Agenda and minutes

In the absence of the Chair, Cllr Val Gibson, it was proposed by Cllr Paula Brookfield, seconded by Cllr Rita Potter and

Resolved:

That Cllr Peter O’Neill be elected Chair of the meeting.

The Chair, Cllr O’Neill wished those present a Happy New Year and invited them to introduce themselves. Introductions were duly made.

Apologies for absence had been received from the Chair, Cllr Val Gibson, Cllr Stephen Simkins and Alison Hinds, Head of Looked After Children.

No declarations of interest were made relative to items under consideration at the meeting.

[For approval]

Resolved:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 11 November 2015 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

[To consider any matters arising from the minutes of the meeting held on 11 November 2015]

There were no matters arising from the minutes of the meeting held on 11 November 2015.

[To consider and comment on the summary of outstanding matters]

Carl Craney, Democratic Support Officer, presented a report which appraised the Board of the current position with a variety of matters considered at previous meetings of the Board.

Jan Barlow, Strategic Improvement Development Officer – LAC presented a Briefing Note in connection with the number of external placements in residential and foster care and the steps being taken by the Council to address quality and cost issues. She responded to various questions raised by Councillors.

Resolved:

That the report and the Briefing Note be received and noted.

[To consider the Annual Fostering Agency report 2014/15]

Daphne Atkinson, Senior Social Work Manager, presented the Wolverhampton Fostering Annual Report for the period April 2014 to March 2015. She explained that existing Foster Carers’ were used to assist with the recruitment of new Foster Carers’ and acted as “Champions” during recruitment campaigns. She advised on a number of recruitment events and campaigns which had been held during the period covered by the Annual Report. The Chair, Cllr Peter O’Neill commented that the marketing exercises had been more visible than those staged previously.

The Senior Social Work Manager reported that whilst the recruitment campaigns generated a lot of interest the expressions of interest did not always convert into tangible candidates as the essential criterion were not always met, for example: a free spare bedroom. She advised that 18 approvals had been made during the 2014/15 period and that 94.4% of placements had been filled. She advised on the support mechanism which was available to all Foster Carers’. She drew attention to the 141 Annual Foster Home Reviews which had been completed during the period with the standard remaining at a good level. Some 90% of Foster Carers’ had completed their Children’s Workforce Development Council Workbook.

The Chair enquired as to whether many Foster Carers’ took up professional qualifications in the subject.  The Senior Social Work Manager explained that all Foster Carers’ were required to undergo formal training and that the Council was now providing opportunities for Foster Carers’ to enrol on National Diploma courses with access to degree level courses being explored. She advised that the needs / skills base / competencies of each Foster Carer was assessed on an individual basis. Furthermore, some courses to support capacity to care were recommended to specific Foster Carers’.

Cllr Rita Potter questioned whether potential Foster Carers’ were afforded the opportunity of a “trail run” in order to experience what was involved.  The Senior Social Work Manager responded that the background and experience of each potential Foster Carer varied and those with no experience of child care were encouraged to undertake babysitting / child minding duties for friends and / or family. The assessment process did include scenario testing to assist in forming a view on the suitability of potential Foster Carers’. Assistance was available to potential Foster Carers’ in determining whether the vocation was appropriate. Emma Bennett, Service Director for Children and Young People reminded the Board that Looked After Children could not be used in “trials”.

Cllr Martin Waite commended the measurement of responses to the advertisements to recruit Foster Carers’ but commented that a short term approach should not be adopted. He suggested that the profile of the service needed to be raised. He opined that the initial assessment process appeared to be labour intensive and enquired whether the key requirements were detailed from the outset in order to avoid applications which were unlikely to be able to progress.

Parveen Bal commented that the Council had a positive approach to recruiting Foster Carers’ but that the lack of practical  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

[To meet with representatives of Foster Carers’ and to discuss matters of mutual interest]

Alice Vickers, Corporate Parenting Officer, reported that the representatives of the Foster Carers’ had been requested to identify three points where the service worked well together with a further three points covering challenges faced by Foster Carers’. She advised the Board that a formal report had not been prepared and that it was proposed that a discussion be held.

Cllr Paula Brookfield enquired whether all Foster Carers’ had been afforded the opportunity to contribute to the discussion. Craig Veasey-Ralph advised the Board that the issue had been discussed at the Foster Carers’ Communications Group and that he and his two colleagues were representatives of the Foster Carers’. He outlined his experience as a Foster Carer and confirmed his dedication to the service. He expressed concern at the lack of communication between the Council and Foster Carers’ and cited the example of the cessation of the contract with Heantun for the Foster Care Support service on 31 December 2015 which had been replaced by Foster Talk but the Foster Carers’ had only been made aware recently of the new arrangements. He suggested that there was an urgent need for communications between the two parties to improve quickly.

The Chair, Cllr Peter O’Neill, commented that there appeared to be a need to ensure that there was a seamless transfer between service providers and also a need for improved communication and engagement between the Council and the Foster Carers’. The Service Director, Children and Young People undertook to take on board these issues and also to continue to support the Foster Care Forum. Craig Veasey-Ralph requested that the Newsletter be continued. The Corporate Parenting Officer confirmed that the Newsletter would continue to be produced and also that communication via Facebook would be used.

Parveen Bal advised that there was a lack of practical assistance at an early stage in emergency situations. The Service Director, Children and Young People sought clarification as to the type of assistance required. Parveen Bal replied that this was dependent on the child and Foster Parent in question as individual circumstances and experiences differed. She commented that all the problems previously drawn to the attention of the Foster Care Support service still existed. She cited a personal experience where assistance had not been available. Cllr Rita Potter enquired whether Social Work staff could have been expected to assist in such circumstances

Cllr Julie Hodgkiss enquired whether Foster Carers’ had any input into health checks or dental checks of the children in their care. The Corporate Parenting Officer advised that in such circumstances it was the voice of the child which was significant. The Service Director, Children and Young People commented that this was an issue which could be given further consideration as there should be a number of opportunities for Foster Carers’ to have an input into such consultations. Fiona Brennan, Designated Nurse for Looked After Children, advised that health reviews were conducted on a six monthly basis and Foster Carers’ were invited to attend. Craig Veasey  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

[To consider the work of the Adoption Agency for the period 1 April 2015 – 30 September 2015]

Louise Haughton, Senior Social Work Manager – Adoption, presented a report which detailed the work of the Adoption Service during the period April 2015 to September 2015 and which provided information in relation to adoption locally.

Resolved:

That the City of Wolverhampton Council Adoption Service Interim Report be received and noted.

[To consider the Performance Management Data for November 2015][TO BE CIRCULATED]

The Service Director, Children and Young People, presented the Performance Report for January 2016 (data as at November 2015) and responded to a number of questions.

Resolved:

That the report be received and noted.

[To pass the following resolution:

That in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business as they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information on the grounds shown below]

Part 2 – items not open to the public and press

Resolved:

That in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business as they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information contained in paragraph 1 of the Act, namely information relating to any individual.

[To receive feedback on any visits to establishments undertaken by Councillors since the last meeting]

The Board considered a report on the visit to Upper Pendeford Farm undertaken by Cllr Val Gibson on 19 November 2015. The Service Director, Children and Young People reported that  steps had been taken to put a Quality Assurance system in place and on the proposals to change the use of this establishment to a respite care and edge of care home. In response to a question from Cllr Richard Whitehouse she advised that the concerns raised by staff in relation to the change of use had been addressed.

Resolved:

That the report be received and noted.