Agenda item

·         Private Fostering Report

·         Fostering & Alternative Carers Support Team Annual Report

Jo Smith, Operational Lead - Children & Families, Fostering and Alternative Carers Support Team introduced the reports to the Panel confirming that the service had a new name in recognition of a restructure and the fact that officers work with a range of carers, not just fosterers. 

The Panel learnt that the team works with anyone who comes forward wanting to be a foster carer.  The process can take up to five months and involves a lot of training and support.  Foster carer applications are reducing but connected carers are increasing which is reflective of a cultural team.  It was confirmed that the council currently has five family support workers in place.  Within the Connected Persons Team there is a current 11 week wait from assessment to court date.

It was confirmed that there is a national shortage of foster carers at this point; in addition, initial enquiries about fostering have also decreased.  Sharon Shaw, Head of Corporate Parenting confirmed that although the number of initial enquires is dramatically lower, the approval rate is increasing.  This could suggest that people are better informed about what fostering involves and that the council is putting the right information out there.  It was confirmed that after a contract with an external marketing company ended, all communication in relation to fostering and caring is now done internally with the Warwickshire County Council comms team and there is a much more effective marketing approach.

It was noted that a regional approach to fostering, like Adoption Central England (ACE) is being considered as a way to potentially move forward. 

John Coleman, Director of Children & Families Service confirmed that the West Midlands are in the second round of applications to set up regional care cooperative with support from the Government.  With regards to a Regional Fostering Agency there are concerns in relation to people who enquire looking to foster Warwickshire children, to help Warwickshire children and not those outside of the county.  Jo Smith added that, as mentioned, there is such a shortage of foster carers within the county and the service wouldn’t want to lose them to other areas.  It was noted that other authorities feel the same.  IT was agreed that it was important to support local children and keep them in the local area. 

The Panel noted that work was underway on The Warwickshire Offer – a comparison/benchmarking exercise in relation to the cost-of-living crisis.  As a result, the council has increased fees by 5% (maintenance costs).  In addition, the equipment list was reviewed for the first time in five years and updated. 

The Panel learnt that the Treehouse scheme opened two years ago and offers respite and support for foster carers.  Sharon Shaw added that foster parenting can be different to general parenting so the support from close friends isn’t always there. Families may face challenges that only other foster carers will understand.  The council is looking to increase the treehouse support. 

John Coleman confirmed that in relation to fostering, Warwickshire County Council is making progress and has a good fostering and private fostering service. 

The Panel agreed that they would like to see another annual update in twelve months’ time in relation to fostering and caring in Warwickshire.  It was noted that this would be added to the work programme.