[To meet with representatives of Foster Carers’ and to discuss matters of mutual interest]
Minutes:
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example of the cessation of the contract with Heantun for the Foster Care Support service on 31 December 2015 which had been replaced by Foster Talk but the Foster Carers’ had only been made aware recently of the new arrangements.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-Ralph opined that, in his experience, this was not the case. The Designated Nurse for looked After Children confirmed that Foster Carers’ should be invited to attend the assessments and that an opportunity also existed for input via the “Strengths and Difficulty Questionnaire (SDQ) where the views of both the Foster Carer and the Looked After Child had an opportunity to express their views. She undertook to look further into this issue.
Parveen Bal reported that Foster Carers’ received a good level of support from the Council and were also afforded a lot of opportunities to undertake training. Dawn Duggan explained that she had been a Foster Carer for ten years and had always attended the medical assessments of children in her care. On occasions she had accompanied the child’s natural parents to such assessments as they were able to provide background history and details of family health issues. She opined that lack of support in emergency situations was an issue which needed to be addressed and suggested that the “buddying” scheme be re-introduced.
Cllr Paula Brookfield enquired whether the Foster Carer Forum would be self- supporting. Craig Veasey–Ralph commented that the Forum would require some support from the Council. The Service Director, Children and Young People confirmed that the “buddying” scheme was being continued. The Senior Social Work Manager reported that a Training Officer had been appointed and the process of recruiting to the Family Support Worker’s post to support the buddy scheme was on-going. Dawn Duggan enquired whether the Volunteer Driver scheme was still in existence. The Service Director, Children and Young People confirmed that this service was available to assist Looked After Children to continue to attend their original school after being placed in care. Dawn Duggan explained that whilst this was welcome it was not sufficiently flexible to enable Looked After Children to participate in after school activities. The Service Director, Children and Young People offered to discuss this matter further outside the meeting.
Resolved:
1. That the representatives of the Foster Carers’ be thanked for attending and participating in the meeting;
2. That the Service Director, Children and Young People and the Designated Nurse for Looked After Children follow up the various issues now raised;
3. That all Foster Carers’ be appraised of the proposed way forward for the service.