Agenda item

Attendee:

-       Sally-Ann Jenkins (Head of Children and Young People Services)

-       Joanne Llewellyn (Service Manager Resources, Children and Young People Services)

The Head of Children and Young People Services presented a brief overview to the Committee and highlighted they key areas for consideration. Fostering, although not regional service it is important to bring to the committee as it talks about a regional service linked into regional partnerships.

The report outlines work the completed, recruitment strategy and communication panel. Fostering, like Adoption, has an aging population, fewer people wish to be foster carers. The Council has a comp need in children in foster that place a challenge in how we care for those children. 22 local authority recruitment and large number of agencies. In fostering, diff position where 22 LA, far too children involved, but also have large number of national and international agencies who recruit. More challenging area. Need more, more children to place and more competition.

The five local authorities pay different amounts and are all fishing for foster carers. Newport foster carers can foster for any other agency or authority for example a foster carer living in Rogerstone could foster for Caerphilly and Cardiff. The National Fostering Framework has looked at national issues. Some work has been done around foster agencies. Some weaknesses of the National Fostering Framework is that it isn’t strong enough about out work around agencies and is a bit slow.working regionally. There is a funded Regional Officer that is funding out of the framework which is looking at issues, but it is still slow. Newport pay less than a few other authorities and considerably less than Cardiff, and all of agencies.

A challenge for Fostering is branding and how do we better promote fostering. We’ve done significant amount of work but what else can we offer apart from money. Support and benefits for foster carers are also important. The support given to foster workers are link workers, training, hours of support, peer support is strong. The Foster Care Forum raised issues that when placements end it can be emotionally draining. The Council has been able to offer wider packages, such as access to Newport Live leisure facilities.

To advertise Fostering Services, officers attend Over 50 events, advertise through Twitter and Facebook. If people phone us, they need to speak to someone straight away, so it is important for them to be able to talk to someone who can give information and arrange a visit. 20 Reasons to Fostering is a National campaign that Welsh Government have agreed to fund. Early next year Fostering across Wales is being released. This will be interesting as Foster Wales is a national brand. We would have Foster Newport and would have our own materials for Newport. Themes will be the same, but will be customised for local use.

Members asked the following:

·                If people want to become foster carers how do they get in touch? It was advised that information is on the NCC website. You can phone the duty desk number directly and You can email which will go directly through to the Duty desk. There is currently work taking place with the Communications Team to put the link on the front page of the website.

Members were also advised that the Council were involved in a mystery shopper exercise in which we received good feedback for contacting people back

·                With private agencies is there a worry that they aren’t doing as good a job as the Council? Members were advised that the challenge is that some agencies as excellent but the reality is that agency foster placements will cost twice as much. It isn’t supporting a local business as some are part of an international business. Public money should be spent on children.

The officer then advised that there has been a trend of unstable placements, which could be the beginning of a potential problem. We care about the care that the children receive. When asked if Welsh Government are stepping in, it was advised that they have already looked in Scotland, and the Deputy Minister has looked in Glasgow. It is a real challenge as we need foster placements, if there are no places to go then we have to go to an agency for a placement.

·                It was advised that the telephone lines are open office hours, however people can email straight away. When Members asked if telephone lines could be open out of hours, it was advised it could be looked into, however it would be tricky because it would need to be staffed.

·                Members voiced their interest in the fostering process and then queried if 100 people rang, how many of those would become foster carers? Members were advised that this information can be sent to the committee. It was advised that there are some people that aren’t suitable to be foster carers. They look into people who haven’t smoked for 5 years, their criminal record, ensure they are in reasonable health and their family environment. It is important for the child to be cared for in an environment that is appropriate for them.

·                Members were advised about the discrepancy on page 67, it should note 12 including kinship.

·                Query was made about the relationship with Barnardos and their independent fostering service. It was advised that Charge less than an independent private agency as money ploughed back into children’s organisation. The Head of Service argued that a Local Authority is democratically accountable, however they argue that Fostering and adoption service run out a different part of the organisation. If we have a choice we don’t use them for placements. The preference is our own foster carers

·                Members advised that there had been a similar report from a West Country local authority and there too are struggling to recruit. Concerned was then voiced that there is a lot of time taking place in recruitment but not in protecting our current staff. Members were advised that work is done to retain staff and ready to go depending on the budget such as putting up fees. Comment was then made that after talking to foster carers, it is about money to a point however morale is low. The Head of Service advised that issues have been more rigorous about people leaving i.e respite care. There is a balance needed, wanting to get 60 foster children by independent fostering agency carers reduced. Welsh Government have proposed to reduced looked after children. Poverty is only one aspect of why LAC numbers need to improve.

