workers to consider their Foster Carers’ availability. This is preferable because it means that a child can remain in their own geographical area and maintain existing commitments such as school, social/sports clubs and family time.
Where no alternative carer can be identified for a child from within the specific fostering support team, a referral will need to be completed by the child’s Social Worker and submitted to the Children’s Placement Team so that they can broaden the search to Foster Carers in the rest of the county.
Setting up a stayover arrangement
When a Social Worker is incorporating a pattern of regular stayovers into a child’s Care Plan, it is important to consider matching between the carers and the child to increase the likelihood that the child will settle and enjoy the experience.
Before a child has a stayover
When any child we care for stays overnight in the care of anyone other than their usual carer, the child’s Social Worker and the Supervising Social Worker must be informed of this arrangement and give their agreement. Foster Carers should inform their Supervising Social Worker as soon as possible if any circumstances arise which mean they are unable to care for their child overnight and need to make alternative arrangements.
Before a child has a stayover, the Supervising Social Worker will arrange a Planning Meeting with the main Foster Carer and the Linked Foster Carer to ensure that all the necessary information about the child is shared and incorporated into the Stayover Plan. This will include details of the child’s routines, all medical information, dietary preferences, essential information about the birth family, any fears, trauma triggers and any other pertinent information. The discussion should also cover what circumstances, if any, the child would return to their usual carers during the planned stayover period and contact details for carers and relevant professionals.
Linked Foster Carers providing stayovers for a child should gain as much information as possible about the child from their usual carer. The aim of this is to minimise distress to the child and reduce the chance that they will become dysregulated. Linked Foster Carers providing stayovers should as far as possible endeavour to honour the child’s existing commitments during that period of time such as social and sports clubs or planned events with friends.
Linked Foster Carers will need to have a Safer Care Plan specific to each child’s individual needs and also a risk assessment if appropriate. The child’s Social Worker will decide whether the child’s birth parents need to be informed about the stayover or not.
For planned stayovers, after a Linked Foster Carer has been identified and the planning meeting has been held, it is preferable for the child to meet the Linked Foster Carer and visit the home where they will stay. This will reduce any anxiety and help them to look forward to the experience.
During the stayover
Where it is necessary for a child to stay out of their home, it is important that they are permitted to take their personal belongings with them for a sense of security and comfort.
Whilst a child is having a stayover, the usual Foster Carer should consider making a telephone call to the child or arranging to speak to the carer to see how the child is getting on. This should be discussed in the planning meeting beforehand. Linked Foster Carers providing stayovers may wish to share photographs with the usual carers of the child doing activities to contribute to their life story work and record keeping.
The child’s Social Worker will ensure that the Linked Foster Carer has a copy of the Delegated Authority form and is named as having authority to give consent for relevant procedures.
The child’s main Foster Carer and Supervising Social Worker will ensure that the carer offering a stayover has all the relevant contact details needed including the Emergency Duty Service, Fostering Out of Hours and the Fostering Support Line.
After a stayover
It is important that a discussion between the usual Foster Carer and the Linked Foster Carer or alternative carer is had when the stayover ends. This is to ensure that all relevant information is shared, to build relationships and to model positive relationships to the child.
West Sussex approved Linked Foster Carers are expected to submit diary recordings via the Foster Carer’s online portal detailing the child’s experience of staying with them.
When a child has a regular pattern of stayovers as part of their Care Plan, the Linked Foster Carers become important people in the child’s life and will get to know the child well. They should be invited to contribute their views at the child’s review meetings. They should also contribute towards the child’s life story work.
Regular stayover arrangements should be reviewed at least every six months to ensure that they are still serving their intended purpose and working well for the child. The child’s views about stayovers with their Linked Foster Carers are important and weight should be given to these, especially when the arrangement is for an older child.
Finances relating to stayovers
Friends and family of Foster Carers who provide stayovers for children do not receive payment from West Sussex. It is at the discretion of the Foster Carer whether they provide any of their All-Inclusive Allowance (AIA) for the time that they provide care to the child. The Foster Carer may also give the child pocket money to spend whilst they are in the care of someone else. This is to be arranged between the carer and their network.
West Sussex approved Foster Carers receive payment for providing stayovers for children we care for. Mileage expenses for collecting and dropping back to the main carer can be submitted via the portal as per the Foster Carers Payment and Accreditation Scheme. For stayovers of three days or less the Linked Foster Carer will also receive a Stayover Allowance to support with additional costs of activities and expenses during the stayover. For stayovers of over three days the AIA should be used to fund these; unless additional funding is discussed at the stayover planning meeting, included in the Stayover Plan and agreed at Exceptional Payments Panel. Payments and expenses are in line with the Foster Carers Payment and Accreditation Scheme.
As per the Foster Carer’s Payment and Accreditation Scheme, if the main Foster Carer is on holiday and not available to the young person, they will not receive an All-Inclusive Allowance or Skills Fee for the duration of the stayover.
