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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')

  • The 31 NMS are divided into two sections; 'Child Focused Standards' and 'Standards of the Fostering Service'.

  • Each NMS begins with links to the underpinning legislation for that particular standard.

  • Underneath each sub-standard is an explanation of how Diverse Care comply and exceed it.

  • 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

- Safeguarding Children

STANDARD 05

- Children Missing from Care

STANDARD 06

- Promoting good health and wellbeing

STANDARD 07

- Leisure activities

STANDARD 08

- Promoting educational attainment

STANDARD 09

- Promoting and supporting contact

STANDARD 10

- Providing a suitable physical environment for the foster child

STANDARD 11

- Preparation for a placement

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

- Records

STANDARD 27

- Fitness of premises for use as fostering service

STANDARD 28

- Payment to carers

STANDARD 29

- Notification of Significant Events

STANDARD 30

- Family and friends as foster carers

STANDARD 31

- Placement Plan and Review

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