National Minimum Standards for Fostering Services

1.	Managing the fostering service
2.	Securing welfare
3.	Promoting welfare
4.	Staff
5.	Records kept by the service
6.	Fostering panels
7.	Other types fostering placements

2. Securing welfare

Providing suitable foster carers.
Carers homes should be able to house all who live there and be of a good standard. It should be inspected every year by the service to make sure it meets the needs of the foster children. Foster children should have their own bed. Foster carers might be interviewed or visited as part of Ofsted's inspection process.

Valuing diversity. The fostering service should ensure that children and their families are provided with a foster care service, which values diversity and promotes equality.

Matching. Fostering services must ensure that each child in foster care is carefully matched with a carer capable of meeting the child's needs. Where possible each child should be introduced to the carer and have a chance to have their say about the placement before moving in.

Protection from abuse. The fostering service must protect children from all types of abuse, neglect, mistreatment and deprivation. Carers should receive training in:

• caring for children who have been abused,
• safe caring skills,
• managing behaviour,
• recognising signs of abuse
• boosting and maintaining self-esteem