Agenda item

The Annual Report of Fostering Service and Panel is attached.

The Head of Fostering Service spoke to the Annual report of the progress of Fostering Service. Officers highlighted that the fostering service covered the recruitment and support services provided to young children.

The Panel heard that prior to 2019 the workforce of the Fostering Service had been stable. There had been two service reviews which highlighted the weakness of how practice was within the service. A lot of drive had been made for the fostering service.

Further, officers shared that there were no change to the number of foster carers employed. The service continued to have 231 foster carers, with over 800 young children placed amongst them.

The service considered a matching process and was mindful in placing a child within the right household.

In addition, officers highlighted from the report that there were a number of key priorities for service development over the year, this included:

-        Relationship building with foster carers that included a systemic practice model for confidence and resilience;

-        Increasing panels for children; and

-        Placement stability and contacting difficult households; to name a few.

Officers further highlighted that the recruitment of foster carers service would return back into the borough. (Foster carers were currently recruited from a Panel outside of the borough). Training was also available to ensure that the borough had the right foster carers to care for Croydon children.

In response to EMPIRE’s question on how young people would know what they were entitled to when in foster care, officers responded that a joint responsibility through the services would ensure that young children were informed. Additionally, the service had developed a new policy for what all young children would receive. This delivered transparency in what the service provided. Officers further ensured that children and young people should know what they should be entitled to at the placement agreement meeting providing detailed information.

Panel Co-optee Members commented on the service structure noting that there was no mention on the children’s path or social work team, and officers clarified that the structure was an overview of the fostering service and what the service was delivering.

Panel Members was interested to know what the young children would say about the change and ambitions, and how young children would feel confident with the support that they would receive. Officers shared that the service was with young carers and statutory things had been put in place to hear the voice of the child. As the fostering panel had been reconstituted, the service was strengthening relationships with foster carers, conducting home visits as and when necessary.

Panel Co-optee Members commented on the key priorities, training learning development, noting that foster carers work very hard at what they do to support the service and children in their care, though they had difficulties with the pathway plans which was to provide a smooth transition. Officers noted that the paperwork needed to be completed and received by the social worker.

The Chair highlighted that the difficulty of the pathway plan and all the paperwork was an issue which needed to be rectified in order for a smooth transition.

ACTION – To address the issue of pathway plan for a smooth transition.

The Panel RESOLVED to note the report.