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The Fostering Network is to launch two new publications aimed at supporting foster carers, children, young people and fostering services, with the organisation describing the resources as complementary tools designed to improve experiences and outcomes across the fostering sector.
The publications, due to be released on 25 June, comprise a new Protective Care guide and a revised edition of the Allegations Toolkit. Together, they are intended to provide practical guidance for foster carers while supporting fostering services in managing safeguarding concerns and allegations in a proportionate and transparent manner.
Protective Care replaces the organisation's previous Safer Caring publication and has been developed to reflect contemporary fostering practice. The guidance emphasises that every fostering household and every child is unique, encouraging carers to adopt flexible approaches that respond to changing needs while maintaining safe, nurturing family environments.
According to The Fostering Network, the publication promotes a "risk-sensible" approach to care, supporting foster carers to balance safeguarding responsibilities with children's need to experience family life, build independence and develop confidence. The resource includes practical tools, templates and guidance intended to assist carers with planning, decision-making and day-to-day practice.
Feedback from foster carers involved in reviewing the publication highlighted its accessibility and practical value, with reviewers describing it as a thought-provoking resource for carers at all stages of their fostering journey.
Alongside the new guidance, The Fostering Network is launching an updated Allegations Toolkit, which has been revised following feedback from foster carers and the wider fostering community.
The organisation acknowledged that the first edition of the toolkit, published last year, did not provide the reassurance many foster carers had hoped for. In response, the publication was withdrawn while further consultation and development took place.
The revised toolkit seeks to balance the safeguarding of children and young people with the need to ensure foster carers are treated fairly and with dignity throughout allegations processes. It promotes what The Fostering Network describes as the "5Ps" model: Preparation, Planning, Prevention, Proportionality and Protection.
The organisation said it hopes the guidance will contribute to improved outcomes for both children and foster carers involved in allegations procedures, while also reducing the number of allegations through early risk assessment and proportionate decision-making.
The two resources have been designed to operate alongside one another. While the Allegations Toolkit provides guidance for practitioners managing concerns and allegations, Protective Care offers foster carers practical strategies for strengthening protective practice within everyday family life, particularly in relation to preparation and planning.
Sarah Thomas, Chief Executive of The Fostering Network, said the publications reflected the views of children and young people as well as foster carers. She noted that children in foster care and birth children living within fostering households had highlighted how language and practice can sometimes create unnecessary distinctions within families.
She said the new Protective Care guidance seeks to promote inclusive approaches that support belonging, stability and connection for all children within the household, while the revised Allegations Toolkit has been strengthened through collaboration with foster carers and the incorporation of sector feedback.
From June 25, Protective Care guidance can be purchased here, and the Allegations Toolkit downloaded here.
