Agenda and minutes

Councillor Davies declared an interest as her daughter is a social worker and kinship carer.

Councillor Drewett declared an interest as a family member is a fosterer and an adopter.

a)    Officer presentation

b)    Committee questioning and discussion

c)     Formation of comments and recommendations

Invitees:

-          Natalie Poyner – Head of Children Services

-          Becky Jones – Service Manager – South East Wales Adoption Services

The Service Manager – South East Wales Adoption Services (SEWAS) gave an overview of the report.

The Committee asked the following:

·       The Committee thanked the officers for the report and its layout. The Committee asked how many foster carers moved on to adopt. The Service Manager – SEWAS advised that, while the exact percentage was unknown, foster carers are allowed to apply for adoption after one year of fostering.

·       The Committee queried why the number of assessments was lower than the number of initial enquiries. The Service Manager – SEWAS explained there might be reasons on both the staff and the adopter side for why the process doesn't move forward following the initial enquiry stage.

·       The Committee asked what the objectives of the service were. The Service Manager – SEWAS advised that the objectives included providing a service for those within the adoptive services, and for children. The aim was identifying the best matches and achieving permanence at the earliest stage possible when adoption is part of a child's care plan.

·       The Committee asked what the obstacles faced by the service were, as well as the progress made. The Service Manager – SEWAS explained they always seek to provide placements either within SEWAS or from an outside agency. Concerns were raised by the Service Manager about maintaining a pool of approved adopters. The Head of Children Services noted another challenge was finding a range of adopters willing to adopt sibling groups or children with specific needs.

·       The Committee queried how difficult it was to get adopters or whether there was a reason impacting the shortage. The Service Manager - SEWAS highlighted there was a shortage, which was not the case pre-covid. The national service was looking into the shortage and highlighted the cost-of-living crisis as a contributing factor, as well as reaffirming that there were adopter shortages for sibling groups and children with additional needs.

·       The Committee asked if adopters are given a monetary allowance. The Committee were advised by the Service Manager - SEWAS that a needs assessment is conducted to see if help is required, however, adopters are not given a standard allowance.

·       The Committee asked how long an adopter is responsible for an adopted child. The Service Manager – SEWAS noted at 18 they are considered an adult legally, however, early adult support may be provided. The Adoption UK service has a service for adopted persons aged 18-25. They emphasised that an adopter would have responsibility for their child in the same way as a non-adoptive parent.

·       The Committee asked how long adoption support was available for, as well as whether counselling was provided to the adoptee and family. The Service Manager - SEWAS informed the Committee that support is provided following the end of the adoption based on a needs assessment. SEWAS has access to a psychological service that could provide help, and the adoption  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.

Invitees:

-        Natalie Poyner – Head of Children Services

-        Louise Quatermass – Residential and Resources Service Manager

The Residential and Resources Service Manager gave an overview of the report.

The Committee asked the following:

·       The Committee queried why the harmonisation of fees report was delayed. The Residential and Resource Services Manager advised that the work was delayed due to the significant uplift in funding required, which had been escalated to Welsh Government.

·       The Committee commended the service for the mother and baby joint foster work, as well as commending the officers on the report and work provided. The Committee requested further information on this aspect of the service in next year’s report.

·       The Committee queried the difference in recruitment of adopters and foster carers, and the barriers faced. The Residential and Resources Services Manager noted there are a variety of foster carers such as those that foster on a short-term or long-term basis and highlighted that the legal status as well as the role of a foster carer is different from those that adopt.

·       The Committee asked how feedback is provided on the service. The Residential and Resources Services Manager noted that the Childcare Social Worker as well as a Fostering Social Worker were able to provide feedback, as well as other professionals within the foster carer and foster cared child's life. The Head of Children Services noted the feedback is relayed back on all levels of the service provided.

·       The Committee questioned whether there was data on this feedback. The Residential and Resources Services Manager noted 6-monthly quality of care reports were conducted as well as 3-monthly data driven reports created. The Committee asked if this data could be provided at a following committee. The Head of Children Services informed the Committee that there was a Gwent Advocacy Service that fostered children could provide feedback to, as well as an independent reviewing officer. The Head of Children Services noted the child's voice is at the centre of all work.

·       The Committee asked if kinship carers were provided with the same financial support as foster carers. The Residential and Resources Services Manager noted this did not sit with this team however the information could be passed on. The Head of Children Services highlighted they have a team that works on this, and noted kinship caring is always the desire.

·       The Committee asked if there was partnership work that allowed fostering households to gain discounts or rewards. The Residential and Resources Services Manager detailed to the Committee that foster carers have access to Blue Light cards as well as noting free gym memberships were available from Newport Live. The Residential and Resources Services Manager further explained that the Recruitment Officer was looking into any other help that could be provided and emphasised this was always a priority especially on a local level. The Head of Children Services highlighted a Christmas event celebrating foster carers.

·       The Committee queried whether there were any legislative changes that would make it easier to provide  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

a)      Actions Plan (Appendix 1)

Invitee:

-        Neil Barnett – Scrutiny Adviser

a)    Actions Sheet

The Committee were advised that all actions were up to date.

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 20^th March 2024 were accepted as a true and accurate record.