Agenda item

The Panel considered a report relating to the Fostering Service Annual report 2016/17.  The report was a regulatory requirement and informed elected Members, Senior Managers and decision makers about key outcomes in service provision, identify any issues of concern and outline plans for improvement to the equality of service provision.

The following areas were addressed:

Mocking Bird Family Model – an alternative fostering method that brings together up to ten foster families to form a satellite foster family.  At the heart of each foster family is a hub home, where specially recruited and trained foster carer supports other carers with the foster family.  It offers respite, social activities and just a familiar friend to offer advice.

Members expressed concern that not all foster carers were taking part in this family model and asked that its promotion be developed.  It was acknowledged that there were some carers who were very experienced and had their own support mechanisms but it was essential that all carers were receiving maximum support. 

Each foster carer had an annual review which was considered by an Independent Reviewing Officer with personal development plans created.  The Plan would include required training and development and was set to an individual’s needs.  There was no requirement that foster carers should attend a support group.

Ofsted – The service was rated as good but there was acknowledgement that this needed to be outstanding, which there was the passion and commitment in place to achieve this.  The Children’s Trust was aware of the areas of risk and were working on them, for example processes.  The service is only rated once in every three years and it was a couple of years since the last inspection.

The last Ofsted judgement highlighted that there were passionate foster carers and social workers that supported the service.

Recruitment – it was noted that this was the largest challenge with the number of foster carers available declining nationally.  There were 17 different fostering organisations across the Borough with 5 sets of foster carers transferring to the Children’s Trust from independent organisations last year.  It was noted that there was a wish to the balance of providers in house as this was more cost effective and good rated service.

This year the service was effectively minus 5 foster care placements however, the offer of placements had increased up to 45.  16 new carers had undertaken the role.  Some carers had been deregistered, some were removed to take on special guardianship orders and 3 carers left with the children they have been caring for long term staying with the family.

Remuneration/employment – this has been amended so there were no additional costs and the allowances clear.  It enables people to work part time but it was advantageous if the employer was flexible to ensure enough time was devoted to meeting a child’s needs.  An area of development was to further improve child friendly employers.

Foster carer management – due to the service being so large it was ineffective to site managers throughout the Borough, but working centrally was more advantageous.  It was noted that advanced practitioners also undertook case work and lead on foster carers which cause concern. 

Length of foster care placements – it was impossible to tell how long a foster care placement would last however there was a distinction between short and long term, with short being a period lasting up to a couple of years.  Some Children and young people stay long term which could lead to long term care, eg. never leave and stay with the family.

To conclude, the Chair stated that:

·         All Members were corporate parents and that to assist with getting an outstanding judgement they need to attend the mandatory training to show their commitment.  Members were asked if they could continue to promote in their wards the positives of fostering children;

·         Members must promote and be positive about the children and young people in Doncaster;  and

·         If Councillors were a Member of a school Governing Body, ensure there was challenge about the education of Doncaster’s looked after children.

RESOLVED :  That the Annual Fostering Service report, be noted.