To receive an update in respect of the implementation of the Foster Carers’ Fee Scheme which was introduced on 1 April 2014.

Members considered a report from the Executive Member for Children’s Services which provided an update with regard to the implementation of the Foster Carer’s Fee Scheme introduced on 1 April 2014.

The report was introduced by the Fostering Team Manager who drew the meeting’s attention to the implementation of the new Scheme to date, its benefits and the impact on the recruitment of in-house foster carers mindful of the adopted aim of reducing the number of Independent Fostering Agency (IFA) placements.  She stressed that all foster carer applicant assessments were completed within a six month timescale which meant that any obvious benefits in recruitment arising from the Scheme would not be apparent until October/November 2014.  However, the Fostering Team Manager was able to refer to the recruitment activities undertaken since April and the increase in recruitment enquiries up from 62 for the period April to July 2013, when the service worked as a joint one with Bedford Borough Council, to the same period in 2014 when Central Bedfordshire’s stand alone service received 104 enquiries.  Further, there were currently 15 fostering carer assessments in progress.

In response to a query by the Chairman the Assistant Director Children’s Services Operations and the Fostering Team Manager both confirmed that the recruitment figure for in-house carers was on target to be met.   The Assistant Director also referred to the work undertaken by the Head of Corporate Parenting to bring teams together and implement a joined up approach to recruitment.

Discussion then turned to efforts to increase the range and capacity of carers as well as their overall number, the migration of some IFA carers towards the Council and the difference in local authority and IFA approaches regarding the consistency of foster carer placements.  During the discussion concern was expressed by a foster carer representative regarding her personal experience of the quality of support offered by the Council to its foster carers during times of need in comparison to that offered by an IFA.  In response the Assistant Director Children’s Services Operations undertook to fully examine the issues she had raised.  The Chairman requested that he be kept fully informed.

A Member was of the opinion that a focus on targets was incorrect and that, instead, the focus should be on improving support and experience for foster carers and the Looked After Children and young people.  She was also of the opinion that some members of the public did not understand what fostering involved and the Council failed to fully explain this.  In response the Assistant Director Children’s Services Operations acknowledged the importance of quality of service but explained that aspirational targets were necessary to increase carer numbers, range and capacity and reduce the need for local children to be placed out of area and/or with IFAs.  However, he also acknowledged that there were some enquiries on becoming a foster carer which revealed a lack of public awareness and which did not proceed.  The Fostering Team Manager confirmed that quality of service standards were robust and stated that the intention was to educate members of the public on the role of foster carers and, through this, encourage recruitment.

A foster carer representative expressed concern that some carers undertook fostering because of the financial rewards rather than to benefit the children.  The Chairman also expressed concern that some foster carers had been attracted to the role for financial reasons.  In response the Assistant Director Children’s Services Operations stressed that IFAs were not solely financially focused.  Further, the government was not going to constrain the market by limiting the role of IFAs and so the Council had to attempt to encourage carers or potential carers to work for it.  As such, the Council needed to ensure that carers were properly supported and rewarded.  He stated that he would welcome any new ideas.  The Fostering Team Manager stressed that the consideration of foster carer applications focused on motivation and those applications that appeared driven by other matters, such as financial reward, would not be progressed.

Following further Member comment, and on behalf of the Panel, the Chairman expressed his congratulations to the Head of Corporate Parenting, the Fostering Team Manager and the other officers involved for their achievements.

NOTED

the progress made in the implementation of the new Foster Carers’ Fee Scheme.

RESOLVED

that an update report on the impact of the Foster Carer’s Fee Scheme be submitted to the Corporate Parenting Panel meeting on 2 February 2015.

(Note: the meeting adjourned at 11.50 a.m. and reconvened at 11.55 a.m.)