It is very important that foster carers are open with the AFS and the local authority about any difficulties they experience in caring for an individual child, whether it is related to the child's behaviour, the response of family members or another foster child.

Children looked after who are placed with our foster carers are offered clear boundaries and guidance in this respect. At times it will be appropriate to use a form of discipline with the aim of changing a child's behaviour. The purpose of this policy and the guidelines included therein, however, is to ensure that carers are clear about acceptable ways of managing a child/young person's behaviour and the protocol to follow when a child goes missing.