Safeguarding children & responding to concerns
FIT strives to give children who are fostered the same life chances and opportunities as any other child in society. We recognise that every day we take risks, from driving in cars, going swimming or enjoying rides at the fun fair. We work in partnership with foster parents, families, and professionals, making every effort to ensure the safety of children as far as possible, without limiting their life experiences. We recognise that it is not always possible to anticipate or prevent accidents, but when they do happen, we respond, reflect and work to identify any improvements to our services so that protect children from harm in future, while continuing to support them to grow, explore, and thrive.
We respect children’s rights and actively seek feedback from children, the important adults in their lives and professionals to ensure children are receiving the level of care they need. By maintaining high standards of care and open communication, we aim to ensure children feel safe, supported, and valued, to prevent concerns arising from the outset.
Involving children
We always seek to include children when making decisions that affect their lives, promoting the rights of children in line with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). We recognise that children communicate in many different ways, often through their behaviour and we are always ready to listen. We are balanced and evidence based when making decisions, recognising that sometimes children do not understand the implications of their choices and should not carry responsibilities beyond their age. We always seek to explain and help children understand the reasons decisions have been made.
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Managing concerns or allegations
Concerns or allegations do not happen often and some foster parents may never experience a complaint or allegation during the time they foster. Where there are complaints or allegations raised about the care of a child, we take these seriously and work closely with the Local Authority to ensure that they are resolved efficiently with the best possible outcome for the child and foster family, whilst maintaining support and communication with foster parents.
At FIT, we will always strive to be transparent at all times and offer foster parents options for independent support informally from other carers who have been through similar circumstances or from Fostering Network, who can provide professional advice and support.
Safer Caring
We promote safer caring practices to protect both children and foster parents, respecting that children need privacy, to develop appropriate self-care skills and independence. Caring for teenagers can be tough at times, but also equally rewarding. We support foster parents to recognise the benefits of technology whilst also navigating evolving online risks with social media and artificial intelligence.
Complaints about FIT
We welcome feedback and we promote reflective practice to consider different ideas and ways of working. We have a complaints policy and encourage any person with a complaint to please speak to us in the first instance and we will do our best to address their concerns. We are registered with Care Inspectorate Wales and keep them informed of any issues at all times, but complainants are also welcome to approach them.
In summary… Safeguarding children is a shared responsibility. We work closely with foster parents, local authorities, and other professionals to ensure children are protected from harm and supported as far as possible.
While concerns, complaints or allegations are rare, they are always taken seriously and managed through clear procedures to ensure the safety and wellbeing of every child. Throughout any process, we remain committed to open communication, a balanced approach, and providing guidance and support to foster parents.