·                How much work is being done in Foster Carer forums to ask what do they want? Members were advised that there are one group of Foster carers sees themselves as professionals and want to be paid accordingly and are more vocal.  Group emails regularly. Another group with young foster children, happy to carry on. We are also looking into council tax assistance but there is a cost.

·                It was advised that work has been done within hubs regarding advertising Fostering and how to get the message out. Other suggestions included social media and advertising in the South Wales Argus.

·                Concern was raised about a child’s place in school when they are taken into a family. What are the implications? Members were advised that the majority of children remain in the same school initially and not move them mid-term. It is the local authority’s responsibility, not the foster carers. The Council does spend a lot of money in transport, which is another set of challenges.

·                Are foster children classed as children who couldn’t be adopted? Members were advised that it could be that the child has just come into care, have complex needs. It was then advised that the foster carer would have a range of training to support those children who have special needs.

·                How many children did well in foster care? Many examples were given such as children getting good results in school, going on to have good carers and become good parents themselves.

·         Members commented on plans on page 68 and commented that it was hoped to see detail on how we are doing on the ground e.g. over 50s forum day presence, cinema’s work. This does help Members to understand what is being done. Members were advised that the previous Strategic Director – People had done a lot of work through Corporate communications and marketing. There isn’t a budget for advertising so teams will need to improvise.

·         Comment was made that there are huge challenges in services, how are we faring in relation to pressures on our staff? It was advised that this week was hard with short term sickness. Inspectors commented on how positive staff were. The recruitment and retention of staff is okay. It is important to ensure that staff are not overwhelmed which isn’t easy as the workload is high. It was noted that they have a young workforce, and it is much better that staff are all located in one area in the Civic Centre.

·      Members commented that there was nothing in the report regarding residential services. The officer advised that this report was purely about fostering placements, but will take comments on board.

·      Collaboration in groups was discussed, and was the asked about best practice and innovative ideas being shared across the country. Members were advised that the Team Leader meets with Gwent Team Managers along with regional managers, who take ideas to national managers. Ideas are also shared along with policies. It was also advised that the Foster Care Association would be useful if it could gain traction, which would be a foster care led organisation that can bring challenges to the Local Authority.

When queried about a regional worker being funded by the Welsh Government, Members were advised that work is looked at what can be done regionally and the overall fostering service. Work on “20 Reasons to Foster\” makes sense to do regionally. The partners are trying to look at what things can be done locally, regionally and nationally.

·     Is there a future of partnership working moving forward? It was advised that assuming national branding goes ahead, that will see change for us. All partners will have a common branding approach to fostering. Work is being done with an agency and seen a mock up of the work, which is distinctive, fresh and modern. It will be interesting to see what steps Welsh Government take with independent foster agencies. 

·     Will this be a good way of working in 5 – 10 years? It was advised there is pressure on Welsh Government to harmonise fees. There is also a push forward to decreasing independent fostering agencies and have more regulation.

·     Will you see a difference within the county of Gwent with more working together and less fees? Members were advised that we are looking to get to a point where all 5 authorities pay the same, or similar to Caerphilly. was then made that it would be useful to have discussions with Welsh Government regarding fixing fees to be the same.

·      Are partners looking at other things, such as what fosterers say? Members were told about Fostering Fortnights. If branding is agreed, then this will also be launched. A Foster Care tea party also took place last year, which was an open invite. All foster carers get a thank you letter from the Chief Executive Officer around April/May.

·      Members discussed page 68 – looking at plans of communication. Are we sharing information with the Public Service Board? Are local companies such as Admiral being accredited to advertise? Members were advised that work had been done with Wealthy Women of Newport this year and last year which had been really successful engaging with foster carers. There is also a good buy in from Newport County and the Celtic Manor for children Christmas parties. Admiral last year gave Christmas presents. Work could be stronger though.

·     Comment was made about those who are harder to reach, such as shift workers. Is advertising taking place in schools and gyms? It was advised that there are pop up stands in certain areas. Corporate Communications team do this. This is also done in GP surgeries and stands in Tesco. It is also advertised in school newspapers.

·     Members commented about Dementia Friendly City program, and noted the potential to get the scheme off the ground. Comment was then made about discounts at the Riverfront for carers and if there was any other discounts elsewhere. Members were advised that Riverfront issue discounts for pantomimes. We are also looking get carers access to the staff Vectis cards which offer discounts in numerous stores.

The Chair thanked the officers for attending.