Creating successful Host Family Breaks Good Practice

The purpose of Practice Guidelines Clear statement of Aims and Ethos To consolidate learning To examine what works well and why To examine what we do and how we do it Transparency Clarity To help identify gaps To prepare for expansion

Standards Quality of life Supports Protection Development and Health Citizenship rights Governance

Why Good practice guidelines? Some situations ….. How can these situations be prevented? How should the Scheme respond?

The child’s mother and the Host Family complain about each other

Some practice implications Is this a good match? The placement is supported from the beginning. Clear placement Agreement Both families are facilitated to talk about the placement with a support person Regular reviews facilitate both families to raise issues/concerns. Issues/concerns are resolved quickly

A 33 year old woman tells her keyworker that she is not allowed to use her phone when Home Sharing

Practice implications The woman can talk to her Social Worker/Key worker The Host Family are informed The complaint is investigated promptly Both parties are brought together to resolve the issue. The woman is entitled to use her phone

The person What guidelines are important? The person and his/her family want the service- how do they apply? When will we have a service? Supported introductions Clear Placement Agreement Shared responsibility for the person’s medical/healthcare needs Regular reviews How long is the Placement for?

Host parent sleeps with child

Practice implications Matching Good communication between families The Host Family are familiar with the person’s needs before placement Clear Placement Agreement Support to Host Family around supporting the child to settle

You hear from school that boy has broken his leg while Home Sharing

Some practice implications The Host Family seek medical attention The Host Family promptly inform the boy’s parents and the Link Social Worker They forward completed incident report form The Link Social Worker liaises with the boy’s Social Worker/key worker, family and day staff as required Risk assessment procedure

Host family’s dog nips guest

Practice implications Matching Risk assessment Measures in place to keep the guest safe The Host Family seek medical attention The Host Family promptly inform the person’s family and link Social Worker Complete Incident report form Necessary follow-up to prevent further risk

The Host Family What guidelines are important? How do we become a Host Family? Will we have a choice about the person we Host and when they come to stay? Will we be able to manage? What is expected of us? What do we do if….? What Happens if ….? What supports will we receive? Payments

A 54 year old man tells day staff that his ‘host mother’ hit him

Some Practice implications The man can talk to somebody who listens He is kept safe The allegation is investigated promptly The Host Family are kept informed Follow-up measures are put in place The placement is supported and reviewed on a regular basis

A valued Host Family say they’re put under too much pressure from the scheme

Practice implications Matching Availability Host Family Reviews Are the family adequately supported Supervision contract

The Scheme Who do we provide services to? From whom do we receive referrals? How do we find Host Families? How do we ensure we have the right people/families providing care? How do we ensure placements continue to meet the standards? How do we support Host Families How do we deal with complaints? How do we deal with allegations? How do we ensure that people are safe? How do we respond when we find a person may not be safe?

What’s important Getting the right people to Host Finding the right match Effective communication A Clear Placement Agreement Everyone knows what to do if…. Good management

Challenges Referrals Making information accessible Independent support for each placement Resources

Some references Work done around the country Foster Care Standards HIQA standards Minimum standards- Foster care, UK Short Breaks Network

Thank you Cathy Byrne Social Worker Galway Home Sharing Scheme