Old Fostercare Handbook-
(Revised September1996)
Date:
31/08/96
To:
Foster parents
Incidentals
An incidentals allowance is incorporated in the board payments
for the following miscellaneous expenses.
Out of school activities ( i.e. travel costs for appointments,
recreation and cultural activities and fees for activities if
on a intermittent basis ), toilet requisites, dry cleaning and
haircuts.
Included in the board payment is pocket money at differing rates,
depending on the age of the child.
Pocket money is for the personal
use of the child, and should not be used as payment for tasks
which a child as part of a family must learn to do without thought
of reward.
Medical Matters
Serious Illness, Accident, or Death
In the event of any of the above, you must at once report the
matter to a social worker of the Department. In case of emergency
you should not hesitate to call a doctor, but you should inform
the office as soon as possible.
Except in extreme emergency, authority from the Department is
necessary before a surgical operation can be arranged or anaesthetics
administered. Foster parents do not have the authority to sign
consents for these procedures.
Higher Board Rate
Bedwetting ( Enuresis )
Soiling ( Encopresis )
Emotional Problems
A higher board rate to assist foster parents in coping with persistent
cases of any of the above may be negotiated with the social worker.
The Department is prepared to provide additional clothing, sheets
and blankets, rubber sheets, and hire special equipment on medical
advice. Discuss this with your social worker.
Dental Treatment
Most normal dental treatment is paid for by the Department, any
orthodontic treatment must be discussed with your social worker
before incurring any liability for costs.
Education
Kindergarten, Play Centres
It is considered that most children benefit from attendance at
the above. Proposed attendance should be discussed with your social
worker who can advise on, and obtain approval for payment of fees
etc.
Schools
The Department pays for school books, religious text books, sewing
materials, woodwork materials, sports or equipment fee and examination
fees.
Boarding School
The Director General may approve a child's admission to a boarding
school where it is considered to be in the child's best interest.
No arrangements must be entered into without discussion with your
social worker.
Special Coaching
If a child is experiencing Learning or other educational difficulties,
the Department will consider paying fees for remedial reading,
speech therapy, or coaching in individual subjects if free special
coaching is not available through the Department of Education.
Again, discuss this with your social worker.
Recreation, Cultural Activities
Recreation Fees, Equipment
The Department will consider payment of fees and provide for equipment,
etc., so that a child may attend after-school activities such
as Boys Brigade, Brownies, Scouts, Guides, YMCA activities, etc.
Swimming tuition may be arranged if required.
The cost of equipment provided would be in accordance with the
child's age and level of competence in the particular activity.
Music, Dancing and Other Cultural Pursuits
The Department encourages children to take part in cultural activities
and fees will be paid within reasonable limits. Proposed enrolment
for any activity should be discussed with your social worker.
Clothing
The Department pays a standard clothing allowance four times a
year: on 7 January, 7 April, 7 July, 7 October. This allowance
varies according to age of the child.
The clothing allowance is to provide a reasonable standard of
clothing which is in keeping with that of your own children and
not too far removed from that worn by the majority of youngsters
in the child's immediate social circle.
It is the Department's responsibility to outfit a child at or
before placement in a foster home. The allowance is paid to maintain
the outfit.
A special grant for school uniforms is paid when a child begins
at intermediate or secondary school and a new uniform is required.
Clothing required for cultural and recreational activities, including
special footwear , is not included in the standard clothing allowance.
The need for such items should be discussed with your social worker
and once authority is obtained, payment will be made by a supplementary
clothing allowance.
Purchase / Hire of Prams, Pushchairs
The Department have the authority to purchase second hand prams
or pushchairs for your use if you are caring for a young child.
Those purchased are loaned to you for as long as required, and
then held in stock for re-issue.
Holidays
If you are proposing to include your foster child in holiday arrangements
please discuss this with your social worker well in advance.
The Department is prepared to pay for one holiday a year. This
may include camps which are associated with other activities,
e.g. school, scouts, guides. The actual cost obviously varies
depending on the circumstances the mode of travel and the type
of holiday accommodation obtained, etc., so that advance notice
of anticipated costs would be appreciated.
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