Carers constantly have to balance risks in the everyday decisions they take for themselves and the people they care for.
There are risks associated with caring for traumatised children and young people. The children are, by definition, vulnerable and therefore at risk, but there are also risks to carers, staff and other children. By opening their doors to potentially traumatised children, carers are risking their health, happiness and peace of mind.
What you'll learn.
Not only can we not eliminate risk from everyday life, but trying to do so can have negative side effects, and can prevent people from learning and developing their own awareness of risk and how to stay safe. So the key to good, safer caring is about carers being aware of the risks involved for particular people in different situations, and making well thought through decisions, in partnership with the social workers and any other services involved.
Risk can never be eliminated completely. Safer caring involves assessing and managing the complex risks that face children, foster carers and families, as well as the other children, adults and agencies involved.
Who is Safer Caring for Foster Carers for?
People in care are often particularly vulnerable, so carers need to understand and manage the particular risks they may face, while helping people to have as normal a life as they can.
Safer caring is all about being “risk sensible”, not risk averse. It is about carers understanding and balancing the risks involved in a particular activity or decision, rather than applying a set of rules in all circumstances.
What are the learning outcomes?
- Download course brochure
