To receive a report outlining the statutory framework for the submission of annual reports on the adoption and fostering services and summarising the key points contained in the attached Annual Reports for 2011/12.

The Panel received a report which outlined the statutory framework for the submission of annual reports on the adoption and fostering services and summarised the key points contained in the Annual Adoption and Fostering Service Reports for 2011-12.  Copies of the Service Reports were attached as appendices to the report.  The meeting was aware that the Adoption and Fostering Service was currently a shared service for Central Bedfordshire and Bedford Borough Councils and that the reports contained information in respect of both Councils.

a)         Adoption Service

The Head of Adoption and Fostering introduced the Adoption Agency Annual Report. 

A Member referred to the forthcoming end of the Shared Service Arrangement with Bedford Borough Council on 31 January 2013, expressed concern regarding the impact on panel workloads and the need to organise new panels and sought an update on developments.  In response the Interim Assistant Director, Children’s Services Operations explained that the Regulations set out the composition of the new panels.  She added that officers from both authorities met every three weeks to consider aspects of the service disaggregation.  The Interim Assistant Director stated that the cost of the replacement service would be relatively high but this increase had been anticipated.  Further, it was felt to be more acceptable in relation to the quality of service provision than continuing with the existing Service Level Agreement.

The Head of Adoption and Fostering advised that Central Bedfordshire and Bedford Borough Council were committed to working together to ensure the process of disaggregation was managed as efficiently as possible.  Officers were also fully aware of the risk that foster carers or adopters could decide to leave the Council as a result of the changes.  As a result a communications strategy had been drawn up and meetings were to take place with carers to explain the decision to disaggregate.

It was noted that draft staffing structures had been prepared in anticipation of the disaggregation and a staff consultation had been carried out.

The Interim Assistant Director, Children’s Services Operations advised the meeting of the Borough Council’s intention to substantially reduce its funding contribution towards the Shared Service and, in view of the resulting impact on the quality of service, how this had lead to the decision by Central Bedfordshire to disaggregate. 

b)        Fostering Service

The Head of Adoption and Fostering turned next to the Fostering Agency Annual Report.  

Following a description of the process undertaken when appointing foster carers a Member advised the meeting of the heavy workload associated with the Fostering and Joint Permanence Panel and suggested possible means of overcoming this.  In response the Head of Adoption and Fostering first stated that there would be a number of changes to the adoption service in the coming year which would lead to a reduction in the number of cases being considered by the Adoption Panel.  She added that there was a possibility of the Fostering and Joint Permanence Panel adopting the same procedures and, if this occurred, it would lighten that Panel’s workload.

With regarding the forthcoming end of the Shared Service Arrangement with Bedford Borough Council the Director of Social Care, Health and Housing stated that the disaggregation of the service would allow a greater focus on the children within Central Bedfordshire.  Following a query by a Member the Head of Adoption and Fostering assured the meeting that the law was clear on the allocation of responsibilities between the two authorities and there should be no adverse issues arising for the service within Central Bedfordshire.

The Vice-Chairman referred to the Family Link Scheme, which offered short breaks to children who had a physical or functional disability, and queried whether there were sufficient Family Link carers to enable sufficient short breaks to be provided.  In response the Head of Adoption and Fostering stated that the number of carers varied and any further expansion of the Scheme would require an examination of their capacity.  She added that, fortunately, the Scheme enjoyed good links with staff in special schools who were able to undertake this role if required.  In addition the short breaks themselves could vary from between an occasional few hours to whole weekends on a regular basis so carers could participate in the Scheme at a range of levels.  The Interim Assistant Director, Children’s Services Operations emphasised that carers could simply provide their service for a few hours to provide parents with an opportunity for a break.  She stated that the Council had a reasonable capacity for this purpose.

A Member commented on the successful recruitment programme under the Youth Care Scheme to approve additional households to provide specialist care to young people over the age of 10 who had needs which were particularly challenging or complex and expressed her gratitude for this increase.

The Chairman thanked the officers for their efforts.

NOTED

the content of the Annual Adoption and Fostering Service Reports for 2011/12.