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Personal Appearance
Foster carers should work with children and young people to ensure that they are guided, and able, to make their own suitable choices with regard to their clothing and appearance.
Clothing and hairstyle are important for developing confidence and self esteem.
Children and young people should feel good about their appearance. This is more likely to be the case if they are instrumental in deciding upon how they look.No-one in the department will give permission for a child under the age of 18 to have a tattoo.
The department can give consent for a child under the age of 16 who is on a community parenting order (not s25 accommodation) to have body piercing and ear rings following consideration given to:
- Views of those holding parental responsibility for the child where appropriate
- Wishes and feelings of the child
- The child's competency to make the decision, regarding their ability to manage the aftercare of the piercing.
Actions
| Task | Responsible Officer | Record | Timescale |
| Supply sufficient suitable clothing for the child at the time the child becomes looked after. | Parent | Computer | Before the young person becomes looked after |
| Ensure there is enough money to buy adequate clothing and material for the young person. | Social worker/Adoption and fostering officer | Computer | As soon as the young person becomes looked after |
| Ensure that, at least, the minimum items of clothing are available. | Carer/Care staff | List upon placement to be compiled by foster carer | Prior to placement or immediately thereafter |
| Any shortfall to be notified to social worker and a proposed initial sum to rectify should be agreed. | Carer/Care staff | Care Plan | Prior to placement or immediately thereafter |
| Clothing, including school uniforms, should be purchased on a regular basis to ensure that the child or young person has well fitted clothes in good condition. | Carer/Care staff | Care Plan | Prior to placement or immediately thereafter |
| In addition to clothing the child or young person should have school bag, lunch box, toilet bag and holdall or suitcase etc. | Carer/Care staff | Computer | Prior to placement or immediately thereafter |
| Confirmation of choice and sufficiency of clothing is available | Reviewing Officer | Care plan | Each review |