A family holiday is a fantastic experience and bonding opportunity for all the family, and it is positively encouraged by local authorities in the right circumstances. However, you may need to make some additional plans to make sure you adhere to guidelines, and you can make the most of your vacation. Here are four things to consider when taking your foster child on holiday.
Assessment
If you want to take your foster child on holiday you will need to obtain permission from the local authority and carry out a risk assessment. This may sound like a lot of red tape, but FCA Scotland can support you in this. You will need to consider things such as travel arrangements and privacy for your foster child.
A risk assessment can be a wonderful opportunity for you to set boundaries before you travel so your foster children know what to expect. For many, it is the first time they will be travelling abroad, and the assessment can help to alleviate any fears or answer any questions they have.
Older kids often love the thought of having lots of freedom on holiday so setting out things such as where they will be allowed to go by themselves, how much phone or screen time they will be allowed, and what time their curfew will be can save a lot of arguments. This will work well for the whole family and lead to a more peaceful and relaxing holiday, especially if you are travelling with teenagers.
Passport
Your foster child may not have their own passport, so it is important to get the paperwork completed in good time so that your foster child has their passport well in advance of your holiday. This is a good time to check that the whole family has up-to-date passports so that nobody is left behind.
Location
The location is important to any family holiday but if you are travelling with a bigger group than you are used to there may be additional considerations. If it seems impractical, or too much of a change to travel abroad then you could consider somewhere closer to home instead. There are some great campsites in the UK, or you could consider traveling to one of the small islands around the country’s coastline instead. That way you feel as if you are going abroad while staying reassuringly close to home.
Timing
Consider the timing of your holiday carefully as your foster children will need to be at home to attend any court dates or court-ordered visitations. They will also need to attend therapeutic and medical appointments at the required time. This will affect when they can travel with you and when they will need to be back.
Holidays are fantastic fun for all the family, and they can be made even better in a larger group. Follow these guidelines to make sure you can travel with the whole family and enjoy the vacation you deserve.
