Welcome to the latest online edition of Skylark Fostering’s Policy and Procedure Manual

This manual is regularly updated to provide the most current guidance and relevant procedures for foster carers and practitioners at Skylark Fostering.

At Skylark Fostering:

• We prioritise achieving exceptional outcomes for children by developing key policies and procedures that support best practices and fundamental principles.
• We offer a clear and coherent practice and procedural framework that sets out expectations while empowering social workers and foster carers to make sound professional judgments, always keeping the child at the centre. Our goal is for all children to be “Soaring High for Bright Futures.”
• We are fully committed to ensuring the safety of children and young people while guiding and supporting them to achieve their fullest potential.
• We strive to provide the best support to foster carers, enabling them to help children engage in positive experiences that allow them to look forward in life and reach their fullest potential.

Core Practice Values and Guiding Principles:

1. Ensure that all professionals operate within a framework of clear, thoughtful, and transparent policies and procedures.
2. Treat fostered children and foster families with respect and honesty, keeping them informed throughout any social work involvement.
3. In accordance with Skylark Fostering's commitment to transparency and quality assurance, any use of artificial intelligence (AI) in our operations must be clearly disclosed. It is essential that all content generated or processed by AI tools is subsequently reviewed and verified by a suitably qualified Skylark Fostering employee.
4. Safeguard and promote the well-being of children and young people.
5. Ensure that each young person placed with our foster carers is seen as an individual, taking into account disability, sexuality, and ethnicity. We aim to help them reach their full potential without experiencing discrimination.
6. Welcome prospective foster carers from all backgrounds without prejudice, regardless of ethnic origin, religion, age, gender, disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, background, marital, or employment status, and consider what they can offer a child/young person in a fostering arrangement.
7. Ensure that foster carers receive practical support and high-quality supervision to help them reach their full potential.
8. Ensure that Skylark Fostering monitors all aspects of it’s practice and adherence to these policies and procedures.

If this is the first time you've visited this online Procedures Manual, please read through 'Using this Manual' to familiarise yourself with the layout and functions.

The contacts for the agency are Tim Clayton: Tim.Clayton@skylarkfostering.co.uk and Trish Kelly: Trish.Kelly@skylarkfostering.co.uk.

Website: www.skylarkfostering.co.uk

Registered Office: Unit 11, Oak House, Waterside South, Lincoln LN5 7FB

Click here to view the full contents list.