Minor injuries

This guide refers to bruises, bumps and scrapes and not acute injuries such as suspected broken bones or more serious injuries.  It is expected in such instances that medical attention is sought immediately and the child's social worker or out of hours emergency duty team is notified without delay.

It is acknowledged that as part of child development that children will acquire bumps, bruises and scrapes as they explore the world around them, through play, trips and falls and other day to day activities. However for children who are cared for by the Local Authority within fostering families it is important to note that the Local Authority has additional responsibilities as corporate parents for children and to remember that the Local Authority shares parental responsibility with a child's birth parents.

It is expected that where a child acquires a minor injury within a fostering home that carers:

  • record it - what happened, take a picture as soon as an injury is observed, describe the injury
  • report it - as soon as possible to the child's social worker and the carer's social worker, out of hours any injury to the head, that is unexplained or happens to a non-mobile child must be reported to EDT.
  • seek medical attention - where deemed necessary and in all instances where an injury occurs to a child's head

Social workers should discuss any minor injury with their line manager or another manager in their absence at the earliest opportunity.  It is expected that there will be information shared between the child's social worker and the carer's social worker

Where an injury occurs to a non-mobile child e.g. a young baby or child with physical disabilities this must always be reported to a senior manager and medical attention must always be sought.

It is expected that for any child who obtains an injury to the head whether this be a bump or bruise that medical attention is sought immediately.  Whilst a bump or bruise may appear minor there may be an underlying injury that cannot be seen and as corporate parents to the children in our care it is important to ensure that a child's welfare is considered as paramount.

It is the responsibility of the foster carer to inform social workers as soon as possible (i.e. during working hours or at the start of the next working day) unless this is an injury to the head where there is an expectation this is reported to the emergency duty team.  Upon viewing an injury this must be shared with a line manager.  A decision may be taken that a child should be seen by a medical practitioner.  In such instances there is an expectation that a foster carer will follow this request and feedback the outcome of any medical observation with the child's social worker and/or manager.

In instances where the injury appears unexplained, is suspected as non-accidental injury or where the foster carer does not follow request for medical observation child protection procedures will need to be followed and a strategy discussion convened.

Whilst no further action may be the outcome of any of the above scenarios it is important that social workers maintain a chronology of any injuries to children.  This could indicate that a child has an underlying need that requires support or could highlight a lack of supervision where guidance and support to the carers may be required.

This guidance is not intended to cause unnecessary anxiety or worry to foster carers.  It is however to ensure that the child's welfare remains paramount and ensure that children are kept safe within their fostering homes.