FAQs
What is the app for?
The WeeklyReports app is for foster carers to use to make weekly recordings of what is happening during a placement. It’s purpose is to protect foster carers and their families, including the children they care for, in the event of an allegation; it can also be used to aid foster carers in their professional development. The system produces weekly reports in the form of un-editable PDF files which are securely stored online. Where your fostering service has licenced WeeklyReports the app can also deliver your recordings to your social workers.
Will my fostering service accept these reports?
If your fostering service has licenced it then yes they will accept your reports; all you have to do is click submit at the end of the week and your files will be delivered to your social worker; if your fostering service has not licenced WeeklyReports you can still use the app and, with the agreement of your fostering service, you can use the reports produced to satisfy your weekly recording requirements. Even if your fostering service will not accept the reports you can still use WeeklyReports for your own protection as long as you register as a data controller.
Can foster carers retain their own recordings?
Yes, foster carers can retain their own recordings but in order to do so they will need to register as data controllers in their own right. Please see our article on registering as a data controller which explores this issue further.
My fostering service says I can't use the app.
You are legally entitled to retain records for your own purposes as long as these meet the criteria laid down in the GDPR. We have an article on Fostering and the GDPR which explores this issue in detail.
What happens to my recordings after I've entered them?
After a record is entered into the app you may be wondering where it’s gone and what happens to it once you submit the report at the end of the week. We’ve put together an article, Using the WeeklyReports App that explains exactly what happens to your data after you enter it.
What are these recordings? Are they the same as logs?
Different services use different terminology to describe fostering record keeping. Some are called fostering logs, some are called fostering recording, some fostering reports. Whatever they are called they are a record of how the placement is progressing and are used by the service to monitor a placement and to handle allegations. WeeklyReports is not an app for creating fostering service recordings/logs rather it is an app for creating foster carer’s recordings for the use of foster carers. Often these will be almost identical and your service may accept your recordings for their purposes however that is a matter for your service.
My fostering service has a portal - why would I use the app?
Portals are a great help for delivering recordings but the real issue with creating fostering recordings is not the delivery of the recordings; the real issue is making the recordings. The fact is none of us can remember what happened last Tuesdays and when it comes to handling allegations we all need to know exactly what happened last Tuesday.
WeeklyReports is part of Zergles LLP -Company number OC438342
Registered Office 6 Osborne Street, Leek, Staffordshire ST13 6LJ