To receive a presentation by the Head of Fostering and Adoption.  She will set out the steps taken to recruit foster carers and members of the Panel will be encouraged to bring forward any ideas they have to improve the recruitment programme.  The presentation will also set the scene for the regular report on the Fostering Service appearing later on the agenda and which features an update on the recruitment of foster carers (item 8 refers).

Members received a presentation by the Head of Adoption and Fostering on foster carer recruitment.  The presentation set out the recruitment activity undertaken, including advertisements, events, stalls, editorials and the use of social media, the number of enquiries received and the level of successful ‘conversion’ of these enquiries into new foster carer appointees, the comments made by existing foster carers about their experience of fostering for the Council and, lastly, the level of allowances paid to carers.

In response to a Member’s query regarding the timescale for the period between the initial enquiry by a member of the public and their approval as a new foster carer the Head of Adoption and Fostering explained that the target was 20 weeks from the time of their formal application through to approval.  She stated that if this timescale was missed it was usually as a result of delays for statutory checks or personal reasons.

A Member sought clarification on the need for both the Council’s Fostering Service and independent, private fostering agencies to operate.  In response the Head of Adoption and Fostering explained that fostering took place in a ‘mixed economy’ and that the private sector was able, for example, to provide niche placements for more difficult to place children; a service which would not be cost effective for the Council to do.  She also stated that a decision to be a foster carer was not simply based on the level of allowances paid by the Council or agency.  Some foster carers chose, for moral reasons, to foster for the Council rather than the private sector and, further, appreciated the support offered by the Fostering Service in the form of practical advice and support groups.   In response to a query the Head of Adoption and Fostering added that new foster carers were ‘buddied’ with experienced carers.   Experienced carers, if undergoing a difficult period in their work, could in turn be ‘buddied’ with other experienced carers for support.

With regard to placements the Deputy Chief Executive/Director of Children’s Services explained that the earlier a child was taken into care the greater the chance of placing them.  She added that the age of children being taken into care was drifting downward as a reflection of cultural change.  In response to a Member’s question as to whether there were sufficient and suitable foster carers for the range of children entering care the Head of Adoption and Fostering confirmed that there were.  She added that the difficulties which arose in placing some children reflected problems experienced nationally and it was recognised that certain groups would require specialist provision.

A number of questions and suggestions followed regarding foster carer recruitment.  During this point a Member queried whether otherwise suitable applicants to become foster carers were rejected because they failed to meet the relevant criteria in full, perhaps because they were smokers, and asked whether the criteria could be too strict.  In response the Head of Adoption and Fostering explained that the only persons automatically excluded from becoming foster carers were those prevented from doing so by law.   In the case, for example, of smokers, they could be recruited as foster carers but would be expected to smoke outside their home.  Further, children aged under five years would not be placed with them due to the close contact that would be expected to occur between the foster carer and child, and nor would children with respiratory difficulties.  The Head of Adoption and Fostering stressed that all applicants would be assessed on an individual basis.

Members suggested additional recruitment activities for consideration.  Reference was also made to the Council’s current policy of paying a £100 bonus to an existing foster carer for nominating an applicant who was, in turn, approved as a foster carer.  Given the low number of carers appointed by this method it was felt that this policy should be examined to see if any improvements could be introduced.  The Head of Adoption and Fostering undertook to consult with foster carers to establish their views on this matter. 

NOTED

the presentation on foster carer recruitment.