Agenda item

The Chair opened the item, noting that a set of draft recommendations had been produced and shared with officers. Officer feedback on these had then been shared with Members.

The Chair proposed a set of final recommendations, based on the officer feedback:

1.            Develop an introduction pack for children that provides Cared For Children with all essential information to help them feel prepared and supported when starting a new placement and, where possible, during placement moves.

2.            Include a 'Voice of the Child' section in the 'All About Me' profiles.

3.            Include 'Where Are They Now' stories on the Council's website, where Cared Experienced Young People share their experiences, if they are comfortable and willing to do so.

4.            Review and develop the training programme to introduce specialist Foster Carer pathways, including pathways for carers specialising in supporting young people with complex needs.

5.            Review existing peer support initiatives and develop opportunities to strengthen engagement.

Members supported this summary, and noted that peer support (number 5) should extend to both foster carers and young people.

Members highlighted witness feedback regarding information on the website, that it could be clearer, more accessible and more informative.

Members supported the recommendation around enhanced training, noting repeated referenced in the witness sessions, and the need for specialist and ongoing development. Officers noted that there was an existing comprehensive training offer to foster carers. While training was regularly reviewed, officers remained open to further improvements. The training programme was designed to remain an ongoing, evolving area, responsive to emerging needs.

Members referred to national data suggesting that large numbers of expressions of interest translated to relatively low approvals of foster carers. Members asked if national proposals to broaden eligibility criteria may affect Hillingdon, and if local assessments were ‘too picky’. Officers noted that a national consultation was underway on the future of fostering, aimed at increasing recruitment of foster carers. While the Council welcomed national efforts to strengthen the foster care system, fostering involved ‘parenting plus plus’, supporting children with significant needs, complex needs and trauma. Safety, skills, and motivation of prospective carers remain critical. Hillingdon’s assessment process was robust but inclusive, with no exclusion based on employment status, relationship status, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or similar personal characteristics. The requirement was to approve safe, capable carers. Fostering was not always the first placement option – kinship care, family placements, and residential homes also featured within a broader placement strategy. Officers confirmed that no inappropriate exclusionary criteria were used.

Members highlighted the importance of social worker stability, noting that frequent changes could negatively impact both children and foster carers. A recommendation on this had been considered outside the scope of the fostering review because it related more broadly to social work workforce organisation rather than fostering service provision. Officers clarified that children’s social workers were allocated through wider Children’s Social Care teams, while supervising Social Workers (supporting foster carers) fell within fostering services. Supervising social worker stability was generally high.

It was clarified that the Committee were happy with the above five recommendations, while final wording could be confirmed later.

RESOLVED: That the Committee:

1. Agreed findings, conclusions and draft recommendations in relation to the review; and

2. Delegated final wording of the recommendations to the Democratic Services Officer in conjunction with the Chair and in consultation with the Opposition Lead