In part 3 we were discussing the "how to" of documenting properly. We stopped to take the time for you to document a scenario that we created to allow us to practice our documenting skills.

How did you do?  What facts are we aware of about the child being brought to your home as a placement? These facts should have been entered in your journal? We actually know a lot and can make entries as follows;

1. The name of child.
2. Today’s date.
3. The time when he arrived at your home.
4. Who brought the child?
5. Possessions the child had with him.
6. Age of the child.
7. When was he removed from his biological home.
8. What was his condition on coming to you.

Was there any occurances of possible emotional/physical abuse? This is where you would have entered  the bruise that you discovered on his thigh. At this point it would be a good idea to have a picture of the bruise and write the date on the picture. Enter how long it took you to get him to sleep and why. Don’t’ forget what he said to you prior to going to sleep.

• Note: When you are fostering you need to have a good reliable camera at your disposal for incidents just like just this. Joseph has a very bad injury to his upper left thigh area, documentation.

9. Type this entire scenario into your computer. Leave out the Child’s name and use a number assigned to this placement.

 Another varification source is to set up an email file for this child.  Email this scenario to yourself or an email pal this will give you another souce of proof. Emails are clearly marked with time, date, etc.   Print this off and place it into a loose leaf notebook that will be this child’s for school records, hosptial receipts etc.

You emailed your email pal, she/he now has a backup record of the fact that this bruise discovered on Joseph was immediately after placement in your home, at what time? This was 7:45 pm. It took you time bathing him, placing him in his bed, reading to him until he went to sleep. Then after he was asleep you completed your tasks, this email will contain date, time and other important facts.

Your foster pal can keep a separate file for you on his/her computer; you will do the same for this person. This email and you will have proof as to when the bruise discovered.

Please go to five in the series.  If you have questions or subjects you would like to see answered
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