This document has been produced to assist service areas to focus on quality improvement and how effective governance should ensure that children in receipt of foster care services experience care that is person-centred, promotes their rights and safeguards them against all forms of abuse. It aims to provide extra supporting information to inspectors and providers on assessing compliance with national standards and offers guidance on reviewing individual standards.
An assessment-judgment framework and its lines of enquiry (questions to be addressed) assist with checking compliance. This does not replace the professional judgment of the inspector or the requirements of the standards. The lines of enquiry can also be used by providers to self-assess their own services.