Statement of Purpose

We believe that:

1. Foster care is a partnership between foster carers, social workers and East Sussex County Council  all working together in the best interests of children and young people. Wherever possible this partnership should include  children or young people cared for  and their parents or interested relatives;
2. The cultural, racial and religious identities of children and young people, their parents and foster carers must be respected in the development of the foster care service and in the making and support of individuals;
3.  Children and young people have the right to continuity in their lives so that their identity can be maintained and developed, their physical and mental well-being promoted, and their full potential achieved;
4. Foster carers have a right and responsibility to  use training opportunities to develop their knowledge and skills;
5. Foster carers, social workers, children  and their parents must be able to call upon the wider department and other agencies for support;
6. Formal decisions relating to individual children and young people should be taken in full consultation with them and their network;
7. Foster carers, children and young people are able to challenge decisions and plans proposed by the department and be made aware of the procedures whereby they can exercise their right of challenge;
8. Young people exiting care must be offered agency support which recognises that all young people continue to need support into adulthood.

East Sussex Fostering Service will work in partnership with our local East Sussex Foster Carer Association and national Fostering Network colleagues to ensure these remain the focus of all our transactions.

Our Statement of Purpose sets out the aims and objectives of East Sussex County Council Fostering Service. This document is made available, upon request, to carers and prospective carers, any child placed by the service, the parent of any child looked after and staff. Requests can be made by email to: fostering@eastsussex.gov.uk.