Who Regulates Foster Carers
Fostering is an integral service in the United Kingdom with proper legislation put in place to regulate it. Find out about the government department responsible for regulating foster carers in the UK and their mandate.
As expected, foster care is well-regulated in the UK. It has a clear legal framework that includes fostering regulations, statutory guidance, and National Minimum Standards. All these work collectively to influence how local authorities and fostering services organise foster services.
Who regulates foster carers in the UK?
Ofsted (Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services, and Skills)
Ofsted is responsible for regulating any service that cares for children and young people. This puts this government department solely responsible for the regulation of foster carers. However, fostering is a multi-faceted service that requires other agencies to also offer assistance in regulation.
Care Inspectorate (Scotland)
It is the government department responsible for regulating foster carers in Scotland to ensure that they meet the standards set by the government.
Care and Social Services Inspectorate (Wales)
It is the government department responsible for regulating foster carers in Wales to ensure that they meet the standards set by the government.
Local Authority Responsibility
In as much as Ofsted is responsible for the overall regulation of foster carers, the local authorities are also legally tasked with the obligation to apply for a care order if they believe a child is at risk of significant harm or is suffering. This provision is under the Children Act 1989 which allows a council to seek a Care Order from a court of law to take the child into care.
Summary
Fostering is a shared responsibility in the UK. However, Ofsted is in charge of the overall regulation, which streams down to other government departments and local authorities.
