contraception. There is need for clearly defined roles about who should be advising the young person in the light of the above. Foster carers can consult and seek advice from the Looked After child’s Nurse. Decisions could be included in the placement plan, especially when there is particular Children’s concern about a young person's sexual activity. Foster carers are expected to discuss sexual matters with young people when appropriate and so need to be knowledgeable and confident about discussing contraception, sexual preference and identity and the consequences of unprotected sex. Foster carers are expected to take a health education approach, giving support and providing information. Pregnancy Whether planned or unplanned, pregnancy needs to be dealt with sensitively. Local authority social workers, supervising social workers and foster carers should help the young woman through her pregnancy and support whatever decision she makes about her baby. She may need help to decide whether to keep her baby, ask her family's support or consider adoption, but it is her decision to make. If a young man is about to father a child he will have feelings too. He must know that he can talk to you. He may also need professional advice on such matters as Parental Responsibility. Abortion The termination of a pregnancy requires careful counselling as it can have serious emotional and physical effects. Young women considering an abortion should be referred for professional counselling to an unbiased independent service. Foster carers should seek advice from the young Looked person’s After Nurse and supervising social worker in such situations. Children’s
contraception. There is need for clearly defined roles about who should be advising the young person in the light of the above. Foster carers can consult and seek advice from the child’s Looked After Children’s Nurse. Decisions could be included in the placement plan, especially when there is particular concern about a young person's sexual activity. Foster carers are expected to discuss sexual matters with young people when appropriate and so need to be knowledgeable and confident about discussing contraception, sexual preference and identity and the consequences of unprotected sex. Foster carers are expected to take a health education approach, giving support and providing information. Pregnancy Whether planned or unplanned, pregnancy needs to be dealt with sensitively. Local authority social workers, supervising social workers and foster carers should help the young woman through her pregnancy and support whatever decision she makes about her baby. She may need help to decide whether to keep her baby, ask her family's support or consider adoption, but it is her decision to make. If a young man is about to father a child he will have feelings too. He must know that he can talk to you. He may also need professional advice on such matters as Parental Responsibility. Abortion The termination of a pregnancy requires careful counselling as it can have serious emotional and physical effects. Young women considering an abortion should be referred for professional counselling to an unbiased independent service. Foster carers should seek advice from the young person’s Looked After Children’s Nurse and supervising social worker in such situations.
Foster-Care-Handbook.docx