Agenda item

[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 help to Foster Carers’ was lacking. She was of the view that the lack of such practical assistance during difficult circumstances led to a breakdown in some relationships and that the lack of investment in internal carers’ in practical ways was detrimental to the service. She also expressed concern that such comments were ignored. Craig Veasey-Ralph informed the Board that after the completion of the initial assessment potential Foster Carers’ were afforded the opportunity to attend a two day course which detailed the process and likely scenarios. The Senior Social Work Manager advised that a comprehensive range of literature was made available to potential Foster Carers’ to assist them in determining whether they wished to progress their application. Furthermore, existing Foster Cares’ were also used during the recruitment / assessment process. This approach was supported by Cllr Mrs Christine Mills.

Cllr Mrs Christine Mills enquired as to the checks undertaken when family / friends fostered children. The Senior Social Work Manager assured the Board that the same checks and support were undertaken and available to family and friends as to Foster Carers’ who were not known by or to the Looked After Child.

Cllr Jasbinder Dehar enquired whether specialist training was made available to those Foster Carers’ who were responsible for Looked After Children with, for example, Special Educational Needs, Dyspraxia, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. The Senior Social Work Manager confirmed that training was provided as appropriate and that currently some 120 courses were available on-line. The Service Director, Children and Young people reported that part of the training was provided via the Virtual School and that access to a Link Worker was also available. Dawn Duggan spoke highly of the training which was provided and / or available to Foster Carers’. Craig Veasey-Ralph advised that in his experience as a Foster Carer looking after a child with behavioural needs he had attended training sessions at The Gem Centre which had been very helpful. The Senior Social Work Manager reported on a 16 week validated course which was available to Foster Carers’. Dawn Duggan advised that she had found this course very helpful.

Cllr Richard Whitehouse referred to Sections 10 and 11 of the Annual Report and enquired what assistance was available to Foster Carers’ who experienced a problem with a particular child. The Senior Social Work Manager advised that, occasionally, there were disruptions in placements and that the initial response would be to attempt to stabilise the situation. If this was not possible an alternative placement would be sought. If this was not feasible every effort was made to address the issue and intensive support would be provided if appropriate. The primary issue would be to ensure that the Looked After Child understood what was happening and why. Every effort was also made to learn from the experience to avoid a repetition elsewhere. Parveen Bal commented that if the concerns raised initially by Foster Carers’ had been acknowledged the number of such incidents would be reduced. The Senior Social Work Manager reminded the Board that every effort was made to make suitable matches between Looked After Children and Foster Carers’.

Craig Veasey-Ralph commented on the closure of the Foster Care Support service which had provided an accessible means of support and assistance. The service had been terminated on 31 December 2015, with this decision to change provider having been made in October 2015 but Foster Carers’ had only been notified recently. He suggested that there was a need for communication between the Council and Foster Carers’ to improve.

Resolved:

That the Fostering Service Annual Report for 2014/15 be approved subject to reference to the closure of the Foster Care Support service being included.