Leeds City Council (via its insurance section) provides a range of insurance policies providing cover for individual approved foster carers in the course of their fostering commitments.
The council provides four policies (each of which has its own summary of cover). Copies of each policy with summary are available separately and can be requested via Supervising Social Workers (SSW) or the council insurance section: 0113 378 8583 or email
insurance@leeds.gov.uk.
General descriptions of each policy and how to claim under each policy are as follows:
1. All Risks Policy
Provides cover for claims for loss of or damage to household buildings, contents, possessions and property by a foster child/young person in placement and theft of property, possessions by foster child/young person in placement.
Policy cover summary and claim form are together on one form.
Claim procedure
1. Please read the policy advice and procedure carefully before making your claim. If you still need advice on making a claim, contact the council insurance section on 0113 378 8583 or email:
insurance@leeds.gov.uk.
2. Complete, sign and print your name on the authorisation part of the form.
3. Your SSW will then need to authorise and sign.
4. Your claim is then signed by the fostering team manager who will then ensure your claim is registered by team administration and forwarded to the insurance section for consideration against the Policy cover.
Confirmation of receipt of your claim
On receipt of the claim, the insurance section will email confirmation to both foster carer and SSW within 2-3 working days. Each claim is allocated an administration reference number and a claim reference number.
Please remember to provide your email address if you have one on the claim form. This will ensure timely confirmation of receipt. Letters of confirmation of receipt can be provided but may take up to 7 working days.
Tracking progress of your claim:
If you wish, you can contact the insurance section directly to check on the progress of your claim. If there are any issues with the claim, the insurance section will contact you and/or your SSW to discuss.
2. Third Party Public Liability Policy
Provides cover for all sums a foster carer is legally liable to pay as compensation/solicitors costs for bodily injury/property damage arising out of the fostering activity.
Claim procedure
It is likely that a claim of this nature will be notified directly to the council by the party suffering the injury/loss. However, should you receive any correspondence regarding this type of claim you should contact the insurance section immediately on 0113 378 8583 and not respond to the claimant or their solicitors.
3. Legal expenses insurance
Provides cover for legal costs incurred in the defence of a criminal prosecution resulting from duties and responsibilities as a Leeds Council foster carer.
Also provides a free legal 24hr advice helpline and a free 24hr counselling helpline.
Claims procedure
1. You should contact DAS Legal Expenses regarding your intention to claim on 0117 934 0553
2. Notify the council's insurance section on 0113 378 8583 or email:
insurance@leeds.gov.uk
(More detailed advice on claims are provided on the policy cover.)
4. Personal accident – Assault insurance
Provides cover for foster carers who in the course of the fostering activity may sustain injury by violent assault by a foster child/young person.
Cover also provides indemnity in respect of damage to personal effects consisting of money, clothing and other property worn or carried by the foster carer when damage is sustained as a result of an assault. Cover provides for up to £5,000 for damage to personal effects.
Claims procedure
You must notify the council insurance section directly on: 0113 378 8583 or email: insurance@leeds.gov.uk who will advise on how to make a claim.
