This guidance is issued under section 7 of the Local Authority Social Services Act 1970 and is addressed to local authorities. The guidance is also relevant to providers of independent fostering agencies and voluntary organisations.
The guidance sets out the functions and responsibilities of local authorities and their partner agencies in relation to fostering services including setting out the responsibilities of local authorities and foster carers, how to help ensure the best for children in foster care, management of the fostering service and approving and supporting foster parents.
The guidance has been updated in line with the changes to the regulations and it supersedes Volume 3 Family Placements issued in 1991.
