To consider a report outlining the activity in the Fostering Service during Quarter One.

The Panel received a report by the Assistant Director Children’s Services Operations which outlined activity in the Fostering Service during Quarter One (April to June 2015).

The report contained updates on various issues including the following:

·         Recruitment of Foster Carers

·         Assessments

·         Referrals/Placements

·         Training

·         Ofsted Notifications

·         Allegations

·         Complaints

·         Compliments

·         Annual Budget

·         Reporting to Members – Legal Requirements

·         Risk Management

·         Staffing

·         Conclusion and Next Steps

The Head of Corporate Parenting stated that the report before Members was quantitative in its approach but that the Quarter Two report would be qualitative in its content.  He then introduced the Quarter One report, drawing Members’ attention to items of note.  With regard to training, the Head of Corporate Parenting stated that action would be taken to ensure a greater awareness of mental and emotional health issues.

In response to Members’ queries the Head of Corporate Parenting stated that funding for asylum seekers under the age of 18 was provided almost in full by the Home Office and he was confident this arrangement would continue.  With regard to the increasing grant of Special Guardianship Orders (SGOs) the Head of Corporate Parenting explained that the increase was nationwide across all local authorities with associated budget pressures.  The grant of SGOs by Central Bedfordshire was forecast to increase by 12 a year though he expected changes relating to the grant of SGOs to be introduced soon.

The Head of Corporate Parenting turned next to foster carers.  He stated that many were mature and the Council therefore found it necessary to both replace those who retired and increase the number of in-house foster carers.  He added that the next quarterly report would include a table which would provide a detailed breakdown of foster carer data.

The Head of Corporate Parenting explained that placement matching was based on the specific needs of the child and this would be made clear in future reports.

The Assistant Director Children’s Services Operations provided additional information.  He stated that the Government had recognised the challenges faced by local authorities regarding the increasing award of, and associated cost of SGOs.  In addition, whilst the London local authorities had prepared a framework for action regarding their use, they had not attempted to deal with the issue of payments to those granted SGOs to care for the children concerned.

With regard to young, unaccompanied asylum seekers the Assistant Director Children’s Services Operations confirmed that there had been significant growth in the numbers.  There were currently 18 under the age of 18 compared to nine last year and six the year before.  The Council did recover its costs for those under 18 but the numbers of unaccompanied asylum seekers, many of whom were 15-16 and over, still placed a pressure on the fostering system itself.  In addition the age assessment process required by the Government was costly.

Last, the Assistant Director Children’s Services Operations stressed that action was being taken to maximise the use of foster carers.

In conclusion the Chairman stated that whilst the Panel acknowledged the positive direction of travel for the Fostering Service there were areas where Members would wish to receive additional information.

NOTED

the content of the Quarter One report on the Fostering Service for the period April to June 2015.