Website of the Department of Health

Please note that this website has a UK government access keys system.

Main menu

Page menu

Publications

Fostering services: national minimum standards, fostering services regulations

Document type:

Publication
Author:

Department of Health
Published date:

11 March 2002
Primary audience:

Professionals
Product number:

0113225407
Gateway reference:

2002
Pages:

82
Copyright holder:

Crown Copyright

This document contains the fostering service regulations and national minimum standards applicable to fostering services. Together, these regulations and standards form the basis of the new regulatory framework under the Care Standards Act 2000 (CSA) for the conduct of fostering services. [Book abstract] Stationery Office Publication

The Fostering Services National Minimum Standards and Regulations 2002 are applicable to fostering services whether local authority or independent fostering agencies. Together, these regulations and standards form the basis of the new regulatory framework under the Care Standards Act 2000 (CSA) for the conduct of fostering services. The Commission for Social Care Inspection is the regulatory body that inspects against these standards and regulations.

The National Minimum Standards for fostering services are issued by the Secretary of State under sections 23 and 49 of the CSA. They are the minimum standards, rather than best possible practice. Minimum standards do not mean standardisation of provision. The standards are designed to be applicable to the wide variety of different types of fostering services providers, and to enable, rather than prevent, individual providers to develop their own particular ethos and approach to care for children with different needs.