Agenda item

The Chair introduced the item on the fostering review, summarising that several witness sessions had taken place with officers, foster carers and young people with lived experience of foster care. The Chair thanked all participants, especially the young people, for their candour, openness and valuable insights.

The Chair reminded Members to consider that two of the sessions had taken place in private.

Members suggested a number of emerging themes, including:

Communication and Information?Sharing

Young people had reported occasions of being left ‘in the dark’ regarding decisions made about them, including decisions around entering care. There was also a desire for more age-appropriate, honest and timely information.

There appeared to be a need for better communication between social workers, officers, foster carers and young people, as well as more inclusivity in decision-related information sharing where safe and appropriate.

Members noted a perception that there was some sugar-coating to encourage people to become foster carers, and that young people were unaware of who they would be placed with.

Matching

Various witnesses raised concerns around matching, including the importance of cultural compatibility. Consideration should also be given to the existing household composition, including and other children or care-experienced young people already living there.

Mentoring/ Buddy System for Foster Carers

Witnesses had noted that there had previously been a buddy scheme but were not aware if this was currently happening. Foster carers would benefit from peer support for advice and guidance, emotional support, and learning from more experienced carers.

Recruiting Specialist Foster Carers

Multiple witnesses noted that foster carers may come with valuable professional skills or subject experience. This may help with the need for recruitment for specialist placements for young people with complex needs and adolescents.

Family Contact

There was a need to ensure that family contact was always in the best interest of the young person. There was a suggestion to review how family contact was planned, supervised and assessed.

Training and foster carers skills

Members highlighted that training was repeatedly requested by foster carers and young people and should include trauma-informed practice; behaviour management; cultural knowledge; LGBTQ+ awareness; and managing complex needs. Training should be expanded and standardised.

Starter packs

Members proposed a starter pack for young people entering a care placement, to include information such as their care plan, their rights, key contacts and advocacy services. This would help ensure continuity when placements change.

Officers noted this related to life story work and ensuring young people understand their care plan in accessible language. Officers also clarified that it was intended that young people will be aware of their plan. Young people also had access to advocacy services which were independent from the Local Authority. Young people also had an Independent Reviewing Officer. It was meaningful to hear this feedback from young people.

Sibling separation

Young people reported occasions of being split up from their siblings. Members suggested that sibling placement and sibling contact be strengthened, and that officers review how sibling groups can be better supported to remain connected.

Behaviour management and stability

Witnesses had indicated variations in foster carer’s preparedness for challenging behaviours. Members noted the need for more consistent support for behaviour management; clearer guidance for new carers; and better placement stability monitoring.

Frequent social worker changes

Young people had noted high turnover of their allocated social worker and that this affected trust and relationships, and having to ‘retell their story’. Members suggested improving workforce stability and communication.

Recruitment improvements

Concerns had been raised during witness sessions that recruitment materials such as the website were too static and did not reflect the real complexity or the reality of fostering. Suggested improvements included more stories, testimonials and videos; roadshows, workshops and community outreach; use of social media; honest messaging describing the intense but rewarding nature of fostering; avoiding ‘sugar coating’, and ensuring transparency about challenges and expectations.

Diversity of foster carers

Members suggested increasing recruitment efforts among religious and cultural communities (i.e. through places of worship); ethnic minority communities, LGBTQ+ communities and single carers.

Placement data

Members requested additional information on the number of children in foster placements and turnover of foster carers. Members also noted a need to distinguish between young people in respite placements, and those who move placements due to placement breakdown – this will help assess systemic issues and improve placement planning.

Informal networking

Members highlighted that foster carers may benefit from informal networking; peer groups or drop?in sessions. These were suggested as low?cost but high?impact improvements to wellbeing which may also aid in respite.

Enrichment activities for young people

Members noted that young people valued enrichment activities such as KICA (Kids in Care Awards) and suggested more such opportunities. This could include formal civic experiences such as a Mayor’s parlour visit, and broadening activities to foster belonging and positive memories.

Officers highlighted that the website included videos and testimonials of foster carers. It was emphasised that there was never an intention to deceive potential foster carers. There was a significant number of expressions of interest. The number who moved from expressions of interest to the assessment phased was reduced as it had to be the right person in the right condition in the right provision.

The assessment can be a difficult and intrusive process that looks at every aspect of a person’s life, their circumstances, their motivation and their ability to be a foster carer. Once the assessment was completed, applicants would move on to the Fostering & Permanence Panel, which included representation from Elected Members. The Panel would make a recommendation to the agency decision maker who would sign-off on the final outcome. Officers reiterated the commitment to finding the right people for each young person.

Officers would share a template of the ‘All About Me’ profile, and further information on trauma-informed practice.

Officers recapped that the new fostering offer had been launched last year and early signs showed increased enquiries and recruitment. Officers acknowledged the need for specialist recruitment; diversity in recruitment; and strengthened carer networks. Some work on this was already ongoing. The Mockingbird scheme had been piloted with central Government funding and was planned to be re-launched in an updated form once fully reviewed.

RESOLVED: That the Select Committee considered findings, conclusions and draft recommendations in relation to the review