Supporting our foster families is a priority and value of Family Works. You may wonder what typically happens when the Family Works social worker visits your home, how long it lasts, what is talked about, who the social worker meets with, etc. Well, you’ll find that each home visit will be a bit different depending on things such as if the foster child just got placed or has been there quite some time, if the child is doing great or struggling, what you or the foster child wants to discuss or process, etc.
Typical visits after a new placement.
When you accept placement of a new foster child, the first visits will focus on getting to know the child, helping the child to settle in, answering questions you and the child have, and completing paperwork. If it is during the school year, an important part of the conversation will be getting the child enrolled in school and other details surrounding that. Your social worker will help guide what appointments you should schedule for the child such as medical, dental, optical, TB test, therapy, etc. and help get any needed releases signed for this to happen. You will soon discover that you and the social worker will be in frequent contact and will be working closely as a team.
Teamwork and treatment plan.
Subsequent visits, especially during the first month of placement, will be more goal focused as the treatment plan is developed. You’ll notice strengths of the child that can be built upon and also areas that goals should be focused on for growth while the child is in your care. By the time the child is a month into placement, your social worker will gather the treatment team together and the team will all work to finalize the plan. Your social worker will check in with you and the child during weekly visits to see how everything is going, keep focus on the child’s goals, and problem-solve with you and the child any areas of concern and celebrate with you and the child successes and growth. Your social worker will also bring the team together quarterly to review the treatment plan and make changes as the goals are met and add new goals as well.
Where and how long?
Weekly visits typically take place in the foster home but not always. It is beneficial for your social worker to meet with the child in different settings, which might be school, therapy, or they take the child on a fun activity such as to the park to build their relationship and have a chance to talk to the child one-on-one just as they will also speak to you one-on-one as needed. Many children are more comfortable chatting during car rides and when doing an activity where direct eye contact is not needed and it feels casual. The weekly visit may also take place via zoom occasionally if schedules are tight, someone is sick, or the weather is bad. However, the social worker’s support is always only a call away. The visits typically last around an hour, but this varies depending on how things are going and what all you and the child would like to talk about. If you have more than one foster child, of course the visit will be longer.
The support means so much!
“They help you through what you are going through at the time. They are always there to support you, and you are never alone.”
– Erin, Family Works Treatment Foster and Adoptive Parent
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