To consider a report outlining the activity in the Fostering Agency during Quarter 2.

The Panel considered the report outlining the activity in the Fostering Agency during Quarter 2.

Points and comments included:

1.    In September, the Service held its Celebration of Fostering event which was attended by over 130 carers and children. Long service awards were presented to 15 foster carers and their families who had clocked up 120 years’ service between them. The feedback received from the event had been very positive.

2.    As of the 30 September 2017 the Fostering Agency had a total of 110

fostering households (compared to 109 at the end of the previous quarter).

3.    As of the 30September there were 143 Special Guardianship Orders in place which was a small increase compared to 139 at the end of the last quarter. The reason for this increase could be due to seasonal issues such as a larger cohort of early births.

4.    The Fostering Service introduced a new ‘PACE’ (Police and Criminal

Evidence) fostering scheme in April 17 which was aimed at approving carers who could care for young people who have been arrested and would otherwise remain in custody. Luton initiated the scheme and the plan was for Central Bedfordshire and Bedford Borough Council to work together with Luton Borough Council to recruit and run the PACE scheme, offering cover on a rota basis. There had been some difficulty in recruiting to this scheme despite external and internal advertising. The Service would continue to promote the scheme and work with Luton to ensure its success.

5.    Last year the Fostering Service reviewed what was called the Youth Care Scheme and this was now known as Intensive Support. The target to recruit 10 Intensive Support carers by March 2018 was on track.

6.    Work in progress included the development of a Parent and Child Scheme by March 2018.

7.    The assessment for Family and Friends foster carers was nationally determined and was a very rigorous process. It took into account the current situation of the child, the impact of the placement, and how the child’s life would be improved by the placement.  Any placement which was felt not to be in the best interest of the child would be challenged.

8.    The retention of Family and Friends foster carers was a national issue with the average foster carer providing care for 7½ years. Member’s views and ideas on how to extend the service and support and encourage foster carers to continue were encouraged.

9.    Whilst the number of unaccompanied asylum seekers was falling, they formed a small but significant increase in the care population with a resulting increase in placement costs.

10. A member expressed concern regarding the number of placements (three or more) that some of the Looked After Children were experiencing.  In response the Panel was advised that a small group of Looked After Children exhibited challenging behaviour leading to placement breakdowns.  In other cases placements could break down through incompatibility. The meeting noted that the original move into care also counted as a placement.

NOTED

the Fostering Agency Report for Quarter 2.

That the report on Children’s Social Worker stability would now be submitted to the meeting on the 15 January 2018.

RESOLVED

1.    that an update on those children who had had three or more placement moves and the reason for the moves would be provided at the March meeting.

2.    that a questionnaire for Foster Carers would be drafted and the results of the questionnaire would be shared with Members of the Corporate Parenting Panel.