33 Response Accepted Self-assessed

Assessment of potential risks posed by foster carers and residential care staff

Recommendation

Nottingham City Council should assess the potential risks posed by current and former foster carers directly provided by the council in relation to the sexual abuse of children. They should also ensure that current and former foster carers provided by external agencies are assessed by those agencies. Any concerns which arise should be referred to the appropriate body or process, including the Disclosure and Barring Service, the local authority designated officer (LADO) or equivalent, the fostering panel and the police. Nottinghamshire County Council should assess the potential risks posed by current and former residential care staff and foster carers, which are directly provided by the council, in relation to the sexual abuse of children. They should also ensure that current and former staff in residential care provided by external agencies, and current and former foster carers provided by external agencies, are assessed by those agencies. Any concerns which arise should be referred to the appropriate body or process, including the Disclosure and Barring Service, the relevant regulatory body, the local authority designated officer (LADO), the fostering panel and the police.

Published Evidence Summary
The following publicly available evidence relates to this recommendation:
According to Nottingham City Council, it completed an internal fostering review by 20 December 2021, which included external assurance. This review concluded that no further referrals were required in relation to former carers and found no evidence that carers assessed as 'suitable' presented a risk of sexual harm to children, according to Nottingham City Council. Nottingham City Council also partnered with Nottinghamshire County Council to write to all Independent Fostering Agencies. According to the government's formal response, the recommendation was accepted and marked as 'Completed' as of May 2023.
How was this assessed?
Assessed by gemini-2.5-flash on 19 Mar 2026
Checked data held on this site (government responses, progress updates, independent evidence)
External sources searched: www.gov.uk, www.legislation.gov.uk, hansard.parliament.uk
Jurisdiction
England
Section Reference
E
Response
Accepted
Accepted UK Government
22 May 2023

Nottingham City Council: On 20 December 2021, Nottingham City Council stated that an internal fostering review was complete. External assurance of the review was also complete. The review concluded that no further referrals were required in relation to former carers and found no evidence that carers assessed as 'suitable' presented a risk of sexual harm to children. Nottingham City Council also stated that it had, in partnership with Nottinghamshire County Council, written to all Independent Fostering Agencies with whom it had placed a child since 2013. All agencies confirmed that they had reviewed information to assess the risk posed by current and previous foster carers. Nottinghamshire County Council: On 21 June 2021, Nottinghamshire County Council stated that it is reviewing existing and former members of residential care staff. In relation to reviewing existing and former foster carers, Nottinghamshire County Council stated that a joint approach was taken with Nottingham City Council to engage with relevant independent fostering agencies who completed their own reviews. A report of responses was brought to a joint meeting of Nottinghamshire and Nottingham City Children's Safeguarding Partnership Board, which will provide recommendations if further actions are required.

Read Full Response
Source
Inquiry IICSA
Report Children in the Care of the Nottinghamshire Councils Investigation Report 30 Jul 2019
View Source
Responsible Bodies
Nottinghamshire Councils Primary
Themes & Tags
Poor recruitment checks Foster Care Risk Assessment Local Authority
Recommendation age 6.7 yrs
Last formal update 1037 days ago