Issue - meetings

To provide an update on Haringey in-house fostering service and the changes proposed to improve performance.

The Committee received an update on Haringey’s in-house fostering service and on changes to improve performance. It was noted that over the last three years the fostering service had failed to reach local performance targets for the recruitment of new foster carers, whilst the demand for local in house carers had increased. The number of children in care had risen by about 50 at any one time.

The cost of placements in independent fostering agency placements was significantly higher than the cost of in-house placements, consequently it was planned to reduce expenditure in placements by increasing the number of in- house foster carers.

There had been some impact from the extension of the recruitment campaign and it is anticipated that 20 foster carers will be approved during this year. No single operational Manager in fostering had had responsibility for overseeing the recruitment which had resulted in poor co-ordination and delays in responding to enquiries and in processing applications. A dedicated recruitment team is to be piloted within the service.  The Committee noted the problem of recruiting carers was a national one. There were a number of reasons for the low level of interest including poor follow up of initial enquires and poor co-ordination. Last month there had been approximately 50 enquires, of which around 20 were immediately considered as unsuitable. From the remaining 30, 10 were visited immediately with 5 subsequently dropping off. The remaining 4/5 reached the F Form stage with the possibility of 3 actually becoming foster carers. Once recruited the retention rates were good, with some foster carers having 15 years or more service.

The pilot team will be responsible for fostering campaigns, information events, enquiries, preparation training and foster carer assessments. Although initially there would be three social workers in the team, this would need to be reviewed and may need to be increased.  . Also it was noted that independent assessors maybe required if the numbers of assessments surpassed the capacity of the team.

The Committee noted that the service had commissioned a review of the in-house fostering service to run alongside the pilot, which would be completed within two months and would inform proposals on future permanent arrangements. The Members felt that it was important that there was effective monitoring of the pilot scheme.

RESOLVED:

1.      That a progress report be presented to the Committee in three months.

2.      That figures on retention rates be provided for the next meeting.

3.      That the Committee be provided by e-mail with a breakdown of the number and types of carers.