Code of Conduct for Authorised Carers
This Code of Conduct is for authorised foster, relative and kinship carers, prospective guardians and dually authorised prospective adoptive parents currently providing authorised care. These groups of people are referred to as ‘carers’ throughout the Code of Conduct.A designated agency is an organisation accredited to arrange and supervise out-of-home care services. They are referred to as ‘agency’ throughout the Code of Conduct.Children or young people will be referred to as child or children throughout the Code of Conduct.
Compliance with the Code
The Code of Conduct aligns with the aims of the Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998(Care Act). As a carer you and your agency are working within the principals of the Care Act and comply with the Code of Conduct. You are not expected to be familiar with the Care Act. Your agency should explain key parts of the Care Act to you. The Code of Conduct is designed to help you understand your rights and responsibilities.
Agencies must ensure that you understand the Code of Conduct. Agencies should train, supervise and support you so that you can comply with the Code of Conduct. For carers from non-English speaking backgrounds, agencies should consider using an interpreter to communicate the Code of Conduct to you.