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Contents

1. Introduction
2. Purpose
3. Scope
4. Legislative Framework

1. Introduction

This Chapter should be read in conjunction with the

• The Bedroom Occupancy Recruitment Policy;
• The Bedroom Sharing Guidance;
• Guidance on Risk Assessing Bedroom Arrangements for Looked After Children living in Foster Care.

2. Purpose

For foster care to be successful for looked after children/young people and foster carers and their families, the fostering environment must promote the emotional well-being and physical safety of every person within the household.

Dudley's Fostering Services' Bedroom Occupancy Policy, Procedures and Guidance have therefore been developed with the aims of protecting and valuing everyone in the household whilst recognising and taking account of the diversity of families and of individual needs.

3. Scope

In addition to sleeping arrangements in a foster carer's home, this policy and the procedures also apply to any possible changes that may occur in sleeping arrangements through family holidays; whether this be camping, rented accommodation, hotels, caravans or second homes. When arranging holidays of any duration, an overnight stay, a weekend or longer, consideration must be given by foster carers to the sleeping arrangements and the management of any risk and will necessitate a review of the bedroom sharing risk assessment.

4. Legislative Framework

The Fostering Service National Minimum Standards (NMS) and the Fostering Services Regulations 2011 set the framework for practice compliance and achievement of appropriate outcomes for looked after young people in foster care. National Minimum Standards 4 Safeguarding Children and 10 Providing a suitable physical environment for the foster child, in particular, apply to the occupancy of bedrooms and bedroom sharing.

The outcome Dudley is seeking for all Looked After Children in foster care is that they must live in foster homes which provide adequate space to a suitable standard. This means that they must have their own bed and space to store clothes and personal possessions. Each child needs wall space to display pictures of importance to them and they must be able to securely store items they regard as private or valuable. Each child needs to have space to be able to do homework and if this is not in their bedroom another area of the house must be identified and respected as a place for them to study  

It is preferable for children to have their own room but it is recognised by the Department for Education in their additional guidance to the Fostering National Minimum Standards 2011 (issued in June 2011) that this is not always possible. In these circumstances an assessment prior to sharing should be undertaken to advise on the suitability of the arrangements. This assessment must include consultation with the children involved, and their wishes and feelings must be established. Any assessment should also include reference to any 'risky' behaviour such as evidence of bullying or sexualised behaviour which could indicate bedroom sharing may not be appropriate.

Conversely an assessment may conclude that sharing is the best way to promote the welfare of the child. In some cases the child has indicated that that they want this and will find it comforting to share with a sibling, or in an existing settled placement where they have shared a room.

Furthermore, where a foster carer is identified as being the most appropriate carer to meet the needs of the child albeit they may have less space than an alternative carer then the match may well be assessed as an appropriate match.

The critical consideration is that the Fostering Service can demonstrate they have properly considered any risks and have concluded that sharing is in the best way to safeguard and promote the child's welfare and to meet the outcome required under Standard 10 of the National Minimum Standards 2011 in conjunction with the placing social worker.

End