Highland Council Adoption Service

1. To support positive outcomes for children and young people the service should ensure that there is sufficient focus given to the timely recruitment and assessment of caregivers and that guidance regarding assessment timescales are adhered to. This is to ensure that care and support is consistent with the Health and Social Care Standards (HSCS) which state that: ‘I experience high quality care and support based on relevant evidence, guidance and best practice' (HSCS 4.11).

2. For children, young people and their foster carers to be best supported, the service should ensure to undertake regular reviews with clear recommendations for foster carer registration. To do this the provider should, at a minimum, ensure: a) Undertake annual reviews of all caregiver families b) Ensure that all applicants and caregivers attend Panel’s and that this adheres to fostering regulation timescales. This is to ensure that care and support is consistent with the Health and Social Care Standards (HSCS) which state that: 'I experience high quality care and support based on relevant evidence, guidance and best practice' (HSCS 4.11).

1. The service should ensure that panel members are provided with regular opportunities for support and annual appraisals are undertaken. This is to ensure that care and support is consistent with the Health and Social Care Standards (HSCS) which state that: ‘I have confidence in people because they are trained, competent and skilled, are able to reflect on their practice and follow their professional and organisational codes’ (HSCS 3.14).