Diverse Care National Minimum Standards page.
Here you will find a list of all 31 National Minimum Standards (NMS) for fostering services. These standards are issued by the Secretary of State and are continually under review and published when amendments are made. They are issued for use by Ofsted, who take them into account when performing an inspection. We want all of our families to not only be up-to-date and informed on current legislation, but to also be aware of how Diverse Care complies and exceeds fostering regulations and National Minimum Standards.
Click the links on the right or scroll down to view each individual National Minimum Standard ('NMS')
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The 31 NMS are divided into two sections; 'Child Focused Standards' and 'Standards of the Fostering Service'.
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Each NMS begins with links to the underpinning legislation for that particular standard.
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Underneath each sub-standard is an explanation of how Diverse Care comply and exceed it.
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Each NMS is also preceded by an 'Outcome' box - this is what is expected to be achieved by the fostering service by meeting that standard.
“I have enjoyed reading through the National Minimum Standards, especially done in this way - I would never have read them in such great detail if you had sent them out as a booklet. Breaking the standards down into paragraphs has given me a better understanding of what they mean and what is expected of us as Foster Parents. I feel like it's been a mini training session which has helped and reminded us just how important we all are to the children and young people, and how important it is to understand and follow each standard written.” –Diverse Care Foster Parent, in response to our National Minimum Standards.
If at any point you do not understand any terms or phrases within the Standards, please see our Glossary. Certain words and phrases throughout this interactive document can be clicked on to take you directly to a definition.
Child Focused Standards
STANDARD 01
- The child’s wishes and feelings and the views of those significant to them
STANDARD 02
- Promoting a positive identity, potential and valuing diversity through individualised care
STANDARD 03
- Promoting positive behaviour and relationships
STANDARD 04
STANDARD 05
STANDARD 06
- Promoting good health and wellbeing
STANDARD 07
STANDARD 08
- Promoting educational attainment
STANDARD 09
- Promoting and supporting contact
STANDARD 10
- Providing a suitable physical environment for the foster child
STANDARD 11
STANDARD 12
- Promoting independence and moves to adulthood and leaving care
Standards of the Fostering Service
STANDARD 13
- Recruiting and assessing foster carers who can meet the needs of looked after children
STANDARD 14
- Fostering panels and the fostering service’s decision-maker
STANDARD 15
- Matching the child with a placement that meets their assessed needs
STANDARD 16
- Statement of purpose and children’s guide
STANDARD 17
- Fitness to provide or manage the administration of a fostering service
STANDARD 18
- Financial viability and changes affecting business continuity
STANDARD 19
- Suitability to work with children
STANDARD 20
- Learning and development of foster carers
STANDARD 21
- Supervision and support of foster carers
STANDARD 22
- Handling allegations and suspicions of harm
STANDARD 23
- Learning, development and qualifications of staff
STANDARD 24
- Staff support and supervision
STANDARD 25
- Managing effectively and efficiently and monitoring the service
STANDARD 26
STANDARD 27
- Fitness of premises for use as fostering service
STANDARD 28
STANDARD 29
- Notification of Significant Events
STANDARD 30
- Family and friends as foster carers
STANDARD 31