Glossary of Terms

1. Supervising Social Worker

A social worker employed by this agency, who will be allocated to the foster carer(s). He/she will visit regularly, and maintain ongoing contact, to support and supervise the foster carers to whom he/she is allocated.

2. Support Worker

A person commissioned by the agency who can offer practical support (usually 4 hours per month); they will engage the young person in activities, allowing the carer some free time, to spend either in or away from the home.

3. Short-term Break

A scheme to enable the foster child to spend a weekend or very short period of time with a short-term break (formerly known as ‘respite’) carer, for example, if the placement is experiencing a particularly difficult time. This only takes place with the agreement of the local authority.

4. Annual Leave

All our carers are entitled to 14 nights per year paid annual leave.

5. Retainer

This refers to an amount of money paid to our carers who have a vacancy, but are available to us for work.

6. Agency Holidays

The agency organises holidays for our foster families to spend time away together, during school holidays. Carers remain responsible for their foster placements during these holidays, and stay as family units.

7. Junior Carers

This is a term used to refer to the birth children of our foster carers.

8. BAAF

The British Agency of Adoption & Fostering – a national organisation (see website for further information).

9. NT&AS

The National Teaching & Advisory Service is the name of the organisation whom we commission to provide educational support and services to our foster placements and their carers.

10. On-line Registration

People wishing to find out more about joining our agency can fill out the Registration of Interest Form, and send it to us on-line.

11. Private Health Insurance  

After fostering for our agency for 12 months, we subscribe to BUPA on your behalf, so you become part of our Company Health Insurance Scheme.

12. Children’s Care Plans

Every looked after child, by law, must have a plan for their care, provided by the local authority.

13. Fostering Network

National organisation promoting fostering (see website for further information).