Education, Health and Finance
Education
If your child is of school age you will need to discuss plans for their education with the private foster carers before the placement starts.
It is best if both you and the private foster carers can arrange to visit the relevant school before the placement starts so that you can:
- Give the name and address of your child’s previous school(s) so that school records can be transferred and the new school will be aware of the child’s progress at school and of any difficulties they have had.
- Discuss directly with the school your child’s background and educational needs. Their racial, cultural and linguistic needs should also be considered.
- Discuss how long the child will be at the school, admission dates, parents’ evenings etc.
It is important to ask the carers to give you school reports and information about the child’s progress regularly.
In some cases, when the child has been living abroad they may need to have a medical examination before their entry into school. Children do not need to have the medical if any of the following apply:
- the child has been abroad for less than 6 months
- the child has been living in a country which is a member of the European Union (EU)
- the child’s parents are serving members of HM forces.
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Health
A medical record should be kept for each child. You should ensure that full medical information is given before the placement starts, and that the foster carers keep the record constantly updated.
It is important to give the private foster carers as much information as possible about your child’s medical history. Pass on information about any illnesses, allergies etc. which your child has and the name and address of the child’s last GP. You should also give the private foster carers any immunisation or other personally held medical records to keep updated during the placement.
If the child needs non-emergency treatment, the private foster carers should let you know, and discuss the matter with you fully before any treatment takes place, as during the placement the child’s parents retain all parental responsibilities.
It is possible for a parent to delegate some responsibilities to another adult, but these will need to be clearly recorded in writing.
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Finance
Any financial arrangement is made between you and the private foster carers. Ideally, these arrangements should be should be set down in writing. Children and Young People's Services will not become involved in this arrangement.
If you are claiming any benefits, including Child Benefit, you will need to let the Benefits Office know that you are no longer caring for your child on a full-time basis.
You can get advice about benefits from the Nottinghamshire Welfare Rights Service, tel: (0115) 977 4018.
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Children and young people 
